Three-dimensional conic beam X-ray microtomography in bone quality

Abstract

In recent years, the 3D X-ray microcomputed tomography (3DμCT) has become a useful method to access the internal geometry based microarchitecture of bones. All measurements are based on the image quality. In this context, the aim of this work is to investigate bone quality in terms of strength parameters determined by 3DμCT. The system that was used to do the 3DμCT was a microfocus Fein Focus which has a microfocus X-ray tube, adjustment of the magnification factor of the captured image by mobile supports and an image intensifier with a diameter of 9 in. The results show that microtomography by microfocus X-ray tube is a powerful technique that can be used to analyze bone microstructures. A quantification procedure conducted with a locally developed program, produced images with 20 μm of resolution for different bone samples.