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Micro-CT scan optimisation for mechanical loading of tibia with titanium tibial tray: A digital volume correlation
Lauren S Wearne1, Sophie Rapagna1, Mark Taylor1
1Medical Device Research Institute, College of Science and Engineering, Flinders University, GPO Box 2100, Adelaide, South Australia, 5001, Australia.
Summary
Digital volume correlation (DVC) accurately quantifies cancellous bone strains around tibial trays. This study validates DVC methods for press-fit implant analysis, essential for understanding bone mechanics during surgery.
Area of Science:
- Biomechanics and Biomaterials
- Orthopaedic Implant Analysis
- Medical Imaging and Computational Analysis
Background:
- Primary stability of press-fit tibial trays relies on bone-implant interference fit.
- Quantifying internal cancellous bone strains during press-fit procedures and loading remains experimentally challenging.
- Advancements in micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and digital volume correlation (DVC) offer potential for strain quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the zero-strain accuracy and precision of DVC for analyzing cadaveric tibiae with titanium press-fit trays.
- To evaluate DVC performance across various scanning configurations relevant to orthopaedic implant analysis.
- To determine experimental requirements for successful DVC application in the presence of large implants.
Main Methods:
- A cadaveric human tibia was implanted with a titanium press-fit tray and scanned using a cabinet micro-CT system (Nikon XT H 225 ST) at 42 μm/pixel.
- Four scanning configurations were tested, varying rotation step, scanning time, presence of an aluminum cylinder, and X-ray tube voltage.
- Digital volume correlation (DaVis, LaVision) was applied to nine cubic volumes of interest and the entire proximal tibia to calculate strain errors.
Main Results:
- DVC strain errors were comparable across all tested scanning configurations.
- Accuracy (Mean Absolute Error: MAER) and precision (Standard Deviation of Error: SDER) were sufficiently low for elastic bone strain assessment.
- VOI analysis yielded MAER of 223-540 με and SDER of 88-261 με; organ-level analysis showed MAER of 536 με and SDER of 473 με.
Conclusions:
- Despite complexities introduced by large titanium implants, high-quality micro-CT scans are achievable for DVC analysis.
- The study validates DVC as a viable method for quantifying bone strains around press-fit tibial trays.
- A balance between DVC requirements and application needs is crucial for successful experimental design.
