超声导波评价长骨骨折的仿体实验研究

定量超声评价长骨骨折已成为近年来的研究热点之一,超声导波模式转换理论可被应用于长骨骨折状况的评价。采用三维时域有限差分法分析骨折长骨中导波模式转换的基本规律,提取模式转换定量评价参数;进而结合亚克力管仿体实验,分析不同裂纹程度下导波模式的转换情况。仿真与仿体实验表明,导波模式能量参数与裂纹程度具有很好的相关性,可用于评价长骨骨折状况。     

基于时频分布的盲信号分离方法研究长骨中的多模式导波信号

由于超声导波对长骨皮质骨的材料特性及厚度变化非常敏感,因此用导波评价长骨状况的研究已成为近年来的一个研究热点.在接收到的导波中,往往多种模式混叠在一起,使得进一步求取每种导波模式的群速度等与骨质状况密切相关的参数时遇到困难.本文采用基于时频分布的盲信号分离(TFBSS)方法对长骨中混叠的多模式进行分离,然后对分离后的单...     

基于弹性模量检测骨疲劳的超声导波方法研究

研究早期诊断骨疲劳的方法是当前骨质评价方面的研究热点之一. 本文对不同弹性模量下长骨中超声导波的传播特性进行了理论分析和仿真研究.首先, 通过数值计算得到导波在管状长骨中的理论解析解.然后对管状长骨进行了时域有限差分(FDTD) 仿真, 并验证了它与理论解析解的一致性, 同时得到长骨中不同模式导波群速度、 中心频率和衰减与弹性模量的关系.研究结果表明各个导波模式的群速度和中心频率均随弹性模量的增加而增加, 而衰减随弹性模量的增加而减小.说明超声导波的传播特性参量可以反映长骨弹性模量的变化, 从而为长骨的早期疲劳诊断提供理论依据.     

骨折长骨中超声导波传播特性的仿真研究

采用超声导波评价长骨骨折已成为近两年来的一个研究热点.本文采用混合边界元方法(HBEM)对超声导波在骨裂长骨中的传播情况以及各导波模式的反射系数和透射系数进行了数值分析.研究结果表明,入射导波模式经由裂纹处模式转换后依然保持为主要接收模式不变.对某一裂纹,各模式透射系数常在相近的频率点上达到局部峰值.对于不同深宽比(d/w)裂纹,某些模式透射系数曲线局部峰值所对应的频率存在着相互错开的现象,这些结果可用于选择最优入射导波模式和频率,以便更好地定量评价骨质以及骨裂状况.     

长骨中振动声激发超声导波的方法

为了实现一定频段内任意低频下在长骨中激励导波信号,本文提出一种采用聚焦高频(5 MHz)超声换能器在长骨皮质骨中激发低频(150 kHz)超声导波的振动声方法.首先介绍了板状超声导波理论和双声束共聚焦法与单声束调幅法激发振动声的基本原理;进而采用三维有限元仿真方法分析振动声激发低频超声导波的基本现象,然后结合牛胫骨板离体实验,验证振动声激发低频超声导波的可行性.结果均表明,双声束共焦与单声束振动超声均可在骨板中激发低频超声导波.相关研究方法有助于提高空间域长骨中超声导波测量精度,以及在一定频段内实现任意频率激励等,对发展低频超声导波在体测量长骨皮质骨的新技术具有一定的指导意义.     

超声背散射法评价松质骨状况的研究

超声背散射法评价松质骨状况及诊断骨质疏松症是近年来医学超声领域内的研究热点之一,现已取得了显著的进展。本文将介绍近年来超声背散射法及其参量评价松质骨状况的研究进展,并分析超声背散射相关参量频谱质心偏移量（SCS）和平均骨小梁间距（TbSp）与骨矿密度（BMD）的相关性。研究结果表明,超声背散射参量与BMD有较高的相关性。最后提出了将来研究中需要努力的方向。     

长骨裂纹宽度和角度对低阶超声导波的影响

超声导波检测长骨骨折和监测骨折愈合已成为一种极具前景的课题,但高频厚积下导波多模式混叠带来的模式识别和分离问题一直是一个难点。为避免上述问题,在低频下仅激励两个低阶兰姆波SO和AO模式,采用二维时域有限差分(2DFDTD)法定量分析裂纹宽度和骨折角度对SO和AO幅度的影响。结果表明,SO与AO模式的幅度均随裂纹宽度的增加而下降;AO的幅度随骨折角度增大而上升,SO幅度随骨折角度增大先下降后上升,转折点约为45°。SO与AO的幅度比值在不同骨折角度下均能较好地表征裂纹宽度的变化,可为横断型和斜切型长骨骨折状况的超声评价及骨折愈合监测提供依据。     

长骨裂纹宽度和角度对低阶超声导波的影响

超声导波检测长骨骨折和监测骨折愈合已成为一种极具前景的课题,但高频厚积下导波多模式混叠带来的模式识别和分离问题一直是一个难点。为避免上述问题,在低频下仅激励两个低阶兰姆波SO和AO模式,采用二维时域有限差分(2DFDTD)法定量分析裂纹宽度和骨折角度对SO和AO幅度的影响。结果表明,SO与AO模式的幅度均随裂纹宽度的增加而下降;AO的幅度随骨折角度增大而上升,SO幅度随骨折角度增大先下降后上升,转折点约为45°。SO与AO的幅度比值在不同骨折角度下均能较好地表征裂纹宽度的变化,可为横断型和斜切型长骨骨折状况的超声评价及骨折愈合监测提供依据。      

超声表观积分背散射系数评价新生儿骨状况的可行性研究

新生儿骨发育状况的超声评价有重要意义。本文研究用超声背散射信号来评价新生儿骨发育状况的可行性。提出将超声表观积分背散射系数(AIB)用于评价新生儿松质骨状况,研究了不同超声频率下AIB与婴儿体重、出生天数之间的关系。研究结果表明,足月儿的AIB明显大于早产儿的AIB;足月儿的体重和AIB相关性较弱;早产儿的AIB参数和出生天数具有较高的正相关性(R=0.633)。说明超声背散射信号及其参数AIB可用于评价新生儿松质骨发育状况。      

Barker码激励超声导波在长骨检测中的应用

单脉冲激励的超声导波在长骨中传播时,信号的衰减大,导致接收信号的幅度很小,且噪声严重。Barker码激励能有效增大接收信号幅度,提高信噪比(SNR)。将其应用到超声导波长骨检测中,进行仿真和长骨实验,得到的信号分别用加权匹配滤波器和有限冲激响应-最小均方误差(FIR-LS)逆滤波器进行压缩,并与单脉冲激励的结果进行了对比。结果表明,对于13位的Barker码,采用加权匹配滤波器进行解码时,压缩信号幅度是单脉冲激励接收信号的13倍;而FIR-LS逆滤波器则达到-63.59 dB的峰值旁瓣水平(PSL),更好地抑制噪声。说明可以将Barker码激励超声导波应用于长骨的检测中。      

Multi-frequency axial transmission bone ultrasonometer

The last decade has seen a surge in the development of axial transmission QUS (Quantitative UltraSound) technologies for the assessment of long bones using various modes of acoustic waves. The condition of cortical bones and the development of osteoporosis are determined by numerous mechanical, micro-structural, and geometrical or macro-structural bone properties like hardness, porosity and cortical thickness. Such complex manifestations of osteoporosis require the evaluation of multiple parameters with different sensitivities to the various properties of bone that are affected by the disease. This objective may be achieved by using a multi-frequency ultrasonic examination The ratio of the acoustic wavelength to the cortical thickness can be changed by varying the frequency of the ultrasonic pulse propagating through the long bone that results in the change in composition of the induced wave comprised of a set of numerous modes of guided, longitudinal, and surface acoustic waves. The multi-frequency axial transmission QUS method developed at Artann Laboratories (Trenton, NJ) is implemented in the Bone Ultrasonic Scanner (BUSS). In the current version of the BUSS, a train of ultrasonic pulses with 60, 100, 400, 800, and 1200 kHz frequencies is used. The developed technology was tested on a variety of bone phantoms simulating normal, osteopenic, and osteoporotic bones. The results of this study confirm the feasibility of the multi-frequency approach for the assessment of the processes leading to osteoporosis.     

Feasibility of bone assessment with leaky Lamb waves in bone phantoms and a bovine tibia

In this study, the effect of cortical thickness variation on the propagation of leaky Lamb waves is investigated by using an axial transmission technique commonly used to characterize long bones. Three Lucite plates with thicknesses of 1, 3, and 5 mm as bone phantoms and one bovine tibia with a cortical thickness of 2 mm were used at various low frequencies. Experimental measurements in bone phantoms show that the peak frequency and amplitude of excited Lamb modes strongly depend on the thickness of the Lucite plate. In the bovine tibia, the S0 and A0 Lamb modes are consistently observed in the frequency-thickness region from 0.2 to 1.0 MHz mm, and can be effectively launched at a frequency of 200 kHz, suggesting 200 kHz to be the optimal signal frequency for in vivo clinical applications. It can be also seen that both modes are affected by the frequency-thickness product, but the effect is greater for the A0 mode. Hence, the A0 Lamb mode seems more sensitive to cortical thickness change due to aging and osteoporosis. This study suggests that the use of leaky Lamb waves is feasible for ultrasonic bone assessment.     

The dual-frequency method for ultrasonic assessment of skeletal system

The article is a review of the new dual-frequency method in axial bone quantitative ultrasonometry for assessment of changes in cortical bones in osteoporosis. The method is based on the use of two frequencies for the generation of flexural and longitudinal ultrasonic waves, which opens possibilities for differential diagnostics of changes in various components of the state of the skeletal system, such as cortical layer thickness, porosity, and elastic properties of tissue. The axial scanning and composition of two-dimensional acoustic profiles of bones are carried out with the purpose of using topographic variations in the acoustic properties for diagnostics of the state of a bone. Results of laboratory and clinical tests of Bone UltraSonic Scanner (BUSS) developed in Artann Laboratories on the basis of the stated principles are presented. The sensitivity of measured characteristics to progression of osteoporosis and the detectability of early changes in bones related to this disease are shown.

     

Propagation of time-reversed Lamb waves in acrylic cylindrical tubes as cortical-bone-mimicking phantoms

The present study aims to investigate the propagation of time-reversed Lamb waves in acrylic cylindrical tubes as cortical-bone-mimicking phantoms. Time-reversed Lamb waves could be successfully launched in 6 acrylic tubes with wall thicknesses from 2 to 12 mm by using a modified time reversal method. The group velocities of the time-reversed Lamb waves in the acrylic tubes were measured by using the axial transmission technique. They decreased very slightly with increasing wall thickness, showing good agreement with the theoretical group velocity of the A0 Lamb wave in the acrylic plate. These results suggest that the time-reversed Lamb waves in the acrylic tubes would essentially behave as the A0 Lamb wave, consistent with the behavior of the slow guided wave in long cortical bones. It is expected that the application of the time-reversed Lamb waves in long bones would enhance clinical potential of ultrasonic technologies for the diagnosis of osteoporosis.     

时频方法分析长骨中的超声导波及皮质骨厚度

超声导波在长骨中传播时,接收信号中含有相互叠加的多个导波模式。本文提出将希尔伯特-黄变换(HHT)用于分析叠加的多模式导波信号,将其分解成许多单个独立的模式,然后对分解出的模式求得其对应频率下的群速度,并与短时傅里叶变换所得的结果进行比较。通过与理论计算结果比较,可得到长骨皮质骨的厚度。研究结果表明,实验得到的厚度与实际厚度一致。说明通过测量导波模式的速度可以评价皮质骨的厚度,也说明HHT方法是一种识别叠加多模式导波信号的有效方法。      

Use of multiple acoustic wave modes for assessment of long bones: model study

Multiple acoustic wave mode method has been proposed as a new modality in axial bone QUS. The new method is based on measurement of ultrasound velocity at different ratio of wavelength to the bone thickness, and taking into account both bulk and guided waves. It allows assessment of changes in both the material properties related to porosity and mineralization as well as the cortical thickness influenced by resorption from inner layers, which are equally important in diagnostics of osteoporosis and other bone osteopenia. Developed method was validated in model studies using a dual-frequency (100 and 500 kHz) ultrasound device. Three types of bone phantoms for long bones were developed and tested: (1) tubular specimens from polymer materials to model combined changes of material stiffness and cortical wall thickness; (2) layered specimens to model porosity in compact bone progressing from endosteum towards periosteum; (3) animal bone specimens with both cortical and trabecular components. Observed changes of the ultrasound velocity of guided waves at 100 kHz followed gradual changes in the thickness of the intact cortical layer. On the other hand, the bulk velocity at 500 kHz remained nearly constant at the different cortical layer thickness but was affected by the material stiffness. Similar trends were observed in phantoms and in fragments of animal bones.     

Numerical simulation of ultrasonic wave propagation for the evaluation of dental implant biomechanical stability

Osseointegration of dental implants remains poorly understood. The objective of this numerical study is to understand the propagation phenomena of ultrasonic waves in prototypes cylindrically shaped implants and to investigate the sensitivity of their ultrasonic response to the surrounding bone biomechanical properties. The 10 MHz ultrasonic response of the implant was calculated using a finite difference numerical simulation tool and was compared to rf signals taken from a recent experimental study by Mathieu et al. [Ultrasound Med. Biol. 37, 262-270 (2011a)]. Reflection and mode conversion phenomena were analyzed to understand the origin of the different echoes and the importance of lateral wave propagation was evidenced. The sensitivity of the ultrasonic response of the implant to changes of (i) amount of bone in contact with the implant, (ii) cortical bone thickness, and (iii) surrounding bone material properties, was compared to the reproducibility of the measurements. The results show that, either a change of 1 mm of bone in contact with the implant, or 1.1 mm of cortical thickness or 12% of trabecular bone mass density should be detectable. This study paves the way for the investigation of the use of quantitative ultrasound techniques for the evaluation of bone-implant interface properties and implant stability.     

Diagnosis of osteoporosis based on multi-scale wavelet parameters of ultrasonic guided waves

Evaluating bone regularly is important to prevent and control the disease of osteoporosis. Impact of osteoporosis on ultrasonic guided waves propagating in human long bones is studied in this paper. Multi-scale wavelet transform is proposed to process the received guided waves, and by analyzing energy changes in detail components of high order wavelet at different propagating distance to assess if osteoporosis happened. The guided waves signals are collected from the tibias of 13 volunteers. Based on the analysis of multi-scale wavelet transform, the high order detail components d6 and d5 changed dramatically with the propagation of ultrasonic guided waves along long bones, which means these 7 volunteers are diagnosed with osteoporosis. Compared with X-ray diagnosis, the effectiveness of this method can reach 92.3% in 13 volunteers. This suggests the multi-scale wavelet transform method is potential in ultrasonic assessment of bone quality.