Abstract: An imaging system utilizes 2D DXA images obtained in a tomographic imaging process or mode in order to provide more detailed information to the operator of the bone structure of the patient. The imaging system obtains multiple 2D DXA images at different angles with regard to the patient in a number of passes across the body of the patient. These 2D DXA images can then be utilized to reconstruct at least one 2D slice of the body of the patient, such as in a plane parallel to the plane of a patient support surface, such as a scanner table. The information provided by the tomographic reconstruction provides enhancements to the process of modifying a 3D FEA model associated to an already available set of tomographic reconstructed slices selected from the comparison with the current tomographic reconstructed slices. In this manner, the system and method provide a significant reduction in the error of the resulting modified 3D FEA model for review and analysis compared to a 2D approach.

Abstract: A system for performing a bone density scan of a patient is provided. The system includes a radiation source operative to emit a radiation beam, a radiation detector operative to receive the radiation beam and generate an output signal based at least in part on the received radiation beam, and a controller in electronic communication with the radiation source and the radiation detector and operative to generate at least one of a bone mineral content measurement of the patient, a bone mineral density measurement of the patient, a body composition measurement of the patient, and a body thickness measurement of the patient. The controller is further operative to regulate the radiation beam such that a flux of the radiation beam at the radiation detector is within a target flux range.

Abstract: A system for assessing muscle function of a patient is provided. The system includes: a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device operative to scan the patient so as to generate a lean mass measurement; a bioelectrical impedance analysis device operative to scan the patient so as to generate an extracellular water volume measurement; and a controller that includes at least one processor and a memory device, the controller in electrical communication with the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device and the bioelectrical impedance device. The controller is adapted to: receive the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement; store the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement in the memory device; and generate a muscle assessment indicator of the patient based at least in part on the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement stored in the memory device.

Abstract: An imaging system utilizes 2D DXA images obtained in a tomographic imaging process or mode in order to provide more detailed information to the operator of the bone structure of the patient. The imaging system obtains multiple 2D DXA images at different angles with regard to the patient in a number of passes across the body of the patient. These 2D DXA images can then be utilized to reconstruct at least one 2D slice of the body of the patient, such as in a plane parallel to the plane of a patient support surface, such as a scanner table. The information provided by the tomographic reconstruction provides enhancements to the process of modifying a 3D FEA model associated to an already available set of tomographic reconstructed slices selected from the comparison with the current tomographic reconstructed slices. In this manner, the system and method provide a significant reduction in the error of the resulting modified 3D FEA model for review and analysis compared to a 2D approach.

Abstract: A system for imaging includes a gantry movable relative to a subject. A source is configured to emit radiation during an imaging procedure. A detector is configured to receive attenuated radiation from the source during an imaging procedure, at least one of the source and the detector movably secured to the gantry by an adjustable joint. An imaging controller is operably connected to at least the gantry and to the adjustable joint, wherein the gantry controller receives a priori patient information and imaging system geometry information, the imaging controller determines an imaging geometry and operates the gantry and the adjustable joint to vary a source to image-receptor distance (SID) according to the imaging geometry.

Abstract: A system for assessing muscle function of a patient is provided. The system includes: a dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device operative to scan the patient so as to generate a lean mass measurement; a bioelectrical impedance analysis device operative to scan the patient so as to generate an extracellular water volume measurement; and a controller that includes at least one processor and a memory device, the controller in electrical communication with the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry device and the bioelectrical impedance device. The controller is adapted to: receive the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement; store the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement in the memory device; and generate a muscle assessment indicator of the patient based at least in part on the lean mass measurement and the extracellular water volume measurement stored in the memory device.

Abstract: A system for performing a bone density scan of a patient is provided. The system includes a radiation source operative to emit a radiation beam, a radiation detector operative to receive the radiation beam and generate an output signal based at least in part on the received radiation beam, and a controller in electronic communication with the radiation source and the radiation detector and operative to generate at least one of a bone mineral content measurement of the patient, a bone mineral density measurement of the patient, a body composition measurement of the patient, and a body thickness measurement of the patient. The controller is further operative to regulate the radiation beam such that a flux of the radiation beam at the radiation detector is within a target flux range.

Abstract: An x-ray absorptiometry apparatus and method utilize a radiation source having a beam opening angle of less than or equal to 30 milliradians in at least one dimension, an array of scintillator units to receive radiation from the radiation source with the beam angle after the radiation has passed through a body being imaged and at least one solid-state photomultiplier to receive photons from the array of scintillator units and to produce electrical signal based on the photons. In one implementation, an optical area transmission passage modifier is employed in a dual energy x-ray absorptiometry system. In one implementation, the array of scintillator units are arranged in staggered rows. In yet another implementation, the solid-state photomultiplier includes a plurality of solid-state photomultipliers arranged in rows. In one implementation, a single solid-state photomultiplier receive photons from a plurality of scintillators of the array.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the visceral adipose tissue (VAT) mass or volume of a subject comprises performing a dual-energy X-ray scan of the subject; generating at least one image of the subject from the dual-energy X-ray scan; identifying a region of interest on the at least one image; dividing the region of interest into a plurality of sections; determining an outer transverse extent of a coelom or inner abdominal cavity of the subject; determining a subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) composition for each of the plurality of sections, wherein the SAT composition determination is restricted to an area directly anterior and posterior the coelom or inner abdominal cavity of the subject; and determining a VAT mass and/or volume for the region of interest based on the determined SAT composition for each of the plurality of section.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring visceral fat mass are provided. One method includes acquiring dual-energy two-dimensional (2D) scan information from a dual-energy x-ray scan of a body and generating a dual-energy image of the body using the 2D scan information. The method further includes identifying a region of interest using the dual-energy image and determining a subcutaneous fat mass for each of a plurality of sections of the region of interest. The method also includes determining a visceral fat mass for the region of interest based on the determined subcutaneous fat mass for each of the plurality of sections.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring body circumference are provided. One method includes acquiring dual-energy two-dimensional (2D) scan information from a dual-energy x-ray scan of a body and generating a dual-energy image of the body using the 2D scan information. The method further includes determining a circumference of at least one portion of the body based on the dual-energy scan information and the generated dual-energy image.

Abstract: A system and method for performing skeletal age assessment is provided. The method includes scanning a hand and/or wrist of a patient using a dual-energy x-ray imaging system, acquiring density information of the hand and wrist using the scan, comparing the density information to at least one reference image, and automatically determining a skeletal age of the patient based on the comparison.

Abstract: A scanning bone densitometer includes an x-ray source to produce x-rays and an x-ray detector receiving x-rays emitted from the x-ray source. The x-ray detector includes a cadmium tellurium (CdTe) semiconductor. The scanning bone densitometer also includes a controller moving the x-ray source and the x-ray detector along a transverse scanning path to acquire a plurality of scan images of an object of interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus measuring bone lengths are provided. The methods include acquiring bone image information from a dual-energy x-ray scan of a subject and generating a dual-energy image using the acquired bone information. The methods further include determining a length of at least one bone of the subject using the dual-energy image.

Abstract: A scanning bone densitometer includes an x-ray source to produce x-rays and an x-ray detector receiving x-rays emitted from the x-ray source. The x-ray detector includes a cadmium tellurium (CdTe) semiconductor. The scanning bone densitometer also includes a controller moving the x-ray source and the x-ray detector along a transverse scanning path to acquire a plurality of scan images of an object of interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for measuring body circumference are provided. One method includes acquiring dual-energy two-dimensional (2D) scan information from a dual-energy x-ray scan of a body and generating a dual-energy image of the body using the 2D scan information. The method further includes determining a circumference of at least one portion of the body based on the dual-energy scan information and the generated dual-energy image.

Abstract: A system and method for performing skeletal age assessment is provided. The method includes scanning a hand and/or wrist of a patient using a dual-energy x-ray imaging system, acquiring density information of the hand and wrist using the scan, comparing the density information to at least one reference image, and automatically determining a skeletal age of the patient based on the comparison.

Abstract: A monolithic solid-state detector using a staggered arrangement of pixels in multiple rows improves spatial resolution without requiring reduction in pixel size. Parallelogram shapes of CZT monolith allow tiling in one dimension without inefficient zones between monoliths. A scanning device using linear array of detectors with non-rectangular shape and staggered rows of detection elements such that no dead zones occur within a scan field.

Abstract: Medical images from x-rays or the like are enhanced by characterizing pixels of the image as to the type of underlying tissue and selectively applying image enhancement techniques only to particular tissue types.