Measurement of biomechanical properties of transversely isotropic biological tissue using traveling wave expansion

Abstract

The anisotropic mechanical properties of fiber-embedded biological tissues are essential for understanding their development, aging, disease progression, and response to therapy. However, accurate and fast assessment of mechanical anisotropy in vivo using elastography remains challenging. To address the dilemma of achieving both accuracy and efficiency in this inverse problem involving complex wave equations, we propose a computational framework that utilizes the traveling wave expansion model. This framework leverages the unique wave characteristics of transversely isotropic material and physically meaningful operator combinations. The analytical solutions for inversion are derived and engineering optimization is made to adapt to actual scenarios. Measurement results using simulations, ex vivo muscle tissue, and in vivo human white matter validate the framework in determining in vivo anisotropic biomechanical properties, highlighting its potential for measurement of a variety of fiber-embedded biological tissues.