title: Determining the in vivo elastic properties of dermis layer of human skin using the supersonic shear imaging technique and inverse analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Human skin consists of several layers including epidermis, dermis, and hypodermis. The determination of the in vivo mechanical properties of an individual skin layer represents a great challenge to date. In this study, the authors explore the use of the supersonic shear imaging (SSI) technique and inverse analysis to determine the in vivo elastic properties of the dermis layer of human skin.
  
  
  METHODS
  The measurements are conducted on the volar forearms and dorsal forearms of 18 healthy volunteers (nine females and nine males) using the SSI technique that gives the velocities of the shear wave generated by the acoustic force. Finite element analysis is carried out to simulate the propagation of the shear wave in the multilayer soft media and the results are used to interpret the experimental data and deduce the shear modulus of the dermis layer.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The shear moduli of the skin dermis layer obtained for the 18 healthy volunteers exhibit significant anisotropy. A standard statistical analysis demonstrates the differences between sexes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that the SSI technique together with the inverse analysis represents a useful tool to characterize the in vivo elastic properties of human skin.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Cheng-Cheng
authors.initials: CC
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Lin-Xue
authors.initials: LX
authors.lastname: Qian
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Guo-Yang
authors.initials: GY
authors.lastname: Li
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Yi
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Jiang
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Beijing Friendship Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing 100050, China.
authors.forename: Si
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Liang
authors.affiliation: Institute of Biomechanics and Medical Engineering, AML, Department of Engineering Mechanics, Tsinghua University, Beijing 100084, China.
authors.forename: Yanping
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Cao
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D000328:Adult; D016880:Anisotropy; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D020405:Dermis / Q000502:physiology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004548:Elasticity; D005260:Female; D020342:Finite Element Analysis; D005542:Forearm / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D055815:Young Adult