Ultrasonic characterization of dynamic depth-dependent biomechanical properties of articular cartilage

This chapter introduces ultrasonic characterization of dynamic depth-dependent biomechanical properties of articular cartilage. The ultrasound-swelling and ultrasound-elastomicroscopy systems are used, which show potentials for the investigation of the transient deformations of articular cartilage at different depths under dynamic loading. Ultrasound approaches inherently provide non-destructive assessment of articular cartilage. With the miniaturization of the ultrasound probes, these ultrasound techniques can be potentially used together with arthroscopes for in vivo assessment of articular cartilage. Studies suggest that these ultrasound approaches can also be potentially applied for dynamic mechanical assessment of other biological tissues, tissue engineered tissues, biomaterials and non-biomaterials.