Strain field measurements on mouse carotid arteries using microscopic three-dimensional digital image correlation

Application of Digital Image Correlation for Strain Mapping of Structural Elements and Materials

The strain gauge method and the digital image correlation (DIC) method are commonly employed for measuring strain in tested objects, including material specimens and structural elements. The optical method enables the assessment of 3D strain fields across the entire area of interest, achieved through cameras and advanced software. The study investigates both quasi-static strength tests and more advanced research of structures. It explores full-scale construction testing, featuring highly stressed components of new wagon designs. The paper reviews the benefits and challenges of using the DIC method to measure large-scale elements. Conducting full-scale object testing is characterized by significant complexity, often involving interactions between elements, complex loading conditions, and the influence of friction. Numerous factors affect the measurements. Therefore, to compare both methods, an initially standard shear by tensile test of CFRP composite was analyzed. The analysis of strain maps provides valuable visualization of deformation patterns occurring during construction loading. The strain gauge method was crucial for verifying the quality of the DIC measurements. The results obtained provide a detailed understanding of how the components behave, highlighting the versatility of digital image correlation technology. For strain values of 0.3% and above, a good match was obtained between optical and strain gauge measurements. Below this value, the results have less accuracy. The results obtained provide a detailed understanding of how the components behave, highlighting the versatility of digital image correlation technology. The error comparison and discussion between different measurement scenarios were conducted. The paper presents a developed methodology for measuring strain and displacement state in complex and crucial structural elements. The method can be applied to measurements of heavily loaded components used in the transportation industry; for example, in railways.

Digital Image Correlation Analysis of Strain Fields in Fibre-Reinforced Polymer-Matrix Composite under ±45° Off-Axis Tensile Testing

This study presents an experimental investigation of an in-plane shear of a glass lamina composite using a ±45° off-axis tension test. Typically, the shear stress curve, shear modulus, and in-plane shear strength for composite lamina-type materials are identified. Previous research indicated that a loading rate affects the strength of this composite. This study extends the existing literature by utilising a non-contact optical digital image correlation (DIC) method to measure strain distribution during the test. Two cross-head displacement rates were examined. The obtained strain maps reveal an uneven distribution resembling fabric texture. As the deformation progresses, the differences in the strain pattern increase. Subsequently, a quantitative analysis of the differences between regions with extreme (minimum and maximum) strain values and regions with average values was conducted. Based on these measurements, shear stress-strain curves, indicating variations in their courses, were constructed. These differences may reach several percent and may influence the analysis of numerical simulations. The DIC results were validated using strain gauge measurements, a commonly utilised method in this test. It was demonstrated that the location of the strain gauge installation impacts the results. During the tests, the occurrence of multiple microcracks in the resin was observed, which can contribute to the nonlinearity observed in the shear stress-shear strain curve.

Three-Dimensional Digital Image Correlation Based on Speckle Pattern Projection for Non-Invasive Vibrational Analysis

Non-contact vibration measurements are relevant for non-invasively characterizing the mechanical behavior of structures. This paper presents a novel methodology for full-field vibrational analysis at high frequencies using the three-dimensional digital image correlation technique combined with the projection of a speckle pattern. The method includes stereo calibration and image processing routines for accurate three-dimensional data acquisition. Quantitative analysis allows the extraction of several deformation parameters, such as the cross-correlation coefficients, shape and intensity, as well as the out-of-plane displacement fields and mode shapes. The potential of the methodology is demonstrated on an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle wing made of composite material, followed by experimental validation with reference accelerometers. The results obtained with the projected three-dimensional digital image correlation show a percentage of error below 5% compared with the measures of accelerometers, achieving, therefore, high sensitivity to detect the dynamic modes in structures made of composite material.

Optical Strain Measurement and Microfractography of the Fractures of Armstal 550 Steel after Temperature Tensile Tests

A material strength investigation along with a detailed microfractography analysis of fractures formed during static tensile tests of steel Armstal 550 was performed. The tests in this research were conducted in a temperature range of 298 to 973 K. In addition, during tensile tests at ambient temperature, optical measurements of strain maps and the curvature of the neck were performed. The minimum cross-sectional diameter and the radius of the neck curvature during tensile tests were obtained. The data can be directly used to obtain the true stress-strain curve. The material property analysis confirmed the high strength of the Armstal 550 alloy. The ultimate strength at room temperature equals 2.14 GPa, whereas the yield point equals 1.65 GPa. A decrease in the strength parameters along with an increase in temperature was noted. This is a typical phenomenon related to a change in the density and thermal expansion of steel under the influence of the temperature increase. For example, at a temperature of 500 °C, the ultimate strength is more than 50% less than at room temperature. An in-depth analysis of the metallography and microfractography of fractures resulting from static tensile tests showed the formation of atypical nano- and microstructures with an elongated shape. Local nano- and microstructures were observed at different levels of intensity for different temperatures. The largest clusters of nanoparticles were present on the surfaces of the specimens examined at a temperature of 973 K. Scanning microscopy analysis confirmed the presence of molybdenum oxides.

The Radial Bulging and Axial Strains of Intervertebral Discs during Creep Obtained with the 3D-DIC System

Creep-associated changes in disc bulging and axial strains are essential for the research and development of mechano-bionic biomaterials and have been assessed in various ways in ex vivo creep studies. Nonetheless, the reported methods for measurement were limited by location inaccuracy, a lack of synchronousness, and destructiveness. To this end, this study focuses on the accurate, synchronous, and noninvasive assessment of bugling and strains using the 3D digital image correlation (3D-DIC) system and the impact of creep on them. After a preload of 30 min, the porcine cervical discs were loaded with different loads for 4 h of creep. Axial strains and lateral bulging of three locations on the discs were synchronously measured. The three-parameter solid model and the newly proposed horizontal asymptote models were used to fit the acquired data. The results showed that the load application reduced disc strains by 6.39% under 300 N, 11.28% under 400 N, and 12.59% under 500 N. Meanwhile, the largest protrusion occurred in the middle of discs with a bugling of 1.50 mm, 1.67 mm, and 1.87 mm. Comparison of the peer results showed that the 3D-DIC system could be used in ex vivo biomechanical studies with reliability and had potential in the assessment of the mechanical behavior of novel biomaterials. The phenomenon of the largest middle protrusion enlightened further the strength of spinal implants in this area. The mathematical characterizations of bulging and strains under different loads yielded various model parameters, which are prerequisites for developing implanted biomaterials.

Stereo sampling moiré method for three-dimensional deformation mapping with a stereomicroscope

Three-dimensional (3D) deformation distribution measurement is of great interest in applications of materials evaluation. In this study, we propose a stereo sampling moiré method for full-field 3D deformation measurement based on a stereomicroscope. From the phase analysis on the left and right image planes as well as the relationship between displacements in the world and image coordinate systems, the 3D displacements and the in-plane strains of the specimen can be acquired. We also propose a method to calibrate the microscope convergence angle using the grid pitch variation. The validation experiment shows that the difference between the out-of-plane displacement measured by the proposed method and the movement of the sample stage is less than 0.2 µm. The microscopic 3D displacements and the in-plane strain distributions of a carbon fiber reinforced plastic specimen in a three-point bending test are investigated.

Experimental verification of full-field accuracy in stereo-DIC based on the ESPI method

This paper proposes a method to merge stereo-digital image correlation (DIC) and electronic speckle pattern interferometry (ESPI) data by camera calibration. The proposed method is employed to verify the accuracy of full-field out-of-plate displacements measured by stereo-DIC in a cantilever beam test. The mean absolute error and the root mean square error (RMSE) of the full-field displacement measured by four-megapixel cameras are 0.849 µm and 1.08 µm at 60 mm field of view, respectively, and the RMSE of the central area is 0.615 µm. The errors are not uniformly distributed because of the imperfect calibration. When the lenses are changed and the field of view reaches 120 mm, the RMSE is 1.48 µm with uniform distribution. These accuracies could be traced back to the laser wavelength to confirm the stereo-DIC data. The proposed method can be used not only to verify the full-field measurement accuracy of DIC but also to determine the rigid-body displacement for ESPI with a high-precision stereo-DIC. Thus, the displacement vector can be obtained. Furthermore, it can unify the coordinate of multiple ESPI systems to achieve a large range of high-precision three-dimensional deformation measurements.

Developing a Lung Model in the Age of COVID-19: A Digital Image Correlation and Inverse Finite Element Analysis Framework

Pulmonary diseases, driven by pollution, industrial farming, vaping, and the infamous COVID-19 pandemic, lead morbidity and mortality rates worldwide. Computational biomechanical models can enhance predictive capabilities to understand fundamental lung physiology; however, such investigations are hindered by the lung’s complex and hierarchical structure, and the lack of mechanical experiments linking the load-bearing organ-level response to local behaviors. In this study we address these impedances by introducing a novel reduced-order surface model of the lung, combining the response of the intricate bronchial network, parenchymal tissue, and visceral pleura. The inverse finite element analysis (IFEA) framework is developed using 3-D digital image correlation (DIC) from experimentally measured non-contact strains and displacements from an ex-vivo porcine lung specimen for the first time. A custom-designed inflation device is employed to uniquely correlate the multiscale classical pressure-volume bulk breathing measures to local-level deformation topologies and principal expansion directions. Optimal material parameters are found by minimizing the error between experimental and simulation-based lung surface displacement values, using both classes of gradient-based and gradient-free optimization algorithms and by developing an adjoint formulation for efficiency. The heterogeneous and anisotropic characteristics of pulmonary breathing are represented using various hyperelastic continuum formulations to divulge compound material parameters and evaluate the best performing model. While accounting for tissue anisotropy with fibers assumed along medial-lateral direction did not benefit model calibration, allowing for regional material heterogeneity enabled accurate reconstruction of lung deformations when compared to the homogeneous model. The proof-of-concept framework established here can be readily applied to investigate the impact of assorted organ-level ventilation strategies on local pulmonary force and strain distributions, and to further explore how diseased states may alter the load-bearing material behavior of the lung. In the age of a respiratory pandemic, advancing our understanding of lung biomechanics is more pressing than ever before.

Multi-view digital image correlation systems for in vitro testing of arteries from mice to humans

BACKGROUND

Digital image correlation (DIC) methods are increasingly used for non-contact optical assessment of geometry and deformation in soft tissue biomechanics, thus providing the full-field strain estimates needed for robust inverse material characterization. Despite the well-known flexibility and ease of use of DIC, issues related to spatial resolution and depth-of-field remain challenging in studies of quasi-cylindrical biological samples such as arteries.

OBJECTIVE

After demonstrating that standard surrounding multi-view DIC systems are inappropriate for such usage, we submit that both the optical setup and the data analysis need to be specifically designed with respect to the size of the arterial sample of interest. Accordingly, we propose novel and optimized DIC systems for two distinct ranges of arterial diameters: less than 2.5 mm (murine arteries) and greater than 10 mm (human arteries).

METHODS

We designed, set up, and validated a four-camera panoramic-DIC system for testing murine arteries and a multi-biprism DIC system for testing human arteries. Both systems enable dynamic 360-deg measurements with refraction correction over the entire surface of submerged samples in their native geometries.

RESULTS

Illustrative results for 3D shape and full-surface deformation fields were obtained for a mouse infrarenal aorta and a latex cylinder of size similar to the human infrarenal aorta.

CONCLUSION

Results demonstrated the feasibility and accuracy of both proposed methods in providing quantitative information on the regional behavior of arterial samples tested in vitro under physiologically relevant loading.

Stereo Digital Image Correlation in MATLAB

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) has found widespread use in measuring full-field displacements and deformations experienced by a body from images captured of it. Stereo-DIC has received significantly more attention than two-dimensional (2D) DIC since it can account for out-of-plane displacements. Although many aspects of Stereo-DIC that are shared in common with 2D DIC are well documented, there is a lack of resources that cover the theory of Stereo-DIC. Furthermore, publications which do detail aspects of the theory do not detail its implementation in practice. This literature gap makes it difficult for newcomers to the field of DIC to gain a deep understanding of the Stereo-DIC process, although this knowledge is necessary to contribute to the development of the field by either furthering its capabilities or adapting it for novel applications. This gap in literature acts as a barrier thereby limiting the development rate of Stereo-DIC. This paper attempts to address this by presenting the theory of a subset-based Stereo-DIC framework that is predominantly consistent with the current state-of-the-art. The framework is implemented in practice as a 202 line MATLAB code. Validation of the framework shows that it performs on par with well-established Stereo-DIC algorithms, indicating it is sufficiently reliable for practical use. Although the framework is designed to serve as an educational resource, its modularity and validation make it attractive as a means to further the capabilities of DIC.

Full-field microscale strain measurements of a nitinol medical device using digital image correlation

Computational modeling and simulation are commonly used during the development of cardiovascular implants to predict peak strains and strain amplitudes and to estimate the associated durability and fatigue life of these devices. However, simulation validation has historically relied on comparison with surrogate quantities like force and displacement due to barriers to direct strain measurement-most notably, the small spatial scale of these devices. We demonstrate the use of microscale two-dimensional digital image correlation (2D-DIC) to directly characterize full-field surface strains on a nitinol medical device coupon under emulated physiological and hyperphysiological loading. Experiments are performed using a digital optical microscope and a custom, temperature-controlled load frame. Following applicable recommendations from the International DIC Society, hardware and environmental heating studies, noise floor analyses, and in- and out-of-plane rigid body translation studies are first performed to characterize the microscale DIC setup. Uniaxial tension experiments are also performed using a polymeric test specimen to characterize the strain accuracy of the approach up to nominal stains of 5%. Sub-millimeter fields of view and sub-micron displacement accuracies (9nm mean error) are achieved, and systematic (mean) and random (standard deviation) errors in strain are each estimated to be approximately 1,000μϵ. The system is then demonstrated by acquiring measurements at the root of a 300μm-wide nitinol medical device strut undergoing fixed-free cantilever bending motion. Lüders-like transformation bands are observed originating from the tensile side of the strut that spread toward the neutral axis at an angle of approximately 55°. Despite the inherent limitations of optical microscopy and 2D-DIC, simple and relatively economical setups like that demonstrated herein could provide a practical and accessible solution for characterizing cardiovascular implant micromechanics, validating computational model strain predictions, and guiding the development of next-generation material models for simulating superelastic nitinol.

A 117 Line 2D Digital Image Correlation Code Written in MATLAB

Digital Image Correlation (DIC) has become a popular tool in many fields to determine the displacements and deformations experienced by an object from images captured of the object. Although there are several publications which explain DIC in its entirety while still catering to newcomers to the concept, these publications neglect to discuss how the theory presented is implemented in practice. This gap in literature, which this paper aims to address, makes it difficult to gain a working knowledge of DIC, which is necessary in order to contribute towards its development. The paper attempts to address this by presenting the theory of a 2D, subset-based DIC framework that is predominantly consistent with state-of-the-art techniques, and discussing its implementation as a modular MATLAB code. The correlation aspect of this code is validated, showing that it performs on par with well-established DIC algorithms and thus is sufficiently reliable for practical use. This paper, therefore, serves as an educational resource to bridge the gap between the theory of DIC and its practical implementation. Furthermore, although the code is designed as an educational resource, its validation combined with its modularity makes it attractive as a starting point to develop the capabilities of DIC.

Null strain analysis of submerged aneurysm analogues using a novel 3D stereomicroscopy device

To measure the inhomogeneous 3D-strain fields present during inflation-extension testing of physiologically submerged micro-aneurysms, a Stereo Digital Image Correlation (StereoDIC) microscopy system is developed that revolves 15° stereo-angle cameras around a centrally-mounted target. Calibration is performed using submerged dot patterns and system accuracy verified using strain and deformation analyses for rigid body motions of speckle-patterned, micro-aneurysmal surrogates. In terms of the Green-Lagrange strain tensor and the 3D displacement fields, the results are stable even after 120 minutes, with maxima in both strain bias and strain standard deviation less than 2E-03 for all components, and micron-level displacement standard deviation.

Digital image correlation with improved efficiency by pixel selection

With the increase in digital image correlation (DIC) applications, the computational efficiency of DIC is becoming increasingly important. In previous studies, real-time DIC was realized with a relatively small subset. However, a small subset does not always include sufficient gray gradient information. In this paper, a pixel selection strategy is proposed to improve the computational efficiency of DIC further, allowing a real-time deformation measurement with a large subset. Within the subset, zero weight is assigned to unreliable pixels as a way of pursuing maximum efficiency. The modulus of the local intensity gradient vector of each pixel in the reference image is used as the criterion for reliability. Numerical and real experiments conducted to validate the feasibility and effectiveness of the strategy showed that the computational speed of DIC could be improved about 2 times.

Characterization of chemoelastic effects in arteries using digital volume correlation and optical coherence tomography

Understanding stress-strain relationships in arteries is important for fundamental investigations in mechanobiology. Here we demonstrate the essential role of chemoelasticity in determining the mechanical properties of arterial tissues. Stepwise stress-relaxation uniaxial tensile tests were carried out on samples of porcine thoracic aortas immersed in a hyperosmotic solution. The tissue deformations were tracked using optical coherence tomography (OCT) during the tensile tests and digital volume correlation (DVC) was used to obtain measurements of depth-resolved strains across the whole thickness of the tested aortas. The hyperosmotic solution exacerbated chemoelastic effects, and we were able to measure different manifestations of these chemoelastic effects: swelling of the media inducing a modification of its optical properties, and existence of a transverse tensile strain. For the first time ever to our best knowledge, 3D strains induced by chemoelastic effects in soft tissues were quantified thanks to the OCT-DVC method. Without doubt, chemoelasticity plays an essential role in arterial mechanobiology in vivo and future work should focus on characterizing chemoelastic effects in arterial walls under physiological and disease conditions. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Chemoelasticity, coupling osmotic phenomena and mechanical stresses, is essential in soft tissue mechanobiology. For the first time ever, we measure and analyze 3D strain fields induced by these chemoelastic effects thanks to the unique combination of OCT imaging and digital volume correlation.

Measurement of in vitro cardiac deformation by means of 3D digital image correlation and ultrasound 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography

Ultrasound-based 2D speckle-tracking echocardiography (US-2D-STE) is increasingly used to assess the functionality of the heart. In particular, the analysis of cardiac strain plays an important role in the identification of several cardiovascular diseases. However, this imaging technique presents some limitations associated with its operating principle that result in low accuracy and reproducibility of the measurement. In this study, an experimental framework for multimodal strain imaging in an in vitro porcine heart was developed. Specifically, the aim of this work was to analyse displacement and strain in the heart by means of 3D digital image correlation (3D-DIC) and US-2D-STE. Over a single cardiac cycle, displacement values obtained from the two techniques were in strong correlation, although systematically larger displacements were observed with 3D-DIC. Notwithstanding an absolute comparison of the strain measurements was not possible to achieve between the two methods, maximum principal strain directions computed with 3D-DIC were consistent with the longitudinal and circumferential strain distribution measured with US-2D-STE. 3D-DIC confirmed its high repeatability in quantifying displacement and strain over multiple cardiac cycles, unlike US-2D-STE which is affected by accumulated errors over time (i.e. drift). To conclude, this study demonstrates the potential of 3D-DIC to perform dynamic measurement of displacement and strain during heart deformations and supports future applications of this method in ex vivo beating heart platforms, which replicate more fully the complex contraction of the heart.

A Chest-Laminated Ultrathin and Stretchable E-Tattoo for the Measurement of Electrocardiogram, Seismocardiogram, and Cardiac Time Intervals

Seismocardiography (SCG) is a measure of chest vibration associated with heartbeats. While skin soft electronic tattoos (e-tattoos) have been widely reported for electrocardiogram (ECG) sensing, wearable SCG sensors are still based on either rigid accelerometers or non-stretchable piezoelectric membranes. This work reports an ultrathin and stretchable SCG sensing e-tattoo based on the filamentary serpentine mesh of 28-µm-thick piezoelectric polymer, polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF). 3D digital image correlation (DIC) is used to map chest vibration to identify the best location to mount the e-tattoo and to investigate the effects of substrate stiffness. As piezoelectric sensors easily suffer from motion artifacts, motion artifacts are effectively reduced by performing subtraction between a pair of identical SCG tattoos placed adjacent to each other. Integrating the soft SCG sensor with a pair of soft gold electrodes on a single e-tattoo platform forms a soft electro-mechano-acoustic cardiovascular (EMAC) sensing tattoo, which can perform synchronous ECG and SCG measurements and extract various cardiac time intervals including systolic time interval (STI). Using the EMAC tattoo, strong correlations between STI and the systolic/diastolic blood pressures, are found, which may provide a simple way to estimate blood pressure continuously and noninvasively using one chest-mounted e-tattoo.

Strain distribution of the anterolateral ligament during internal rotation at different knee flexion angles: A biomechanical study on human cadavers

BACKGROUND

Injuries of the anterolateral ligament (ALL) are fairly common in patients with ruptures of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Before considering repair or reconstruction of the ALL, the lack of knowledge with regard to the biomechanical behavior of this ligament must be considered. The purpose of this study was to analyze the strain of the ALL induced by tibial internal rotation at different flexion angles and find out the strain distribution features.

METHODS

The ALLs of ten fresh-frozen cadaver knees were dissected. All specimens underwent tibial internal rotation from 0° to 25° at 30°, 60°, 90°, and 120° of knee flexion. Strain distribution of the ALL during internal rotation was recorded by digital image correlation (DIC). The overall strain and sub-regional strain were measured.

RESULTS

The strain of the ALL increased with increasing tibial internal rotation. With 25° of internal rotation, the overall strain at each flexion angle was 12.89 ± 2.73% (30°), 15.32 ± 2.50% (60°), 18.94 ± 2.34% (90°), and 20.10 ± 3.27% (120°). The sub-regional strain was significantly different at all flexion angles. The strain of the distal 1/3 of the ALL was the greatest, followed by the middle 1/3, while the proximal 1/3 was the smallest (all P < 0.001).

CONCLUSION

The ALL resisted internal rotation of the tibia by becoming more tense with increasing rotation. A significantly high strain was observed in the distal portion near the tibial insertion site of the ALL, which may suggest that this region is prone to injury with excessive internal rotation.

A Cross-Dichroic-Prism-Based Multi-Perspective Digital Image Correlation System

A robust three-perspective digital image correlation (DIC) system based on a cross dichroic prism and single three charge-coupled device (3CCD) color cameras is proposed in this study. Images from three different perspectives are captured by a 3CCD camera using the cross dichroic prism and two planar mirrors. These images are then separated by different CCD channels to perform correlation calculation with an existing multi-camera DIC algorithm. The proposed system is considerably more compact than the conventional multi-camera DIC system. In addition, the proposed system has no loss of spatial resolution compared with the traditional single-camera DIC system. The principle and experimental setup of the proposed system is described in detail, and a series of tests is performed to validate the system. Experimental results show that the proposed system performs well in displacement, morphology, and strain measurement.

Biomechanical characterization of murine pulmonary arteries

The biomechanical properties of the major pulmonary arteries play critical roles in normal physiology as well as in diverse pathophysiologies and clinical interventions. Importantly, advances in medical imaging enable simulations of pulmonary hemodynamics, but such models cannot reach their full potential until they are informed with region-specific material properties. In this paper, we present passive and active biaxial biomechanical data for the right and left main pulmonary arteries from wild-type mice. We also evaluate the suitability of a four-fiber family constitutive model as a descriptor of the passive behavior. Despite regional differences in size, the biaxial mechanical properties, including passive stiffness and elastic energy storage, the biaxial wall stresses at in vivo pressures, and the overall contractile capacity in response to smooth muscle cell stimulation under in vivo conditions are remarkably similar between the right and left branches. The proposed methods and results can serve as baseline protocols and measurements for future biaxial experiments on murine models of pulmonary pathologies, and the constitutive model can inform computational models of normal pulmonary growth and remodeling. Our use of consistent experimental protocols and data analyses can also facilitate comparative studies in health and disease across the systemic and pulmonary circulations as well as studies seeking to understand remodeling in surgeries such as the Fontan procedure, which involves different types of vessels.

Soft tissue elastography via shearing interferometry

Early detection of cancer can significantly increase the survival chances of patients. Palpation is a traditional method in order to detect cancer; however, in minimally invasive surgery the surgeon is deprived of the sense of touch. We demonstrate how shearing elastography can recover elastic parameters and furthermore can be used to localize stiffness imhomogenities even if hidden underneath the surface. Furthermore, the influence of size and depth of the stiffness imhomogenities on the detection accuracy and localization is investigated.

Microscopic Elastic and Plastic Inhomogeneous Deformations and Height Changes on the Surface of a Polycrystalline Pure-Titanium Plate Specimen under Cyclic Tension

A cyclic tensile test was carried out using a plate specimen of commercial pure titanium on a digital holographic microscope stage. Microscopic deformation of the grains was observed, and their height distribution was measured on the specimen surface. Each grain showed nanoscopic movement up and down, as well as reverse movement corresponding to specimen loading and unloading. We suggest that the different grain-specific changes in height were caused by microscopic inhomogeneities in the material, such as differences in the crystal orientation and geometries of both the surface and subsurface grains. Changes in grain height increased with tensile load, and a strong relationship was found between the height changes that occurred under elastic and plastic conditions. This suggests that microscopic plastic deformation is predictable from microscopic elastic deformation. In order to investigate the plastic deformation of grains in more detail, slip-line angles were measured after the tensile test. We found slip lines with similar angles in neighboring grains, suggesting that the plastic deformation of grains was not independent, but rather was related to that of surrounding grains and influenced by the deformation of subsurface grains.

Camera array-based digital image correlation for high-resolution strain measurement

Digital image correlation (DIC) is a well-known technique for non-contact, non-destructive, full-field deformation measurement in experimental solid mechanics. Although DIC has been widely used in science and engineering, the resolution of strain measurement with DIC is limited by imaging resolution and is much lower than that obtained with a strain gauge. To achieve a breakthrough in strain measurement using DIC, a camera array-based DIC method is proposed herein for high-resolution strain measurement. Twenty-five industrial cameras were assembled into a plane array, with each camera capturing a part of the specimen. A novel calibration-based image stitching method is proposed and was applied to these images and their corresponding displacement fields. The strain field was then calculated based on the stitched displacement fields. The use of the camera array greatly improved the measurement spatial resolution of DIC and made high-resolution strain measurement possible. Both static error analysis and four point-bending experiments were performed to demonstrate the feasibility and effectiveness of the proposed method, and a full-field strain resolution of 10 μ ε was achieved.

Whole-field macro- and micro-deformation characteristic of unbound water-loss in dentin hard tissue

High-resolution deformation measurements in a functionally graded hard tissue such as human dentin are essential to understand the unbound water-loss mediated changes and their role in its mechanical integrity. Yet a whole-field, 3-dimensional (3D) measurement and characterization of fully hydrated dentin in both macro- and micro-scales remain to be a challenge. This study was conducted in 2 stages. In stage-1, a stereo-digital image correlation approach was utilized to determine the water-loss and load-induced 3D deformations of teeth in a sagittal section over consecutively acquired frames, from a fully hydrated state to nonhydrated conditions for a period up to 2 hours. The macroscale analysis revealed concentrated residual deformations at the dentin-enamel-junction and the apical regions of root in the direction perpendicular to the dentinal tubules. Significant difference in the localized deformation characteristics was observed between the inner and outer aspects of the root dentin. During quasi-static loadings, further increase in the residual deformation was observed in the dentin. In stage-2, dentin microstructural variations induced by dynamic water-loss were assessed with environmental scanning electron microscopy and atomic force microscopy (AFM), showing that the dynamic water-loss induced distention of dentinal tubules with concave tubular edges, and concurrent contraction of intertubular dentin with convex profile. The findings from the current macro- and micro-scale analysis provided insight on the free-water-loss induced regional deformations and ultrastructural changes in human dentin.

A review of techniques for visualising soft tissue microstructure deformation and quantifying strain Ex Vivo

Many biological tissues have a complex hierarchical structure allowing them to function under demanding physiological loading conditions. Structural changes caused by ageing or disease can lead to loss of mechanical function. Therefore, it is necessary to characterise tissue structure to understand normal tissue function and the progression of disease. Ideally intact native tissues should be imaged in 3D and under physiological loading conditions. The current published in situ imaging methodologies demonstrate a compromise between imaging limitations and maintaining the samples native mechanical function. This review gives an overview of in situ imaging techniques used to visualise microstructural deformation of soft tissue, including three case studies of different tissues (tendon, intervertebral disc and artery). Some of the imaging techniques restricted analysis to observational mechanics or discrete strain measurement from invasive markers. Full-field local surface strain measurement has been achieved using digital image correlation. Volumetric strain fields have successfully been quantified from in situ X-ray microtomography (micro-CT) studies of bone using digital volume correlation but not in soft tissue due to low X-ray transmission contrast. With the latest developments in micro-CT showing in-line phase contrast capability to resolve native soft tissue microstructure, there is potential for future soft tissue mechanics research where 3D local strain can be quantified. These methods will provide information on the local 3D micromechanical environment experienced by cells in healthy, aged and diseased tissues. It is hoped that future applications of in situ imaging techniques will impact positively on the design and testing of potential tissue replacements or regenerative therapies. LAY DESCRIPTION: The soft tissues in our bodies, such as tendons, intervertebral discs and arteries, have evolved to have complicated structures which deform and bear load during normal function. Small changes in these structures can occur with age and disease which then leads to loss of function. Therefore, it is important to image tissue microstructure in 3D and under functional conditions. This paper gives an overview of imaging techniques used to record the deformation of soft tissue microstructures. Commonly there are compromises between obtaining the best imaging result and retaining the samples native structure and function. For example, invasive markers and dissecting samples damages the tissues natural structure, and staining or clearing (making the tissue more transparent) can distort tissue structure. Structural deformation has been quantified from 2D imaging techniques (digital image correlation) to create surface strain maps which help identify local tissue mechanics. When extended to 3D (digital volume correlation), deformation measurement has been limited to bone samples using X-ray micro-CT. Recently it has been possible to image the 3D structure of soft tissue using X-ray micro-CT meaning that there is potential for internal soft tissue mechanics to be mapped in 3D. Future application of micro-CT and digital volume correlation will be important for soft tissue mechanics studies particularly to understand normal function, progression of disease and in the design of tissue replacements.

A comprehensive study of layer-specific morphological changes in the microstructure of carotid arteries under uniaxial load

The load bearing properties of large blood vessels are principally conferred by collagen and elastin networks and their microstructural organization plays an important role in the outcomes of various arterial pathologies. In particular, these fibrous networks are able to rearrange and reorient spatially during mechanical deformations. In this study, we investigate for the first time whether these well-known morphological rearrangements are the same across the whole thickness of blood vessels, and subsequently if the underlying mechanisms that govern these rearrangements can be predicted using affine kinematics. To this aim, we submitted rabbit carotid samples to uniaxial load in three distinct deformation directions, while recording live images of the 3D microstructure using multiphoton microscopy. Our results show that the observed realignment of collagen and elastin in the media layer, along with elastin of the adventitia layer, remained limited to small angles that can be predicted by affine kinematics. We show also that collagen bundles of fibers in the adventitia layer behaved in significantly different fashion. They showed a remarkable capacity to realign in the direction of the load, whatever the loading direction. Measured reorientation angles of the fibers were significantly higher than affine predictions. This remarkable property of collagen bundles in the adventitia was never observed before, it shows that the medium surrounding collagen in the adventitia undergoes complex deformations challenging traditional hyperelastic models based on mixture theories.

STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE

The biomechanical properties of arteries are conferred by the rearrangement under load of the collagen and elastin fibers making up the arterial microstructure. Their kinematics under deformation is not yet characterized for all fiber networks. In this respect we have submitted samples of arterial tissue to uniaxial tension, simultaneously to confocal imaging of their microstructure. Our method allowed identifying for the first time the remarkable ability of adventitial collagen fibers to reorient in the direction of the load, achieving reorientation rotations that exceeded those predicted by affine kinematics, while all other networks followed the affine kinematics. Our results highlight new properties of the microstructure, which might play a role in the outcomes of vascular pathologies like aneurysms.

Real-time 3D digital image correlation method and its application in human pulse monitoring

In industrial measurements and online monitoring, full-field and high-efficiency deformation analysis has been increasingly important and highly demanded in recent years. In this paper, a fast three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC) method was proposed to implement real-time measurement. Two improvements were suggested to accelerate the computation speed without sacrificing the accuracy. First, an efficient inverse compositional Gauss-Newton (IC-GN) algorithm was developed to avoid redundant computation. Moreover, a seed point-based parallel method was extended for 3D-DIC to achieve parallel computation and faster convergence speed. The detailed process of the real-time measurement using the proposed method was also introduced. Benefiting from the efficient IC-GN algorithm and parallel processing software we developed, full-field, real-time 3D deformation monitoring was realized at a frame rate of 10 frames/s with resolution of 5000 points per frame. For validation, the displacement field of a four-point bending beam was determined by the real-time 3D-DIC. As an application, the real-time human pulse diagnosis was also performed based on the presented technique. Experimental results verify that the proposed real-time 3D-DIC is practicable and effective for traditional Chinese medicine.

A comparison of 2D and 3D digital image correlation for a membrane under inflation

Three-dimensional (3D) digital image correlation (DIC) is becoming widely used to characterize the behavior of structures undergoing 3D deformations. However, the use of 3D-DIC can be challenging under certain conditions, such as high magnification, and therefore small depth of field, or a highly controlled environment with limited access for two-angled cameras. The purpose of this study is to compare 2D-DIC and 3D-DIC for the same inflation experiment and evaluate whether 2D-DIC can be used when conditions discourage the use of a stereo-vision system. A latex membrane was inflated vertically to 5.41 kPa (reference pressure), then to 7.87 kPa (deformed pressure). A two-camera stereo-vision system acquired top-down images of the membrane, while a single camera system simultaneously recorded images of the membrane in profile. 2D-DIC and 3D-DIC were used to calculate horizontal (in the membrane plane) and vertical (out of the membrane plane) displacements, and meridional strain. Under static conditions, the baseline uncertainty in horizontal displacement and strain were smaller for 3D-DIC than 2D-DIC. However, the opposite was observed for the vertical displacement, for which 2D-DIC had a smaller baseline uncertainty. The baseline absolute error in vertical displacement and strain were similar for both DIC methods, but it was larger for 2D-DIC than 3D-DIC for the horizontal displacement. Under inflation, the variability in the measurements were larger than under static conditions for both DIC methods. 2D-DIC showed a smaller variability in displacements than 3D-DIC, especially for the vertical displacement, but a similar strain uncertainty. The absolute difference in the average displacements and strain between 3D-DIC and 2D-DIC were in the range of the 3D-DIC variability. Those findings suggest that 2D-DIC might be used as an alternative to 3D-DIC to study the inflation response of materials under certain conditions.

Using Digital Image Correlation to Characterize Local Strains on Vascular Tissue Specimens

Characterization of the mechanical behavior of biological and engineered soft tissues is a central component of fundamental biomedical research and product development. Stress-strain relationships are typically obtained from mechanical testing data to enable comparative assessment among samples and in some cases identification of constitutive mechanical properties. However, errors may be introduced through the use of average strain measures, as significant heterogeneity in the strain field may result from geometrical non-uniformity of the sample and stress concentrations induced by mounting/gripping of soft tissues within the test system. When strain field heterogeneity is significant, accurate assessment of the sample mechanical response requires measurement of local strains. This study demonstrates a novel biomechanical testing protocol for calculating local surface strains using a mechanical testing device coupled with a high resolution camera and a digital image correlation technique. A series of sample surface images are acquired and then analyzed to quantify the local surface strain of a vascular tissue specimen subjected to ramped uniaxial loading. This approach can improve accuracy in experimental vascular biomechanics and has potential for broader use among other native soft tissues, engineered soft tissues, and soft hydrogel/polymeric materials. In the video, we demonstrate how to set up the system components and perform a complete experiment on native vascular tissue.

Biomechanical assessment in models of glaucomatous optic neuropathy

The biomechanical environment within the eye is of interest in both the regulation of intraocular pressure and the loss of retinal ganglion cell axons in glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Unfortunately, this environment is complex and difficult to determine. Here we provide a brief introduction to basic concepts of mechanics (stress, strain, constitutive relationships) as applied to the eye, and then describe a variety of experimental and computational approaches used to study ocular biomechanics. These include finite element modeling, direct experimental measurements of tissue displacements using optical and other techniques, direct experimental measurement of tissue microstructure, and combinations thereof. Thanks to notable technical and conceptual advances in all of these areas, we are slowly gaining a better understanding of how tissue biomechanical properties in both the anterior and posterior segments may influence the development of, and risk for, glaucomatous optic neuropathy. Although many challenging research questions remain unanswered, the potential of this body of work is exciting; projects underway include the coupling of clinical imaging with biomechanical modeling to create new diagnostic tools, development of IOP control strategies based on improved understanding the mechanobiology of the outflow tract, and attempts to develop novel biomechanically-based therapeutic strategies for preservation of vision in glaucoma.

Glaucoma-related Changes in the Mechanical Properties and Collagen Micro-architecture of the Human Sclera

Objective

The biomechanical behavior of the sclera determines the level of mechanical insult from intraocular pressure to the axons and tissues of the optic nerve head, as is of interest in glaucoma. In this study, we measure the collagen fiber structure and the strain response, and estimate the material properties of glaucomatous and normal human donor scleras.

Methods

Twenty-two posterior scleras from normal and diagnosed glaucoma donors were obtained from an eyebank. Optic nerve cross-sections were graded to determine the presence of axon loss. The specimens were subjected to pressure-controlled inflation testing. Full-field displacement maps were measured by digital image correlation (DIC) and spatially differentiated to compute surface strains. Maps of the collagen fiber structure across the posterior sclera of each inflated specimen were obtained using synchrotron wide-angle X-ray scattering (WAXS). Finite element (FE) models of the posterior scleras, incorporating a specimen-specific representation of the collagen structure, were constructed from the DIC-measured geometry. An inverse finite element analysis was developed to estimate the stiffness of the collagen fiber and inter-fiber matrix.

Results

The differences between glaucoma and non-glaucoma eyes were small in magnitude. Sectorial variations of degree of fiber alignment and peripapillary scleral strain significantly differed between normal and diagnosed glaucoma specimens. Meridional strains were on average larger in diagnosed glaucoma eyes compared with normal specimens. Non-glaucoma specimens had on average the lowest matrix and fiber stiffness, followed by undamaged glaucoma eyes, and damaged glaucoma eyes but the differences in stiffness were not significant.

Conclusion

The observed biomechanical and microstructural changes could be the result of tissue remodeling occuring in glaucoma and are likely to alter the mechanical environment of the optic nerve head and contribute to axonal damage.

USE OF DIGITAL IMAGE CORRELATION TO INVESTIGATE THE BIOMECHANICS OF THE VERTEBRA

Digital image correlation (DIC) is being introduced to the biomechanical field. However, as DIC relies on a number of major assumptions, it requires a careful optimization in order to obtain accurate and precise results. The first step was the preparation of the speckle pattern by an airbrush spray gun following a factorial design to explore the different settings: the different speckle patterns created were analyzed to achieve the optimal speckle size, with minimal dispersion of speckle sizes. A benchmark test, with an aluminum specimen prepared with the speckle pattern, was conducted in which the errors affecting the computed strain were measured in a zero-displacement, zero-strain condition. The software parameters (facet size, step, and local regression) were singularly analyzed in order to understand their behavior on the final output. Moreover, the hardware parameters (camera gain, exposure, lens distortion) were analyzed. The output showed that a careful optimization allowed the reducing the systematic and random errors, respectively, from 150 to 10 microstrain and from 600 to 110 microstrain. Finally, the acquired know-how was applied to a biological specimen (human vertebra).

The effects of glycosaminoglycan degradation on the mechanical behavior of the posterior porcine sclera

Pathological changes in scleral glycosaminoglycan (GAG) content and in scleral mechanical properties have been observed in eyes with glaucoma and myopia. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of GAG removal on the scleral mechanical properties to better understand the impact of GAG content variations in the pathophysiology of glaucoma and myopia. We measured how the removal of sulphated GAG (s-GAG) affected the hydration, thickness and mechanical properties of the posterior sclera in enucleated eyes of 6-9 month-old pigs. Measurements were made in 4 regions centered on the optic nerve head (ONH) and evaluated under 3 conditions: no treatment (control), after treatment in buffer solution alone, and after treatment in buffer containing chondroitinase ABC (ChABC) to remove s-GAGs. The specimens were mechanically tested by pressure-controlled inflation with full-field deformation mapping using digital image correlation (DIC). The mechanical outcomes described the tissue tensile and viscoelastic behavior. Treatment with buffer alone increased the hydration of the posterior sclera compared to controls, while s-GAG removal caused a further increase in hydration compared to buffer-treated scleras. Buffer-treatment significantly changed the scleral mechanical behavior compared to the control condition, in a manner consistent with an increase in hydration. Specifically, buffer-treatment led to an increase in low-pressure stiffness, hysteresis, and creep rate, and a decrease in high-pressure stiffness. ChABC-treatment on buffer-treated scleras had opposite mechanical effects than buffer-treatment on controls, leading to a decrease in low-pressure stiffness, hysteresis, and creep rate, and an increase in high-pressure stiffness and transition strain. Furthermore, s-GAG digestion dramatically reduced the differences in the mechanical behavior among the 4 quadrants surrounding the ONH as well as the differences between the circumferential and meridional responses compared to the buffer-treated condition. These findings demonstrate a significant effect of s-GAGs on both the stiffness and time-dependent behavior of the sclera. Alterations in s-GAG content may contribute to the altered creep and stiffness of the sclera of myopic and glaucoma eyes.

Optical microscope for three-dimensional surface displacement and shape measurements at the microscale

We report a novel optical microscope for full-field, noncontact measurements of three-dimensional (3D) surface deformation and topography at the microscale. The microscope system is based on a seamless integration of the diffraction-assisted image correlation (DAIC) method with fluorescent microscopy. We experimentally demonstrate the microscope's capability for 3D measurements with submicrometer spatial resolution and subpixel measurement accuracy.

Digital image correlation as a tool for three-dimensional strain analysis in human tendon tissue

BACKGROUND

Determining the mechanical behaviour of tendon and ligamentous tissue remains challenging, as it is anisotropic, non-linear and inhomogeneous in nature.

METHODS

In this study, three-dimensional (3D) digital image correlation (DIC) was adopted to examine the strain distribution in the human Achilles tendon. Therefore, 6 fresh frozen human Achilles tendon specimens were mounted in a custom made rig for uni-axial loading. 3D DIC measurements of each loading position were obtained and compared to 2 linear variable differential transformers (LVDT's).

RESULTS

3D DIC was able to calculate tendon strain in every region of all obtained images. The scatter was found to be low in all specimens and comparable to that obtained in steel applications. The accuracy of the 3D DIC measurement was higher in the centre of the specimen where scatter values around 0.03% strain were obtained. The overall scatter remained below 0.3% in all specimens. The spatial resolution of 3D DIC on human tendon tissue was found to be 0.1 mm(2). The correlation coefficient between the 3D DIC measurements and the LVDT measurements showed an excellent linear agreement in all specimens (R(2) = 0.99). Apart from the longitudinal strain component, an important transverse strain component was revealed in all specimens. The strain distribution of both components was of a strongly inhomogeneous nature, both within the same specimen and amongst different specimens.

CONCLUSION

DIC proved to be a very accurate and reproducible tool for 3D strain analysis in human tendon tissue.

Thin films with ultra-low thermal expansion

Ultra-low coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is an elusive property, and narrow temperature ranges of operation and poor mechanical properties limit the use of conventional materials with low CTE. We structured a periodic micro-array of bi-metallic cells to demonstrate ultra-low effective CTE with a wide temperature range. These engineered tunable CTE thin film can be applied to minimize thermal fatigue and failure of optics, semiconductors, biomedical sensors, and solar energy applications.

Minimal preconditioning effects observed for inflation tests of planar tissues

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effects of preconditioning on the deformation response of planar tissues measured by inflation tests. The inflation response of test specimens, including the bovine cornea, bovine and porcine sclera, and human skin, exhibited a negligible evolving deformation response when subjected to repeated pressure loading with recovery periods between cycles. Tissues obtained complete recovery to the reference state, and strain contours across the entire specimen were nearly identical at the maximum pressure of each load cycle. This repeatability was obtained regardless of strain history. These results suggest that negligible permanent change was induced in the microstructure by inflation testing. Additionally, we present data illustrating that a lack of a recovery period can result in an evolving deformation response to repeated loading that is commonly attributed to preconditioning. These results suggest that the commonly observed effects of preconditioning may be avoided by experimental design for planar tissues characterized by long collagen fibers arranged in the plane of the tissue. Specifically, if the test is designed to fully fix the specimen boundary during loading, adequate recovery periods are allowed after each load cycle, and loads are limited to avoid damage, preconditioning effects may be avoided for planar tissues.

Single-camera microscopic stereo digital image correlation using a diffraction grating

A simple, cost-effective but practical microscopic 3D-DIC method using a single camera and a transmission diffraction grating is proposed for surface profile and deformation measurement of small-scale objects. By illuminating a test sample with quasi-monochromatic source, the transmission diffraction grating placed in front of the camera can produce two laterally spaced first-order diffraction views of the sample surface into the two halves of the camera target. The single image comprising negative and positive first-order diffraction views can be used to reconstruct the profile of the test sample, while the two single images acquired before and after deformation can be employed to determine the 3D displacements and strains of the sample surface. The basic principles and implementation procedures of the proposed technique for microscopic 3D profile and deformation measurement are described in detail. The effectiveness and accuracy of the presented microscopic 3D-DIC method is verified by measuring the profile and 3D displacements of a regular cylinder surface.

Fluorescent stereo microscopy for 3D surface profilometry and deformation mapping

Recently, mechanobiology has received increased attention. For investigation of biofilm and cellular tissue, measurements of the surface topography and deformation in real-time are a pre-requisite for understanding the growth mechanisms. In this paper, a novel three-dimensional (3D) fluorescent microscopic method for surface profilometry and deformation measurements is developed. In this technique a pair of cameras are connected to a binocular fluorescent microscope to acquire micrographs from two different viewing angles of a sample surface doped or sprayed with fluorescent microparticles. Digital image correlation technique is used to search for matching points in the pairing fluorescence micrographs. After calibration of the system, the 3D surface topography is reconstructed from the pair of planar images. When the deformed surface topography is compared with undeformed topography using fluorescent microparticles for movement tracking of individual material points, the full field deformation of the surface is determined. The technique is demonstrated on topography measurement of a biofilm, and also on surface deformation measurement of the biofilm during growth. The use of 3D imaging of the fluorescent microparticles eliminates the formation of bright parts in an image caused by specular reflections. The technique is appropriate for non-contact, full-field and real-time 3D surface profilometry and deformation measurements of materials and structures at the microscale.

Quantifying the interfibrillar spacing and fibrillar orientation of the aortic extracellular matrix using histology image processing: toward multiscale modeling

An essential part of understanding tissue microstructural mechanics is to establish quantitative measures of the morphological changes. Given the complex, highly localized, and interactive architecture of the extracellular matrix, developing techniques to reproducibly quantify the induced microstructural changes has been found to be challenging. In this paper, a new method for quantifying the changes in the fibrillar organization is developed using histology images. A combinatorial frequency-spatial image processing approach was developed based on the Fourier and Hough transformations of histology images to measure interfibrillar spacing and fibrillar orientation, respectively. The method was separately applied to the inner and outer wall thickness of native- and elastin-isolated aortic tissues under different loading states. Results from both methods were interpreted in a complementary manner to obtain a more complete understanding of morphological changes due to tissue deformations at the microscale. The observations were consistent in quantifying the observed morphological changes during tissue deformations and in explaining such changes in terms of tissue-scale phenomena. The findings of this study could pave the way for more rigorous modeling of structure-property relationships in soft tissues, with implications extendable to cardiovascular constitutive modeling and tissue engineering.

Tendon strain measurements with dynamic ultrasound images: evaluation of digital image correlation

Strain is an essential metric in tissue mechanics. Strains and strain distributions during functional loads can help identify damaged and pathologic regions as well as quantify functional compromise. Noninvasive strain measurement in vivo is difficult to perform. The goal of this in vitro study is to determine the efficacy of digital image correlation (DIC) methods to measure strain in B-mode ultrasound images. The Achilles tendons of eight male Wistar rats were removed and mechanically cycled between 0 and 1% strain. Three cine video images were captured for each specimen: (1) optical video for manual tracking of optical markers; (2) optical video for DIC tracking of optical surface markers; and (3) ultrasound video for DIC tracking of image texture within the tissue. All three imaging modalities were similarly able to measure tendon strain during cyclic testing. Manual/ImageJ-based strain values linearly correlated with DIC (optical marker)-based strain values for all eight tendons with a slope of 0.970. DIC (optical marker)-based strain values linearly correlated with DIC (ultrasound texture)-based strain values for all eight tendons with a slope of 1.003. Strain measurement using DIC was as accurate as manual image tracking methods, and DIC tracking was equally accurate when tracking ultrasound texture as when tracking optical markers. This study supports the use of DIC to calculate strains directly from the texture present in standard B-mode ultrasound images and supports the use of DIC for in vivo strain measurement using ultrasound images without additional markers, either artificially placed (for optical tracking) or anatomically in view (i.e., bony landmarks and/or muscle-tendon junctions).

Full-field optical deformation measurement in biomechanics: digital speckle pattern interferometry and 3D digital image correlation applied to bird beaks

In this paper two easy-to-use optical setups for the validation of biomechanical finite element (FE) models are presented. First, we show an easy-to-build Michelson digital speckle pattern interferometer (DSPI) setup, yielding the out-of-plane displacement. We also introduce three-dimensional digital image correlation (3D-DIC), a stereo photogrammetric technique. Both techniques are non-contact and full field, but they differ in nature and have different magnitudes of sensitivity. In this paper we successfully apply both techniques to validate a multi-layered FE model of a small bird beak, a strong but very light biological composite. DSPI can measure very small deformations, with potentially high signal-to-noise ratios. Its high sensitivity, however, results in high stability requirements and makes it hard to use it outside an optical laboratory and on living samples. In addition, large loads have to be divided into small incremental load steps to avoid phase unwrapping errors and speckle de-correlation. 3D-DIC needs much larger displacements, but automatically yields the strains. It is more flexible, does not have stability requirements, and can easily be used as an optical strain gage.

Error evaluation technique for three-dimensional digital image correlation

Three-dimensional (3D) digital image correlation (DIC) is one of the most popular techniques used in engineering for strain and deformation measurement. However, the error analysis of 3D DIC, especially which kind of parameters dominates the error of 3D coordinate reconstruction in any kind of configuration, is still under study. In this paper, a technique that can be used for error determination of reconstruction is presented. The influence from the system calibration and image correlation to the error is theoretically analyzed. From numerical experiments of one-dimensional line and two-dimensional plane, the evaluation procedure is validated to be flexible. A typical test with standard objects is also conducted. With this technique, once a 3D DIC system is set up and images of objects with speckles and calibration boards are recorded, the error of the configuration can be immediately evaluated. The standard deviation of every point in the world coordinate can be determined by statistical analysis.

Novel optical system for in vitro quantification of full surface strain fields in small arteries: I. Theory and design

Recent advances in vascular biology and pathophysiology have revealed the need to understand better the genetic basis of arterial stiffness, disease progression and responses to clinical intervention. Towards this end, in vitro experiments on arteries from genetically modified mice promise to provide significantly increased insight into both health and disease. The need to test small arteries, often of complex shape, necessitates new methods for experimental arterial mechanics, however, ones that can provide information on local changes in geometry and strain. In this paper, we present a theoretical framework for a new panoramic digital image correlation-based method sufficient to collect such information and we demonstrate the utility of this approach via validation studies on phantoms having dimensions on the order of 500-1000 μm, similar to those of large mouse arteries. In particular, we show that placing the specimen within a conical mirror and imaging the specimen via a gimbal-mounted mirror using a single camera yields stereo information sufficient to quantify the size, shape and deformation along the full length and around the entire circumference of small arteries. In a companion paper, we show further that this approach can be implemented effectively while testing arteries within a physiological solution that maintains native biomechanical properties.