Tactile Mapping System A Novel Imaging Technology for Surface Topography and Elasticity of Tissues or Organs

摘要

Objective: We demonstrated that the ta.ctile mapping system (TMS) has a high degree of spatial precision in the, distribution mapping of surface elasticity of tissues or organs.Methods: Samples used were a circumferential section of a small-caliber porcine artery (diameter: ~3 mm) and an elasticity test pattern with a line and space configuration for the distribution mapping of elasticity, prepared by regional micropatterning of ? 14-/ thick gelatin hydrogel coating on a polyurethane sheet. Surface topography and elasticity in normal saline were simultaneously investigated by TMS using a probe with a diameter of 5 or 12 mum, a spatial interval of 1 to 5 m, and an indentation depth of 4 rn. Results: In the test pattern, a spatial resolution in TMS of <5 mum was acquired under water with a minimal probe diameter and spatial interval of the probe movement. TMS was used for the distribution mapping of surface elasticity in a flat, circumferential section (thickness: ~0.5 mm) of a porcine artery, and the concentric layers;,of the vascular wall, including the collagen-rich and elastin-rich layers, could be clearly differentiated in terms of surface elasticity at., the spatial resolution of <2 mu,m.Conclusions: TMS is a simple and inexpensive technique for the distribution mapping of the surface elasticity in vascular tissues at the spatial resolution <2 mum. TMS has the ability to analyze a complex structure of the tissue samples under normal saline.