Bone assessment apparatus
US5348009A · kind A · utility
30Cited by
9References
15Claims
0Family size
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | May 20, 1993 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 1994 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | May 20, 2013 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/4416
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus for providing assessment indices related to bone strength which are useful in predicting the risk of bone fracture. The apparatus measures the mineral density of bone (BMD) by means of X-rays, while the propagation speed of sound V in the bone and bone thickness d are measured by means of ultrasonic waves. The bone mineral content per unit volume, i.e. the bone volume density .rho., is computed from the bone mineral density (BMD) and the thickness of the bone. An assessment value E is then computed based on V and .rho..
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.