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A quality optimization approach to image Achilles tendon microstructure by phase-contrast enhanced synchrotron
Maria Pierantoni1, Isabella Silva Barreto2, Malin Hammerman2,3
1Department of Biomedical Engineering, Lund University, Box 118, 221 00, Lund, Sweden. maria.pierantoni@bme.lth.se.
Scientific Reports
|August 28, 2021
Summary
Fresh frozen Achilles tendons imaged with synchrotron phase-contrast micro-CT reveal complex 3D collagen fiber organization. This non-invasive method offers high-resolution insights into soft tissue microstructure under near-natural conditions.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Soft Tissue Mechanics
- Imaging Science
Background:
- Achilles tendons exhibit mechanosensitivity, with structure influenced by muscle-derived mechanical stimulation.
- Understanding tendon microstructure response to mechanical loading requires non-invasive, high-resolution 3D imaging of soft tissues.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate a protocol for 3D high-resolution imaging of Achilles tendon microstructure.
- To assess the impact of sample preparation and imaging parameters on image quality.
Main Methods:
- Phase-contrast enhanced synchrotron micro-tomography (SR-PhC-μCT) was employed.
- Four sample preparation methods and two pixel sizes (sub-micrometric, micrometric) were evaluated.
- Image quality was quantitatively assessed.
Main Results:
- Fresh frozen samples yielded high-quality images, capturing intricate 3D tendon fiber organization.
- Conventional invasive preparations (fixation, embedding) were unnecessary and disadvantageous for studying collagen fibers.
- Optimal imaging conditions were identified for preserving natural tissue structure.
Conclusions:
- SR-PhC-μCT provides a non-invasive, high-resolution method for imaging soft tissue microstructure in near-natural states.
- This technique enables detailed 3D characterization of tendon structure and its response to mechanical stimuli.
- The protocol advances the study of complex biological tissues at the microscale.
