scholarly journals The dependence of broadband ultrasound attenuation on phase interference in thin plates of variable thickness and curvature: a comparison of experimental measurement and computer simulation

2018 ◽  
Vol 232 (5) ◽  
pp. 468-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ali Hamed Alomari ◽  
Marie-Luise Wille ◽  
Christian M Langton
Keyword(s):  
Computer Simulation ◽  
Cancellous Bone ◽  
Variable Thickness ◽  
Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Constant Thickness ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Attenuation Measurement ◽  
Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Phase Interference

The measurement of broadband ultrasound attenuation describes the linear increase in ultrasound attenuation with frequency (dB/MHz); this is generally performed at the calcaneus, consisting of a high proportion of metabolically active cancellous bone. Although broadband ultrasound attenuation is not routinely implemented within clinical management since it cannot provide a reliable estimation of bone mineral density and hence clinical definition of osteopenia and osteoporosis, it offers a reliable means to predict osteoporotic fracture risk. One of the potential factors that can influence the accuracy of broadband ultrasound attenuation measurement is the effect of cortical end plates. This study aimed to explore this, performing a comparison of experimental study and computer simulation prediction. A total of three categories of thin discs were three-dimensional (3D) printed to replicate cortical shells of (1) variable constant thickness (planar), (2) variable constant thickness (curved), and (3) variable thickness. A through-transmission technique was used, where two single-element, unfocused, 1 MHz broadband transducers, as utilised clinically, were positioned coaxially in a cylindrical holder and immersed in water. Both quantitative and qualitative analyses demonstrated that broadband ultrasound attenuation measurements of the ‘planar’ and ‘curved’ discs were not statistically different (p-values > 0.01). A cyclic relationship between broadband ultrasound attenuation and disc thickness was observed; this was replicated within a computer simulation of phase interference created by a double-reflection echo within each disc (R2 = 97.0%). Variable-thickness discs provided broadband ultrasound attenuation measurements ranging between 31.6 ± 0.1 and 40.60 ± 0.1 dB/MHz. Again applying the double-reflection echo simulation, a high level of agreement between experimental and simulation was recorded (R2 = 93.4%). This study indicates that the cortical end plate can significantly affect the broadband ultrasound attenuation measurement of cancellous bone as a result of phase interference and, therefore, warrants further investigation to minimise its effect on clinical assessment.

scholarly journals A 3D-printed passive ultrasound phase-interference compensator for reduced wave degradation in cancellous bone – an experimental study in replica models

2018 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
pp. 204173141876641 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian M Langton ◽  
Saeed M AlQahtani ◽  
Marie-Luise Wille
Keyword(s):  
Transit Time ◽  
Cancellous Bone ◽  
Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Quantitative Measure ◽  
Ultrasound Transducer ◽  
Single Element ◽  
Ultrasound Wave ◽  
Additional Material ◽  
Phase Interference ◽  
3D Printed

The current ‘active’ solution to overcome the impediment of ultrasound wave degradation associated with transit-time variation in complex tissue structures, such as the skull, is to vary the transmission delay of ultrasound pulses from individual transducer elements. This article considers a novel ‘passive’ solution in which constant transit time is achieved by propagating through an additional material layer positioned between the ultrasound transducer and the test sample. To test the concept, replica models based on four cancellous bone natural tissue samples and their corresponding passive ultrasound phase-interference compensator were 3D-printed. Normalised broadband ultrasound attenuation was used as a quantitative measure of wave degradation, performed in transmission mode at a frequency of 1 MHz and yielding a reduction ranging from 57% to 74% when the ultrasound phase-interference compensator was incorporated. It is suggested that the passive compensator offers a broad utility and, hence, it may be applied to any ultrasound transducer, of any complexity (single element or array), frequency and dimension.

scholarly journals Influence of cancellous bone microstructure on ultrasonic attenuation: a theoretical prediction

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jinjin Liu ◽  
Li Lan ◽  
Jiafeng Zhou ◽  
Yunjun Yang
Keyword(s):  
Experimental Data ◽  
Theoretical Model ◽  
Cancellous Bone ◽  
Ultrasonic Attenuation ◽  
Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Bone Microstructure ◽  
Frequency Range ◽  
Attenuation Measurement ◽  
Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Scatterer Size

Abstract Background Quantitative ultrasound has been used for the assessment of cancellous bone status. The attenuation mechanisms of cancellous bone, however, have not been well understood, because the microstructure of cancellous bone is significantly inhomogeneous and the interaction between ultrasound and the microstructure of cancellous bone is complex. In this study, a theoretical approach was applied to investigate the influence of the microstructure of cancellous bone on ultrasonic attenuation. Results The scattering from a trabecular cylinder was significantly angle dependent. The dependencies of the ultrasonic attenuation on frequency, scatterer size, and porosity were explored from the theoretical calculation. Prediction results showed that the ultrasonic attenuation increased with the increase of frequency and decreased linearly with the increase in porosity, and the broadband ultrasound attenuation decreased with the increase in porosity. All these predicted trends were consistent with published experimental data. In addition, our model successfully explained the principle of broadband ultrasound attenuation measurement (i.e., the attenuation over the frequency range 0.3–0.65 MHz was approximately linearly proportional to frequency) by considering the contributions of scattering and absorption to attenuation. Conclusion The proposed theoretical model may be a potentially valuable tool for understanding the interaction of ultrasound with cancellous bone.

Dependence of broadband ultrasound attenuation on the elastic anisotropy of trabecular bone

1998 ◽  
Vol 212 (3) ◽  
pp. 223-226 ◽  
Author(s):  
S-M Han ◽  
J-Y Rho
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Bone Mineral Density ◽  
Trabecular Bone ◽  
Bone Mineral ◽  
Elastic Anisotropy ◽  
Quantitative Computed Tomography ◽  
Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Ultrasonic Parameters

The effect of trabecular elastic anisotropy on broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) and bone mineral density (BMD) was investigated with human and bovine cubic cancellous bones. Ultrasonic parameters describing trabecular anisotropy were found from the three orthogonal ultrasound velocities. BMD was measured using quantitative computed tomography. Three elastic anisotropy ratios were compared to BUA in all three directions and to BMD. The combined effect of anisotropic characteristics and BMD was also correlated with BUA. The results showed that the anisotropy ratios were significantly related to BUA (p<0.05). There was, however, no correlation between BMD and the elastic anisotropy ratios. The combination of BMD and the anisotropy produced a significantly enhanced relationship with BUA.

scholarly journals Modified Calcaneal Index: A New Screening Tool for Osteoporosis Based on Plain Radiographs of the Calcaneum

2005 ◽  
Vol 13 (1) ◽  
pp. 27-33 ◽  
Author(s):  
KC Pande ◽  
SK Pande ◽  
D de Takats ◽  
EV McCloskey
Keyword(s):  
Distal Radius ◽  
Speed Of Sound ◽  
Screening Tool ◽  
Bone Structure ◽  
Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Observer Agreement ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Hip Bmd ◽  
Status Assessment

Purposes. To assess osteoporosis using plain radiography of the calcaneum by studying the performance characteristics of the modified calcaneal index through inter- and intra-observer agreement. To study the correlation of the modified calcaneal index to quantitative ultrasound of the calcaneus and bone mineral density (BMD) of the femoral neck and distal radius. Methods. Lateral calcaneal radiographs of 252 women who participated in a clinical trial for osteoporosis were reviewed. The BMD of the hip and distal radius was measured and the calcanea were assessed using ultrasound. The calcaneal radiographs were graded by 3 clinicians according to a previously described 5-grade calcaneal index. A modified 3-grade calcaneal index was then developed. Results. The highest scores of intra- and inter-observer reliability of the modified calcaneal index were 0.45 and 0.40, respectively, which were higher than those of the 5-grade calcaneal index. The correlation of the modified calcaneal index with other measures was significant (hip BMD, r=0.31; distal radius BMD, r=0.28; calcaneal speed of sound, r=0.20; broadband ultrasound attenuation, r=0.36) [p<0.005]. There were significant differences in hip BMD, distal radial BMD, calcaneal speed of sound, and broadband ultrasound attenuation between the 3 grades of the modified calcaneal index (Kruskal-Wallis 1-way ANOVA; p<0.0001). Conclusion. The modified calcaneal index can be used to measure bone structure and skeletal strength and is a suitable screening tool for osteoporosis in places where advanced approaches to bone-status assessment are not available.

Assessment of broadband ultrasound attenuation in the os calcis in vitro

1990 ◽  
Vol 78 (2) ◽  
pp. 221-225 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. V. McCloskey ◽  
S. A. Murray ◽  
D. Charlesworth ◽  
C. Miller ◽  
J. Fordham ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Computed Tomography ◽  
Soft Tissues ◽  
Quantitative Computed Tomography ◽  
Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Mineral Density ◽  
Os Calcis ◽  
Ultrasound Attenuation ◽  
Physical Density

1. We have examined the relationship between the attenuation of broadband ultrasound in the os calcis in vitro and its bone mineral density measured by quantitative computed tomography and by physical density. 2. Broadband ultrasound attenuation was found to correlate closely with physical density (r = 0.85, P < 0.0001), but the correlation was less than that observed between quantitative computed tomography and physical density (r = 0.92, P < 0.0001). Measurements of broadband ultrasound attenuation and quantitative computed tomography were significantly correlated (r = 0.80, P < 0.0001). 3. Partial correlation analysis showed a significant relationship between broadband ultrasound attenuation and bone density, but when the effect of physical density was taken into account no significant correlation was found between broadband ultrasound attenuation and quantitative computed tomography (r = 0.08, not significant). 4. Broadband ultrasound attenuation in three prospective amputees showed a high degree of concordance between measurements in vivo and in vitro, with no interference by surrounding soft tissues. 5. The correlation between physical density and broadband ultrasound attenuation was independent of quantitative computed tomography, suggesting that the technique measures aspects of density which differ from its mineral density. Broadband ultrasound attenuation holds promise as a reproducible, rapid, radiation-free assessment of skeletal status.

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