Toward peripheral nerve mechanical characterization using Brillouin imaging spectroscopy
Vsevolod Cheburkanov, Junwei Du, David M. Brogan, Mikhail Y. Berezin, Vladislav V. Yakovlev
Abstract
SignificancePeripheral nerves are viscoelastic tissues with unique elastic characteristics. Imaging of peripheral nerve elasticity is important in medicine, particularly in the context of nerve injury and repair. Elasticity imaging techniques provide information about the mechanical properties of peripheral nerves, which can be useful in identifying areas of nerve damage or compression, as well as assessing the success of nerve repair procedures.AimWe aim to assess the feasibility of Brillouin microspectroscopy for peripheral nerve imaging of elasticity, with the ultimate goal of developing a new diagnostic tool for peripheral nerve injury in vivo.ApproachViscoelastic properties of the peripheral nerve were evaluated with Brillouin imaging spectroscopy.ResultsAn external stress exerted on the fixed nerve resulted in a Brillouin shift. Quantification of the shift enabled correlation of the Brillouin parameters with nerve elastic properties.ConclusionsBrillouin microscopy provides sufficient sensitivity to assess viscoelastic properties of peripheral nerves.