Software for improved accuracy and rapid tracking of kinematics from dynamic Xray

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DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Orthopaedic disorders are a leading cause of disability in the U.S., with arthritis and/or spine problems adversely affecting quality of life fo more than 20% of adults. With an aging population, the rate of disability from orthopaedic disorders has been increasing steadily. While advances in diagnostic imaging (including CT, MRI and ultrasound) have greatly improved our ability to detect structural changes in musculoskeletal tissues, they typically reveal little about joint function. There is evidence that abnormal mechanical joint function contributes significantly to the development and progression of many types of joint disease. There is, therefore, a significant clinical need for the widespread use of technologies that can identify subtle abnormalities in joint function that, if left untreate, can compromise long-term joint health. The specific goal of this Phase I SBIR project is to extend C-Motion's capabilities for bone pose (position and orientation) estimation by incorporating the bi-planar radiography imaging expertise of Dr. Tashman's laboratory at the University of Pittsburgh. Dynamic Stereo X-ray is the only currently available technology that can achieve sub-mm accuracy during a wide variety of functional movements. To date, however, the potential promise of DSX to provide a unique and powerful tool for diagnosing subtle motion disorders and identifying at-risk joints has yet to be realized as a clinical tool, ad is still an under-used clinical research tool. The successful completion of this project sets the stage for the development of a fundamentally novel approach to quantitative radiography that would turn a limited-use research tool into a powerful clinical device for dynamic assessment of musculoskeletal function. Just as cine-angiography has revolutionized diagnosis and treatment of cardiovascular disorders, widespread availability of dynamic musculoskeletal imaging could significantly improve treatment for a wide variety of orthopaedic disorders.