Methods for the compensation of imaging technique in the processing of radiographic images
View Patent ↗The present invention relates to methods and devices for analyzing x-ray images. In particular, devices, methods and algorithms are provided that allow for the accurate and reliable evaluation of bone structure and macro-anatomical parameters from x-ray images.
1. A method to derive information regarding one or more bone parameters from an image comprising:
(a) obtaining an image comprising bone image from a subject;
(b) defining two or more regions of interest (ROIs) in the image; and
(c) analyzing a plurality of positions in the ROIs to determine one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of bone microarchitecture, bone macro-anatomy, biomechanical parameters and combinations thereof of the ROIs, wherein the ROIs are overlapping.
2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the positions analyzed in the ROIs are at regular intervals in the image.
3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the positions analyzed in the ROIs are at irregular intervals in the image.
4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is bone micro-architecture and the positions analyzed are at regular intervals.
5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the parameter is bone macro-anatomy and the positions are analyzed are at irregular intervals in the image.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the image is two-dimensional.
7. The method of claim 6 , wherein image is an x-ray image.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the image is three-dimensional.
9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the image is an electronic image.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the subject is an osteoporosis subject.
11. A method of generating a map of one or more bone parameters, comprising
(a) obtaining information on bone parameters according to the method of claim 1 ; and
(b) identifying regions of the image that exhibit similar parameter characteristics, thereby creating a parameter map of the image.
12. A method of predicting a fracture path in a subject, comprising:
(a) generating multiple parameter maps according to the method of claim 11 ;
(b) generating a composite parameter map from the multiple parameters maps of step (a); and
(c) analyzing the composite parameter map to identify possible fracture paths.
13. A method of predicting a fracture path in a subject comprising:
(a) analyzing one or more parameter maps preparing according to the method of claim 11 , wherein the analysis is watershed segmentation analysis or Markov random field analysis; and
(b) identifying possible fracture paths based on the analysis of step (a), thereby predicting a fracture path in the subject.
14. A method of predicting the risk of fracture in a subject comprising:
(a) generating a finite element model from one or more parameter maps obtained according to the method of claim 11 ;
(b) applying simulated force vectors that would occur during a fracture incident to the finite element model; and
(c) determining the minimum forces required for fracture to occur, thereby estimating the risk of fracture.
15. A method of determining the risk of fracture in a subject comprising:
(a) predicting a fracture path according to the method of claim 12 ; and
(b) evaluating one or more selected bone parameters along the predicted fracture path, thereby estimating the risk of fracture.
16. A method of determining the risk of fracture in a subject comprising:
(a) predicting a fracture path according to the method of claim 13 ; and
(b) evaluating one or more selected bone parameters along the predicted fracture path, thereby estimating the risk of fracture.
17. A method of treating a subject with bone disease comprising
(a) obtaining an image comprising image of bone from a subject;
(b) analyzing the image obtained in step (a) as described in claim 1 ;
(c) diagnosing a bone disease based on the analysis of step (b); and
(d) selecting and administering a suitable treatment to said subject based on said diagnosis.