KR20210157062A - Bone density measurement system using near-infrared spectroscopy - Google Patents

Abstract

Disclosed is a bone density measuring system based on near-infrared spectrometry. According to one embodiment of the present invention, the bone density measuring system based on near-infrared spectrometry may comprise: a light supplying unit including a light source of a near-infrared band and irradiating the light source to an inspection target; an optical receiving unit collecting light reflected by the irradiated light source from the target; a signal converting unit generating an image for the inspection target based on the collected light and calculating bone density of the inspection target; and an outputting unit outputting at least one between the bone density and the image.

Description

Bone density measurement system based on near-infrared spectroscopy {BONE DENSITY MEASUREMENT SYSTEM USING NEAR-INFRARED SPECTROSCOPY}

The present application relates to a system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy. In particular, the present application relates to a system for measuring bone density capable of acquiring a bone density image of the entire body, including the spine and femur, through sensing based on near-infrared spectroscopy.

Bone density measurement test is a test to measure the amount of bone in a specific part of the body, and in most patients with metabolic bone diseases such as osteoporosis and osteomalacia, the amount of bone decreases. The purpose of this study is to evaluate how much the bone mass of subjects such as patients with bone disease has decreased by comparing the results with the bone density of normal people.

Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, which is most commonly used to measure bone density, is performed in a way that calculates the bone density by taking two images of the area to be tested with high-energy X-rays and low-energy X-rays. .

This dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry is simple and has high reproducibility (specifically, the degree to which the same results are obtained during repeated tests) during repeated measurements, so it is suitable for initial diagnosis and evaluation of response to drug treatment in patients with osteoporosis, etc. In addition to the above-described X-ray absorptiometry, bone density examination using ultrasound is also frequently performed, whereas examination using computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging is performed relatively infrequently.

However, among the conventional methods for measuring bone density, the X-ray examination increases the risk of radiation exposure as the number of measurements increases, so it is difficult to be used for continuous and repeated measurement. In addition, the measurement method through ultrasound has an aspect that is not suitable for measuring bone density due to the occurrence of shadows.

On the other hand, near-infrared spectroscopy is a technology that analyzes samples using the phenomenon of absorption, reflection, and scattering from samples using wavelengths in the near-infrared region that are harmless to the human body. It is used in various fields such as control and management. In particular, it is widely used for rapid determination of moisture, fat, protein, carbohydrate and fiber in grains, meat and dairy products. In addition, near-infrared spectroscopy is used for qualitative analysis such as classifying cottonseed oil, peanut oil, soybean oil, and canola oil among oils (Karen), classifying the origin of orange juice (Scotter), and classifying coffee varieties (Gerald). There are some previous studies that have been done.

The present application is intended to solve the problems of the prior art described above, and an object of the present application is to provide a system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy that can be continuously measured without the risk of exposure to radiation.

However, the technical problems to be achieved by the embodiments of the present application are not limited to the technical problems described above, and other technical problems may exist.

As a technical means for achieving the above technical problem, the system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy in an embodiment of the present application includes a light source in the near-infrared band, and a light supply unit that irradiates the light source to the object to be examined, the irradiated A light receiving unit for condensing the light reflected from the light source from the object, a signal conversion unit for generating an image of the examination object based on the collected light, and calculating the bone density of the examination object, and at least one of the bone density and the image It may include an output unit for outputting .

The above-described problem solving means are merely exemplary, and should not be construed as limiting the present application. In addition to the exemplary embodiments described above, additional embodiments may exist in the drawings and detailed description.

According to the above-described problem solving means of the present application, it is possible to provide a system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy, which can be repeatedly measured due to a low risk because it utilizes a near-infrared region that is harmless to the human body.

According to the above-described problem solving means of the present application, it is possible to continuously and repeatedly measure the bone density of the subject to the test subject, so that the effect before and after a predetermined treatment can be easily monitored.

According to the above-described problem solving means of the present application, it is possible to stably acquire bone density information or take a bone density image even in a subject whose movement is restricted.

However, the effects obtainable herein are not limited to the above-described effects, and other effects may exist.

1 to 4 are diagrams for explaining a system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present application will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those of ordinary skill in the art can easily implement them. However, the present application may be implemented in several different forms and is not limited to the embodiments described herein. And in order to clearly explain the present application in the drawings, parts irrelevant to the description are omitted, and similar reference numerals are attached to similar parts throughout the specification.

Throughout this specification, when a part is "connected" with another part, it is not only "directly connected" but also "electrically connected" or "indirectly connected" with another element interposed therebetween. "Including cases where

Throughout this specification, when a member is positioned “on”, “on”, “on”, “on”, “under”, “under”, or “under” another member, this means that a member is positioned on the other member. It includes not only the case where they are in contact, but also the case where another member exists between two members.

Throughout this specification, when a part "includes" a certain component, it means that other components may be further included, rather than excluding other components, unless otherwise stated.

The present application relates to a system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy. In particular, the present application relates to a system for measuring bone density capable of acquiring a bone density image of the entire body, including the spine and femur, through sensing based on near-infrared spectroscopy.

1 to 4 are diagrams for explaining a system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy.

Referring to FIG. 1 , the system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy according to an embodiment of the present application may include a light supply unit, a light receiving unit, a signal conversion unit, and an output unit.

In addition, the system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy according to an embodiment of the present application receives and outputs a result of near-infrared spectroscopy-based bone density analysis (eg, bone density analysis image, etc.) for a test subject and an examiner terminal (not shown) may include

The light supply unit, the light receiving unit, the signal conversion unit, the output unit, and the tester terminal may communicate with each other through a network (not shown). A network (not shown) refers to a connection structure capable of exchanging information with each other, such as terminals and servers, and an example of such a network (not shown) includes a 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) network, LTE (Long Term Evolution) network, 5G network, WIMAX (World Interoperability for Microwave Access) network, Internet, LAN (Local Area Network), Wireless LAN (Wireless Local Area Network), WAN (Wide Area Network), PAN ( Personal Area Network), wifi network, Bluetooth network, satellite broadcasting network, analog broadcasting network, Digital Multimedia Broadcasting (DMB) network, etc. are included, but are not limited thereto.

The examiner terminal is, for example, a smartphone, a smart pad, a tablet PC, and the like and a PCS (Personal Communication System), GSM (Global System for Mobile communication), PDC (Personal Digital Cellular), PHS (Personal Handyphone System) ), PDA (Personal Digital Assistant), IMT (International Mobile Telecommunication)-2000, CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access)-2000, W-CDMA (W-Code Division Multiple Access), Wibro (Wireless Broadband Internet) It may be a wireless communication device of

The light supply unit may include a light source in the near-infrared band. Here, the light source of the near-infrared band may be, for example, a light source that outputs light of a wavelength band of 750 nm to 1500 nm. In addition, according to an embodiment of the present application, the light source of the near-infrared band of the light supply unit may be at least one LED light source, but is not limited thereto.

Referring to FIG. 2 , the light supply unit according to an embodiment of the present application may include a first light source irradiating light of a first band wavelength and a second light source irradiating light of a second band wavelength. Exemplarily, the wavelength of the first band and the wavelength of the second band may be 980 nm and 1200 nm, respectively, but are not limited thereto.

In addition, the light supply unit may irradiate a light source in the near-infrared band to the object to be inspected.

In general, near-infrared spectroscopy has been applied to fruit sugar analysis, product quality analysis, and automobile collision avoidance sensors in non-medical fields, and in the medical field, it can be used to detect oxygen saturation in tissues and analyze brain tissue activity. The system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy disclosed herein may measure the bone density of a test subject based on such near-infrared spectroscopy, and may perform evaluation and abnormality detection on the test subject based on the measured bone density.

In this regard, near-infrared spectroscopy has the advantage that it is harmless to the human body of a patient and enables rapid sample analysis.

The light receiving unit may condense the light reflected from the irradiated light source from the object.

Referring to FIG. 2 , a light receiving unit according to an embodiment of the present application senses (condensing) light corresponding to a light of a first band wavelength and a first light detecting unit sensing (condensing) light corresponding to a light of a second band wavelength ) may include a second light detection unit. Exemplarily, the wavelength of the first band and the wavelength of the second band may be 980 nm and 1200 nm, respectively, to correspond to the above-described light supply unit, but are not limited thereto. According to an embodiment of the present application, the first light detection unit and the second light detection unit may be provided as a photodetector.

As another example, the light receiving unit includes a lens unit for condensing light in the near-infrared band reflected from the object, a filter unit for removing noise from the collected light, and a camera unit for generating an electrical signal corresponding to the collected light. can do. According to an embodiment of the present application, the camera unit may be a NIR CCD camera that generates a converted electrical signal by utilizing a charge coupled device (CCD).

According to an embodiment of the present application, the light supply unit is provided below or above the seating part (not shown) on which the test object is disposed to irradiate the light of the near-infrared band toward the bottom or top of the object, and on the contrary, the light receiving part is provided on the seating part. It is provided on the upper side or the lower side and may be arranged to collect light reflected, scattered, or transmitted from the object, but is not limited thereto. may be placed. Exemplarily referring to FIG. 2 , the light supply unit and the light receiving unit may be disposed to face each other and spaced apart from each other so that a space corresponding to the seating unit on which the object to be inspected is seated may be provided between the light supply unit and the light receiving unit.

The signal converter may perform signal processing on the focused light. According to an embodiment of the present application, the signal conversion unit may be to perform a process (process) of generating a predetermined image (image, image) with an electric signal converted based on the focused light in connection with the camera unit.

If the total light (light) irradiated by the light supply unit is 1, light can be expressed as the sum of transmittance, absorption, and reflectance as shown in Equation 1 below.

[Equation 1]

In addition, the reflectivity of each part of the object to be inspected may be determined based on ambient noise and a reflection coefficient. In order to obtain such a reflectance in detail, a value of a reflection coefficient according to the intensity of light is determined using a calcium block, etc., and a value due to ambient noise and a reflection coefficient can be obtained by using the determined reflection coefficient value. In this regard, the signal converter according to an embodiment of the present application calculates the intensity of the light (eg, the intensity of the LED light source) and the slope value of the reflection coefficient (eg, the slope of the reflection coefficient graph) irradiated by the light supply unit. can In addition, the signal converter may calculate a bone density value based on a tendency of the degree of light absorption (eg, absorption rate) to change based on the calcium concentration in the bone of the test subject.

If the bone density calculation process by the above-described signal conversion unit is expressed as an equation, it is shown in Equations 2 and 3 below.

[Equation 2]

[Equation 3]

Here, 980 _PD and 1200 _PD are the sensing results of the first light detection unit and the second light detection unit, _{respectively, 980 LED} and 1200 _LED are the light irradiated by the first light source and the second light source, respectively, and Bone Mineral Density is calculated is a value of bone density, k is a fixed coefficient for a reflection coefficient, and E may mean a reference voltage associated with the light supply unit.

In addition, according to an embodiment of the present application, the signal converter of the near-infrared spectroscopy-based bone density measurement system may generate an image (eg, a bone density image) of the test subject based on the above-described signal processing result. Also, the signal converter may calculate the bone density of the test object based on a signal processing result corresponding to the focused light. Here, calculating the bone density may be understood as quantifying the bone density information for each region constituting the test object.

The output unit may output at least one of the calculated bone density information and the generated image. For example, the output unit may output a bone density image generated based on the signal processing result, and a quantified bone density value of the corresponding point may be displayed at main points constituting the output bone density image. As another example, a user input for selecting a predetermined point in the bone density image output by the output unit (eg, a touch input for touching a part of the image displayed by the touch screen type output unit, a predetermined coordinate value for the image Including coordinate input, etc.) is applied, an image may be output to display digitized bone density information for the corresponding point.

In addition, the system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy according to an embodiment of the present application may include a determination unit (not shown) for determining whether there is an abnormality in the calculated bone density.

According to an embodiment of the present application, the determination unit compares the bone density information of each area of the test subject calculated based on the signal processing result with the normal bone density category for each area secured in advance to determine the area determined to have an abnormality in bone density. can be extracted. In this regard, the output unit may highlight a region determined to have an abnormality in bone density in the output image. For example, the highlight mark may be output such that the color, contrast, sharpness, etc. of the region determined to have an abnormality are contrasted with other regions of the output image. It is possible to intuitively recognize the determined area.

According to an embodiment of the present application, the above-described normal bone density category for each region may be set based on personal information such as gender and age of the test subject, disease presence information, medical history information, and the like.

Also, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure, the determination unit may classify each region of the test object as bone tissue or soft tissue based on the signal processing result. In this regard, the output unit may output an image of the examination object, and a region corresponding to a bone tissue and a region corresponding to a soft tissue among each area of the examination object may be displayed separately. In addition, the image output by the output unit may display an outline (boundary) of each of the region corresponding to the bone tissue and the region corresponding to the soft tissue based on the determination result of the determining unit.

According to the conventional bone density examination process, as the number of examinations increases or the examination time increases, the risk of exposure of the subject to radiation increases accordingly, making it difficult to use it for continuous and repeated measurement. Due to the occurrence of bone density, there was a limit that was not suitable for measurement of bone density. On the other hand, the system for measuring bone density based on near-infrared spectroscopy of our company uses a near-infrared region that is harmless to the human body, so the risk is low and continuous measurement is possible. There is an advantage in that the effect before and after can be easily monitored.

The scope of the present application is indicated by the following claims rather than the above detailed description, and all changes or modifications derived from the meaning and scope of the claims and their equivalent concepts should be construed as being included in the scope of the present application.

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Claims (1)

In the near-infrared spectroscopy-based bone density measurement system,
a light supply unit including a light source in the near-infrared band and irradiating the light source to the object to be inspected;
a light receiving unit for condensing the light reflected from the object by the irradiated light source;
a signal converter for generating an image of the test subject based on the focused light and calculating a bone density of the test subject; and
an output unit for outputting at least one of the bone density and the image;
Including, bone density measurement system.

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