Mapping the micromechanical properties of cryo-sectioned aortic tissue with scanning acoustic microscopy

Riaz Akhtar, Michael J. Sherratt, Rachel E.B. Watson, Tribikram Kundu, Brian Derby

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

Although the gross mechanical properties of ageing tissues have been extensively documented, biological tissues are highly heterogeneous and little is known concerning the variation of micro-mechanical properties within tissues. Here, we use Scanning Acoustic Microscopy (SAM) to map the acoustic wave speed (a measure of stiffness) as a function of distance from the outer adventitial layer of cryo-sectioned ferret aorta. With a 400 MHz lens, the images of the aorta samples matched those obtained following chemical fixation and staining of sections which were viewed with fluorescence microscopy. Quantitative analysis was conducted with a frequency scanning or V(f) technique by imaging the tissue from 960 MHz to 1.1 GHz. Undulating acoustic wave speed (stiffness) distributions corresponded with elastic fibre locations in the tissue; there was a decrease in wave speed of around 40 ms-1 from the adventitia (outer layer) to the intima (innermost).

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationSelecting and Qualifying New Materials for Use in Regulated Industries
Pages79-84
Number of pages6
StatePublished - 2008
Event2008 MRS Fall Meeting - Boston, MA, United States
Duration: Dec 1 2008Dec 5 2008

Publication series

NameMaterials Research Society Symposium Proceedings
Volume1151
ISSN (Print)0272-9172

Other

Other2008 MRS Fall Meeting
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityBoston, MA
Period12/1/0812/5/08

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Materials Science
  • Condensed Matter Physics
  • Mechanics of Materials
  • Mechanical Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Mapping the micromechanical properties of cryo-sectioned aortic tissue with scanning acoustic microscopy'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this