Measurements of ligament tissue cross-sectional area

An experimental method utilizing a high-speed computerized image analysis system to measure the cross-sectional area of ligament tissue was developed. The method consists of flash-freezing ligament tissue in liquid nitrogen and then sectioning the tissue at discrete locations along its length. A nondestructive casting technique was also developed to determine the cross-sectional area of ligament specimens prior to sectioning. Images of individual cross-sections for both ligament and cast sections were acquired using a high-resolution video-camera system. A comparison study was performed for an average area value of ligament cross sections and an average area value for cast cross sections. The variations between these are within 8.3%. A section-by-section comparison of ligament versus casting was also performed. In most cases, the variations between ligament section and cast section was less than 10%. The casting technique utilizing the image analysis system in an accurate, nondestructive way to determine the cross-sectional area of ligament tissue. It does not assume a shape for the area and can detect concavities on the surface of the tissue.<>