Automatic method and system for measurements of bone density and structure of the hip from 3-D X-ray imaging devices
US8649577B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 27, 2009 |
| Grant date | Feb 11, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 9, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06T2207/30008
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A method uses a computer and software to measure bone density and structure of the proximal femur of the hip from a volumetric set of images containing pixels representing x-ray attenuation of the subject which are acquired with three-dimensional X-ray imaging devices. The method automatically locates anatomical markers of the hip without operator interaction, automatically positions regions of interest (ROIs) for measurement, automatically determines bone density measures of the ROIs, and automatically reports the results for individual subjects. Bone density measurements of ROIs include the integral bone of the total hip and neck as well as trabecular bone. The method automatically identifies a three-dimensional region-of-interest (ROI) volume which includes the hip, determines a three-dimensional coordinate system referenced to the anatomy of the subject, analyzes the ROI volume to identify voxels in the volume which satisfy defined criteria, and determines a measure of bone structure.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.