An unresolved challenge in osteoarthritis research is characterising the localised intra-tissue mechanical response of articular cartilage. The aim of this study was to explore whether laboratory micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and digital volume correlation (DVC) permit non-destructive quantification of three-dimensional (3D) strain fields in human articular cartilage. Human articular cartilage specimens were harvested from the knee, mounted into a loading device and imaged in the unloaded and loaded states using a micro-CT scanner. Strain was measured throughout the cartilage volume using the micro-CT image data and DVC analysis. The volumetric DVC-measured strain was within 5% of the known applied strain. Variation in strain distribution between the superficial, middle and deep zones was observed, consistent with the different architecture of the material in these locations. These results indicate DVC method may be suitable for calculating strain in human articular cartilage.

骨关节炎研究中一个未解决的挑战是表征关节软骨的局部组织内机械反应。本研究的目的是探索实验室微计算机断层扫描 (micro-CT) 和数字体积相关 (DVC) 是否允许对人类关节软骨中的三维 (3D) 应变场进行无损量化。从膝关节采集人类关节软骨标本，安装到加载装置中，并使用微型 CT 扫描仪在卸载和加载状态下成像。使用显微 CT 图像数据和 DVC 分析测量整个软骨体积的应变。体积 DVC 测量的应变在已知施加应变的 5% 以内。观察到浅层、中层和深层之间应变分布的变化，与这些位置的材料的不同架构保持一致。这些结果表明 DVC 方法可能适用于计算人类关节软骨的应变。