System and method of diagnosis of malformed hips in babies or small animals

A system for use in identification of malformed hips in a human or animal subject, the system comprising:

• (a) a sensor producing an output indicative of a tensile force applied to the leg of the subject;
• (b) an X-ray generator responsive to said output so as to generate at least one pulse of X-ray radiation directed towards the hip of the subject when said output from said sensor is indicative of application of a tensile force greater than a threshold value to the leg of the subject;
• (c) a phosphorescent screen positioned so as to receive at least part of said X-ray radiation transmitted through the hip, said phosphorescent screen generating light in response to incident X-ray radiation;
• and
• (d) a charge-coupled-device for generating an image of said light generated by said phosphorescent screen.

A method for identifying malformation of a hip in a human or animal subject, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying tensile force to the leg of the subject so as to generate a temporary cavity within the hip in accordance with the vacuum phenomenon;
• (b) forming an image of soft tissue surrounding said cavity including:
• (i) transmitting X-ray radiation for less than about 5 milliseconds through said soft tissue towards a stimulated emission light source, and
• (ii) sensing light generated by said stimulated emission light source;
• and
• (c) identifying the hip as one of a normal hip and a malformed hip in accordance with the shape of said cavity.

A method for identifying malformation of a hip in a human or animal subject, the method comprising the steps of:

• (a) applying tensile force to the leg of the subject so as to generate a temporary cavity within the hip in accordance with the vacuum phenomenon;
• (b) forming an image of soft tissue surrounding said cavity including:
• (i) transmitting X-ray radiation through said soft tissue towards a stimulated emission light source, said X-ray radiation including a primary pulse of radiation having a first frequency for generating a primary image of soft tissue surrounding said cavity and a secondary pulse of radiation having a second frequency for generating a secondary image of hard tissue surrounding said cavity,
• (ii) sensing light generated by said stimulated emission light Source, and
• (iii) processing said primary and secondary images to form a composite image;
• and
• (c) identifying the hip as one of a normal hip and a malformed hip in accordance with the shape of said cavity.