Optimization of contrast enhanced Ct for neo-tissue quantification using a design of experiment approach
(2015) TERMIS World Congress — Location: Boston, MA, USA (8.September.2015)
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- Abstract
- To progress the fields of tissue engineering and regenerative medicine, development of quantitative methods for non-invasive 3D characterization of engineered constructs (i.e. scaffolds with cells and/or growth factors) becomes essential. In order to enable the use of X-ray based imaging techniques for quantitative analysis of soft tissue fractions in TE constructs the use of contrast-enhanced nanofocus computed tomography (CE-nanoCT) was optimized. A fractional factorial ‘design of experiments’ approach was used to elucidate the influence of the staining time and concentration of two contrast agents (Hexabrix® and phosphotungstic acid - PTA) and the neo-tissue volume on the image contrast and dataset quality. Additionally, the neo-tissue shrinkage that was induced by PTA staining was quantified to determine the operating window within which this contrast agent can be accurately applied. For Hexabrix® the staining concentration was the main parameter influencing image contrast and dataset quality. A concentration of 60% and a staining time of 30 minutes were sufficient to allow accurate and fully automated quantification of the neo-tissue formed. Using PTA the staining concentration had a significant influence on the image contrast while both staining concentration and neo-tissue volume had an influence on the dataset quality. The use of high concentrations of PTA did however introduce significant shrinkage of the neo-tissue indicating that, despite sub-optimal image contrast, low concentrations of this staining agent should be used to enable quantitative analysis. As the staining time did not have any significant influence, this can be kept as low as possible.
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KUL KUL KUL
Citations
Sonnaert, M., Kerckhofs, G., Papantoniou, I., Van Vlierberghe, S., Boterberg, V., Dubruel, P., Luyten, F., Schrooten, J., & Geris, L. (2015). Optimization of contrast enhanced Ct for neo-tissue quantification using a design of experiment approach. TERMIS World Congress, Boston, MA, USA. https://hdl.handle.net/2078.5/236610