Biomechanics Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Biomechanics, including details on mechanics of living organisms, movement, locomotion, prosthetic limbs. | ||||||||
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A new MR-compatible loading device to study in vivo muscle damage development in rats due to compressive loading.Stekelenburg A, Oomens CW, Strijkers GJ, de Graaf L, Bader DL, Nicolay K Department of Materials Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Eindhoven University of Technology, P.O. Box 513, 5600 MB Eindhoven, The Netherlands. A.Stekelenburg@tue.nl To study the aetiology of pressure ulcers an MR-compatible loading device was developed. Magnetic resonance imaging provides the possibility of non-invasive evaluation of muscle tissue after compressive loading. Pressure was applied to the tibialis anterior region of rats by means of an indenter. The developed MR-compatible loading device allowed high quality consecutive MR measurements for up to 6h. Tissue was evaluated both during and after loading. Two loading protocols were used; a large indentation of 4.5mm (mean pressure 150 kPa) was applied for 2h and a small indentation of 2.9 mm (mean pressure 50 kPa) was applied for 4h. T2-weighted MR images after the large indentation showed an immediate increase in signal intensity, associated with damage, following load removal. After 20 h the signal intensity remained higher in the affected regions. Afterwards the tissue was perfusion fixated for histological examination. Histological evaluation revealed an inflammatory response and severe muscle necrosis. No signal increase was observed after small indentation. With this new set-up, the different factors that may play a role in the onset of muscle damage can be studied, what we believe will lead to a better understanding of the contributing factors to pressure ulcer development. Published 20 March 2006 in Med Eng Phys, 28(4): 331-8.
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