The General Hospital Corporation

Skelscan, Inc.

Yaotang Wu

Melvin J Glimcher

Jerome L Ackerman

An apparatus and technique for measuring volumetric, 3-D bone organic matrix density is described. The techniques includes providing a first pulse sequence fragment selected to suppress at least two fluid resonance signals and providing a second pulse sequence fragment which images at least solid signals. In one embodiment, a series of RF pulses used to suppress fluid in the bone marrow spaces, particularly in cancellous bone tissue, is combined with solid state projection reconstruction magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to provide a three-dimensional image of a bone in which the dominant signal arises substantially from solid organic bone matrix.

Method and apparatus for quantitative bone matrix imaging by magnetic resonance imaging

Principles of magnetic resonance are employed to generate data, such as image intensity data, reflecting the spatial distribution of one or more isotopes carried in a solid-state specimen such as bone. The spatial distribution data can be employed, e.g., to calculate bone mineral density and/or degree of mineralization.

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Watertown, MA, United States of America

Yaotang Wu