A hybrid image processing system for X-ray images of an external fixator

Abstract

In the field of orthopaedics, treatment of extremity deformities can be realised by means of external fixators. However, control of such biomedical system is very difficult. Some different mathematical models have been developed to improve quality of this service. Most of the parameters, which are used in these models, have been obtained from two orthogonal X-ray images: one from anteroposterior, AP, direction and the other from a lateral, L, direction. The quality of the results of this model is dependent on the accuracy of the input parameters. Measuring these parameters is a time-consuming issue, and the accuracy of the results is also low. To increase the quality of the measurement, the reference points should be chosen from the edges of the biomedical system, and it is important to find the edges without noise. To achieve this purpose, Sobel edge detector, binary large object analysis, thresholding and inverting are applied as image processing steps. The results are compared with manual measurement values which have been obtained earlier. The results show that semi-automatic measurement of the parameters is more accurate and faster than manual measurement. It shows that the efficiency of the fixator method has been improved.

Comparison of three different correction trajectories for foot and ankle deformity treated by supramalleolar osteotomy using a novel external fixator

“…The TSF possesses high stiffness and can be precisely positioned and corrected with the assistance of computer software. [43][44][45] However, there is no corresponding external fixator for different indications, leading to a longer learning curve for clinicians. For general complex deformities, the clinical consensus is that the external fixator needs to have 6-DOFs for correction, which does not take into account the actual DOF of external fixator required to correct the ankle deformity.…”

“…In addition to Ilizarov frame and TSF, the Ortho-SUV Frame (OSF) 38,45,46 is also a widely accepted external fixator in clinical application used for foot and ankle deformity. When using the OSF to perform deformity correction, the strut lengths are obtained by clinician with the assistance of computer software at the initial and final positions and the change rate of strut is set as 1 mm/day, carrying out 0.25 mm four times per day.…”

Ortopedik Uygulamalarda Bilgisayarlı Denetim Sistemi

“…Boy uzatma, deformite düzeltme, fragman hizalama gibi amaçlarla kullanılan harici fiksatörlerin tedavi sürecine dahil edilmesi, fiksatöre ve hastaya ait çok sayıda parametrenin ortaya çıkmasına sebep olmaktadır. Bu parametreler X-ray görüntülerinden okunmakta [12] ve uygun biçimde matematiksel hesaplara dahil edilmektedir [13,14]. Fakat bu parametrelerin sayısının fazla olması ve matematik hesaplarının işlem yükü, harici fiksatörlerle birlikte bilgisayarlı bir sistemden faydalanmayı mecbur kılmaktadır.…”

A graphical user interface for an external fixation system

“…The details of the underlying mathematical theory [6,7] and basics of X-ray processing have been presented elsewhere [8]. In this work, we introduce the 3D simulation environment of the user interface for the system with which the clinician will be able to visualize the fixator system and its positioning throughout treatment.…”