scholarly journals Mechanotendography: description and evaluation of a new method for investigating the physiological mechanical oscillations of tendons using a piezo-based measurement system

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura V Schaefer ◽  
Frank N Bittmann
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Measurement System ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Muscular Activity ◽  
Piezoelectric Sensor ◽  
Triceps Brachii ◽  
Mechanical Pressure ◽  
Mechanical Oscillations ◽  
Audio Files

AbstractThe mechanotendography (MTG) analyzes mechanical oscillations of tendons during muscular actions. It can be assessed as equivalent to mechanomyography just applied for tendons. Since this method is unknown, the aim of this investigation was to evaluate the technical reliability of a piezo-based measurement system used for MTG.The reliability measurements were performed using audio files played by a subwoofer. The thereby generated mechanical pressure waves were recorded by a piezoelectric sensor based measurement system. The piezo sensor was fixed onto the subwoofer’s coverage. An audio of 40 Hz-sine oscillations and, to stay close to human applications, four different formerly in vivo recorded MTG-signals from Achilles and triceps brachii tendon were converted into audio files and were used as test signals. Five trials with each audio were performed. One audio was used for repetition trials on another day. The correlation of the recorded signals were estimated by the Spearman correlation coefficient (MCC), the intraclass-correlation-coefficient (ICC(3,1)), Cronbach’s alpha (CA) and by mean distances (MD) between the signals. They were compared between repetition and random matched signals.The repetition trials show high correlations (MCC: 0.86 ± 0.13, ICC: 0.89 ± 0.12, CA: 0.98 ± 0.03), low MD (0.03 ± 0.03V) and differ significantly from the random matched signals (MCC: 0.15 ± 0.10, ICC: 0.17 ± 0.09, CA: 0.37 ± 0.16, MD: 0.19 ± 0.01V) (p = 0.001 – 0.043).This speaks for an excellent reliability of the piezo-based measurement system in a technical setting. Since research showed that the skin above superficial tendons oscillates adequately, we estimate this tool as valid for the application in musculoskeletal systems. It might provide further insight into the functional behavior of tendons during muscular activity.

scholarly journals Mechanotendography: description and evaluation of a novel method for investigating the physiological mechanical oscillations of tendons using a piezo-based measurement system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura V. Schaefer ◽  
Frank N. Bittmann
Keyword(s):  
Measurement System ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Pressure Waves ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Mechanical Oscillations ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Audio Files ◽  
Technical Reliability

The mechanotendography (MTG) is a method for analyzing the mechanical oscillations of tendons during muscular actions. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the technical reliability of a piezo-based measurement system used for MTG. The reliability measurements were performed by using audio samples played by a subwoofer. The thereby generated pressure waves were recorded by a piezo-based measurement system. An audio of 40 Hz sine oscillations and four different formerly in vivo recorded MTG-signals were converted into audio files and were used as test signals. Five trials with each audio were performed and one audio was used for repetition trials on another day. The signals’ correlation was estimated by Spearman (MCC) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(3,1)), Cronbach’s alpha (CA) and by mean distances (MD). All parameters were compared between repetition and randomized matched signals. The repetition trials show high correlations (MCC: 0.86 ± 0.13, ICC: 0.89 ± 0.12, CA: 0.98 ± 0.03), low MD (0.03 ± 0.03V) and differ significantly from the randomized matched signals (MCC: 0.15 ± 0.10, ICC: 0.17 ± 0.09, CA: 0.37 ± 0.16, MD: 0.19 ± 0.01V) (p = 0.001 – 0.043). This speaks for an excellent reliability of the measurement system. Presuming the skin above superficial tendons oscillates adequately, we estimate this tool as valid for the application in musculoskeletal system.

scholarly journals Mechanotendography: description and evaluation of a novel method for investigating the physiological mechanical oscillations of tendons using a piezo-based measurement system

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Laura V. Schaefer ◽  
Frank N. Bittmann
Keyword(s):  
Measurement System ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Pressure Waves ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficients ◽  
Mechanical Oscillations ◽  
Novel Method ◽  
Audio Files ◽  
Technical Reliability

The mechanotendography (MTG) is a method for analyzing the mechanical oscillations of tendons during muscular actions. The aim of this investigation was to evaluate the technical reliability of a piezo-based measurement system used for MTG. The reliability measurements were performed by using audio samples played by a subwoofer. The thereby generated pressure waves were recorded by a piezo-based measurement system. An audio of 40 Hz sine oscillations and four different formerly in vivo recorded MTG-signals were converted into audio files and were used as test signals. Five trials with each audio were performed and one audio was used for repetition trials on another day. The signals’ correlation was estimated by Spearman (MCC) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC(3,1)), Cronbach’s alpha (CA) and by mean distances (MD). All parameters were compared between repetition and randomized matched signals. The repetition trials show high correlations (MCC: 0.86 ± 0.13, ICC: 0.89 ± 0.12, CA: 0.98 ± 0.03), low MD (0.03 ± 0.03V) and differ significantly from the randomized matched signals (MCC: 0.15 ± 0.10, ICC: 0.17 ± 0.09, CA: 0.37 ± 0.16, MD: 0.19 ± 0.01V) (p = 0.001 – 0.043). This speaks for an excellent reliability of the measurement system. Presuming the skin above superficial tendons oscillates adequately, we estimate this tool as valid for the application in musculoskeletal system.

scholarly journals In vivo electrical conductivity measurement of muscle, cartilage, and peripheral nerve around knee joint using MR-electrical properties tomography

2022 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ji Hyun Lee ◽  
Young Cheol Yoon ◽  
Hyun Su Kim ◽  
Jiyeong Lee ◽  
Eunju Kim ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Electrical Properties ◽  
Knee Joint ◽  
Peripheral Nerve ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Conductivity Measurement ◽  
Post Exercise ◽  
Musculoskeletal Tissues

AbstractThis study aimed to investigate whether in vivo MR-electrical properties tomography (MR-EPT) is feasible in musculoskeletal tissues by evaluating the conductivity of muscle, cartilage, and peripheral nerve around the knee joint, and to explore whether these measurements change after exercise. This prospective study was approved by the institutional review board. On February 2020, ten healthy volunteers provided written informed consent and underwent MRI of the right knee using a three-dimensional balanced steady-state free precession (bSSFP) sequence. To test the effect of loading, the subjects performed 60 squatting exercises after baseline MRI, immediately followed by post-exercise MRI with the same sequences. After reconstruction of conductivity map based on the bSSFP sequence, conductivity of muscles, cartilages, and nerves were measured. Measurements between the baseline and post-exercise MRI were compared using the paired t-test. Test–retest reliability for baseline conductivity was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. The baseline and post-exercise conductivity values (mean ± standard deviation) [S/m] of muscles, cartilages, and nerves were 1.73 ± 0.40 and 1.82 ± 0.50 (p = 0.048), 2.29 ± 0.47 and 2.51 ± 0.37 (p = 0.006), and 2.35 ± 0.57 and 2.36 ± 0.57 (p = 0.927), respectively. Intraclass correlation coefficient for the baseline conductivity of muscles, cartilages, and nerves were 0.89, 0.67, and 0.89, respectively. In conclusion, in vivo conductivity measurement of musculoskeletal tissues is feasible using MR-EPT. Conductivity of muscles and cartilages significantly changed with an overall increase after exercise.

scholarly journals Comparing the results of manual and automated quantitative corneal neuroanalysing modules for beginners

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Po-Ying Wu ◽  
Jo-Hsuan Wu ◽  
Yi-Ting Hsieh ◽  
Lin Chih-Chieh Chen ◽  
Ting Cheng ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Nerve Fiber ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Fiber Density ◽  
Nerve Branch ◽  
Observer Reliability ◽  
Automated Method ◽  
Corneal Nerve ◽  
Branch Density

AbstractThis study aimed to evaluate the reliability of in vivo confocal microscopic neuroanalysis by beginners using manual and automated modules. Images of sub-basal corneal nerve plexus (SCNP) from 108 images of 18 healthy participants were analyzed by 7 beginner observers using manual (CCMetrics, [CCM]) and automated (ACCMetrics, [ACCM]) module. SCNP parameters analyzed included corneal nerve fiber density (NFD), corneal nerve branch density (NBD), corneal nerve fiber length (NFL), and tortuosity coefficient (TC). The intra-observer repeatability, inter-observer reliability, inter-module agreement, and left–right eye symmetry level of SCNP parameters were examined. All observers showed good intra-observer repeatability using CCM (intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC] > 0.60 for all), except when measuring TC. Two observers demonstrated especially excellent repeatability in analyzing NFD, NBD, and NFL using manual mode, indicating the quality of interpretation may still be observer-dependent. Among all SCNP parameters, NFL had the best inter-observer reliability (Spearman’s rank-sum correlation coefficient [SpCC] and ICC > 0.85 for the 3 original observers) and left–right symmetry level (SpCC and ICC > 0.60). In the additional analysis of inter-observer reliability using results by all 7 observers, only NFL showed good inter-observer reliability (ICC = 0.79). Compared with CCM measurements, values of ACCM measurements were significantly lower, implying a poor inter-module agreement. Our result suggested that performance of quantitative corneal neuroanalysis by beginners maybe acceptable, with NFL being the most reliable parameter, and automated method cannot fully replace manual work.

Prospective Trial on Probe-Based Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy for the Identification of the Distal Limit in Rectal Adenocarcinoma

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
pp. 313-322 ◽  
Author(s):  
Arthur R. Wijsmuller ◽  
Jean-Pierre Ghnassia ◽  
Sharmini Varatharajah ◽  
Mickael Schaeffer ◽  
Joel Leroy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Sensitivity And Specificity ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Prospective Trial ◽  
Rectal Adenocarcinoma ◽  
Neoadjuvant Chemoradiation ◽  
Confocal Laser Endomicroscopy ◽  
Confocal Laser

Background. Intraoperative decision of the level of distal resection in rectal cancer is often imprecise, based exclusively on digital examination and pretherapeutic imaging. Design. Prospective, single institution, nonrandomized trial ( ClinicalTrial.gov identification no. NCT01887509) to evaluate the contribution of probe-based confocal laser endomicroscopy (pCLE) to establish the optimal resection margin of rectal adenocarcinoma. The primary outcome was the concordance in the identification of lower tumor margins between pCLE and histopathology. For each patient, pCLE examination was performed on nonneoplastic and neoplastic aspects of the distal tumor margin, before and after neoadjuvant chemoradiation, or preceding surgery, if chemoradiation was not required. Biopsies were taken at the same locations. The intraclass correlation coefficient was determined. Results. Twenty-one patients were enrolled. Thirteen patients completed the full study. Six patients completed imaging only before chemoradiation. Two patients retracted their consent after inclusion. A total of 134 videos and corresponding histopathology samplings were analyzed. The sensitivity and specificity of in vivo pCLE interpretation were 0.915 (95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.840-0.970) and 0.736 (95% CI = 0.657-0.821), respectively. The sensitivity and specificity of the blinded pCLE reinterpretation were 0.930 (95% CI = 0.858-0.980) and 0.688 (95% CI = 0.600-0.770), respectively. No deep layer tumor infiltration was encountered in the samplings with superficial healthy layers. The intraclass correlation coefficient for in vivo pCLE interpretation and blinded pCLE reinterpretation were 0.747 (95% CI = 0.257-0.993) and 0.766 (95% CI = 0.280-0.995), respectively. Conclusions. This supports the concordance between pCLE and histopathology in identifying the “tumor-free” limit of a rectal tumor preceding resection.

scholarly journals Validity, Reliability and Reproducibility of Space Analysis using Digital Model taken via Model Scanner and Intraoral Scanner: An In vivo Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 47 (2) ◽  
pp. 176-187
Author(s):  
Seohyun Park ◽  
Jongsoo Kim ◽  
Sohee Oh
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Digital Model ◽  
Intraoral Scanner ◽  
3 Dimensional ◽  
Space Analysis ◽  
Tooth Width ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Plaster Model

The purpose of this study is to evaluate validity, reliability and reproducibility of tooth width (TW), arch length (AL) and arch length discrepancy (ALD) measured on a digital model taken via 3-dimensional model scanner and intraoral scanner compared to a plaster model.<br/>A total of 30 patients aged 12 to 18 were eligible for the study. 3 types of models were acquired from each patient: a conventional plaster model (P), a model scanned digital model (MSD) taken via Freedom UHD<sup>®</sup> and an intraoral scanned digital model (ISD) taken via CS3600<sup>®</sup> in-vivo. The reliability of TW and AL in each group was evaluated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient, while the reproducibility was evaluated with intraclass correlation coefficient. The validity of space analysis was assessed by paired t-test.<br/>As a result, all measurements of P, MSD and ISD groups showed favorable reliability and reproducibility. Most of measurements for space analysis in MSD group and TW in ISD group also presented high validity. AL and ALD presented statistically significant difference between P and ISD group. The validity of measurements of space analysis in ISD group was short in doubt to valid, but clinically acceptable. Both MSD and ISD are clinically acceptable to use for space analysis but clinician should be aware that errors can be found using a digital model.

scholarly journals Portable, One-Dimensional, Trunk-Flexor Muscle Strength Measurement System

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (6) ◽  
pp. 851-854
Author(s):  
Jefferson Fagundes Loss ◽  
Edgar Santiago Wagner Neto ◽  
Tatiane Borsoi de Siqueira ◽  
Aline Dill Winck ◽  
Laura Silveira de Moura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Muscle Strength ◽  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Measurement System ◽  
Athletic Performance ◽  
Concurrent Validity ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
Flexor Muscle ◽  
Strength Measurement ◽  
One Dimensional ◽  
Muscle Strength Measurement

Trunk-flexor muscle strength plays a fundamental role in athletic performance, but objective measurements are usually obtained using expensive and nonportable equipment, such as isokinetic dynamometers. The aim of this study was to assess the concurrent validity of a portable, one-dimensional, trunk-flexor muscle strength measurement system (Measurement System) that uses calibrated barbells and the reliability of the measurements obtained using the Measurement System, by conducting test–retests. As a complementary assessment, the measurements obtained during a maximum contraction test performed by a group of 15 subjects were also recorded. Four conditions were assessed: repeatability, time reproducibility, position reproducibility, and subject reproducibility. The results demonstrate that both the concurrent validity and the measured reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient > .98) of the Measurement System are acceptable. The Measurement System provides valid and reliable measures of trunk-flexor muscle strength.

scholarly journals New Tracking System of Human Scapula Using Ultrasonography and Motion Sensors: A Descriptive Test–Retest Design

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (7) ◽  
Author(s):  
Manuel Trinidad-Fernández ◽  
Manuel González-Sánchez ◽  
Antonio I. Cuesta-Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Intraclass Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Ultrasound Imaging ◽  
Repeated Measures ◽  
External Rotation ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
New Method

Context: Several studies have shown that the kinematics of the scapula is altered in many disorders that affect the shoulder. Description of scapular motion in the chest continues to be a scientific and clinical challenge. Objective: To check the validity and reliability of a new, minimally invasive method of tracking the internal and external rotation of the scapula using ultrasound imaging combined with the signal provided by a 3-dimensional electromagnetic sensor. Design: A cross-sectional study with a repeated-measures descriptive test–retest design was employed to evaluate this new tracking method. The new method was validated in vitro and the reliability of data over repeated measures between scapula positions was calculated in vivo. Setting: University laboratory. Participants: A total of 30 healthy men and women. Main Outcome Measure: The validation of the scapula rotation tracking using the in vitro model was calculated by Pearson correlation test between a 2-dimensional cross-correlation algorithm of the new method and another software image. The reliability of the tracking of the scapula rotation was measured using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Results: In the validation in vitro, the correlation of rotations obtained by the 2 methods was good (r = .77, P = .01). The reliability in vivo had excellent results (intraclass correlation coefficient = .88; 95% confidence interval, .82–.93) in the test–retest analysis of 8 measures. The intrarater analysis of variance test showed no significant differences between the measures (P = .85, F = 0.46). Conclusion: Ultrasound imaging combined with a motion sensor to track the scapula has been shown to be a reliable and valid method for measuring internal and external rotation during separation of the upper limb.

scholarly journals In vivo Imaging of Retina and Choroid in Guinea Pigs

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Dong ◽  
Yi Fan Li ◽  
Xue Jiang ◽  
Yin Jun Lan ◽  
Lei Shao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Guinea Pigs ◽  
Choroidal Thickness ◽  
Retinal Thickness ◽  
Pearson Correlation ◽  
Intraclass Correlation ◽  
High Agreement ◽  
Oct Imaging ◽  
Thickness Measurements

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of in-vivo imaging of the retina and choroid using spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) in guinea pigs.Methods: The study included 19 pigmented guinea pigs (age: 3–4 weeks) which underwent sonographic axial length measurements and OCT imaging. At study end, the animals were sacrificed and histomorphometric examinations of the retina and choroid were performed. We assessed the reproducibility of the OCT measurements and compared in-vivo measurements to histomorphometric data.Results: The mean thickness of the retina and choroid near the optic nerve head was 175.6 ± 25.8 and 63.4 ± 16.5 μm, respectively, and mean Bruch's membrane opening (BMO) diameter was 831 ± 121 μm. The intra-observer comparison of measurements of retinal thickness (intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.96; P &lt; 0.001), choroidal thickness (ICC = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.96; P &lt; 0.001), and BMO diameter (ICC = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.86–0.96; P &lt; 0.001) showed a high correlation. A high agreement was present also for the inter-observer reproducibility of the measurements of retinal thickness (Pearson correlation coefficient (R) = 0.98; P &lt; 0.001), choroidal thickness (R = 0.96; P &lt; 0.001), and BMO diameter (R = 0.98; P &lt; 0.001). The Bland-Altman plots showed that 2.6% (1/38), 5.3% (2/38), and 7.9% (3/38) of the measurement points of retinal thickness, choroidal thickness and BMO diameter, respectively, were located outside of the 95% limits of agreement. The OCT-based thickness measurements of retina and choroid were significantly higher than those measured by histomorphometry (both P-values &lt;0.01).Conclusion: OCT-based in-vivo morphometric imaging of the retina and choroid in guinea pigs is feasible with an acceptable intra-observer repeatability and inter-observer reproducibility.

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