Example IV
(cont.): In situ Variable-Tapping-Force Imaging of Articular Cartilage.
Topography
of articular cartilage of lamb knee joint imaged in tapping mode under
physiological buffer as a function of
A/ A0
Height
Amplitude
(error signal)
T.Kowalewski, work in progress
Our studies indicate that, in analogy with operation in air, tapping
force under liquids can be
controlled through the imaging
set-point. Here we use this approach
to image the surface of
articular cartilage at different
depths. When imaging is carried out
with low tapping force (A/Ao = 0.99), the featureless hydrogel surface is
visualized. Upon the increase of
tapping force, the
underlying collagen fibers become visible.
We expect that variable-force fluid-tapping imaging will be
especially useful in the studies of cartilage-related disorders (e.g. osteoarthritis) and in tissue
engineering.