Osteoarthritis (OA) is a disease of the articular cartilage
(AC) that cripples millions. Early detection of OA can provide
the possibility of reversing the damage. Daniel H. Wagner Associates
was part of a research project to produce an arthroscopic probe
allowing a minimally invasive and non-destructive method of diagnosing
early stages of AC degeneration. The probe design relies on the
fact that healthy AC is electromechanically coupled. A properly
designed probe could use this phenomenon to quantify and map focal
lesions in AC, substantially improving the options for treatment.
Improving probe design requires simulation. We have developed
software that is able to simulate the electromechanical response
of the AC. This prototype software tool predicts the measured
surface stress, as well as internal fields, resulting from current
stimulation and tissue impedance in a two-dimensional, inhomogeneous,
isotropic, linear model.
Our work on assessment of osteoarthritis is in collaboration
with Dr. Alan Grodzinsky of the Continuim Electromechanics Group,
Department of Electrical Engineering & Computer Science, MIT.
