Patient-specific Bone Quality Evaluation from CT Images

2022 COE Engineering Design Project (RP03)

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Faculty Lab Coordinator

Robnier Reyes Perez

Topic Category

Software Systems

Preamble

Osteoporosis is a prevalent disease characterized by the heterogeneous loss of bone mineral density (BMD). The gold-standard in BMD measurements is based on a Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DEXA) scan. However, CT scans have become ubiquitous while a standard method of evaluating bone mineral density based on CT images has not been established. Image processing techniques can potentially be applied to these medical images in order to extract information about BMD.

Objective

The goal of the project is to create a CT image processing tool capable of providing the surgeon with information on the severity of osteoporosis for each vertebrae in the spine.

Partial Specifications

- The software application must be able to import a DICOM file of a CT image and segment bone from soft tissue.
- Orthotropic evaluation of the bone mineral density for each vertebrae must be performed.
- Validate the evaluation with a Finite Element Model (FEM) analysis of the pull-out strength of a pedicle screw.

Suggested Approach

- Leverage an open-source software tool such as 3DSlicer to help determine hard and soft tissue thresholds for bone segmentation.
- Use MATLAB to manipulate the DICOM image and perform bone segmentation.
- Develop a bone quality evaluation software tool where information about the orthotropic mechanical properties of vertebral bone is measured.
- Use FEM software (i.e. Fusion360, ANSYS) to validate the information extracted from the CT image with a simulation of the pull-out strength of pedicle screws.

Group Responsibilities

All team members are responsible for performing a literature review. This includes but it is not limited to finding peer-reviewed literature, patented solutions, and commercially available solutions. The team is responsible for creating a block level design of the complete system and assigning specific tasks to each of the blocks. Every member is responsible for documenting the design of their subsystem, explaining design choices, and description of the performed tasks.

Student A Responsibilities

This team member will be responsible for finding open-source CT images of the spine. Additionally, the student will segment the bone from soft tissue to create the bone model for the FEM validation. Additional responsibilities as assigned by the FLC.

Student B Responsibilities

This team member will be responsible for extracting orthotropic mechanical properties (i.e. density and Young’s modulus) of vertebral bone. This student will need to have a strong understanding of image processing techniques. Additional responsibilities as assigned by the FLC.

Student C Responsibilities

This team member will be responsible for extracting orthotropic mechanical properties (i.e. density and Young’s modulus) of vertebral bone. This student will need to have a strong understanding of image processing techniques. This student will work in close collaboration with student B to achieve this goal. Additional responsibilities as assigned by the FLC.

Student D Responsibilities

This team member will be responsible for the FEM analysis to validate the information extracted from the CT image. This student will work in close collaboration with student A to achieve this goal. Additional responsibilities as assigned by the FLC.

Course Co-requisites

COE318, COE428, COE528

To ALL EDP Students

Due to COVID-19 pandemic, in the event University is not open for in-class/in-lab activities during the Winter term, your EDP topic specifications, requirements, implementations, and assessment methods will be adjusted by your FLCs at their discretion.