Construction of a three-dimensional motion analysis method for the knee joint using magnetic resonance imaging

2021 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 19K17193
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Early-Career Scientists
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Review Section: Basic Section 52040:Radiological sciences-related
• Research Institution: Niigata University
• Principal Investigator: Kondo Tatsuya 新潟大学, 医歯学系, 助教 (30821813)
• Project Period (FY): 2019-04-01 – 2022-03-31
• Keywords: MRI / cine MRI / 運動解析 / 膝関節 / 膝蓋腱 / 骨座標系 / MR image composing

Outline of Final Research Achievements

A three-dimensional (3D) motion analysis method of the knee joint was developed using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to evaluate ligament deformation due to knee joint motion. A two-dimensional (2D) multi-slice cine image of the knee joint in motion and a 3D image of the knee joint at rest were acquired in this method. The bone position was identified through the registration of each image. Patellar tendon relaxation and tension were evaluated using the 2D multi-slice cine images. In addition, a method to construct a knee joint coordinate system, which is important for motion analysis is developed using the MR images of the entire length of the lower limb. The MR image composing was found useful for constructing a bone coordinate system.

Free Research Field

放射線技術学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

膝関節の機能や痛みの原因を評価するためには，運動中における軟部組織の変形を評価することが重要である．軟部組織の評価は，光学カメラやX線を用いた運動解析を基準にした推定評価が主に行われる．しかし，光学カメラやX線検査では軟部組織を描出できないことが課題である．また，X線検査は被ばくを伴うことも課題となる．一方，MRIは放射線の被ばくがなく，軟部組織のコントラストに優れることが利点である．本研究では，膝関節の軟部組織である膝蓋腱を対象に，運動に伴う変形をMRIで評価できる手法を構築した．