Patent ID: 9153021
Filing Date: 2015-10-06
Classification: A61B,G06T

Abstract:
1. A computer-implemented method for analyzing a patient's body part of interest to assess bone strength and/or risk of future fracture, said method comprising: obtaining a priori information regarding the body part of interest, said a priori information comprising a three-dimensional (3D) generic model of a comparable body part; performing X-ray absorptiometric scans of the patient's body part of interest and collecting X-ray absorptiometry data from the X-ray absorptiometric scans, said data being derived using x-ray imaging detectors included in a computer-driven data acquisition system, said data representing a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) images of the patient's body part, each of said 2D images of the patient's body part being at a respective orientation of an imaging x-ray beam relative to the patient's body part; constructing a three-dimensional model of the patient's body part of interest, by utilizing the a priori information along with the X-ray absorptiometric data, said constructing comprising operating computerized equipment to carry out the steps of: performing finite element analysis on the three-dimensional model of the patient's body part as modified through said constructing to provide parameters relating to bone strength of the patient's body part; and estimating force of a hypothetical fall by the patient; wherein said parameters relating to bone strength are considered in combination with one or more other parameters to estimate said force of the fall.