Development of a tracking method for image analysis of time-lapse deformation of trabecular structure in a human bone

A new method to track the deformation of the trabecular structure in a huma n bone, which determines the dynamic characteristics of bone, was developed using elastic matching. This is a kind of image analysis. By comparing two 3-D images of the same bone taken at different times, this method computes displacement of any points in the bone during the period. This method make s it possible to demonstrate the behavior of the trabecular structure to me chanical loads and to estimate changes in the strength of a bone. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.