3D Shaper Technology, An Innovative Approach To Bone Analysis
Written by
Irma Jennings, INHC
Uploaded
April 16
The 3D Shaper Technology emerges as a game-changing solution to combat the silent yet debilitating threat of osteoporosis, a bone disease that has long been a significant concern for millions worldwide. Accurate diagnosis and monitoring of bone health have been paramount in combating this condition.
3D Shaper views the hip only. Not the spine.
This chronic condition weakens bones over time, making them fragile and susceptible to fractures. The consequences of osteoporosis can be severe, leading to a diminished quality of life, increased risk of disability, and substantial healthcare costs. Early detection and effective management are crucial in mitigating the impact of this disease. Enter the 3D Shaper Technology, a revolutionary advancement that promises to transform the way we approach osteoporosis diagnosis and treatment.
Developed by 3D Shaper Medical, a Barcelona-based company, this cutting-edge technology takes the standard 2D DEXA scan and recreates the hip bone in a remarkable 3D representation. This groundbreaking approach enables the extraction of valuable information about the cortical (hard outer shell) and trabecular (soft inner surface) compartments of the bone – aspects often overlooked by traditional DEXA scans.
By leveraging advanced imaging techniques and statistical models, the 3D Shaper Technology can morph a generic template to create a patient-specific 3D model of the hip bone. This process involves registering the template against the patient's 2D DEXA scan and adjusting its parameters until a perfect alignment is achieved, resulting in an accurate 3D representation. With this innovative technology, healthcare professionals gain unprecedented insights into the intricate details of bone structure and density distribution.
The 3D Shaper Technology offers a fast, safe, and cost-effective method for assessing bone density and visualizing local changes in the cortical and trabecular compartments, addressing the limitations of DEXA alone. By providing a detailed analysis of the bone's individual compartments, it empowers healthcare professionals to tailor treatment plans and medication choices to each patient's unique needs. This personalized approach is particularly crucial when considering powerful osteoporosis medications, ensuring the most effective treatment is prescribed from the outset.
The ability to assess the cortical and trabecular compartments independently allows for a more nuanced understanding of bone health. Clinicians can identify local fragilities or discrepancies between the two compartments that may have been overlooked by conventional DEXA scans. Armed with this knowledge, they can make informed decisions about the appropriate course of action, whether it involves initiating treatment with a specific medication or adjusting an existing regimen.
One of the key advantages of this technology lies in its ability to monitor treatment progress with enhanced accuracy. While DEXA scans may show minimal changes in bone mineral density, the 3D Shaper can detect significant improvements or declines in the cortical and trabecular compartments – invaluable insights that can inform decisions to adjust or continue a treatment regimen. Moreover, the 3D Shaper Technology has proven its versatility in assessing the impact of various diseases and medications on bone health.
From chronic kidney disease to breast cancer treatments, this innovative tool offers a comprehensive understanding of how these conditions and therapies affect the intricate components of bone structure. By separating the cortical and trabecular compartments, clinicians can identify specific areas of concern and tailor interventions accordingly, maximizing treatment efficacy and minimizing potential side effects.
While the 3D Shaper Technology is still in its early stages of adoption in the United States, its potential to revolutionize osteoporosis diagnosis and management is undeniable. As more healthcare facilities embrace this cutting-edge solution, patients will benefit from personalized care, tailored treatment plans, and a newfound hope in the battle against this debilitating condition.
The technology's ability to provide individualized assessments and precise monitoring empowers healthcare professionals to make well-informed decisions, ultimately improving patient outcomes. In the words of Irma Jennings, an osteoporosis patient navigator who presented the 3D Shaper Technology, "This is important to get out there." Indeed, the future of osteoporosis care has taken a remarkable stride forward, and the 3D Shaper Technology stands as a beacon of hope for millions seeking a better understanding and more effective management of this complex disease.
In our recent webinar, Dr. Mike Lewiecki, an esteemed osteoporosis expert, shared his insights on bone health, directly addressing queries from Irma Jennings' community. This blog post provides a comprehensive recap of the webinar, reflecting the crucial points discussed by Dr. Lewiecki in a straightforward and informative manner.
Before diving into the specific topics discussed, it's essential to acknowledge the importance of disseminating accurate and up-to-date information about osteoporosis and bone health. Osteoporosis, often a silent condition until a fracture occurs, affects millions worldwide and has significant health and quality of life implications. With evolving research and treatment options, staying informed through expert insights like those from Dr. Lewiecki is crucial for patients, healthcare providers, and caregivers. This session aimed to bridge knowledge gaps, debunk common myths, and provide clarity on modern approaches to managing and treating osteoporosis.
Dr. Lewiecki emphasized the significance of DXA scans as the gold standard in bone density measurement, while acknowledging the emergence of new technologies like Echolight. He pointed out that DXA is especially accurate in determining bone strength, but in older adults, spine density readings might be misleading due to arthritis. The webinar also touched upon the potential of Echolight, an ultrasound technology, which is still in early stages of correlation with DXA results, highlighting the need for further research in this area.
A key focus of the discussion was on the assessment of fracture risks. Dr. Lewiecki highlighted that previous fractures, particularly those occurring in adulthood, serve as strong indicators of future fracture risks, with unexplained height loss possibly signaling unnoticed spinal fractures. Additionally, the FRAX calculator's role in estimating the 10-year probability of major osteoporotic and hip fractures based on individual clinical risk factors was discussed, noting its integration into many DEXA machines.
The session delved into the use of osteoporosis medications. Dr. Lewiecki described the benefits of anabolic drugs like Forteo, Tymlos, and Evenity for patients at high fracture risk, followed by the recommendation of anti-resorptives like Prolia or Reclast. A critical aspect addressed was the bone density loss associated with transitioning from prolonged Prolia use to other drugs. Another point of discussion was the unique feature of bisphosphonates like Fosamax, which offer the possibility of "drug holidays" after long-term use, a benefit not shared by other osteoporosis medications.
Throughout the webinar, Dr. Lewiecki stressed the importance of maintaining adequate calcium and vitamin D intake while undergoing osteoporosis treatment, suggesting a target vitamin D level of 30-50 ng/mL. He also discussed the role of hormone therapy in alleviating menopausal symptoms, cautioning that its dosage might not be sufficient for bone protection, thus recommending monitoring bone turnover markers. Lastly, the link between diabetes and an increased fracture risk was examined, indicating the potential need for more aggressive osteoporosis management in diabetic patients.
Dr. Michael Lewiecki, MD, a leading osteoporosis expert and director at New Mexico Clinical Research & Osteoporosis Center and Bone Health ECHO at the University of New Mexico, engages audiences with his accessible approach to complex medication questions. With vast experience in osteoporosis, metabolic bone diseases, and bone density studies, he has contributed to over 350 publications and has been a principal investigator in numerous clinical trials. Dr. Lewiecki is recognized globally for his work, holding past presidencies in major societies and receiving prestigious awards like the ISCD Global Leadership and Lawrence G. Raisz Memorial Lecture Awards.
This post aims to clearly convey the insights shared by Dr. Mike Lewiecki in our recent webinar. By presenting the topics in a factual and accessible format, we hope to empower our readers with valuable knowledge, assisting them in making informed decisions about their bone health and osteoporosis treatment.
