Digital topological analysis of trabecular bone MR images and prediction of osteoporosis fractures
US6975894B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 2002 |
| Grant date | Dec 13, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG16H50/20
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
The invention provides method, system and device for determining trabecular bone structure and strength by digital topological analysis, and offers, for the first time, a demonstration of superior associations between vertebral deformity and a number of architectural indices measured in the distal radius, thus permitting reliable and noninvasive detection and determination of the pathogenesis of osteoporosis. A preferred embodiment provides imaging in three dimension of a region of trabecular bone, after which the 3D image is converted into a skeletonized surface representation. Digital topological analysis is applied to the converted image, and each image voxel is identified and classified as a curve, a surface, or a junction; and then associated with microarchitectural indices of trabecular bone to quantitatively characterize the trabecular bone network. The invention is applicable in vivo, particularly on human subjects, or ex vivo.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.