Ultrasound simulation in bone

Abstract

The manner in which ultrasound interacts with bone is of key interest in therapy and diagnosis alike. These may include applications directly to bone, as, for example, in treatment to accelerate the healing of bone fractures and in assessment of bone density in osteoporosis, or indirectly in diagnostic imaging of soft tissue with interest in assessing exposure levels to nearby bone. Because of the lack of analytic solutions to virtually every "practical problem" encountered clinically, ultrasound simulation has become a widely used technique for evaluating ultrasound interactions in bone. This paper provides an overview of the use of ultrasound simulation in bone. A brief description of the mathematical model used to characterize ultrasound propagation in bone is first provided. A number of simulation examples are then presented that explain how simulation may be utilized in a variety of practical configurations. The focus of this paper in terms of examples presented is on diagnostic applications in bone, and, in particular, for assessment of osteoporosis. However, the use of simulation in other areas of interest can easily be extrapolated from the examples presented. In conclusion, this paper describes the use of ultrasound simulation in bone and demonstrates the power of computational methods for ultrasound research in general and tissue and bone applications in particular.

Example of Structure Modeling and Analysis of Ultrasound Scattering for Trabecular Bone

“…(2) (Wójcik, 1998). For a(n) = α 2 n 2 we obtain classically absorbing (viscous) media (Kaufman et al, 2008).…”

Evaluation of the Potential Clinical Application of Low-Intensity Ultrasound Stimulation for Preventing Osteoporotic Bone Fracture

“…Osteoporotic bone fractures are an important public health concern, causing significant morbidity, mortality, and economic burden in more than 20 million people in the United States and more than 200 million worldwide. 9 It is widely accepted that the risk of osteoporotic bone fracture is generally related to a decrease in the mechanical characteristics of the bone that results from alterations in both the microstructure and the material properties of bone induced by osteoporosis. 3,13 Many studies have examined possible treatments and preventive strategies to deal with the bone loss in osteoporosis.…”

Ultrasound propagation in cancellous bone

“…The symptoms increase bone fragility and contribute to over 200 000 hip fractures annually worldwide, cf. Kaufman et al [27]. In total, over 200 million people are affected by osteoporosis worldwide [27], and in the UK, the total annual cost of osteoporosis is about 1 billion pounds/year, cf.…”

“…Kaufman et al [27]. In total, over 200 million people are affected by osteoporosis worldwide [27], and in the UK, the total annual cost of osteoporosis is about 1 billion pounds/year, cf. Langton and Njeh [30].…”