Patrick Hiepe1, Daniel Gllmar1, Christian Ros1, Tobias Siebert2, Alexander Gussew1, Reinhard Rzanny1, Jrgen R. Reichenbach1
1Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology 1, Medical Physics Group, Jena University Hospital, Jena, Thuringia, Germany; 2Institute of Sportscience - Science of Motion, Friedrich-Schiller University, Jena, Thuringia, Germany
Knowledge about the 3D architecture of muscles is important, first, for a deeper understanding of contraction dynamics and muscle deformation, and second, as a prerequisite for the development of realistic finite-element muscle models. DTI provides valuable information about muscle architecture in normal and diseased states. In this work we introduce a framework including an MR compatible ergometer with monitoring and visual feedback options to perform DTI measurements during voluntarily muscle contractions at different joint angles. Data acquisition was performed in the right lower leg of one healthy volunteer where we found in activated muscles significant changes of DTI parameters.