Ultrasonic properties of tendon: velocity, attenuation, and backscattering in equine digital flexor tendons.
Abstract: Ultrasound velocity, attenuation, and backscattering were measured in vitro in samples of equine digital flexor tendon sandwiched between plane, parallel rexolite buffer rods. The buffer rods were coupled to transmitting and receiving transducers (nominally 10 MHz) mounted in-line and facing one another on the jaws of a digital caliper. Six superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons and six deep digital flexor (DDF) tendons were measured in three orthogonal directions: along the long axis of the tendon (D), and across the tendon in the dorsal-volar (C), and lateral (L) directions. Substantial anisotropy was apparent in all the measured properties. The velocity data, which in both tendons showed a higher velocity along the fibers than across (e.g., in the DDF tendon at 0 degrees C: 1713 +/- 9 m/s in the D direction compared with 1650 +/- 5 m/s in the C direction), were consistent with a composite comprising stiff fibers embedded in a less stiff medium of lower speed. The apparent backscattering coefficient adjusted for the tissue's frequency-dependent attenuation (e.g., in the C direction of the DDF tendon at 0 degrees C: 7.4 x 10(-3) cm-1 sr-1), was independent of frequency in both transverse directions and larger than that measured along the long axis of the tendon (e.g., in DDF tendon at 0 degrees C: 1.2 x 10(-3) cm-1 sr-1 at 7 MHz) in which direction the apparent backscattering coefficient increased with frequency as f4.0 +/- 1.2. The frequency-independent backscattering was thought to be due to specular reflection from the boundaries between the fascicles, i.e., the bundles of fibers making up the tendon, while backscattering along the axis was due to structures of unknown origin, but of a size much smaller than 45 microns. Attenuation of ultrasound directed along the fibers was higher than that across (at 7 MHz in DDF tendon at 0 degrees C: 58 dB/cm in the D direction compared with 11.3 dB/cm in the C direction). Calculations indicated that the attenuation was primarily caused by absorption rather than scattering.
Publication Date: 1996-05-01 PubMed ID: 8642128DOI: 10.1121/1.414866Google Scholar: Lookup
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- Comparative Study
- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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This article studies the ultrasonic properties of equine tendon, looking specifically at velocity, attenuation and backscattering, and it identifies substantial anisotropy in all the measured properties.
Introduction to the Study
- The researchers carried out an in vitro study exploring the ultrasound properties of the equine digital flexor tendon.
- They concentrated on three properties: ultrasound velocity, attenuation (the reduction of signal strength during transmission), and backscattering (the redirection of sound or light waves back to their source).
- Six superficial digital flexor (SDF) tendons and six deep digital flexor (DDF) tendons were assessed.
- All measurements were taken in three different directions: along the tendon’s longitudinal axis (D), dorsally to volarly across the tendon (C), and laterally across the tendon (L).
Research Findings
- According to the study, all properties showed significant anisotropy, meaning their characteristics vary according to the direction in which they are measured.
- Regarding velocity, both tendons showed higher speeds of sound along the fibers than across them. This is consistent with a composite structure composed of stiff fibers (tendon) embedded within a softer and lower speed medium.
- Backscattering coefficients, adjusted for the tendon’s frequency-dependent attenuation, were found to be frequency independent in the transverse directions and higher than the measurements done along the tendon’s long axis.
- Researchers hypothesized that the frequency-independent backscattering is due to specular reflection from the boundaries between the fascicles, which are the bundles of fibers that make up the tendon.
- Backscattering along the long axis was tied to structures of unknown origin but of a size smaller than 45 microns.
- Attenuation of ultrasound directed along the fibers was higher than that across, indicating that the attenuation is primarily caused by absorption rather than scattering.
Study Implications
- The research provides valuable insights into the ultrasonic properties of equine digital flexor tendons.
- The identification of significant anisotropy in the properties highlights the importance of taking the direction of ultrasound propagation into account for any experiments or clinical applications.
- The study could have implications in veterinary medicine, specifically in understanding and diagnosing tendon-related injuries in equines.
Cite This Article
APA
Miles CA.
(1996).
Ultrasonic properties of tendon: velocity, attenuation, and backscattering in equine digital flexor tendons.
J Acoust Soc Am, 99(5), 3225-3232.
https://doi.org/10.1121/1.414866 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Clinical Veterinary Science, University of Bristol, United Kingdom.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Culture Techniques
- Horses / physiology
- Tendons / diagnostic imaging
- Ultrasonography
Grant Funding
- Wellcome Trust
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Lin YH, Yang TH, Wang SH, Su FC. Quantitative Assessment of First Annular Pulley and Adjacent Tissues Using High-Frequency Ultrasound. Sensors (Basel) 2017 Jan 7;17(1).
- Shen ZL, Li ZM. Ultrasound assessment of transverse carpal ligament thickness: a validity and reliability study. Ultrasound Med Biol 2012 Jun;38(6):982-8.
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