Ultrasonic bone assessment apparatus and method
US7862510B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 30, 2008 |
| Grant date | Jan 4, 2011 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Nov 7, 2028 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/0875
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An apparatus and method for the assessment of various properties of bone is provided. A pair of ultrasound transducers are applied to skin on opposite sides of a bony member. The transducers may be single-element or array transducers. An ultrasound signal is generated and directed through the bony member to obtain a bone output signal. A set of parameters associated with the bone output signal is established and processed to obtain the desired bone property including two net time delay (NTD) parameters indicative of differences in transit time for signals taking different paths through bone and soft tissue. Also disclosed is a novel means for acoustically coupling the transducers to skin, as well as a means for establishing bone mineralization through use of both ultrasound and x-ray measurements.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.