Imaging of ligament and articular cartilage due to refraction-contrast using a lane geometry analyzer crystal

The ligament structures, its torn surface and articular cartilage of a sliced human joint specimen, which could not be detected by absorption contrast, were depicted clearly by refraction-contrast imaging using a Laue geometry analyzer crystal. The image was recorded on a mammography film without an intensifying screen at an incident X-ray energy of 15 keV. This technique will significantly improve clinical joint imaging as the morphological information of the ligament and that of the articular cartilage are offered simultaneously.