Abstract
Tendons and ligaments are collagenous tissues in the body which attenuate load. Reflectance quantitative polarized light imaging (rQPLI) is being developed to combat some of the issues present in many of the current imaging modalities used to study tendons and ligaments. To establish its utility in continuous monitoring of tendon healing, rQPLI will be used to monitor a tendon explant defect over a four week period in both normal and super healer mice strains. In this study, we discuss fabrication of a custom frame built to exert a constant force on tendon explants for these imaging studies. Additionally, the frame needed to be compatible with rQPLI: it must be non-reflective and not interfere with the optical path during sample monitoring. Many design iterations were created using CAD software before the design was finalized. To ensure the frame was sturdy, and would not corrode, high corrosion resistant stainless steel was used for the frame and connector screws. A constant force spring attached to a fishing line was used to ensure the tendon was kept at 2.5 N, and alligator clips were used to hold the tendon in place.
Document Type
Final Report
Class Name
Mechanical Engineering and Material Sciences Independent Study
Date of Submission
12-27-2021
Recommended Citation
Riak, Matthew and Dickstein, Lila, "Development of a Custom Tendon Explant Frame Compatible with Reflectance Quantitative Polarized Light Imaging" (2021). Mechanical Engineering and Materials Science Independent Study. 166.
https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/mems500/166