title: A reflection scanning acoustic microscope for bone and bone-biomaterials interface studies.
abstract: A relatively simple scanning acoustic microscope (SAM) that operates in the reflection mode has been constructed. The system uses a 20 MHz spherically focused transducer, acting both as transmitter and as detector, to obtain acoustic impedance information on a thin surface layer at a maximum resolution of approximately 100 micron. The specimen is mounted on an X-Y driving system (precision, 5 micron) under computer control in order to scan a grid of 256 x 256 points across areas ranging from 6.5 to 1300 mm2. An algorithm is used to reference the data against standards; specially developed software provides for pseudo-color mapping, three-dimensional images, zooming to 16 x magnification, contouring, and single line profiles of the data. The system has been used to determine inhomogeneities in surface acoustic properties of mineralized tissues and implant materials, in many cases as a complement to using ultrasonic wave propagation techniques to measure the bulk anisotropic properties.
authors.affiliation: Laboratoire de Recherches Orthopédiques, Faculté de Médecine, Lariboisière-Saint-Louis, Paris, France.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meunier
authors.forename: J L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Katz
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Christel
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Sedel
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001672:Biocompatible Materials; D001842:Bone and Bones; D002138:Calibration; D003196:Computer Graphics; D004548:Elasticity; D006801:Humans; D008853:Microscopy / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods; D008867:Microtomy / Q000379:methods; D014465:Ultrasonics / Q000295:instrumentation*
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials