In-vivo imaging of skin under stress: potential of high-frequency (20 MHz) static 2-D elastography.
The aim of this study was to evaluate the potential of high-frequency static two-dimensional (2-D) elastography for in vivo exploration of the mechanical behavior of skin. Our device was based on the combination of a 20 MHz sonographer and a patented extensiometer device able to apply calibrated uniaxial stretching of the skin. We used a new algorithm to compute elastograms that improve elastographic signal-to-noise ratio (SNRe) without sacrificing resolution. Mechanical behavior was described according to the axial strain and lateral displacements induced in the tissue. The efficacy of the strain anpolyvinyl alcohol first evaluated in polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)-cryogel phantoms. Several in vivo experiments then were conducted, mainly with the multistretching averaging method, and demonstrated the potential of this technique in the evaluation of mechanical behavior of the dermis and the hypodermis under stress.
Mofid
Yassine
Y
Laboratoire UltraSons, Signaux et Instrumentation, Formation de Recherche en Evolution 2448, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Tours, France.
Ossant
Frédéric
F
Imberdis
Claude
C
Josse
Gwendal
G
Patat
Frédéric
F
D019245:Compressive Strength / Q000502:physiology; D004548:Elasticity; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D006244:Hardness; D006245:Hardness Tests / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D010812:Physical Stimulation / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011846:Radio Waves; D012867:Skin / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012879:Skin Physiological Phenomena; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D013718:Tensile Strength / Q000502:physiology; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*