Measuring collagen fiber orientation: a two-dimensional quantitative macroscopic technique.
This paper describes the design, evaluation, and application of a new system for quantifying two-dimensional collagen fiber orientation in soft tissue. Series of transmitted polarized light images were collected using a custom-designed macroscope. Combined analysis of pixel brightness, and hue from images collected with a compensator plate, permitted the assignment of each pixel into the appropriate orientation band. Experiments were performed to quantify the linearity and noise of the system. Validation was performed on a specimen composed of strain-birefringent plastic strips at various orientations. Preliminary collagen fiber orientation data is presented from a tendon specimen. This study demonstrates the utility of this approach for studying collagen fiber orientation across large areas.
Dickey
J P
JP
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada. JDICKEY@UOGUELPH.CA
Hewlett
B R
BR
Dumas
G A
GA
Bednar
D A
DA
D000125:Achilles Tendon; D000465:Algorithms; D015982:Bias; D001718:Birefringence; D003094:Collagen / Q000648:ultrastructure*; D004867:Equipment Design; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D008859:Microscopy, Polarization / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D009716:Numerical Analysis, Computer-Assisted; D015203:Reproducibility of Results
D003094:Collagen