Use of digital imaging correlation techniques for full-field strain distribution analysis of implantable devices and tissue in spinal biomechanics research

Authors

Brian P. Kelly, Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States. Electronic address: Neuropub@barrowneuro.org.Follow
Casey R. Silva, Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
Jennifer N. Lehrman, Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States.Follow
Anna G. Sawa, Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
Bernardo de Andrada Pereira, Spinal Biomechanics Laboratory, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States.Follow
Jakub Godzik, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States.
Jay D. Turner, Department of Neurosurgery, Barrow Neurological Institute, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, United States.

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Few studies have used optical full-field surface strain mapping to study spinal biomechanics. We used a commercial digital imaging correlation (DIC) system to (1) compare posterior surface strains on spinal rods with those obtained from conventional foil strain gauges, (2) quantify bony vertebral body and intervertebral disc (IVD) surface strains on 3 L3-S cadaveric spines during gold-standard flexibility tests (7.5-Nm flexion-extension and 400-N compression), and (3) report our experience with the application and feasibility of DIC to comprehensively map strain in spinal biomechanics. Spinal rods were tested under zero load and using ASTM F1717 standard. For rod strain measures, the largest mean bias offset and baseline noise standard deviation under zero load for DIC were 7.6 με and 33.7 με, respectively. For tissue measures, the largest mean bias offset was 8 με for ε1 and -55 με for ε2 with baseline noise standard deviations of 19 με and 26 με, respectively. On average, DIC rod strain measurements were 5.3% less than strain gauge measurements throughout the load range. Principal IVD and bony surface strains were consistently measurable and showed marked regional differences in strain patterns under different load conditions. Strains measured on spinal rods using DIC techniques reasonably agreed with standard strain gauge measurements. Subregional strain analyses on soft and hard spinal tissues during standard flexibility tests were feasible. Optical strain mapping is a viable, accurate, and promising measurement technique for novel spinal biomechanical studies.

Keywords

Biomechanics, Digital imaging correlation, Intervertebral disc, Rods, Strain

Medical Subject Headings

Biomechanical Phenomena; Biophysics; Humans; Intervertebral Disc (diagnostic imaging); Lumbar Vertebrae; Stress, Mechanical

Publication Date

4-1-2022

Publication Title

Journal of biomechanics

E-ISSN

1873-2380

Volume

135

First Page

111025

PubMed ID

35259657

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1016/j.jbiomech.2022.111025

Recommended Citation

Kelly, Brian P.; Silva, Casey R.; Lehrman, Jennifer N.; Sawa, Anna G.; de Andrada Pereira, Bernardo; Godzik, Jakub; and Turner, Jay D., "Use of digital imaging correlation techniques for full-field strain distribution analysis of implantable devices and tissue in spinal biomechanics research" (2022). Translational Neuroscience. 2298.
https://scholar.barrowneuro.org/neurobiology/2298