Laser speckle photography to measure surface displacements on cortical bone - verification of an automated analysis system

A non-contact strain measurement method that could be used in a physiologic al environment was adapted to determine accurately the mechanical propertie s of bone. The technique of laser speckle photography was applied to record in-plane surface displacements. An automated image analysis system, based on a Fast Fourier Transform algorithm, was developed for data acquisition a nd its accuracy and precision verified. It was established that the techniq ue could be used at magnifications of up to 60 x, providing an ultimate res olution of approximately 1 mu m Displacement measurements on cortical bone submerged in water were demonstrated, which is of great value in determinin g the true physiological properties of bone. (C) 1998 IPEM. published by El sevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.