The Measurement of Broadband Ultrasonic Attenuation in Cancellous Bone

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Abstract
We have carried out measurements of the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the range 0.2–1 MHz in in vitro samples of bovine cancellous bone and in vivo os calcis heel bones. A comparison of the results allows us to infer that the in vivo measurements are dependent on the bone mineral content of the os calcis. The bone mineral content has been determined in this way for three female populations and indicates that the technique allows determination of bone loss and the study of the onset and progress of osteoporosis. The technique has the great advantage of health safety over radiographic and neutron activation analysis. It may also prove to be more sensitive to small changes in bone mineral content.