Non-Destructive Structural Assay Using X-Ray Micro-Tomography to Estimate Mass Density Differences in Rabbit Bone Samples/ Ensayo Estructural No Destructivo Utilizando Microtomografia de Rayos X para Estimacion de Diferencias de Densidad Masica en Muestras Oeas de Conejo

• Published in: International journal of morphology 2016-12, Vol.34 (4), p.1232
• Main Authors: Perez, P, Malano, F, Dedossi, G, Fernandez Bodereau, E, Figueroa, R, Santibanez, M, Vedelago, J, Valente, M
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Subjects: Bone densitometry; Bone density; CAT scans; Hardness (Materials); Mechanical properties; Osteoporosis
• ISSN: 0717-9367

When performing studies on bone samples aiming at analyzing its physical characteristics such as hardness, density and health, typically it is used to utilize different equipment for the quantification of electron density, which results proportional to mass density, which is directly related to bone mineral density. The test known as bone densitometry is usually done using X-ray equipment, ultrasound or through the utilization of radioactive isotopes. This analysis quantifies the amount of mineral bone on a surface and is usually implemented to assess, among others, risks of fractures or the osteoporosis state in a patient. The computed tomography technique uses two-dimensional X-ray images and tomographic reconstruction methods implemented on computational algorithms to obtain information about the internal structure of an object in a nondestructively way. Specially developed equipment able to obtain images with sub-millimeter resolution, results in the technique known as microtomography. The ability to study bone structures at sub-millimeter levels and obtain three- dimensional morphological images with electron density information, presents an important option for specific studies on bone growth and studies on new components that allow the growth of damaged tissues. In this paper rabbits cranium bone samples where certain areas have been damaged and have been filled with different substances specially designed to evaluate repair responses on bone tissue are analyzed. The analysis is performed in order to study the performance of the micro-tomography technique developed in the laboratory in order to observe its potentiality in this type of studies and the ability of these analysis in the characterization of the physical properties of such samples. KEY WORDS: X-ray imaging; Micro-tomography; Oseous samples; Densitometry. Al realizarse estudios sobre muestras oseas para analizar caracteristicas como dureza, densidad y salud, se suelen utilizar equipamientos que permiten la cuantificacion de la densidad electronica, proporcional a la densidad masica, que se relaciona directamente con la densidad mineral osea. El test conocido como densitometria osea se suele realizar con equipos de rayos X, ultrasonido o por medio de la utilizacion de isotopos radioactivos. Este estudio cuantifica la cantidad mineral osea por superficie y suele ser utilizado para evaluar, entre otros, riesgos de fracturas o estado de osteoporosis. La tecnica de tomografia computada utiliza