Resolution and noise in X-ray microtomography of bone

The authors have previously used volumetric computed tomography for imaging bone specimens with approximately 50 micrometer resolution. Three dimensional measurement methods which can determine bone density to within one percent for detail as small as 5 micrometers would be useful for evaluating patterns of bone remodeling within trabelulae from biopsy specimens. Using theoretical modeling based on Monte Carlo photon/electron radiation transport calculations, the authors predict that this performance can be achieved using electron impact, microfocus X-ray tubes operating at 50 Watts with a total specimen scan time of 60 minutes for specimens having a 1.25 mm dimension and for reconstruction arrays of 256×256×256