Mikroct (Skyscan)

Software for analysis and realistic visualization

All SkyScan scanners are equipped with a software package for complete 2D and 3D quantitative analysis of reconstructed volumes from micro-CT scans, the program "CT-analyser", and software for realistic 3D visualization of scanned objects, the "CT-volume" program. These programs can run on the supplied workstation or on any of your laboratory's desktop or notebook computers.

2D / 3D IMAGE ANALYSIS

SkyScan "CT-analyser" analyses micro-CT datasets for morphometry and densitometry. It is an intuitive and comprehensive environment for processing and analysis of datasets, accurately generating the quantitative data that is the final objective of micro-CT scanning and analysis.

The software features include:

• Import of dataset in tiff, bmp, jpg
• Angular resampling of datasets
• Advanced volume-of-interest (VOI) selection tool
• Measures 3D distances and angles
• Creates Maximum Intensity Projection (MIP) images
• Calibrates and measures density as HU, BMD or attenuation coefficient
• Image processing functions, such as smooth, despeckle morphologic operations, etc.
• Switch between general scientific and bone morphometry parameter names
• Parameters measured in 2D and 3D include:
  • Object (pore, particle, etc.) or "bone" volume
  • Object or "bone" surface
  • Structure or "trabecular" thickness
  • Structure or "trabecular" separation, number
  • Structure model index (SMI)
  • Fragmentation index or "Trabecular pattern factor"
  • Euler number o Degree of anisotropy by MIL
  • MIL eigenvalues and stereology
  • Fractal dimension (Kolmogorov)
  • Moments of inertia (x, y, polar, product)
  • Eccentricity
  • Cortical periosteal perimeter (outer perimeter of tube)
  • Cortical endosteal perimeter (inner perimeter of tube)
  • Object or "bone" porosity
• Automated batch analysis
• Measurements validation with real and virtual phantoms
• Creates 3D models by several rendering algorithms

REALISTIC 3D VISUALIZATION

The reconstructed set of slices can be flexibly viewed in SkyScan's "Data Viewer" program. Images are displayed as a slice-by-slice movie or as three orthogonal sections, centered at any selected point inside the reconstructed space. Data Viewer also has a viewing mode with three intersecting orthogonal sections, which can be turned and each intersecting slice independently moved by simple mouse control. Additional features include variable smoothing, saving interpolated datasets in saggital or coronal section, measuring and saving distances and intensity profiles. The format converter utility "T-conv" converts between TIFF, BMP and JPEG files with adjustment of colour palette, inversion, renaming, resizing and combining of datasets. A utility is also provided for conversion to DICOM 3 format.