Imaging the middle-ear structure is problematic but researchers at the Canadian Light Source (CLS), Canada's national synchrotron light source facility, have made it possible to take complete, high-resolution 3D images.
In a recently published article, Western University biomedical engineering professor Hanif Ladak and his team detailed the methodology and findings of their comparison of commonly used imaging techniques, particularly micro-computed tomography (CT) and optical microscopy, with synchrotron radiation phase-contrast imaging (SR-PCI) in the visualization of structural details and soft-tissue contrast of the middle ear. The goal of their research was to study the biomechanical function of the middle ear, which is possible through finite-element (FE) modeling using high-resolution images.
Ladak explained that comprehensive unified three-dimensional images of both the bones and the soft tissue are necessary for designing prostheses or implants.
What makes generating three-dimensional images that capture of all the parts together problematic? The complexity and size of the organ. The middle ear has very small and complicated structure. It is made up of three microscopic bones, which measure only a few millimeters across, and even more microscopic soft tissues that connect these tiny bones. While there are facilities that can take 3D images of the middle ear's bones, they fail to capture the soft tissues. Ladak said that the biomedical imaging facility at CLS allowed his team to successfully image both.
Another advantage of SR-PCI is that unlike the widely used computed tomography (CT) and optical microscopy that require tedious sample preparation to achieve sufficient soft-tissue contrast, SR-PCI delivers superior images without the need for staining or decalcification.
The researchers concluded that SR-PCI provides superior visualization of microstructures over conventional micro-CT and that it is an exceptional device for simultaneously imagining both middle-ear bones and soft tissue. The article highlighted that SR-PCI's improved visualization, modeling accuracy, and simple sample preparation, make it a promising high-performance device for generating reliable FE models of the middle-ear structures.
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