Bone Strength Measurement Using Ultrasonic Transit Time
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional bone strength measuring instruments face challenges in accurately determining thickness values of cortical and cancellous bones, especially when detecting reflected waves is difficult, leading to imprecise measurements and unreliable bone strength evaluations, particularly at sites with cancellous bones like the wrist or heel.
Innovation Solution
A bone strength measuring instrument that uses ultrasonic waves to transmit and receive signals between probes with acoustic impedance matching liquid, processing signals to determine thickness values by assuming a constant acoustic speed of the second wave, allowing for precise measurement of cortical and cancellous bone thicknesses even when reflected waves are hard to detect, and automatically sets a measurement region based on preliminary measurements for improved reliability and reproducibility.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If reflected waves are used to determine tissue thickness, then measurement precision can be improved, but reliability deteriorates when reflected waves are difficult to detect
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a constant acoustic speed value as an intermediary reference to replace the unreliable reflected wave detection method. By using this predetermined constant value for the second wave in cancellous bone, the system achieves reliable thickness measurements even when reflected waves cannot be detected, thus resolving the contradiction between precision and reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the measurement approach from relying on variable reflected wave parameters to using a constant acoustic speed parameter. This parameter change allows the system to maintain measurement reliability across different conditions where reflected wave detection may fail, while still achieving precise thickness measurements through alternative calculation methods.
2Measurement precision
If conventional reflected wave detection method is used, then thickness values can be obtained, but measurement reliability deteriorates at sites with cancellous bones
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses a constant acoustic speed value as an intermediary to bridge the gap between unreliable reflected wave detection and reliable thickness measurement. This constant serves as a reference that enables accurate measurements in cancellous bone regions where traditional methods fail, thereby improving overall measurement reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary measurement to identify the presence of cancellous bone and the difficulty of reflected wave detection before conducting the main measurement. Based on these preliminary findings, the system automatically selects the appropriate measurement method, ensuring reliable results by preparing the measurement approach in advance based on the specific bone structure being measured.
3Ease of operation
If manual measurement region setting is used, then operator flexibility is maintained, but measurement reproducibility deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the measurement system to automatically determine and set the measurement region based on preliminary measurement results, eliminating the need for manual operator intervention. This self-service approach ensures consistent and reproducible measurements by using objective criteria from the preliminary scan to define the measurement area, while maintaining ease of operation through automated processing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses feedback from preliminary measurements to automatically adjust and set the measurement region for the main measurement. The system analyzes the preliminary results and uses this information to determine the optimal measurement area, creating a closed-loop process that improves reproducibility while maintaining operational simplicity through automated feedback-based region selection.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Enables high-precision evaluation of bone strength with reliable thickness measurements of cortical and cancellous bones, ensuring accurate bone density assessments and effective diagnosis, particularly in areas with cancellous bones, enhancing reliability and reproducibility of bone strength measurements.
Implementation Method 1
transmission or reception of an ultrasonic wave is conducted through a part of a human body in a state where a pair of ultrasonic probes each including an ultrasonic transmit/receive transducer holds a part of a human body therebetween
Implementation Method 2
an ultrasonic wave emitted from one ultrasonic probe is separated into two acoustic waves different in speed from each other
Implementation Method 3
an acoustic impedance matching liquid (usually, water is used as the liquid and hereinafter referred to simply as matching water)
Data Source
AI summary
A bone strength measuring instrument and method is provided for obtaining thickness values of cortical bone, cancellous bone and tissue in a human body part by applying an ultrasonic wave to a measured portion of the human body. Ultrasonic transmitters and receivers can be positioned in contact with the human body to provide a set thickness for the human body while processing the received signals transmitted through and reflected from the human body portions to determine a first wave higher in speed and a second wave lower in speed. Prior to making the measurements, a preliminary measurement procedure can be utilized to optimize the desired measurement site. An acoustic speed of the second wave in a cancellous bone can be assumed to be constant and transit times can be calculated and respective thickness values of the soft tissue of cortical bone and cancellous bone can be determined to indicate the bone strength.