title: Noninvasive ultrasonic measuring system for bone geometry examination.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Bone deformities are typically identified through standard radiograms. Since X-ray examinations are easily applied and offer high quality imaging, noninvasive techniques are not commonly used in bone diagnostics. Nevertheless, nonradiological techniques are considered necessary because of the harmful effects of X-ray radiation.
  
  
  METHODS
  The paper presents a new noninvasive system for bone imaging. The system allows the physician to create self-defined templates of the measured geometrical parameters and to measure the bone geometry according to the planned procedures.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The proposed system was verified by determining the fiducial location error, the fiducial registration error and the target registration error. The tests were performed on sawbones and a measuring plate. In order to verify the accuracy of reconstruction, tests on the three-dimensional phantoms were carried out. The system has been tested in clinical conditions: results of limb geometrical parameters measured on five probands were compared with MRI-based evaluation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The system supplies critical data supporting the standard radiological examination. In the future, after further improvements it may replace invasive X-ray imaging. The main advantage of ultrasonography is noninvasive imaging (using mechanical waves), however, it demands considerable experience.
authors.affiliation: Division of Biomedical Engineering and Experimental Mechanics, Institute of Machine Design and Operation, Wrocław University of Technology, Lukasiewicza Str. 7/9, Wrocław, Poland.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Krysztoforski
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Krowicki
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Swiatek-Najwer
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Bȩdziński
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Keppler
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D005269:Femur / Q000002:abnormalities* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D010363:Pattern Recognition, Automated / Q000379:methods*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013382:Subtraction Technique; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*