title: Non-destructive assessment of human ribs mechanical properties using quantitative ultrasound.
abstract: Advanced finite element models of the thorax have been developed to study, for example, the effects of car crashes. While there is a need for material properties to parameterize such models, specific properties are largely missing. Non-destructive techniques applicable in vivo would, therefore, be of interest to support further development of thorax models. The only non-destructive technique available today to derive rib bone properties would be based on quantitative computed tomography that measures bone mineral density. However, this approach is limited by the radiation dose. Bidirectional ultrasound axial transmission was developed on long bones ex vivo and used to assess in vivo health status of the radius. However, it is currently unknown if the ribs are good candidates for such a measurement. Therefore, the goal of this study is to evaluate the relationship between ex vivo ultrasonic measurements (axial transmission) and the mechanical properties of human ribs to determine if the mechanical properties of the ribs can be quantified non-destructively. The results show statistically significant relationships between the ultrasonic measurements and mechanical properties of the ribs. These results are promising with respect to a non-destructive and non-ionizing assessment of rib mechanical properties. This ex vivo study is a first step toward in vivo studies to derive subject-specific rib properties.
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon; IFSTTAR, LBMC, UMR_T9406; Université Lyon 1, F-69622 Lyon, France. Electronic address: david.mitton@ifsttar.fr.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mitton
authors.affiliation: UPMC Univ Paris 6, UMR CNRS7623, Laboratoire d׳Imagerie Paramétrique, F-75006 Paris, France; CNRS UMR7623, LIP, F-75006 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Jean-Gabriel
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Minonzio
authors.affiliation: UPMC Univ Paris 6, UMR CNRS7623, Laboratoire d׳Imagerie Paramétrique, F-75006 Paris, France; CNRS UMR7623, LIP, F-75006 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Maryline
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Talmant
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon, INSERM Unit 1033, F-69372 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Rafaa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ellouz
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon; IFSTTAR, LBMC, UMR_T9406; Université Lyon 1, F-69622 Lyon, France; Service de Chirurgie Orthopédique et Traumatologique, Hôpital D׳instruction des Armées Desgenettes, 69003 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Frédéric
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Rongieras
authors.affiliation: UPMC Univ Paris 6, UMR CNRS7623, Laboratoire d׳Imagerie Paramétrique, F-75006 Paris, France; CNRS UMR7623, LIP, F-75006 Paris, France.
authors.forename: Pascal
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Laugier
authors.affiliation: Université de Lyon; IFSTTAR, LBMC, UMR_T9406; Université Lyon 1, F-69622 Lyon, France.
authors.forename: Karine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bruyère-Garnier
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000465:Algorithms; D015519:Bone Density; D019245:Compressive Strength; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008422:Materials Testing; D008875:Middle Aged; D011884:Radius / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012272:Ribs / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D013909:Thorax; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Cortical bone; Maximal strength; Modulus of elasticity; Quantitative ultrasound; Ultrasound velocity