Biomedical Engineering Department, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
Ultrasound Med Biol. 2013 Aug;39(8):1451-9. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2013.02.465. Epub 2013 May 15.
An ultrasound elasticity microscope was used to map 3-D strain volume in an ex vivo porcine cornea to illustrate its ability to measure the mechanical properties of this tissue. Mechanical properties of the cornea play an important role in its function and, therefore, also in ophthalmic diseases such as kerataconus and corneal ectasia. The ultrasound elasticity microscope combines a tightly focused high-frequency transducer with confocal scanning to produce high-quality speckle over the entire volume of tissue. This system and the analysis were able to generate volume maps of compressional strain in all three directions for porcine corneal tissue, more information than any previous study has reported. Strain volume maps indicated features of the cornea and mechanical behavior as expected. These results constitute a step toward better understanding of corneal mechanics and better treatment of corneal diseases.
超声弹性显微镜用于绘制离体猪眼角膜的 3D 应变体积图，以说明其测量该组织力学特性的能力。角膜的力学特性对其功能很重要，因此，在像圆锥角膜和角膜扩张等眼科疾病中也很重要。超声弹性显微镜将一个聚焦紧密的高频换能器与共焦扫描相结合，在整个组织体积上产生高质量的斑点。该系统和分析能够为猪眼角膜组织生成所有三个方向的压缩应变体积图，比以往任何研究报告的信息都多。应变体积图显示了角膜的特征和预期的机械行为。这些结果是朝着更好地理解角膜力学和更好地治疗角膜疾病迈出的一步。
