Vibration, sonic and ultrasonic wave propagation analysis for the detection of osteoporosis.

The feasibility of vibration analysis and wave propagation analysis for the detection of osteoporosis is discussed. The relationship between the resonant frequencies, obtained by vibration analysis, and geometrical and material properties of long bones is found using a simple beam model. This relationship was verified experimentally on 142 excised bones. In vitro measurements for the detection of osteoporosis were performed on excised bones. Using a specific protocol for vibration and ultrasound measurements, a population of osteoporotic patients and age-matched controls were measured. From these measurements was concluded that the bending rigidity, calculated for the resonant frequencies, in osteoporotic patients had decreased as compared to the control group. Also the ultrasound velocity in the tibial cortex was lower in the osteoporotic group.