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Characterizing Musculoskeletal Tissue Mechanics Based on Shear Wave Propagation: A Systematic Review of Current
Jonathon Blank1, Matthew Blomquist2, Lesley Arant2
1Department of Mechanical Engineering, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Annals of Biomedical Engineering
|April 1, 2022
Summary
This review compares methods for non-invasively measuring musculoskeletal tissue mechanics using shear wave propagation. Ultrasound is broadly used, while MRI, accelerometers, and vibrometers offer specialized advantages for different applications.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics
- Biomedical Engineering
- Musculoskeletal Science
Background:
- Non-invasive characterization of musculoskeletal tissue mechanics is crucial.
- Shear wave propagation speed is a key metric for tissue characterization.
- Existing methods like shear wave elastography and tensiometry rely on this principle.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and compare methods for exciting and measuring shear waves in musculoskeletal tissues.
- To identify the strengths and limitations of different excitation and measurement techniques.
- To assess the applicability of these methods in various research and clinical settings.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus (1900-2020).
- Inclusion of studies on shear wave excitation (acoustic pushes, mechanical taps) and measurement (ultrasound, MRI, accelerometers, laser Doppler vibrometers).
- Independent screening and review by two researchers, analyzing 524 selected articles.
Main Results:
- Acoustic pushes effectively excite shear waves through tissue thickness.
- Mechanical taps are suitable for shear wave excitation in wearable applications.
- Ultrasound is widely used for shear wave speed measurement due to its versatility.
- MRI, accelerometers, and vibrometers offer high-resolution, wearable, and non-contact measurement capabilities, respectively.
Conclusions:
- Diverse technologies exist for exciting and measuring shear waves in musculoskeletal tissues.
- The choice of method depends on the specific application and desired measurement characteristics.
- Current technologies can be combined to develop innovative systems for assessing musculoskeletal tissue mechanics.
