High Precision Strains Measured Under Applied Low Frequency Loading on a 3.0 T Clinical System

Deva Chan¹, Corey P. Neu¹

An intimate relationship between function and mechanical behavior is apparent in a number of orthopedic soft tissues. Until now, the measurement of Displacements Under Applied Loading with MRI (dualMRI) has been implemented on high-field MRI systems with low frequency cyclic loading. However, translation of dualMRI to clinical MRI systems would enhance the clinical potential of this technique for measuring high precision strains of tissues in their native environment. This study reports the translation of dualMRI to a 3.0T clinical system at sub-pixel displacement precision and <1% strain precision. This technique then is demonstrated in a cyclically loaded intervertebral disc segment.