Ultrasound measurement techniques for bone analysis
AssigneeOdetect as
InventorsLars Hoff, Kjell Oygarden
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Ultrasound measurement of bone quality using nonlinear analysis in combination with or alternatively using shear waves provide improved information about human bone conditions. Surface waves also provide a novel method to estimate shear wave velocity.
Claims65
A method of measuring bone condition using ultrasound waves, comprising the steps of:
- a) transmitting a signal sequence of ultrasound waves for impingement on a bone being measured;
- b) arranging a detection transducer configuration for receiving a portion of the transmitted signal sequence of ultrasound waves after impingement on the bone being measured;
- and
- c) determining the degree of acoustic nonlinearity of the bone to estimate the material conditions of the bone.
A method for diagnosing osteoporosis comprising the steps of:
- a) transmitting a signal sequence of ultrasound waves for impingement on a bone being measured;
- b) arranging a detection transducer configuration for receiving a portion of the transmitted signal sequence of ultrasound waves after impingement on the bone being measured;
- and
- c) measuring the degree of acoustic nonlinearity of the bone to estimate the material conditions of the bone indicative of the onset of osteoporosis.
A method of measuring bone strength comprising the steps of:
- a) measuring the shear wave velocity (cs);
- b) estimating the Lamé coefficient shear modulus (μ) of the bone by use of the formula:
- 5 Cs = μ ρ and
- c) assigning a bone strength index of measure based on the estimate of shear modulus.
A method for diagnosing osteoporosis comprising the steps of:
- a) measuring the pressure wave velocity through a patient's bone;
- b) measuring the shear wave velocity through a patient's bone;
- c) calculating the ratio of shear wave velocity to the pressure wave velocity to determine whether the bone is degraded.
A device for measuring bone density comprising a means for measuring the shear wave velocity through a patient's bone.
A system for measuring bone density by measuring the shear wave velocity through a patient's bone.
A method of measuring bone density comprising the step of measuring the phase velocity as a function of frequency.
A device for measuring bone density comprising a means for measuring the phase velocity as a function of frequency.
A system for measuring bone density comprising a means for measuring the phase velocity as a function of frequency.
A method for diagnosing osteoporosis comprising the steps of:
- 1) placing a transmitter of ultrasonic waves on a predetermined area on the surface of a patient's skin;
- 2) placing a receiver of ultrasonic waves on an area on the surface of the patient's skin a known distance from the transmitter;
- 3) transmitting ultrasonic waves through the tissue to the bone at a predetermined angle;
- 4) measuring the time of the arrival of the first ultrasonic wave by the receiver;
- and
- 5) calculating the speed of sound in the bone using the time of arrival of the first ultrasonic wave.
A system for diagnosing osteoporosis comprising:
- 1) a transmitter configured for transmitting ultrasonic waves onto a predetermined area on the surface of a patient's skin and through the tissue to the bone so as to create a surface wave at a bone tissue interface region that is measurable by a receiver of the ultrasonic surface wave;
- 2) at least one receiver of ultrasonic waves on an area on the surface of the patient's skin a known distance from the transmitter;
- and
- 3) analysis circuitry for measuring the surface wave velocity and translating the measured velocity into an indicator of bone health status.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.