Reproducible methods for calibrating the backscattered electron signal for quantitative assessment of mineral content in bone

Journal Article · Sat Sep 01 00:00:00 EDT 1990 · Scanning Microscopy; (USA)

OSTI ID:5801564

Boyce, T M; Bloebaum, R D; Bachus, K N; Skedros, J G ^[1]

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1. VA Medical Center, Salt Lake City, UT (USA)

Backscattered electron (BSE) imaging shows promise for orthopaedic and bone research. BSE images of bone may be captured on-line directly from the scanning electron microscope (SEM), and then analyzed to produce a backscattered electron profile (BSEP), a modified image graylevel histogram which is representative of the mineral content in bone. The goals of this work were (1) develop a reproducible graylevel calibration technique for bone specimens, and (2) determine a conservative time interval during which SEM operating conditions would remain stable. Calibration standards containing pure aluminum and pure magnesium wires were placed in the SEM with human cancellous bone. Baseline imaging conditions were first established by adjusting the SEM until the bone image displayed good resolution and graylevel separation between regions of different mineral content. Microscope brightness and contrast controls were randomly changed to initiate the new operating conditions of another imaging session, and graylevel values from the calibration metals were used to readjust the microscope back to baseline operating conditions. Weighted mean graylevel values of the BSEPs from calibration trials were compared to those of the baseline. Data showed that bone images could be reproduced within 1.2 percent. It was also concluded that our equipment required calibration checks at 20 minute intervals.

• OSTI ID: 5801564
• Journal Information: Scanning Microscopy; (USA), Vol. 4:3; ISSN 0891-7035
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

62 RADIOLOGY AND NUCLEAR MEDICINE
ELECTRONS
BACKSCATTERING
SKELETAL DISEASES
DIAGNOSIS
SKELETON
IMAGE PROCESSING
CALIBRATION
DENSITY
MAN
ANIMALS
BODY
DISEASES
ELEMENTARY PARTICLES
FERMIONS
LEPTONS
MAMMALS
ORGANS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
PRIMATES
PROCESSING
SCATTERING
VERTEBRATES
550602* - Medicine- External Radiation in Diagnostics- (1980-)