In regenerative medicine, evaluation of bone mineral density using a microfocus X-ray generator could eventually be used to determine the degree of bone tissue regeneration. To evaluate bone mineral density… Click to show full abstract
In regenerative medicine, evaluation of bone mineral density using a microfocus X-ray generator could eventually be used to determine the degree of bone tissue regeneration. To evaluate bone mineral density against regenerated bone material, two low-energy X-rays are necessary. Herein, the acquisition of quasi-monochromatic, dual-energy soft X-ray and the subsequent medical application were examined using the K-absorption edges of two types of metal filters (i.e., zirconium and tin) in a microfocus X-ray generator. Investigation of the optimal tube voltage and filter thickness to form a quasi-monochromatic energy spectrum with a single filter revealed that a filter thickness of 0.3 mm results in an optimal monochromatization state. When a dual filter was used, the required filter thickness was 0.3 mm for tin and 0.2 mm for zirconium at a tube voltage of 35 kV. For the medical application, we measured quasi-monochromatic, dual-energy X-rays to evaluate the measurement accuracy of bone mineral density. Using aluminum as a simulated bone sample, a relative error of ≤5% was consistent within the aluminum thickness range of 1–3 mm. These data suggest that a bone mineral density indicator of recycled bone material can be easily obtained with the quasi-monochromatic X-ray technique using a microfocus X-ray generator.
               
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