US5509042A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Automated determination and analysis of bone morphology
Assignee: GE Lunar Corp
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Filing: 1993-09-10
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Granted: 1996-04-16
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Expires: 2013-09-10
Abstract
Abstract A method for automatically analyzing the morphometry of bone (20, 21) from data obtained by lateral digital scans of the bone (20, 21) obtains a matrix of data values assembled from an x-ray scan. The matrix is analyzed to locate an axis of the bone from which subsequent measures may be referenced. Once the axis is fixed, one or more of several useful indicia of bone condition such as length or interbone spacing can be calculated.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard B. Mazess
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-01 15:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B6/00; A61B6/02; A61B6/03; A61B6/032; A61B6/40; A61B6/4035; A61B6/4064; A61B6/4085; A61B6/42; A61B6/4208; A61B6/4241; A61B6/46; A61B6/461; A61B6/463; A61B6/48; A61B6/482; A61B6/50; A61B6/505; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/02; A61F2/28; A61F2/30; A61F2/46; A61F2/4657; A61F2/468; G; G01; G01T; G01T1/00; G01T1/16; G01T1/161; G01T1/163; G01V; G01V5/00; G01V5/20; G01V5/22; G01V5/224; G06; G06T; G06T7/00; G06T7/0002; G06T7/0012; G06T7/60; G06T7/62; A61F2/32; A61F2/36; A61F2/3662; A61F2/367; A61F2/3676; A61F2/44; A61F2002/30001; A61F2002/30003; A61F2002/3006; A61F2002/3008; A61F2240/00; A61F2240/001; A61F2240/008; A61F2250/00; A61F2250/0058; A61F2250/0096; A61F2250/0098; A61F2310/00; A61F2310/00005; A61F2310/00011; A61F2310/00179; G06T2207/00; G06T2207/10; G06T2207/10116; G06T2207/30; G06T2207/30004; G06T2207/30008; G06T2207/30012
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
187 words
A digital x-ray apparatus for scanning a bone of an animal or human with x-rays to obtain information about the morphometric characteristics of the bone, said bone having one or more orthogonal axes, said x-ray apparatus producing a matrix of discrete data elements each having a value related to an attenuation of x-ray radiation by the material of the bone comprising: (a) a digital computer for incorporating the following means: 1) means for receiving the matrix of discrete data elements and reviewing the values of the data elements and their defined locations to identify the following: a) a coordinate aligned with an axis of the bone; b) at least two morphometric fiducial points; 2) a means for using two or more of said morphometric fiducial points to make at least one morphological measurement of said bone; (b) a means for outputting said morphological measurement from said digital computer; wherein the means receiving the matrix of discrete data elements and reviewing the values of the data elements identifies the coordinates aligned with the axis of the bone by mathematically combining a plurality of values taken within the bone.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
187 words
A digital x-ray apparatus for scanning a bone of an animal or human with x-rays to obtain information about the morphometric characteristics of the bone, said bone having one or more orthogonal axes, said x-ray apparatus producing a matrix of discrete data elements each having a value related to an attenuation of x-ray radiation by the material of the bone comprising: (a) a digital computer for incorporating the following means: 1) means for receiving the matrix of discrete data elements and reviewing the values of the data elements and their defined locations to identify the following: a) a coordinate aligned with an axis of the bone; b) at least two morphometric fiducial points; 2) a means for using two or more of said morphometric fiducial points to make at least one morphological measurement of said bone; (b) a means for outputting said morphological measurement from said digital computer; wherein the means receiving the matrix of discrete data elements and reviewing the values of the data elements identifies the coordinates aligned with the axis of the bone by mathematically combining a plurality of values taken within the bone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
The digital x-ray apparatus as described in claim 1 wherein the means receiving the matrix of discrete data elements and reviewing the values of the data elements identifies the at least two morphometric fiducial points by mathematically combining a set of values defined with respect to the coordinate.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
173 words
A digital x-ray apparatus for scanning a bone of an animal or human with x-rays to obtain information about the morphometric characteristics of the bone, said bone having one or more orthogonal axes, said x-ray apparatus producing a matrix of discrete data elements each having a value related to an attenuation of x-ray radiation by the material of the bone comprising: (a) a digital computer for incorporating the following means: 1) means for receiving the matrix of discrete data elements and reviewing the values of the data elements and their defined locations to identify the following: a) a coordinate aligned with an axis of the bone; b) at least two morphometric fiducial points; 2) a means for using two or more of said morphometric fiducial points to make at least one morphological measurement of said bone; (b) a means for outputting said morphological measurement from said digital computer; further comprising a fan beam x-ray and a linear array detector for producing the array of discrete data wherein said x-rays are dual energy x-rays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
173 words
A digital x-ray apparatus for scanning a bone of an animal or human with x-rays to obtain information about the morphometric characteristics of the bone, said bone having one or more orthogonal axes, said x-ray apparatus producing a matrix of discrete data elements each having a value related to an attenuation of x-ray radiation by the material of the bone comprising: (a) a digital computer for incorporating the following means: 1) means for receiving the matrix of discrete data elements and reviewing the values of the data elements and their defined locations to identify the following: a) a coordinate aligned with an axis of the bone; b) at least two morphometric fiducial points; 2) a means for using two or more of said morphometric fiducial points to make at least one morphological measurement of said bone; (b) a means for outputting said morphological measurement from said digital computer; further comprising a fan beam x-ray and a linear array detector for producing the array of discrete data wherein said x-rays are dual energy x-rays.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
23 words
The digital x-ray apparatus as described in claim 3, further comprising a means to switch from dual energy x-rays to single energy x-rays.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for determining bone morphology using a digital x-ray apparatus wherein said digital x-ray apparatus is made to scan a bone of an animal or human to obtain information about the bone, said bone having one or more orthogonal axes, and said information being derived from a matrix of discrete data elements each having a value wherein each said data element corresponds to a defined location in said bone, and wherein the value of each data element is related to the attenuation of x-rays by the bone, and wherein said digital x-ray apparatus has a digital computer means for receiving said matrix, said method for determining bone morphology comprising the steps of: a) causing said digital computer means to review the values of data elements and their defined locations to identify the following: 1) a coordinate aligned with an axis of the bone; 2) two or more morphometric fiducial points; b) causing said digital computer to make at least one morphometric measurement using said two or more fiducial points; c) causing said morphometric measurement to be output from said digital computing means.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
183 words
A method for determining bone morphology using a digital x-ray apparatus wherein said digital x-ray apparatus is made to scan a bone of an animal or human to obtain information about the bone, said bone having one or more orthogonal axes, and said information being derived from a matrix of discrete data elements each having a value wherein each said data element corresponds to a defined location in said bone, and wherein the value of each data element is related to the attenuation of x-rays by the bone, and wherein said digital x-ray apparatus has a digital computer means for receiving said matrix, said method for determining bone morphology comprising the steps of: a) causing said digital computer means to review the values of data elements and their defined locations to identify the following: 1) a coordinate aligned with an axis of the bone; 2) two or more morphometric fiducial points; b) causing said digital computer to make at least one morphometric measurement using said two or more fiducial points; c) causing said morphometric measurement to be output from said digital computing means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method described in claim 5, wherein the bone has a long axis and wherein the two morphometric fiducial points are positioned at opposite ends of the long axis to provide a measure of bone length.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method as described in claim 5, wherein the bone includes a joint and wherein the two morphometric fiducial points are positioned at opposite sides of the Joint to provide a measure of joint spacing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method as described in claim 5, wherein the bone includes a trabecular inner portion flanked by a first and second cortical outer portion and wherein the two morphometric fiducial points are positioned at opposite edges of the first cortical outer portion to provide a measure of cortical thickness.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1999-04-16 | 1999-10-16 | 2000-04-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-04-16 | 2003-10-16 | 2004-04-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-04-16 | 2007-10-16 | 2008-04-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |