Department of Biomedical Engineering, Illinois Institute of Technology, 3255 South Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60616, USA.
Biomaterials. 2013 Sep;34(28):6615-30. doi: 10.1016/j.biomaterials.2013.05.033. Epub 2013 Jun 13.
Biomaterials are employed in the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine (TERM) in order to enhance the regeneration or replacement of tissue function and/or structure. The unique environments resulting from the presence of biomaterials, cells, and tissues result in distinct challenges in regards to monitoring and assessing the results of these interventions. Imaging technologies for three-dimensional (3D) analysis have been identified as a strategic priority in TERM research. Traditionally, histological and immunohistochemical techniques have been used to evaluate engineered tissues. However, these methods do not allow for an accurate volume assessment, are invasive, and do not provide information on functional status. Imaging techniques are needed that enable non-destructive, longitudinal, quantitative, and three-dimensional analysis of TERM strategies. This review focuses on evaluating the application of available imaging modalities for assessment of biomaterials and tissue in TERM applications. Included is a discussion of limitations of these techniques and identification of areas for further development.
生物材料被应用于组织工程和再生医学（TERM）领域，以增强组织功能和/或结构的再生或替代。生物材料、细胞和组织的存在所产生的独特环境，给监测和评估这些干预措施的结果带来了明显的挑战。用于三维（3D）分析的成像技术已被确定为 TERM 研究的战略重点。传统上，组织学和免疫组织化学技术已被用于评估工程组织。然而，这些方法无法进行准确的体积评估，具有侵袭性，并且无法提供功能状态信息。需要能够对 TERM 策略进行非破坏性、纵向、定量和三维分析的成像技术。本综述重点评估了现有成像方式在 TERM 应用中评估生物材料和组织的应用。其中包括对这些技术的局限性的讨论，并确定了进一步发展的领域。
