Dataset for: Vibrometry as a noncontact alternative to dynamic and viscoelastic mechanical testing in cartilage

Physiological loading of knee cartilage is highly dynamic and may contribute to the progression of osteoarthritis. Thus, an understanding of cartilage’s dynamic mechanical properties is crucial in cartilage research. In this study, vibrometry was used as a fast (2 hours), noncontact, and novel alternative to the slower (30 hours), traditional mechanical and biochemical assays for characterization of cartilage from the condyle, patella, trochlear groove, and meniscus. Finite-element models predicted tissue resonant frequencies and bending modes, which strongly correlated with experiments (R2=0.93). Vibrometry-based viscoelastic properties significantly correlated with moduli from stress relaxation and creep tests, with correlation strengths reaching up to 0.78. Loss modulus also strongly correlated with GAG content. Dynamic properties measured by vibrometry significantly differed among various knee cartilages, ranging between 6.1-56.4MPa. Interestingly, meniscus viscoelastic properties s...