Estimation of nonlinear mechanical properties of vascular tissues via elastography.
A new method is proposed for estimation of nonlinear elastic properties of soft tissues. The proposed approach involves a combination of nonlinear finite element methods with a genetic algorithm for estimating tissue stiffness profile. A multipoint scheme is introduced that satisfies the uniqueness condition, improves the estimation performance, and reduces the sensitivity to image noise. The utility of the proposed techniques is demonstrated using optical coherence tomography (OCT) images. The approach is, however, applicable to other imaging systems and modalities, as well, provided a reliable image registration scheme. The proposed algorithm is applied to realistic (2D) and idealized (3D) arterial plaque models, and proves promising for the estimation of intra-plaque distribution of nonlinear material properties.
Karimi
Reza
R
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139, USA.
Zhu
Ting
T
Bouma
Brett E
BE
Mofrad
Mohammad R Kaazempur
MR
D001158:Arteries / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000502:physiology*; D003198:Computer Simulation; D055119:Elastic Modulus; D054459:Elasticity Imaging Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D008955:Models, Cardiovascular; D017711:Nonlinear Dynamics; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013314:Stress, Mechanical; D041623:Tomography, Optical Coherence / Q000379:methods*