CN101199429B - Ultrasonic bone assessment apparatus and method - Google Patents
Ultrasonic bone assessment apparatus and method Download PDFInfo
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- CN101199429B CN101199429B CN2007101994705A CN200710199470A CN101199429B CN 101199429 B CN101199429 B CN 101199429B CN 2007101994705 A CN2007101994705 A CN 2007101994705A CN 200710199470 A CN200710199470 A CN 200710199470A CN 101199429 B CN101199429 B CN 101199429B
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Abstract
An invention is disclosed for locating a region of interest in the calcaneus. A method and apparatus are disclosed that use a pair of ultrasound transducers for ultrasound assessment of various properties of bone. The invention includes positioning the transducers on the medial and lateral sides of the heel, respectively. The positioning is based on a size of a portion of the body of a subject upon whom the ultrasound assessment of the calcaneus is to be made. In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, the length of the foot from the back to the head of the first metatarsal is used in conjunction with a proportionality constant and an angle, to position the pair of transducers. The positioning so obtained leads to the ability to make both (i) reproducible measurements and (ii) to be able to compare the results obtained in one person with another, because relatively analogous portions of the highly heterogeneous calcanei are assessed in both. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a single transducer is positioned similarly on the heel, operating in pulse-echo mode.
Description
Present patent application requires the priority that is numbered 60/874,654 U.S. Provisional Patent Application of December in 2006 submission on the 13rd, and disclosed full content is included this paper in way of reference in this temporary patent application.Present patent application also requires the priority that is numbered 60/875,088 U.S. Provisional Patent Application of December in 2006 submission on the 15th, and disclosed full content is included this paper in way of reference in this temporary patent application.
Technical field
The present invention is relevant for a kind of device and method that can be applicable to the non-invasive quantitative assay of bone in the biological living.More particularly, the invention relates to assessment and the fracture diagnosis that can be used for Diagnosis of osteoporosis, risk of bone fracture with a kind of ultrasonic unit and method.Clearer and more definite again, the invention relates to a kind of method and apparatus and be used for locating a region of interest, thereby can obtain repeating and comparable one group of ultrasound wave parameter of certain object of study or one group of object of study at calcaneus.
Background technology
In recent years, ultrasound wave receives people's attention as a kind of Non-Invasive bone assessment technology.People repeatedly make great efforts to estimate the osseous tissue situation in the biological living with ultrasonic energy, and then are used as a kind of tolerance of diagnosis osteoporosis and risk of bone fracture assessment.
Want especially one carry be, Hoop disclose a kind of instrument in United States Patent (USP) (numbering 3,847,141), it is through the measurement bone density and then monitor the content of the calcium in the bone.A pair of ultrasonic sensor is placed in relative two that the measured points Face to face, and emission sensor is aimed at the pulse of maniphalanx repeat its transmission, and the receiving sensor on its opposite is also aimed at maniphalanx and received the pulse of passing bone.Hoop becomes circuit design like this, triggers the emission of next pulse with the acknowledge(ment) signal after filtering; Filter and adopt band filter, the reception signal composition of only making way in 25kHz to the 125kHz scope passes through; Hoop believes that calcium component is directly proportional in viewed triggering frequency and the bone.He just can measure as long as consider in this assigned frequency band the burst transmissions time like this.
Pratt, Jr. studies biology in vivo, for example the bone strength of horse.In United States Patent (USP) (numbering 4,361,154); This inventor has solved a difficult problem; Thereby can measure the transmission time that 0.5MHz and 1.0MHz pulse signal pass bone and soft tissue, also can measure the transmission time of pulse-echo, and then can get signal and pass the transmission time that only contains bone parts.By means of a data base, he can assess the bone situation with measuring the transmission time.Pratt, another United States Patent (USP) of Jr. (numbering 4,913,157) adopt same transmission time/speed inference principle, adopt afterwards optimum frequency 2.25MHz for sending fundamental frequency, filter the technology that matches with filtrations/Fourier transform and come further processing pulse signal.
People such as Palmer disclose a kind of bone measurement system in United States Patent (USP) (numbering 4,774,959).This system obtains the slope of attenuation and frequency function relation with the signal of a series of different frequencies.Frequency is that 200kHz to 600kHz signal is sent by a pick off, is accepted by another pick off.Suppose that attenuation and frequency relation are linear, suppose that promptly slope is a constant, relatively pass the heel bone signal and do not pass the heel bone signal and obtain the result that wants.
The United States Patent (USP) that Brandenburger has (numbering 4,926,870) discloses another kind of biological living bone analytical system.This systematic survey ultrasonic signal passes the transmission time of bone according to desired path.Obtain signal after passing correct path according to past experience " standard " waveform.When measuring patient's bone, regulate the direction of pick off until receive signal waveform show with " standard " waveform is consistent, promptly found desired path.Transmission time with mensuration is confirmed the speed that ultrasound wave passes patient's bone.
People such as Rossman disclose a kind of ultrasonic densitometer in United States Patent (USP) (numbering 5,054,490), it measures the physical property and the integrity of bone through the measurement transmission time.Also has a kind of method; The absolute damping amount that the ultrasonic signal of people's such as Rossman instrument elder generation measurement CF passes bone; Pass oneself the absolute damping amount of the medium known of acoustic properties with the signal component of same frequency then and compare, analyze bone character and integrity with this.
People such as Mele United States Patent (USP) (numbering 5,564,423) and afterwards people's (United States Patent (USP) numbering 6,436,042) such as Cadossi a kind of instrument is disclosed.Its measurement ultrasound wave passes live body and contains the bone parts velocity of wave relevant with amplitude.This method shows the ultrasonic signal that receives on screen, select specific corrugated part to assign to analyze with vision.
People's (United States Patent (USP) numbering 5,785,656 and 5,879,301) such as people such as Kaufman (United States Patent (USP) numbering 5,259,384 and 5,651,363) and Chiabrera have made major progress aspect ultrasonic bone assessment.With " the bone transfer function " of statistics optimal way estimation appointment bone, parametrization is estimated respective phase and attenuation function in these patents.These patents have also been described with the dimension sensor array and have been obtained better bone density of repeatability, the estimation of structure and risk of bone fracture.
Although device and method above-mentioned made progress than in the past,, be necessary existing skill wood is done further improvement for bone density, structure, quality and the risk of bone fracture of evaluation studies object more accurately.So just can make ultrasonic technology be used for widely bone density, structure, quality, fracture diagnosis and risk of bone fracture are made accurate assessment.
Summary of the invention
It is a principal object of the present invention to provide a kind of improved method and device, can be used for confirming non-invasively the character of bone.One is clearer and more definite but target that be not limited thereto provides a kind of method and device, can be used for the Non-Invasive qualitative assessment of osseous tissue in the biological living, thus possible accuracy diagnosis and monitoring osteoporosis.
For realizing said target, another target of the present invention is previously used relatively measurement approach, provides more convenient and reliable approach to assess osseous tissue Conditions & Diagnoses osteoporosis.
Further target be relatively before disclosed measurement approach, a kind of simpler osseous tissue assessment and approach of diagnosis of osteoporosis with at a low price is provided.
Further target is the region of interest of location calcaneus again, according to the size of calcaneus dimension adjustable region of interest adapting to different object of study, thereby make the osteoporosis assessment that clinical meaning arranged, keep outstanding repeatability simultaneously.
With former compared with techniques, the present invention has adopted a kind of new method to do reliable and resetting to the region of interest of object of study, thereby realizes said target.More particularly, in the present invention a pair of ultrasonic sensor is moved certain distance along a certain special angle.This distance is to confirm according to a part of size of said object of study health.
Correspondingly, the present invention has adopted a kind of new structure to confirm the region of interest in the biological living calcaneus, thereby confirms the characteristic of calcaneus more accurately, confirms one or more bone character, for example risk of bone fracture, intensity, density, quality and structure with this.The advantage of this way is simply, convenience and more responsive to survey bone situation.Technology in contrast can't and obtain so many information effectively with such convenience.
The present invention confirms and the optimised form of the method and apparatus of the region of interest of location calcaneus is according to the anatomical size of given object of study, can repeatedly settle a pair of coaxial mounted ultrasonic sensor.Typical method in the past is to adopt a fixed region of interest.An example of this fixed region-of-interest is that ultrasonic sensor is fixed on the support of placing the object of study foot.This method is fine with regard to repeatability itself, but defective is that different object of study has been measured the different parts of calcaneus and made the measurement result comparability very poor.This is because calcaneus has very high anisotropism (that is to say that zones of different has very different bone densities, thickness of cortex of bone and spongy bone structure in the same calcaneus), and everyone calcaneus size is also different.Therefore for the instrument of fixed position pick off, for example be fixed in a certain distance in foot rear portion, often there is very big difference at the calcaneus position measured to different people, so be difficult to the measurement result of different people is done significant comparison.The another kind of method of having discussed is to adopt two-dimensional array.Though this method sounds emphasical " fixed region-of-interest " problem, such system is often very complicated and expensive.
In order to develop the apparatus and method of non-array ultrasonic assessment calcaneus, existing good repeatability guarantees again Different Individual is measured consistent relatively region of interest, and the present inventor is own through having seen clearly several Key Points.First point, also be most important observed result be that the overall dimensions of size and foot of calcaneus is closely related.Other significant observation result is that main region of interest is calcaneus rear portion (as the measured position of X-ray absorptiometry appearance).Also have, the meansigma methods of this region of interest becomes a fixed angle (conclusion is from the photo of the general electronic corporation LunarPIXI dual intensity X-ray borne densitometers of numerous object of study and the foot photo of common X-ray are made comparisons) with horizontal line.
In most preferred embodiment of the present invention, be placed on the horizontal surface of a positioner with reference to 1, one foot of figure, the heel rear end is near a vertical at positioner rear portion.A mechanical positioner is clamped coaxial the facing of pair of sensors and is installed, and faces the inside and outside side of object of study heel respectively.A threaded round bar is driven to make by handle and refers to that clock moves to first metatarsal head (being the anterior inboard protrusion of sole place).Threaded round bar links to each other with sensor locator through rack and pinion again, thereby makes pick off along one section of a fixed angular movement and the proportional distance of heel rear end to first metatarsal head distance.In most preferred embodiment, this fixed angle is 50 degree, and pick off is along the proportionality constant of this angular movement, and α is 15/66, about 0.23.In most preferred embodiment, the reference point of pick off is the horizontal plane of positioner and the angle of cut of vertical.But should be appreciated that any position easily can be used as reference point, this also is within scope of the present invention.
Description of drawings
Fig. 1 is the main member diagram that is used for locating apparatus of the present invention of live body calcaneus region of interest.
Fig. 2 is the part figure that forms the embodiment of the invention, forms set of parts in conjunction with Fig. 3.
Fig. 3 is the part figure that forms the embodiment of the invention, forms set of parts in conjunction with Fig. 2.
Fig. 4 is the common x-ray image at foot rear portion, comprising calcaneus be used to calculate the reference frame at region of interest center.
The specific embodiment
The present invention shown in Figure 1 is used for realizing that the inventive method locatees the region of interest of live body calcaneus.More particularly, it is that the calcaneus region of interest is used for doing non-invasive quantitative bone state estimation in the biological living of location, through obtain preset time one or more quantitatively: bone density, structure, quality, intensity and risk of bone fracture.Generally speaking, this installs used part and all can be obtained by various commercial channel, and these parts will be set forth in the whole detailed description process of device below.
The calcaneus of in vivo analyzing with reference to 1, work of figure (and do not show) is positioned at object of study foot [10] afterwards with [12], its outer soft tissue and outer field skin [14] of being surrounded by.Heel [12] is positioned between the ultrasonic sensor [16] and [18] (being positioned at foot [10] at the back) of two coaxial relative installations and acoustical coupling.These two pick offs maybe be identical, and can buy from (Hopkinton, Massachusetts, United States) the Valpey-Fisher Corp company that is positioned at U.S. Ma Sheng.As shown in the figure, pick off [16] is used for signal emission, and pick off [18] is used for receiving the signal that passes heel [12] (its top layer skin, surrounding soft tissue, and calcaneus itself).
Can see that by Fig. 1 the foot of object of study [10] is placed on the positioner [20].Described positioner has a surface [22], and described foot is placed on this surface.Described positioner has a surface [24] in addition, and described heel rear end leans against on this surface.Device shown in Figure 1 has also hinted selects a proportionality constant and an angle.This proportionality constant, α is a certain length of the linear range (is benchmark with a reference point) of a certain angular movement in a pair of ultrasonic sensor edge divided by described object of study foot.In most preferred embodiment of the present invention, this length of described object of study foot is the distance of heel rear end to first metatarsal head.With reference to figure 1, the position of first metatarsal head is indicated by pointer [30].
So in most preferred embodiment of the present invention, foot [10] is positioned over the horizontal surface [22] of positioner [20], this heel rear end leans against its vertical surface [24].Positioner [20] comprises that parts are used for clamping pick off [16] [18], makes them coaxial and respectively in the face of the inside and outside side of this object of study heel [12].A threaded round bar (below horizontal component [22], [44] among Fig. 2) is driven to make by handle [32] and refers to that clock [30] ([46] among Fig. 2) moves to the first metatarsal head.Threaded round bar (has two tooth bars and four gears through one group of rack and pinion again in most preferred embodiment; See Fig. 2 and three) link to each other with the fixture of pick off; Thereby the angle that pick off edge one is selected, θ moves one section and the proportional distance of heel rear end to first metatarsal head distance.With reference to figure 2, rotating band screw thread round bar [44] makes first tooth bar [48] (referring to that clock [46] dress above that) moving linearly again.With reference to figure 3, this first tooth bar [48] (shown in the dotted line) rotates one group of (4) gear again.First gear [50] and this first tooth bar engagement.Second gear [51] is passed to the 3rd gear [52] and conversion direction with rotation.The 3rd gear [52] is fixed on the same axle with the 4th gear [53].The 4th gear [53] and second tooth bar [60] thus the engagement slide block (part among Fig. 1 [36]) of sensor installation is moved along the inclined-plane.In most preferred embodiment of the present invention, this predetermined ratio constant, α recently realizes through selecting gear [53] and [52] number of teeth.The gear ratio of selecting in the present embodiment is 15/66 to realize the motion be scheduled to, thereby locatees region of interest.
Like this, in most preferred embodiment, with reference to figure 4, the angle θ that selects for use is 50 degree, this proportionality constant, and α, promptly the distance that moves along 50 predetermined degree inclined-planes from reference point of pick off is 15/66 with the ratio of heel rear end to the first metatarsal head distance of tested foot, about 0.23.Therefore, if heel rear end to first metatarsal head distance is 180 millimeters, linearly moving distance is the 0.23*180=41 millimeter to pick off self-reference point along 50 degree inclined-planes.In this most preferred embodiment, this sensor reference point [60] is positioner horizontal component [22] and vertical component [24] that angle of cut near heel.But should be appreciated that any position of being convenient to utilize all can be used as reference point, this also within the scope of the invention.Be to be understood that this process can repeatedly be positioned at pick off (1) above the calcaneus, (2) its position can make the bone character that records from different object of study do significant comparison.These 2 is crucial, and it makes invention disclosed herein can be used for non-invasive ultrasonic bone assessment, thereby realizes described target.As shown in Figure 4, the reference point in this most preferred embodiment is the intersection point [61] of positioner horizontal component and vertical component, marks with big stain among the figure.Among the figure ' x ' [62] marked the center of determined region of interest, and the center of ultrasonic sensor will be aimed at it.The distance of region of interest center to reference point, d equals α L, and wherein α is that proportionality constant, L are the sizes of related parts of human body; α is 0.23 in this most preferred embodiment, L is the distance of heel rear end to first metatarsal head.Note the reference point [61] in the present embodiment,, can be regarded as the initial point of reference coordinate like the big stain among Fig. 4, the x axle of coordinate along sole, y axle along the foot rear end, as shown in Figure 4.Please noting that part used in most preferred embodiment of the present invention can be bought by the commercial channel (for example is positioned at the Small Parts of Fla. .Small Parts, Inc.of Miami Lakes; Florida; USA) or by Mechanology Inc.'s processing (for example be positioned at the Queen Screw and Manufacturing of U.S. Ma Sheng, Inc., Waltham; Massachusetts, USA).
Please note that in this most preferred embodiment of the present invention the tolerance of foot size adopts the distance of heel rear end to first metatarsal head.But should be appreciated that to the present invention includes the tolerance of using multiple foot size, for example from the heel rear end to the distance of arbitrary toe, the perhaps meansigma methods of certain form of one group of this dimensioning.The distance that for example goes up arbitrarily any from heel to sole line (line of first metatarsal head to fifth metatarsal bone head) again all can adopt.Therefore the dimensioning that should be appreciated that any foot all within the scope of the invention.The dimensioning that also it will be appreciated that foot has comprised the dimensioning of any foot, the ankle region of anatomy, for example the distance of heel bottom to ankle.Will of course be appreciated that the dimensioning that adopts different feet, the moving ratio of corresponding sensor and corresponding relation also will be adjusted with it.Present embodiment adopts the distance of heel rear end to first metatarsal head to be because the location is convenient in this two position, also because there is potential error the location of toe.
In addition, should be appreciated that and also can adopt different angle (selected in the present embodiment 50 degree) in the present invention.Should be appreciated that different angles will be positioned at ultrasonic sensor the different region of interest of calcaneus.These different region of interest possibly be used for assessing the different qualities of bone, for example are used in the research osteoporosis.For example, a region of interest can be used to assess changes of bone mineral density, and another region of interest can be monitored the therapeutic effect of risk of bone fracture better.Will also be appreciated that and change described angle and proportionality constant can be realized similar but different results.For example monitor another position of calcaneus, or combine out of Memory to optimize the position of pick off.These methods also are interpreted as within scope of the present invention.
The present invention shown in the most preferred embodiment (referring to figs. 1 to three) adopts handle to rotate and drives threaded pole, the motion that realizes being scheduled in conjunction with one group of rack and pinion, and the location of finally realizing pick off.Yet, should be appreciated that any machinery, no matter whether adopt gear, manually, spring powered still is electronic control, all is interpreted as within scope of the present invention.Adopted x and the y motion (thereby forming fixed angle) of fixed proportion though should also be clear that present embodiment, should be appreciated that to present invention includes that to adopt sensor location coordinates x and y be to be the function of the non-linear relation of variable with length.Can obtainable fresh information in conjunction with other, do like this and have the location of being beneficial to region of interest.For example the foot of object of study is very big or very little, also perhaps will distinguish difference anatomically between the men and women.
In further embodiment of the present invention, a region of interest that may not the length relevant can be used to locate calcaneus with foot.For example, the height of available human body.In addition, in this alternative embodiment, the size that one group of (at least one) object of study contains bony site can be used to confirm the region of interest of calcaneus.Generally speaking, this group length can be used to confirm independently the x and the y coordinate at region of interest center.This can be expressed by equation:
x＝f(L1，L2，L3，...，LN)
y＝g(L1，L2，L3，...，LN)
X and y are the position coordinateses with respect to reference point of region of interest in the formula, L1, and L2, L3 ..., LN is the size of N body part in the object of study, f and g are proper functions.For example let L1=highly, L2=heel to half sole line length, a most preferred embodiment so of the present invention is:
x＝a*L1
y＝b*L2
Can find out that from present embodiment the variable of x and y coordinate function needn't adopt the same size at a certain position of health.Should be appreciated that to the present invention includes and confirm by x and the specified region of interest of y with a plurality of sizes and set of dimensions are incompatible.What will also be understood that is that function f and g can be linear or non-linear, or linearity another is non-linear.Please note and to select a reference frame to decide the position of x and y.
The center that should also be clear that the region of interest position is that (x, y) next specified, the distance of this center to reference frame initial point is d by the coordinate of a relative reference frame.But the actual displacement that should be appreciated that pick off often is not apart from d, because the original position of pick off is not initial point usually.
Will be appreciated that further positioner does not have vertical component in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, just on horizontal component, do a reference marker, promptly positioner has only a face, and sole is placed on this face.What should also be clear that is that this is described " level " partly not necessarily consistent with real horizontal plane, because in order to make object of study more comfortable, described positioner possibly laid at an angle, for example 30 spend.Positioner is used for that angle follows as a same reason " vertically " part also needn't true vertical, because positioner itself possibly tilt.The horizontal surface of placing foot in addition needs not to be smooth, because have necessary raising in certain embodiments or reduce heel height (ball of foot relatively).
Therefore disclosed herein is a kind of method, can be used to a region of interest in the calcaneus of Position Research object foot, and its step comprises:
A. the foot with object of study is placed on the positioner, and said positioner has a surface, and the bottom of said foot is placed on this surface, and said positioner has a surface in addition, and the heel rear end of said foot leans against on this another surface;
B. select a proportionality constant, an angle and a reference frame;
C. confirm a size of said object of study foot;
D. a pair of ultrasonic sensor is installed in the inside and outside both sides of the heel of said foot respectively, localization method is that its numerical value equals the product of said proportionality constant and said size with said pick off said angular movement one segment distance in edge in said reference frame.
A thereby region of interest of location calcaneus.
A kind of method can be used to a region of interest in the calcaneus of Position Research object foot, and its step comprises:
A. the foot with said object of study is placed on the positioner, and said positioner has a surface, and the bottom of said foot is placed on this surface, and said positioner has a surface in addition, and the heel rear end of said foot leans against on this another surface;
B. select the movement function formula of x and y respectively, a pair of ultrasonic sensor will be by said functional expression motion;
C. select a reference frame, confirm the size of at least one body part in the said object of study;
D. said this is installed in two sides inside and outside the described foot to ultrasonic sensor, localization method is that said this located by described movement function formula pick off, thus a region of interest of location calcaneus.
A kind of device can be used to a region of interest in the calcaneus of Position Research object foot, and said device comprises:
A positioner has a surface at least and has a ultrasonic sensor at least, and said positioner comprises that also means are used for moving said at least one ultrasonic sensor according to one group of movement function formula.In said this group movement function formula, comprise that also means are used for utilizing the size at least one position in the said object of study body.Comprise also that in said positioner means set up a reference frame, locate the said region of interest of the said calcaneus in the said foot of said object of study thus.
Should be appreciated that the present invention not necessarily need do directly to measure to a certain position of health.In this most preferred embodiment, with reference to figure 1, it is aimed at the first metatarsal head of foot with handle [32] adjustment pointer [30], also make pick off [16] [18] move to desired calcaneus region of interest simultaneously.In other embodiment, the length of explicit employing health part (for example height) possibly need directly to measure and utilize.These two kinds of embodiment (just, having or do not have the size of explicit measuring selected body part) are interpreted as within scope of the present invention.Also have, the embodiment that these two kinds of methods (just, having or do not have the size of explicit measuring selected body part) all adopt also is interpreted as within scope of the present invention.
Should also be clear that the present invention can adopt two kinds of distinct sensor configuration.First kind is relative two sides that two pick offs are placed in relatively the object of study heel, constitutes the transmission transmission state.Second kind is to constitute the pulse echo state by a pick off.In these two kinds of situations, should understand method and apparatus of the present invention and can both locate needed region of interest in the calcaneus.Also to understand these two kinds of states of transmission transmission and pulse echo and all can be used for method and apparatus of the present invention.
To be appreciated that further technology disclosed herein can combine any amount of ultrasonic signal processing method and parameter.Therefore, all can be used in combination because of the ultrasound wave parameter of understanding any combination with method and apparatus of the present invention.Particularly in United States Patent (USP) (numbering 5,259,384,5,651; 363,5,785,656 and 5,879; 301), and disclosed method and apparatus in the U.S. Patent application (numbering 20050197576), these patent documents are all included this paper in way of reference, are interpreted as being applicable to the present invention.
The method and apparatus that should be appreciated that Position Research object calcaneus region of interest disclosed herein not only can be used for ultrasound wave but also can be used for other technology, for example the X-ray borne densitometers.For example in this uses, can measure the thickness that is used in the localized heel region of interest of this disclosed method.In this alternate embodiment of the present invention, do not adopt ultrasonic sensor.Therefore disclosed hereinly be
A kind of method can be used to a region of interest in the calcaneus of Position Research object foot, and its step comprises:
A. the foot with said object of study is placed on the positioner, and said positioner has a surface, and the bottom of said foot is placed on this surface, on said surface, has a reference marker to be used for locating the placement of said foot;
B. select x and the y movement function formula in a reference frame, confirm the size of at least one part on the said object of study health;
Thereby locate a region of interest of said object of study calcaneus.
To be appreciated that further that also the heel integral width measurement of doing in the region of interest of being discerned has multiple different purposes, include but not limited to ultrasonic bone assessment and X-ray bone assessment.Therefore should be appreciated that an alternative embodiment of the present invention not only locatees this region of interest but also measured the heel width of this position.
It is disclosed above should noting that (x, y) coordinate is usually corresponding to the center of region of interest.This region of interest can be a different shape, for example circle or square.But the shape that should be appreciated that region of interest has multiple choices (for example triangle or trapezoidal or the like); And (x; Y) coordinate position may be selected in the center of region of interest, also may be selected in other position of region of interest, and all these embodiment are interpreted as within scope of the present invention.In most preferred embodiment of the present invention, this region of interest is circular, and (x, y) coordinate is positioned at the geometric center in rounded interested district for this.
The present invention described here has realized inventor's main target; Mainly be that one of location and clinical osteoporosis are assessed valuable region of interest; Thereby the relative position of keeping region of interest by the size adjustment region of interest of object of study calcaneus is constant, guarantees superior repeatability simultaneously.Though preceding text disclose a plurality of embodiments of the invention, should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to these embodiment.Technical staff in the said field can make multiple modification and replenishes and do not depart from spirit and the scope that the present invention offers the work done of this technological institute the most preferred embodiment that the present invention makes demonstration usefulness.Therefore, with recognizing that the patent protection of asking and providing should be considered to expand to the theme of being asked for protection here, and its all equivalences fully within the scope of the invention.
Claims (21)
1. method that is used for the region of interest of Position Research object heel bone, its step comprises:
A. the foot with said object of study is placed on the positioner, and said positioner has first surface, and the bottom of said foot is placed on this first surface, and said positioner also has second surface, and the heel rear end of said foot leans against on this second surface;
B. select a proportionality constant, an angle and a reference frame;
C. confirm a size of a said object of study foot;
D. the ultrasonic sensor with both sides inside and outside a pair of heel that is installed in said foot respectively moves a segment distance along said angle in said reference frame, and this distance equals the product of said proportionality constant and said size;
Thereby locate the region of interest of said object of study calcaneus,
Wherein said mobile step comprises the adjustment pointer, aims at the first metatarsal head of said foot up to it, thereby makes said a pair of ultrasonic sensor move to the substep of the said region of interest of calcaneus.
2. by the described method of claim 1, it is characterized in that said size is the distance of first metatarsal head of heel rear end to the said foot of said foot.
3. method that is used for the region of interest of Position Research object heel bone, its step comprises:
A. the foot with said object of study is placed on the positioner, and said positioner has first surface, and the bottom of said foot is placed on this first surface, and said positioner also has second surface, and the heel rear end of said foot leans against on this second surface;
B. select the movement function formula of x and y respectively, a pair of ultrasonic sensor will be by said functional expression motion, and said a pair of ultrasonic sensor is installed in the inside and outside both sides of heel of said foot respectively;
C. select a reference frame, confirm the size of at least one body part in the said object of study;
Said a pair of ultrasonic sensor is moved in said reference frame by said movement function formula, thereby locatees the region of interest of said object of study calcaneus,
The wherein said ultrasonic sensor of the inside and outside both sides of a pair of heel that is installed in said foot respectively that makes comprises the adjustment pointer by the step that said movement function formula moves in said reference frame; Aim at the first metatarsal head of said foot up to it, thereby make said a pair of ultrasonic sensor move to the substep of the said region of interest of calcaneus.
4. by the described method of claim 3, it is characterized in that the size of described at least one body part is the distance of first metatarsal head of heel rear end to the said foot of said foot.
5. method that is used for the region of interest of Position Research object heel bone, its step comprises:
A. the foot with said object of study is placed on the positioner, and said positioner has a surface, and the bottom of said foot is placed on this surface;
B. select the movement function formula of x and y respectively, a pair of ultrasonic sensor will be by said functional expression motion, and said a pair of ultrasonic sensor is installed in the inside and outside both sides of heel of said foot respectively;
C. select a reference frame, confirm the size of at least one body part in the said object of study;
Said a pair of ultrasonic sensor is moved in said reference frame by said movement function formula, thereby locatees the region of interest of said object of study calcaneus,
The wherein said ultrasonic sensor of the inside and outside both sides of the said a pair of heel that is installed in said foot respectively that makes comprises the adjustment pointer by the step that said movement function formula moves in said reference frame; Up to its with corresponding to the position alignment of said size, thereby make said a pair of ultrasonic sensor move to the substep of the said region of interest of calcaneus.
6. by the described method of claim 5, it is characterized in that the size of described at least one body part is the distance of first metatarsal head of heel rear end to the said foot of said foot.
7. method that is used for the region of interest of Position Research object heel bone, its step comprises:
A. the foot with said object of study is placed on the positioner, and said positioner has first surface, and the bottom of said foot is placed on this first surface, and said positioner also has second surface, and the heel rear end of said foot leans against on this second surface;
B. select a proportionality constant, an angle and a reference frame;
C. confirm a size of a said object of study foot;
D. a lateral ultrasonic sensor of heel that is installed in said foot is moved a segment distance along said angle in said reference frame, this distance equals the product of said proportionality constant and said size;
Thereby locate the region of interest of said object of study calcaneus,
Wherein said mobile step comprises the adjustment pointer, up to its with corresponding to the position alignment of said size, thereby make said ultrasonic sensor move to the substep of the said region of interest of calcaneus.
8. by the described method of claim 7, it is characterized in that said size is the distance of first metatarsal head of heel rear end to the said foot of said foot.
9. by the described method of claim 7, it is characterized in that said heel side is inboard.
10. by the described method of claim 7, it is characterized in that described heel side is the outside.
11. a method that is used for the region of interest of Position Research object heel bone, its step comprises:
A. the foot with said object of study is placed on the positioner, and said positioner has first surface, and the bottom of said foot is placed on this first surface, and said positioner also has second surface, and the heel rear end of said foot leans against on this second surface;
B. select the movement function formula of x and y, a ultrasonic sensor will be by said functional expression motion;
C. select a reference frame, confirm the size of at least one body part in the said object of study;
The lateral said ultrasonic sensor of the heel that is installed in said foot is moved in said reference frame by said movement function formula, thereby locatees the region of interest of said object of study calcaneus,
The wherein said lateral said ultrasonic sensor of the heel that is installed in said foot that makes comprises the adjustment pointer by the step that said movement function formula moves in said reference frame; Up to its with corresponding to the position alignment of said size, thereby make said ultrasonic sensor move to the substep of the said region of interest of calcaneus.
12., it is characterized in that the size of described at least one body part is the distance of first metatarsal head of heel rear end to the said foot of said foot by the described method of claim 11.
13., it is characterized in that described heel side is inboard by the described method of claim 11.
14., it is characterized in that described heel side is the outside by the described method of claim 11.
15. a method that is used for the region of interest of Position Research object heel bone, its step comprises:
A. the foot with said object of study is placed on the positioner, and said positioner has a surface, and the bottom of said foot is placed on this surface;
B. select the movement function formula of x and y, a ultrasonic sensor will be by said functional expression motion;
C. select a reference frame, confirm the size of at least one body part in the said object of study;
The lateral said ultrasonic sensor of the heel that is installed in said foot is moved in said reference frame by said movement function formula, thereby locatees the region of interest of said object of study calcaneus,
The wherein said lateral said ultrasonic sensor of the heel that is installed in said foot that makes comprises the adjustment pointer by the step that said movement function formula moves in said reference frame; Up to its with corresponding to the position alignment of said size, thereby make said ultrasonic sensor move to the substep of the said region of interest of calcaneus.
16., it is characterized in that the size of described at least one body part is the distance of first metatarsal head of heel rear end to the said foot of said foot by the described method of claim 15.
17., it is characterized in that described heel side is inboard by the described method of claim 15.
18., it is characterized in that described heel side is the outside by the described method of claim 15.
19. a device that is used for the region of interest of Position Research object heel bone, said device comprises:
A positioner; At least comprise a surface and at least one ultrasonic sensor; Said positioner comprises that also member is used for moving described at least one ultrasonic sensor by one group of movement function formula; Described this group movement function formula can be utilized the size of at least one body part in the said object of study, and described positioner can be set up a reference frame, locatees the said region of interest of the said calcaneus in the said foot of said object of study thus; With
Pointer on the said positioner,
Wherein said member adjustment pointer up to itself and position alignment corresponding to said size, thereby makes said ultrasonic sensor move to the said region of interest of calcaneus.
20., it is characterized in that the size of described at least one body part comprises the distance of first metatarsal head of heel rear end to the said foot of said foot by the described device of claim 19.
21., it is characterized in that described at least one ultrasonic sensor comprises two pick offs of the inside and outside both sides of heel of the said foot that lays respectively at said object of study by the described device of claim 19.
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US87465406P | 2006-12-13 | 2006-12-13 | |
| US60/874,654 | 2006-12-13 | ||
| US87508806P | 2006-12-15 | 2006-12-15 | |
| US60/875,088 | 2006-12-15 |
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| CN101199429A CN101199429A (en) | 2008-06-18 |
| CN101199429B true CN101199429B (en) | 2012-06-06 |
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| CN2007101994705A Active CN101199429B (en) | 2006-12-13 | 2007-12-13 | Ultrasonic bone assessment apparatus and method |
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| CN (1) | CN101199429B (en) |
| HK (1) | HK1122483A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (8)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CN101401732B (en) * | 2008-10-20 | 2010-06-02 | 中国科学院合肥物质科学研究院 | Ultrasonic measurement analytical system for bone substance density |
| EP2476095A4 (en) * | 2009-09-11 | 2017-11-01 | Straxcorp Pty Ltd | Method and system for image analysis of selected tissue structures |
| CN102048556B (en) * | 2009-10-28 | 2013-02-06 | 广达电脑股份有限公司 | Vibration wave output instrument and using method thereof |
| FI126104B (en) * | 2010-09-09 | 2016-06-30 | Bone Index Finland Oy | Procedure and system for bone mineral density assessment |
| CN102008320B (en) * | 2010-12-08 | 2012-10-24 | 中国科学院合肥物质科学研究院 | Bonedry solid coupled calcaneus ultrasonic bone strength index testing method |
| FR2972344B1 (en) * | 2011-03-07 | 2014-01-31 | Lape Medical | DEVICE FOR MONITORING A MEDICAL PROSTHESIS AND THE HUMAN BODY |
| JP5860090B2 (en) * | 2014-04-22 | 2016-02-16 | 日立アロカメディカル株式会社 | Ultrasound bone evaluation device |
| JP6496045B2 (en) * | 2015-12-25 | 2019-04-03 | 古野電気株式会社 | Ultrasonic analysis apparatus, ultrasonic analysis method, and ultrasonic analysis program |
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| US5713361A (en) * | 1995-04-10 | 1998-02-03 | Aloka Co., Ltd. | Bone assessment apparatus |
| CN1682236A (en) * | 2002-08-20 | 2005-10-12 | 成像治疗仪股份有限公司 | Methods and devices for analysis of X-ray images |
| CN1732853A (en) * | 2004-02-23 | 2006-02-15 | 计算机逻辑公司 | Ultrasonic bone assessment apparatus and method |
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2007
- 2007-12-13 CN CN2007101994705A patent/CN101199429B/en active Active
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| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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| US5713361A (en) * | 1995-04-10 | 1998-02-03 | Aloka Co., Ltd. | Bone assessment apparatus |
| CN1682236A (en) * | 2002-08-20 | 2005-10-12 | 成像治疗仪股份有限公司 | Methods and devices for analysis of X-ray images |
| CN1732853A (en) * | 2004-02-23 | 2006-02-15 | 计算机逻辑公司 | Ultrasonic bone assessment apparatus and method |
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| HK1122483A1 (en) | 2009-05-22 |
| CN101199429A (en) | 2008-06-18 |
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