Influence of density, elasticity, and structure on ultrasound transmission through trabecular bone cylinders

The aim of this in vitro study is to evaluate the potentiality of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) to separate information on density, elasticity, and structure on specimens of trabecular bone. Fifteen cylinders of spongy bone extracted from equine vertebrae were progressively demineralized and subjected to QUS, micro computed tomography (muCT), Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) at various mineralization levels. Eventually all cylinders underwent a compression test to calculate the Young's modulus. Correlation analysis shows that speed of sound (SOS) is strictly associated to bone mineral density (BMD), Young's modulus, and all muCT parameters except for degree of anisotropy (DA). Fast wave amplitude (FWA) is directly correlated with bone surface and total volume ratio (BS/TV) and trabecular separation (Tb Sp), and inversely correlated with trabecular number (Tb N). Because muCT parameters were strictly correlated to BMD and Young's modulus data, partial correlation analysis was performed between SOS, FWA, and structural and elastic data in order to eliminate the effect of density. SOS was significantly correlated to bone volume and total volume ratio (BV/TV), BS/TV, and Young's modulus, and FWA was significantly correlated to Tb Sp only. These results show that SOS is strongly influenced by volumetric mineral bone density and elastic modulus of the specimen, and FWA is mainly affected by trabecular separation independently on density. Therefore, SOS and FWA are able to provide different and complementary information, at least on trabecular bone samples.     

The effect of phase cancellation on estimates of calcaneal broadband ultrasound attenuation in vivo

Broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) is a clinically-accepted measurement for prediction of osteoporotic fracture risk. Typical clinical BUA measurements are performed with phase-sensitive receivers and, therefore, can be affected by phase cancellation. In order to separate the effects of conventional attenuation (absorption plus scattering) from phase cancellation, BUA was measured on phantoms with acrylic wedge phase aberrators and on 73 women using both phase sensitive (PS) and phase insensitive (PI) reception. A clinical bone sonometer with a two-dimensional (2-D) receiver array was used. PI BUA measurements on phantoms with acrylic wedge phase aberrators were found to be far more resistant to phase cancellation than PS BUA measurements. In data from 73 women, means and standard deviations for BUA measurements were 81.4 +/- 21.4 dB/MHz (PS) and 67.2 +/- 9.7 dB/MHz (PI). The magnitude of the discrepancy between PS BUA and PI BUA tended to increase with bone mineral density (BMD).     

A device for in vivo measurements of quantitative ultrasound variables at the human proximal femur

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) at the calcaneus has similar power as a bone mineral density (BMD)- measurement using DXA for the prediction of osteoporotic fracture risk. Ultrasound equipment is less expensive than DXA and free of ionizing radiation. As a mechanical wave, QUS has the potential of measuring different bone properties than dual X-ray absorptiometry (DXA,) which depends on X-ray attenuation and might be developed into a tool of comprehensive assessment of bone strength. However, site- specific DXA at the proximal femur shows best performance in the prediction of hip fractures. To combine the potential of QUS with measurements directly at the femur, we developed a device for in vivo QUS measurements at this site. Methods comprise ultrasound transmission through the bone, reflection from the bone surface, and backscat- ter from the inner trabecular structure. The complete area of the proximal femur can be scanned except at the femoral head, which interferes with the ilium. To avoid edge artifacts, a subregion of the proximal femur in the trochanteric region was selected as measurement region. First, in vivo measurements demonstrate a good signal to noise ratio and proper depiction of the proximal femur on an attenuation image. Our results demonstrate the feasibility of in vivo measurements. Further improvements can be expected by refinement of the scanning technique and data evaluation method to enhance the potential of the new method for the estimation of bone strength.     

A method for improved standardization of in vivo calcaneal time-domain speed-of-sound measurements

Although calcaneal speed of sound (SOS) is an effective predictor of osteoporotic fracture risk, clinical SOS measurements exhibit a high degree of inter-system variability. Calcaneal SOS is usually computed from time-of-flight measurements of broadband ultrasound pulses that propagate through the foot. In order to minimize the effects of multi-path interference, many investigators measure time-of-flight from markers near the leading edge of the pulse. The calcaneus is a highly attenuating, highly inhomogeneous bone that distorts propagating ultrasound pulses via frequency-dependent attenuation, reverberation, dispersion, multiple scattering, and refraction. This pulse distortion can produce errors in leading-edge transit-time marker-based SOS measurements. In this paper, an equation to predict dependence of time-domain SOS measurements on system parameters (center frequency and bandwidth), transit-time marker location, and bone properties (attenuation coefficient and thickness) is validated with through-transmission measurements in a bone-mimicking phantom and in 73 women in vivo, using a clinical bone sonometer. In order to test the utility of the formula for suppressing system dependence of SOS measurements, a wideband laboratory data acquisition system was used to make a second set of through-transmission measurements on the phantom. The compensation formula reduced system-dependent leading-edge transit-time marker-based SOS measurements in the phantom from 41 m/s to 5 m/s and reduced average transit-time marker-related SOS variability in 73 women from 40 m/s to 10 m/s. The compensation formula can be used to improve standardization in bone sonometry.     

The correlation between the SOS in trabecular bone and stiffness and density studied by finite-element analysis

For the clinical assessment of osteoporosis (i.e., a degenerative bone disease associated with increased fracture risk), ultrasound has been proposed as an alternative or supplement to the dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) technique. However, the interaction of ultrasound waves with (trabecular) bone remains relatively poorly understood. The present study aimed to improve this understanding by simulating ultrasound wave propagation in 15 trabecular bone samples from the human lumbar spine, using microcomputed tomography-based finite-element modeling. The model included only the solid bone, without the bone marrow. Two structural parameters were calculated: the bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and the structural (apparent) elastic modulus (E_s), and the ultrasound propagation parameter speed of sound (SOS). Relations between BV/TV and E_s were similar to published experimental relations. At 1 MHz, correlations between SOS and the structural parameters BV/TV and E_s were rather weak, but the results can be explained from the specific features of the trabecular structure and the intrinsic material elastic modulus E_i. In particular, the systematic differences between the three main directions provide information on the trabecular structure. In addition, at 1 MHz the correlation found between the simulated SOS values and those calculated from the simple bar equation was poor when the three directions are considered separately. Hence, under these conditions, the homogenization approach - including the bar equation - is not valid. However, at lower frequencies (50-300 kHz) this correlation significantly improved. It is concluded that detailed analysis of ultrasound wave propagation through the solid structure in various directions and with various frequencies, can yield much information on the structural and mechanical properties of trabecular bone.     

A new quality of bone ultrasound research

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) methods have strong power to predict osteoporotic fractures, but they are also very relevant for the assessment of bone quality. A representative sample of recent studies addressing these topics can be found in this special issue. Further pursuit of these methods will establish micro-QUS imaging methods as tools for measuring specific aspects of bone quality. Once this is achieved, we will be able to link such data to the clinical QUS methods used in vivo to determine which aspects of bone quality cause QUS to be a predictor of fracture risk that is independent of bone mineral density (BMD). Potentially this could lead to the development of a new generation of QUS devices for improved and expanded clinical assessment. Good quality of basic science work will thus lead to good quality of clinical patient examinations on the basis of a more detailed assessment of bone quality.     

Cardiac activation mapping using ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI)

We describe the first mapping of biological current in a live heart using ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI). Ablation procedures that treat severe heart arrhythmias require detailed maps of the cardiac activation wave. The conventional procedure is time-consuming and limited by its poor spatial resolution (5-10 mm). UCSDI can potentially improve on existing mapping procedures. It is based on a pressure-induced change in resistivity known as the acousto-electric (AE) effect, which is spatially confined to the ultrasound focus. Data from 2 experiments are presented. A 540 kHz ultrasonic transducer (f/# = 1, focal length = 90 mm, pulse repetition frequency = 1600 Hz) was scanned over an isolated rabbit heart perfused with an excitation-contraction decoupler to reduce motion significantly while retaining electric function. Tungsten electrodes inserted in the left ventricle recorded simultaneously the AE signal and the low-frequency electrocardiogram (ECG). UCSDI displayed spatial and temporal patterns consistent with the spreading activation wave. The propagation velocity estimated from UCSDI was 0.25 plusmn 0.05 mm/ms, comparable to the values obtained with the ECG signals. The maximum AE signal-to-noise ratio after filtering was 18 dB, with an equivalent detection threshold of 0.1 mA/ cm². This study demonstrates that UCSDI is a potentially powerful technique for mapping current flow and biopotentialsin the heart.     

Analysis of the most energetic late arrival in axially transmitted signals in cortical bone

Axial transmission techniques are particularly suitable for the ultrasonic assessment of cortical bone. The generic term "axial transmission technique" indicates a measurement configuration in which emitters and receivers are placed on the same side of the skeletal site, along the bone axis. Whereas axially transmitted signals are composed of several contributions, only the first arriving signal was shown to be a robust indicator of bone status, because its velocity discriminates osteoporotic from healthy patients in clinical studies. Later arrivals may provide additional bone indicators enhancing diagnostic value, but the precise determination of their velocities is challenging. In this paper, we focus on the most energetic contribution and we applied a singular-valuedecomposition- based extraction method not yet employed in the domain of bone assessment with the aim of determining the velocity of this contribution. Signals acquired in vitro on human radii, together with academic models, were used to reveal the relationship between the velocity of the most energetic component and bone properties. The velocity of the most energetic component is highly correlated to cortical layer thickness in the in vitro database (R² = 0.6, P < 10^-5; compared with R² = 0.20, P < 10^-2 for the first arriving signal), consistent with a flexural type of wave on regular tubes or plates. Conclusions are in agreement with published papers based on other axial transmission and signal processing approaches.     

The effect of phase cancellation on estimates of broadband ultrasound attenuation and backscatter coefficient in human calcaneus in vitro

Broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) is a clinically proven indicator of osteoporotic fracture risk. BUA measurements are typically performed in through- transmission with single-element phase sensitive (PS) receivers and therefore can be compromised by phase cancellation artifact. Phase-insensitive (PI) receivers suppress phase cancellation artifact. To study the effect of phase cancellation on BUA measurements, through-transmission measurements were performed on 16 human calcaneus samples in vitro using a two-dimensional receiver array that enabled PS and PI BUA estimation. The means plus or minus standard deviations for BUA measurements were 22.1 plusmn 15.8 dB/MHz (PS) and 17.6 plusmn 7.2 dB/MHz (PI), suggesting that, on the average, approximately 20% of PS BUA values in vitro can be attributed to phase cancellation artifact. Therefore, although cortical plates are often regarded as the primary source of phase cancellation artifact, the heterogeneity of cancellous bone in the calcaneal interior may also be a significant source. Backscatter coefficient estimates in human calcaneus that are based on PS attenuation compensation overestimate 1) average magnitude of backscatter coefficient at 500 kHz by a factor of about 1.6 plusmn 0.3 and 2) average exponent (n) of frequency dependence by about 0.34 plusmn 0.12 (where backscatter coefficient is fit to a power law form proportional to frequency to the nth power).     

The clinical use of quantitative ultrasound (QUS) in the detection and management of osteoporosis

For the detection and management of osteoporosis and osteoporosis-related fractures, quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is emerging as a relatively low-cost and readily accessible alternative to dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) measurement of bone mineral density (BMD) in certain circumstances. The following is a brief, but thorough review of the existing literature with respect to the use of QUS in 6 settings: 1) assessing fragility fracture risk; 2) diagnosing osteoporosis; 3) initiating osteoporosis treatment; 4) monitoring osteoporosis treatment; 5) osteoporosis case finding; and 6) quality assurance and control. Many QUS devices exist that are quite different with respect to the parameters they measure and the strength of empirical evidence supporting their use. In general, heel QUS appears to be most tested and most effective. Overall, some, but not all, heel QUS devices are effective assessing fracture risk in some, but not all, populations, the evidence being strongest for Caucasian females over 55 years old. Otherwise, the evidence is fair with respect to certain devices allowing for the accurate diagnosis of likelihood of osteoporosis, and generally fair to poor in terms of QUS use when initiating or monitoring osteoporosis treatment. A reasonable protocol is proposed herein for case-finding purposes, which relies on a combined assessment of clinical risk factors (CR.F) and heel QUS. Finally, several recommendations are made for quality assurance and control.     

Exploration of trabecular bone nonlinear elasticity using time-of-flight modulation

Bone tissue contains microcracks that may affect its mechanical properties as well as the whole trabecular structure. The relationship between crack density and bone strength is nevertheless poorly understood. Linear ultrasound techniques being almost insensitive to the level of damage, we propose a method to measure acoustic non- linearity in trabecular bone using time-of-flight modulation (TOFM) measurements. Ultrasonic short bursts times-of- flight (TOF) are modulated as a result of nonlinear interaction with a low-frequency (LF) wave in the medium. TOF variations are directly related to elastic modulus variations. Classical and nonclassical nonlinear parameters beta, delta, and alpha can be derived from these measurements. The method was validated in materials with classical, quadratic, nonlinear elasticity. In dense trabecular bone region, TOFM related to classical, quadratic, nonlinear elasticity as a function of the LF pressure exhibits tension-compression asymmetry. The TOFM amplitude measured in dense areas of trabecular bone is almost one order of magnitude higher than in a low-density area, but the linear parameters show much smaller variations: 5% for ultrasound propagation velocity and 100% for broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA). In high-density trabecular bone regions, beta depends on the LF pressure amplitude and can reach 400 at 50 kPa.     

Catastrophe model for the exposure to blood-borne pathogens and other accidents in health care settings

Catastrophe models, which describe and predict discontinuous changes in system state variables, were used to model the exposure to blood and bodily fluids and more conventional occupational accidents among 1708 health care workers. Workers at three hospitals completed a survey measuring HIV-relevant exposures (needlesticks, cuts, splashes, contact with open wounds), the accident rate for broadly-defined injuries, and several occupationally relevant themes: safety climate, shift work, depression symptoms, work pace, verbal abuse, and professional group membership. A cusp (cubic polynomial) model predicting HIV-relevant exposures specifically was more accurate (R²=0.56) than a comparable linear model containing the same variables (R²=0.07). Some of the foregoing variables predisposed workers to greater differences in HIV-relevant and general accident exposures: shiftwork, climate, depressive symptoms, and work pace. Other variables governed how close an individual was to a critical threshold where a harmful incident would take place: verbal abuse, professional group membership. Similarly, a cusp model for accident incidents predicted from HIV-relevant exposures and occupational variables was also more accurate (R²=0.75) than comparison models. Two variables predisposed the worker to a greater accident risk: depression symptoms and shift work. Four other variables predisposed the worker to lesser accident risk: job satisfaction, safety climate, environmental stressors, and work pace. Compliance with the universal precautions and HIV-related training were not relevant to either of the models.     

Sm掺杂增强PZT基弛豫型铁电陶瓷压电性能研究

锆钛酸铅(PZT)基压电陶瓷是一类应用非常广泛的功能材料, 可应用于水声换能器、压电马达、医疗超声换能器以及声表面波滤波器等。通过改性提高PZT基压电陶瓷的压电性能一直是该领域的研究热点。本工作采用传统固相反应法制备了准同型相界(Morphotropic Phase Boundary, MPB)组分的Sm-0.25PMN-0.75PZT压电陶瓷, 并对其微观结构以及宏观性能进行了系统研究。研究结果表明：引入Sm³⁺可以增强压电陶瓷的局域结构异质性, 提升介电响应从而提高压电性能。当Sm³⁺引入过多时, 铁电极化的长程连续性被大面积打断, 压电性能下降。本实验中得到的最优组分压电陶瓷性能为：高压电系数d₃₃~824 pC/N, 高压电电压常数g₃₃~27.1×10^-3 m²/C和相对较高居里温度T_C~178 ℃, 电致应变在室温至150 ℃范围内低于5%, 有较好的温度稳定性, 是极具应用前景的高性能压电材料。     

柱面SH波作用下管道的动应力集中研究

在地下工程爆破开挖过程中,爆破地震波对管道安全的影响是十分重要的。为了更好的研究柱面SH波作用下管道的动应力集中情况,以爆破地震波中的柱面SH波作为研究对象,推导了柱面SH波作用下管道内壁上动应力集中系数(DSCF)的解析解。通过宝通禅寺地下通道爆破开挖工程,讨论了归一化爆心距r^*和入射波频率f对DSCF的影响。结果表明,由于管道与周围土层剪切模量差异较大,管道上的动应力集中系数普遍较大;从DSCF分布的角度来讲,当r*和入射波频率f对DSCF的影响。结果表明,由于管道与周围土层剪切模量差异较大,管道上的动应力集中系数普遍较大;从DSCF分布的角度来讲,当r^*<5时,柱面波与平面波的差异较大,但当r*<5时,柱面波与平面波的差异较大,但当r^*>5时,柱面SH波基本可以认为与平面SH波等价;低频入射波对管道的安全更为显著,特别是入射波频率与管道自振频率接近时,管道受到的影响最为严重。     

Low acoustic attenuation silicone rubber lens for medical ultrasonic array probe

Effects of heavy density (p = 9.2 x 10³ kg/m³) Yb²O³ fine dopant (16 nm in diameter) on the acoustic properties of a high-temperature-vulcanization (HTV) silicone rubber have been investigated, to develop a new acoustic lens material with a low acoustic attenuation (alpha) for the medical array probe application. The HTV silicone rubber has advantages in that it shows a lower alpha than that of a room-temperature-vulcanization (RTV) silicone rubber and it can be mixed by applying shear stress, using roll-milling equipment. Roll-milling time dependence of the HTV silicone rubber indicates that the alpha is closely affected by the dispersion of nanopowders in the rubber matrix. The 8 vol% Yb²O³-doped HTV silicone rubber mixed for 30 min showed the lowest alpha of 0.73 dB/mmMHz with an acoustic impedance [AI = sound speed (c) times density (p)] of 1.43 times 106 kg/m²s at 37degC. Moreover, simulation results reveal that a 5 MHz linear probe using the HTV silicone rubber doped with Yb²O³ powder showed relative sensitivity around 2.6 to 3.0 dB higher than a probe using RTV silicone rubber doped with Yb²O³ powder or SiO²-doped conventional silicone rubber for the ultrasonic medical application.     

Ultrasonic characterization of the curing process of PCC fly ash–cement composites

The effects of the type of fly ash, mix proportion, and curing process on the pozzolanic reaction of fly ash–cement paste were investigated by ultrasonic techniques. Specifically, the speed of sound (SOS) and broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) were used to investigate hydration activities of the fly ash–cement composite. SOS provided direct evidence of the delay in the hydration activity caused by mixing fly ash to the cement. The rapid heat of evolution during hydration activity, as indicated by a rapid increase in SOS, resulted in early stiffening of the Class C fly ash–cement composite. However, Class C fly ash–cement composite achieved a lower elastic modulus compared with Class F fly ash–cement composite. The hydration activity is observed to be highly dependent on the type of fly ash substituted for cement in the composite. The BUA provided the indirect evidence of ionic activities occurring during the hydration period and viscoelastic properties of the material.     

Performance Effects of Variables in Dynamic Visual Inspection

Three task variables of dynamic visual inspection were examined in laboratory experiments: (V) conveyor-belt velocities, (T) target exposure time and (P) the viewing position of the inspector. Measurements were obtained on both error types in inspection of equally-spaced targets for 36 experimental condition. Task variables V and T provided significant main effects on inspection accuracy and variables T and P had an interacting effect. The probability of correctly identifying a target was found to be describable as l-2.58e^-a where a = 10.587T- 0.0.75/V-0.012/[T+ P²] and the coefficient of determination, R² = 0.88. Inspector's eye motions were recorded and gross eye-motion patterns were identified but none appeared to be directly associated with inspection accuracy. Shifts in the inspection error criterion were observed and described for changes in these task variables. Both inspection speed and accuracy are combined in a cost model. This study shows that different conveyor speeds have better economics with different error costs but that shorter exposure times were never economically better.     

A novel coded excitation scheme to improve spatial and contrast resolution of quantitative ultrasound imaging

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) imaging techniques based on ultrasonic backscatter have been used successfully to diagnose and monitor disease. A method for improving the contrast and axial resolution of QUS parametric images by using the resolution enhancement compression (REC) technique is proposed. Resolution enhancement compression is a coded excitation and pulse compression technique that enhances the ?6-dB bandwidth of an ultrasonic imaging system. The objective of this study was to combine REC with QUS (REC-QUS) and evaluate and compare improvements in scatterer diameter estimates obtained using the REC technique to conventional pulsing methods. Simulations and experimental measurements were conducted with a single-element transducer (f/4) having a center frequency of 10 MHz and a ?6-dB bandwidth of 80%. Using REC, the -6-dB bandwidth was enhanced to 155%. Images for both simulation and experimental measurements contained a signal-to-noise ratio of 28 dB. In simulations, to monitor the improvements in contrast a software phantom with a cylindrical lesion was evaluated. In experimental measurements, tissue-mimicking phantoms that contained glass spheres with different scatterer diameters were evaluated. Estimates of average scatterer diameter in the simulations and experiments were obtained by comparing the normalized backscattered power spectra to theory over the ?6-dB bandwidth for both conventional pulsing and REC. Improvements in REC-QUS over conventional QUS were quantified through estimate bias and standard deviation, contrast-to-noise ratio, and histogram analysis of QUS parametric images. Overall, a 51% increase in contrast and a 60% decrease in the standard deviation of average scatterer diameter estimates were obtained during simulations, while a reduction of 34% to 71% was obtained in the standard deviation of average scatterer diameter for the experimental results.     

On the formation of radiation-induced defects in fluoroaluminate glasses

The spectra of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) of fluoroaluminate glass (FAG-36) based on mineral usovite Ba₂CaMgAlF₁₄ were studied. The paramagnetic centers responsible for EPR signals were induced by ion bombardment of the substrates prepared from this glass. The N⁺, O⁺, Ar⁺ and Pb + ions with energy E = 150 keV were used. The integrated dose D was 2 × 10¹⁶ ions/cm². It is shown by means of isochronal anneal experiments and computer simulation of the EPR spectra that they contain four components: broad Gaussian line (GL) with g = 2.016 and σ oscillating in the range 30–40; two anisotropic spectra with g_z = 2.016, g_y = 2.009; g_x = 2.001 (FA₁) and g_z = 2.045; g_y = 2.010; g_x = 1.98 (FA₂) as well as narrow isotropic line of Lorentzian shape with g = 2.0025 and ΔH = 0.6 mT. The comparison of obtained results with literature data for γ-irradiated fluoride glasses and ion-implanted oxide glasses of different compositions permitted to conclude that GL is due to hole defects typical of fluoride glasses and localized on several anions (fluorines and oxygen(s)); anisotropic FA₁- and FA₂-spectra are attributed to molecular 0₂⁻-ions, and narrow isotropic signal is supposedly assigned to big molecular ions (O₂O⁻, 0₄⁻ , CO⁺, CO⁻) located in voids of damaged implantation layer.