In vitro measurements of porcine anterior column units under free swelling.
The objectives of this study are to present a 2-D optical method for measuring gross kinematics of porcine anterior column units (ACUs) exposed to swelling with no applied load, provide a detailed error analysis of the 2-D optical measurement technique, and present a 2-D radiographic technique for measuring the distribution of x-ray intensity through an axial slice of the disc. The 2-D optical technique was sufficient for detecting the flexion-extension behavior of the ACUs tested. The error analysis concluded that the use of a second camera to quantify out of plane movement of the specimen would greatly improve the accuracy of the measurement of angle. The 2-D radiographic technique provided limited information on changes in intradiscal material. It was also limited in its accuracy and dependability (i.e., only 5 out of 13 specimens provided radiographs suitable for this analysis). The results of this study indicate that a relationship might exist between the flexion-extension behavior observed from swelling and intradiscal shifts of matter. Further work is needed to confirm this relationship.
Department of Mechanical and Aeronautical Engineering, University of California, Davis, CA 95616-5294, USA.
David A
DA
Reiter
Nesrin
N
Sarigul-Klijn
Munish C
MC
Gupta
Fadi A
FA
Fathallah
D015502:Absorptiometry, Photon / Q000379:methods*; D000465:Algorithms; D000818:Animals; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007403:Intervertebral Disc / Q000166:cytology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology; D008853:Microscopy / Q000379:methods; D009038:Motion; D009997:Osmotic Pressure; D016062:Porosity; D011856:Radiographic Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D013552:Swine