Abstract: An apparatus and method for analyzing the morphometry of a human hip joint is provided. The apparatus includes image receiving means for receiving a digital image of a hip joint and image analysis means, including an Active Shape Model configured to identify a set of landmark points on the image, wherein the set of points includes points which correspond to features of the proximal femur and the region of the pelvis forming the acetabulum. The ASM is further configured to generate an image data-set from the co-ordinates of the landmark points; and data comparison means for comparing the image data-set with one or more comparative data-sets to obtain value(s) for one or more output modes which characterize the variation of the image data-set from the comparative data-set(s), to provide an indication of the presence and/or severity of osteoarthritis in the hip and/or the risk of the hip joint developing osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for analyzing the morphometry of a human knee joint. The apparatus comprises: image receiving means for receiving a digital image of a knee joint; image analysis means comprising an Active Shape Model (ASM) configured to identify a set of landmark points on said image, wherein said set of landmark points includes points which define regions of the knee formed by the femur and the tibia, the ASM being further configured to generate an image data-set from the co-ordinates of said landmark points; and data comparison means for comparing said image data-set with one or more comparative data-sets to thereby obtain value(s) for one or more output modes which characterize the variation of the image data-set from the comparative data-set(s), to thereby provide an indication of the presence and/or severity of osteoarthritis in the knee and/or the risk of the knee joint developing osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for analysing the morphometry of a human knee joint. The apparatus comprises: image receiving means for receiving a digital image of a knee joint; image analysis means comprising an Active Shape Model (ASM) configured to identify a set of landmark points on said image, wherein said set of landmark points includes points which define regions of the knee formed by the femur and the tibia, the ASM being further configured to generate an image data-set from the co-ordinates of said landmark points; and data comparison means for comparing said image data-set with one or more comparative data-sets to thereby obtain value(s) for one or more output modes which characterise the variation of the image data-set from the comparative data-set(s), to thereby provide an indication of the presence and/or severity of osteoarthritis in the knee and/or the risk of the knee joint developing osteoarthritis.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for analysing the morphometry of a human hip joint. The apparatus comprises:— image receiving means for receiving a digital image of a hip joint; image analysis means comprising an Active Shape Model (ASM) configured to identify a set of landmark points on said image, wherein said set of landmark points includes points which correspond to features of the proximal femur and the region of the pelvis forming the acetabulum, the ASM being further configured to generate an image data-set from the coordinates of said landmark points; and data comparison means for comparing said image data-set with one or more comparative data-sets to thereby obtain value(s) for one or more output modes which characterise the variation of the image data-set from the comparative data-set(s), to thereby provide an indication of the presence and/or severity of osteoarthritis in the hip and/or the risk of the hip joint developing osteoarthritis.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed for predicting bone fracture risk in an osteoporotic patient. The apparatus comprises a Dual X-ray Absorptiometry scanner for scanning a body area of the patient and producing a Dual X-ray Absorptiometry image of the body area, and image analysis means for analyzing pre-determined aspects of the Dual X-ray Absorptiometry image. The apparatus further comprises data comparison means comprising a database of comparative data sets from Dual X-ray Absorptiometry images of control subjects to predict the risk of bone fracture in the patient. The image analysis means preferably analyses the shape of a body past using an Achieve Shape Model or analyses the texture of a body past using Fourier Transforms and Principal Component Analysis.