Abstract: An automatic segmentation module with an open architecture that automatically generates a contour of a target bone based on a digital image. In one embodiment, the digital image can include an extremity, such as a hand with three digits and a calibration wedge. The automatic segmentation module receives the digital image as an input, and automatically segments the target bone by utilizing an object-oriented approach. This approach extracts intermediate target objects and uses these intermediate target objects to refine or limit the search space in order to extract the final target object.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring bone density in a body part. The method and apparatus receive and process a digital image that includes at least one digit, a calibration wedge, and a target bone to compute the density of the target bone. Based on the digital image, a contour for the digit and the target bone are automatically extracted and displayed for the user. A user is then provided an opportunity to input information via an easy-to-use graphical user interface. The contour of the target bone is then automatically re-computed based on the user input. Then, the bone mineral density of the target bone is computed based on the re-computed contour of the target bone.