In this study, we determined correlation time ($$$\tau_c$$$ ), a parameter that we propose as MRI contrast indicative of the structure of articular cartilage. $$$T_{1\rho}$$$ dispersion data were acquired from intact patellar bovine cartilage samples and $$$\tau_c$$$ maps were obtained by fitting a Lorentzian model function to the $$$T_{1\rho}$$$ dispersion. The association between $$$\tau_c$$$ and the tissue properties was assessed by correlation analysis between $$$\tau_c$$$ and histology. The results suggest that the proposed parameter $$$\tau_c$$$ as well as other fitting parameters can reveal cartilage structure. More investigation is needed to establish correlation between $$$\tau_c$$$ and histology.
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