Automatic measurement of intervertebral movements using radiographic images

Measurement of intervertebral movements is essential in the assessment and diagnosis of patient's instability. However, diagnosis of the underlying causes remains problematic despite of extensive study. Reasons for this arise from the variability of detecting vertebral body landmarks, labor and time-consuming of manual point placement, incompletely description of the vertebral body shape and also from the structural complexity of the spine. In this study, the precision and accuracy of a new automatic method for morphometry of intervertebral movements were estimated. Active Contour is a key feature of segmentation and provides rapid and accurate measurement of vertebral shape. Fourier descriptors are used to represent the vertebral shapes. Genetic Algorithm (GA) is then applied to determine the spinal kinematics. Reproducible and reliable determinations of the intervertebral movements of the lumbosacral spine, when performing Flexion-Extension motions, are addressed. This paper describes the accuracy and feasibility of an active shape model (ASM) and Genetic Algorithm (GA) to measure spine kinematics. © 2005 IEEE.link_to_subscribed_fulltex

Correlation between the nano-structure and the macro-mechanics of the human intervertebral discs

10.1115/SBC2009-206807Proceedings of the ASME Summer Bioengineering Conference 2009, SBC2009PART A405-40

Nano-structure of collagen fibrils in human intervertebral discs and its correlation with the tissue mechanics

Proceedings of the ASME 1st Global Congress on NanoEngineering for Medicine and Biology 2010, NEMB2010337-33

Extracellular matrix stability of primary mammalian chondrocytes and intervertebral disc cells cultured in alginate-based microbead hydrogels

Cell Transplantation1710-111181-119

Screening for adolescent idiopathic scoliosis: An information statement by the scoliosis research society international task force

10.1186/1748-7161-8-17Scoliosis811

Effectiveness of Audio-Feedback in Postural Training for Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis Patients

The possibility of using learned physiological responses in control of progressive adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS) was investigated. Sixteen (16) AIS patients with progressing or high-risk curves (Cobb's angle between 25° and 35° at start and reducible by lateral bending) were fitted with a device with tone alarm for poor posture. In the first 18 months of application, 3 patients defaulted and 4 showed curve progression > 10° (2 changed to rigid spinal orthoses and 2 underwent surgery). The curves for the other 9 patients were kept under control (within ±5° of Cobb's angle) and 5 of them have reached skeletal maturity and terminated the application. The remaining 4 patients were still using the devices until skeletal maturity or curve progression. The curve control rate was 69%. A long-lasting active spinal control could be achieved through the patient's own spinal muscles. Nevertheless, before the postural training device could become a treatment modality, a long-term study for more AIS patients was necessary. This project is ongoing in the Duchess of Kent Children's Hospital, Sandy Bay, Hong Kong.link_to_subscribed_fulltex