Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 6, 2026
09:20
High-resolution Imaging of Nuclear Dynamics in Live Cells under Uniaxial Tensile Strain
Published on: June 2, 2019
7.3K
Highly resolved strain imaging during needle insertion: Results with a novel biologically inspired device
M J Oldfield1, C Burrows1, J Kerl1
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, Imperial College London, Exhibition Road, South Kensington, London SW72AZ, United Kingdom.
Journal of the Mechanical Behavior of Biomedical Materials
|November 16, 2013
Summary
Minimally invasive surgery uses needle insertions that can cause tissue damage. A new Digital Image Correlation (DIC) method quantifies needle-tissue interactions, showing cyclic needle insertion can reduce strain and target migration.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Surgical Robotics
- Materials Science
Background:
- Percutaneous needle insertions are crucial in minimally invasive surgery but cause disruptive side effects like target migration and tissue trauma.
- Understanding needle-tissue interactions at high resolution is essential for mitigating these negative effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a high-resolution method for quantifying mechanical behavior at the needle-tissue interface during percutaneous insertion.
- To investigate the potential of a novel, wasp-inspired cyclic insertion strategy to mitigate tissue strain and target migration.
Main Methods:
- Adapted Digital Image Correlation (DIC) technique to measure mechanical behavior at the needle-tissue interface with sub-millimeter resolution.
- Developed a method to convert Eulerian DIC output to Lagrangian displacements and strains.
- Validated the method using a symmetrical needle inserted into a gelatine tissue phantom, comparing simultaneous and cyclic insertion of needle segments.
Main Results:
- The adapted DIC technique provided high-resolution data on local strain variations, material displacement, and tissue relaxation around the needle.
- Cyclic actuation of individual needle segments demonstrated a potential to mitigate tissue strain compared to simultaneous insertion.
- Observed reduction in material drag along the needle surface during cyclic insertion.
Conclusions:
- The developed DIC method offers a significant advancement in quantifying needle-tissue interactions.
- A cyclic needle insertion strategy, inspired by insect ovipositors, shows promise for reducing tissue trauma and target migration in minimally invasive procedures.
