A phantom for quantitative ultrasound of trabecular bone.
The propagation mechanisms of ultrasound in trabecular bone are poorly understood and have been the subject of extended debate; also, the reproducibility of ultrasonic measurements on bone in vivo using commercial ultrasound heel-scanning devices is such that the interpretation of the obtained data is difficult. In this paper we describe recent developments in the production of a bone-mimicking material which is well suited to the task of routine monitoring of commercial ultrasound bone scanners. The material, based on a standard epoxy resin is fabricated to a pre-determined porosity value by the inclusion of a marrow-mimicking material thereby introducing a known and controlled mean pore size. Measurements of the velocity and attenuation of the material have been performed over a range of porosity values from 10% to 80% in the frequency range 500-900 kHz; also, broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) values have been obtained from commercial equipment. The material displays velocities in the range 1844-3118 m s(-1) and attenuation ranging from 7.0 to 17.7 dB cm(-1) at 500 kHz.
Clarke
A J
AJ
Centre for Bone and Body Composition Research, University of Leeds, Wellcome Wing, Leeds General Infirmary, Leeds LS1 3EX, UK.
Evans
J A
JA
Truscott
J G
JG
Milner
R
R
Smith
M A
MA
D040761:Biomimetic Materials / Q000032:analysis* / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000592:standards; D015519:Bone Density / Q000502:physiology*; D001842:Bone and Bones / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000502:physiology*; D003720:Densitometry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging / Q000592:standards*; D016062:Porosity; D012015:Reference Standards; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006113:United Kingdom