title: The analysis of human cortical bone by terahertz time-domain spectroscopy.
abstract: Samples of cortical bone, derived from human femur, have been studied using terahertz time-domain transmission spectroscopy. The relationship between the broadband THz parameters and the previously acquired values of Young's modulus and x-ray attenuation (CT number), and the density of each bone sample, is investigated. The only significant correlation is that between THz transmission and sample density, suggesting that the potential use of THz radiation as a non-invasive probe of bone quality is limited. The spectra of absorption coefficient and refractive index are plotted over the frequency range 0.1-1.25 THz. There is evidence that the sample hydration state is a factor in the resultant THz parameters.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Microwaves and Photonics, School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering, University of Leeds, Woodhouse Lane, Leeds LS2 9JT, UK.
authors.forename: M R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Stringer
authors.forename: D N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Lund
authors.forename: A P
authors.initials: AP
authors.lastname: Foulds
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Uddin
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Berry
authors.forename: R E
authors.initials: RE
authors.lastname: Miles
authors.forename: A G
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Davies
mesh_terms: D015519:Bone Density; D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena; D005269:Femur / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D013057:Spectrum Analysis / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed