Relative contributions of porosity and mineralized matrix properties to the bulk axial ultrasonic wave velocity in human cortical bone

Velocity of ultrasound waves has proved to be a useful indicator of bone biomechanical competence. A detailed understanding of the dependence of ultrasound parameters such as velocity on bone characteristics is a key to the development of bone quantitative ultrasound (QUS). The objective of this study is to investigate the relative contributions of porosity and mineralized matrix properties to the bulk compressional wave velocity (BCV) along the long bone axis. Cross-sectional slabs from the diaphysis of four human femurs were included in the study. Seven regions of interest (ROIs) were selected in each slab. BCV was measured in through-transmission at 5 MHz. Impedance of the mineralized matrix (Z_m) and porosity (Por) were obtained from 50 MHz scanning acoustic microscopy. Por and Z_m had comparable effects on BCV along the bone axis (R = −0.57 and R = 0.72, respectively).     

Nonlinear inversion of ultrasonic guided waves for in vivo evaluation of cortical bone properties

Ultrasonic guided waves (UGWs), which propagate throughout the entire thickness of cortical bone, are attractive for the early diagnosis of osteoporosis. However, this is challenging due to the impact of soft tissue and the inherent difficulties related to multiparametric inversion of cortical bone quality factors, such as cortical thickness and bulk wave velocity. Therefore, in this research, a UGW-based multi-parameter inversion algorithm is developed to predict strength-related factors. In simulation, a free plate (cortical bone) and a bilayer plate (soft tissue and cortical bone) are used to validate the proposed method. The inversed cortical thickness (CTh), longitudinal velocity (V_L) and transverse velocity (V_T) are in accordance with the true values. Then four bovine cortical bone plates were used in in vitro experiments. Compared with the reference values, the relative errors for cortical thickness were 3.96%, 0.83%, 2.87%, and 4.25%, respectively. In the in vivo measurements, UGWs are collected from the tibias of 10 volunteers. The theoretical dispersion curves depicted by the estimated parameters (V_T, V_L, CTh) match well with the extracted experimental ones. In comparison with dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry, our results show that the estimated transverse velocity and cortical thickness are highly sensitive to osteoporosis. Therefore, these two parameters (CTh and V_T) of long bones have potential to be used for diagnosis of bone status in clinical applications.     

Effect of wood properties on within-tree variation in ultrasonic wave velocity in softwood

The radial variations in the velocity of longitudinal waves propagating through Japanese cedar and Japanese cypress were experimentally investigated. In addition, the tracheid length (TL), microfibril angle (MFA), air-dried density (AD), and moisture content (MC) were measured in order to determine the effect of wood properties on velocity variations within the wood trunk. For both species, the longitudinal wave velocities measured in the longitudinal direction (V_L) exhibited minimum values near the pith. For Japanese cedar, V_L increased from 3600 m/s toward the bark and soon attained a constant value (=4500 m/s). On the other hand, for Japanese cypress, V_L kept increasing from 4000 m/s near the pith to 4800 m/s at the bark. These radial variations in V_L coincided with those in the tracheid length. V_L exhibited strong correlations with TL and MFA with a significant level of (p < 0.01). These findings suggest that the TL and MFA greatly affect the radial variation in the ultrasonic wave velocity in softwood.     

Distribution of longitudinal wave properties in bovine cortical bone in vitro

The detailed spatial distributions of longitudinal ultrasonic velocity in cortical bone specimens obtained from three bovine femoral diaphysis were experimentally investigated using a pulse-echo system. The relationship between velocity, density, bone mineral density (BMD) and microstructure was investigated. Velocity was found to vary as a function of the direction of propagation and the location of the measured specimens in the bone diaphysis. A significant correlation was found between density and velocity, and between density and BMD. In some parts with plexiform structure, clear variations in velocity anisotropy were found despite no significant difference in density, BMD and microstructure.     

An apparatus for high precision measurements of ultrasonic wave velocity

An automatic gated-carrier pulse superposition system for high precision ultrasonic velocity measurements is described, having better stability and lower cost than previous equipment. The necessary new integrated circuitry, and the method of operation, are described in detail. The principal application is to the measurement of small changes in the velocity of MHz ultrasonic waves, such as occur when materials are subjected to stress. Results are presented confirming a detection sensitivity of 1 part in 10.     

Effect of bone cortical thickness on velocity measurements using ultrasonic axial transmission: a 2D simulation study

In recent years, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) has played an increasing role in the assessment of bone status. The axial transmission technique allows to investigate skeletal sites such as the cortical layer of long bones (radius, tibia), inadequate to through-transmission techniques. Nevertheless, the type of propagation involved along bone specimens has not been clearly elucidated. Axial transmission is investigated here by means of two-dimensional simulations at 1 MHz. We focus our interest on the apparent speed of sound (SOS) of the first arriving signal (FAS). Its dependence on the thickness of the plate is discussed and compared to previous work. Different time criteria are used to derive the apparent SOS of the FAS as a function of source-receiver distance. Frequency-wave number analysis is performed in order to understand the type of propagation involved. For thick plates (thickness>lambdabone, longitudinal wavelength in bone), and for a limited range of source-receiver distances, the FAS corresponds to the lateral wave. Its velocity equals the longitudinal bulk velocity of the bone. For plate thickness less than lambdabone, some plate modes contribute to the FAS, and the apparent SOS decreases with the thickness in a way that depends on both the time criterion and on the source-receiver distance. The FAS corresponds neither to the lateral wave nor to a single plate mode. For very thin plates (thickness< lambdabone/4), the apparent SOS tends towards the velocity of the lowest order symmetrical vibration mode (S0 Lamb mode).     

An ultrasonic method for measuring the elastic properties of human tibial cortical and cancellous bone

Ultrasonic techniques have been used to measure the elastic properties of bone. Eight human tibiae were used to determine and map the elastic properties of cortical and cancellous bone. The present study shows cortical bone to be at least orthotropic in its material symmetry. The mechanical properties of cortical bone are more homogeneous along the length than around the circumference. The variations in the properties around the quadrant of cortical bone are small, less than 10%, while differences in the properties around the circumference of cancellous bone are more apparent, approximately 5 times those of cortical bone. The elastic properties of cancellous bone exhibited inhomogeneity and some consistency pattern along both the length and the circumference.     

Using ultrasonic wave reflection to measure solution properties

Ultrasonic wave reflection coefficients of aqueous solutions were measured using high-impact polystyrene as a buffer material to provide enhanced sensitivity over metal or ceramic buffer materials. The wave reflection values showed linear reduction when the concentration of chemical species in solution was increased, but a distinct relation between concentration and reflection coefficient was obtained for each solute species tested. However, more unified relationships were observed between reflection coefficient and other solution parameters – solution density, acoustic impedance, and P-wave velocity – that were consistent for all solution species. Based on this behavior an expression to compute solution density solely from reflection coefficient is derived, which can be applied to estimate solution density in solutions of unknown solute species and concentration when other measurements, such as wave velocity, are not possible.     

Novel approach for prediction of ultrasonic velocity in quaternary liquid mixtures

A modified Flory theory along with the Auerbach and Altenberg relations has been employed for the computation of ultrasonic velocity of three quaternary liquid mixtures and a comparative study of all the three relations has then been carried out.     

Relationships between the anisotropy of longitudinal wave velocity and hydroxyapatite crystallite orientation in bovine cortical bone

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is now widely used for evaluating bone in vivo, because obtained ultrasonic wave properties directly reflect the visco-elasticity. Bone tissue is composed of minerals like hydroxyapatite (HAp) and a collagen matrix. HAp crystallites orientation is thus one parameter of bone elasticity. In this study, we experimentally investigated the anisotropy of ultrasonic wave velocity and the HAp crystallites orientation in the axial-radial and axial-tangential planes in detail, using cylindrical specimens obtained from the cortical bone of three bovine femurs. Longitudinal bulk wave propagation was investigated by using a conventional ultrasonic pulse system. We used the one cycle of sinusoidal pulse which was emitted from wide band transmitter. The nominal frequency of the pulse was 1 MHz. First, we investigated the anisotropy of longitudinal wave velocity, measuring the anisotropy of velocity in two planes using cylindrical specimens obtained from identical bone areas. The wave velocity changed due to the rotation angle, showing the maximum value in the direction a little off the bone axis. Moreover, X-ray pole figure measurements also indicated that there were small tilts in the HAp crystallites orientation from the bone axis. The tilt angles were similar to those of the highest velocity direction. There were good correlations between velocity and HAp crystallites orientation obtained in different directions. However, a comparatively low correlation was found in posterior bone areas, which shows the stronger effects of bone microstructure. In the radial-tangential plane, where the HAp crystallites hardly ever align, weak anisotropy of velocity was found which seemed to depend on the bone microstructure.     

Ultrasonic wave propagation in cancellous and cortical bone: prediction of some experimental results by Biot's theory.

Pulse transmission ultrasound was used to determine the longitudinal wave speed along the direction of trabecular alignment in 32 water-saturated anisotropic tibial bovine cancellous bone samples and in one cortical bone sample also from the bovine tibia. These results are compared to published ultrasound wave-speed data obtained from bovine femoral specimens. Nonlinear regression was used to fit Biot's theory to the data. The correlation coefficient for regression analysis between the experimental ultrasound velocities and the velocities predicted by Biot's theory was r = 0.78.     

Correlations between ultrasonic guided wave velocities and bone properties in bovine tibia in vitro

Correlations between ultrasonic guided wave velocities and bone properties were investigated in bovine tibia in vitro. The velocities of the first arriving signal and the slow guided wave, termed V(FAS) and V(SGW), along the long axis of the tibia were measured at 200 kHz in 20 bovine tibiae using the axial transmission technique. V(FAS) yielded significant negative correlation coefficients of -0.54 to -0.66 with the bone properties. In contrast, V(SGW) yielded strong positive correlation coefficients of 0.68-0.84. The best univariate predictor of V(FAS) and V(SGW) was the cortical thickness yielding adjusted squared correlation coefficients of 0.41 and 0.69, respectively.     

A survey of low velocity and coaxial jet noise with application to prediction

A review of recent published data on low velocity jet noise is given together with previously unpublished results taken from the Rolls-Royce Noise Research Programme on model rigs and full-scale engines. Noise correlations are given which show that at low jet velocities, the low frequency exhaust noise which is commonly referred to as jet noise, emitted from the fan stream of a turbofan engine is considerably lower in level than that from the (hot) centre stream. From this result, a new prediction procedure for coaxial jet noise of turbofan engines is then developed. Comparisons are given which show that this method gives good correlation with measured results from a number of full-scale turbofan engines. The importance of accurate estimation of the “ground reflection effect” is clearly demonstrated. A critical review of published jet noise data from model coaxial jets is given and the need for further extensive testing emphasized.     

一种适用于超声多普勒血流速度测量的混沌调频连续波的研究

虽然脉冲多普勒系统测量血流速度时,能够确定距离,但可测速度范围受频率混淆限制,同时多普勒信号的信噪比差．连续波多普勒系统提供了较高的多普勒信号的信噪比,并没有可测速度限制,但无法提供距离信息．线性调频及正弦调频连续波测量系统,能够提供拥有距离信息的高信噪比多普勒信号,同时杂波功率低,但由于多普勒信号频谱具有周期性,存在一定的距离模糊．针对存在的问题,提出基于混沌调频连续波的超声多普勒血流速度测量方法,它不仅具有较高的信噪比,而且由于多普勒信号频谱无周期性,因此不存在距离模糊．经过原理分析及仿真实验,验证了混沌调频连续波的有效性．     

Piezoelectric textured ceramics: Effective properties and application to ultrasonic transducers

Piezoelectric textured ceramics obtained by homo-template grain growth (HTGG) were recently demonstrated. A simple model with several assumptions has been used to calculate effective parameters of these new materials. Different connectivities have been simulated to show that spatial arrangements between the considered phases have little influence on the effective parameters, even through the 3-0 connectivity delivers the highest electromechanical thickness factor. A transducer based on a textured ceramic sample has been fabricated and characterised to show the efficiency of these piezoelectric materials. Finally, in a single element transducer configuration, simulation shows an improvement of 2 dB sensitivity for a transducer made with textured ceramic in comparison with a similar transducer design based on standard soft PZT (at equivalent bandwidths).     

Performance evaluation of traveling wave ultrasonic motor based on a model with visco-elastic friction layer on stator

A new visco-elastic contact model of traveling wave ultrasonic motor (TWUSM) is proposed. In this model, the rotor is assumed to be rigid body and the friction material on stator teeth surface to be visco-elastic body. Both load characteristics of TWUSM, such as rotation speed, torque and efficiency, and effects of interface parameters between stator and rotor on output characteristic of TWUSM can be calculated and simulated numerically by using MATLAB method based on this model. This model is compared with that one of compliant slider and rigid stator. The results show that this model can obtain bigger stall torque. The simulated results are compared with test results, and found that their load characteristics have good agreement.     

A numerical model for ultrasonic measurements of swelling and mechanical properties of a swollen PVA hydrogel

This paper presents a numerical model for the evaluation of mechanical properties of a relatively thin hydrogel. The model utilizes a system identification method to evaluate the acoustical parameters from ultrasonic measurement data. The model involves the calculation of the forward model based on an ultrasonic wave propagation incorporating diffraction effect. Ultrasonic measurements of a hydrogel are also performed in a reflection mode. A Nonlinear Least Square (NLS) algorithm is employed to minimize difference between the results from the model and the experimental data. The acoustical parameters associated with the model are effectively modified to achieve the minimum error. As a result, the parameters of PVA hydrogels namely thickness, density, an ultrasonic attenuation coefficient and dispersion velocity are effectively determined. In order to validate the model, the conventional density measurements of hydrogels were also performed.     

空间频率域超声背散射参量用于骨质状况的评价*

在超声背散射骨质评价中,不同测量感兴趣区域(ROI)的超声背散射信号会有波动,致使诊断准确度降低。该文目的是研究超声背散射信号随测量区域的变化规律。采用空间扫描方法离体测量了35块骨样本,将超声背散射参数从空间域变换到空间频率域。结果表明,超声背散射参数的主要空间频率成分集中于低频部分;空间频率域超声背散射参量最大值(MASF)与骨矿密度等参数具有中高度显著相关性(R2=0.45~0.83,p0.001);空间频率域超声背散射参量衰减系数(AC)也与松质骨密度及结构特征有显著相关性(R2=0.41~0.72,p0.001)。研究表明空间频率域变换方法有助于明确超声背散射信号随测量ROI的变化规律,空间频率域的超声背散射相关新参量评价松质骨状况具有可行性。     

超声轴向传播技术评价长骨的研究

用超声轴向传播技术评价长骨状况已成为近年来的一个研究热点。本文首先介绍了第一到达波(FAS)法、超声Lamb波及柱面导波法在评价长骨皮质骨状况方面的研究进展,最后分析和讨论了当前研究中存在的问题及应该研究的方向。     

Simulation of laser-generated ultrasonic wave propagation in solid media and air with application to NDE

Ultrasonic methods are well known as powerful and reliable tool for defect detection. In the previous decades focus and interest have been directed to non-contact sensors and methods, showing many advantages over contact techniques where inspection depends on contact conditions (pressure, coupling medium, contact area). The non-contact hybrid ultrasonic method described here is of interest for many applications, requiring periodic inspection in service or after manufacturing. Despite the potential impact of laser-generated ultrasound in many areas of industry, robust tools for studying the phenomenon are lacking and thus limit the design and optimization of non-destructive testing and evaluation techniques. Here a specific numerical method is presented to efficiently and accurately solve ultrasound wave propagation problems with frequencies in the MHz range traveling in relatively large bodies and through air. This work improves a previous numerical model where propagation of the acoustic waves through air had not been considered, allowing us to simulate the presence of a non-contact transducer in reception in order to simulate numerically the complete experimental setup. It is very important to limit the amount of air to be considered in the FE analyses; otherwise the computational cost would often exceed the resources available. A way to solve the problem is to implement non-reflecting boundary conditions. A non-reflecting boundary condition allows all outgoing waves to exit the domain at the boundary where they have been imposed without reflection; thus, it is possible to model only the portion of air between the non-contact transducer and the solid under testing. Several numerical and experimental analyses were conducted on a 136 lb AREMA rail; here we study in detail two fully non-contact testing configurations for the rail head and web. The information that can be acquired is very valuable for choosing the right setup and configuration when performing non-contact hybrid ultrasonic inspection.