Bone-Analysis Method Licensed to Hologic

Hologic, Inc. (Bedford, MA, USA) has signed a licensing agreement with The Johns Hopkins University (JHU) Applied Physics Laboratory (APL; Laurel, MD, USA) to integrate the work of Prof. Thomas J. Beck, Sc.D. and his colleagues on hip structure analysis (HSA) into Hologic densitometers.

Dr. Beck, associate professor of radiology in the School of Medicine at Johns Hopkins University (JHU), is a recognized world leader in the development of biomechanical parameters of hip structure derived from densitometric information. Prof. Beck's HSA method and its prediction of bone strength have been described in many peer-reviewed publications. In the mid-1990s, Dr. Beck started utilizing HSA principles to address challenges associated with manned space exploration. He is currently working with APL engineers on a U.S. National Space Biomedical Research Institute-funded study to better understand and assess bone loss and its strength-related implications in support of the development of a ground-based clinical system suitable for pre-and post-flight testing of astronauts. The HSA technique was utilized in the analysis of a number of key studies including the 3rd National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) and the Eli Lilly and Co. Multiple Outcomes of Raloxifene (MORE) trial.

Dr. Beck observed that while bone mineral density (BMD) is recognized as a strong predictor of fracture risk in osteoporosis, structural effects on bones that are vital in determining their mechanical strength cannot be easily determined from BMD alone. "Hip structure analysis algorithms allow us to calculate both the BMD as well as the structural geometry that underlies bone strength from DXA [dual x-ray absorptiometry] measurements. I believe this will result in more definitive measures of bone health.”

Hologic will be the exclusively licensed major bone densitometer manufacturer to incorporate HSA into its products. Hologic is a leading developer, manufacturer, and supplier of diagnostic and medical imaging systems dedicated to the healthcare needs of women, and a developer of innovative imaging technology for digital radiography and breast imaging.



Related Links:
Hologic
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory