We developed a noninvasive method to evaluate bone structural integrity. It is based on the measurement of the dynamic characteristics of the bone using sweeping sound excitation in the range of acoustic frequencies. The Quality Factor (a measure of material damping) has been used as an indicator of the tendency of the bone to fracture. Results of animal studies have supported this hypothesis since linear correlations were observed between bone density, quality factor, and impact strength. A vibration excitation in the form of an acoustic sweep signal is applied to a bone to measure the quality factor. Rat bones were tested, obtained from animals with osteoporosis age-dependent (tested in vitro) or ovariectomy-induced (tested in vivo), and compared with bones of healthy (control) rats. The change in damping was, on average, equal or greater to the change in density. Moreover, excellent correlation of the quality factor was obtained with bone fracture energy measured with an impact test. During a vibration cycle, the changing strain results in temperature changes due to the reciprocity of temperature and strain. Nonreversible conduction of heat due to the unequal temperature change results in entropy production that is enhanced due to the stress concentration about the voids associated with bone porosity. Damping is a measure of the production of entropy. Its measure, the quality factor, represents a potentially useful tool for monitoring bone integrity, which is deteriorating in diseases characterized by disruption of the trabecular architecture, such as osteoporosis. A computational model yielded results that are in good correlation with the experimental results.
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August 1999
Technical Papers
Low-Frequency Acoustic Sweep Monitoring of Bone Integrity and Osteoporosis
S. D. Panteliou,
S. D. Panteliou
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras, Patras 26500, Greece; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
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H. Abbasi-Jahromi,
H. Abbasi-Jahromi
Physiology Department, Medical School, Chiraz, Iran; Biomedical Engineering Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
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A. D. Dimarogonas,
A. D. Dimarogonas
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
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W. Kohrt,
W. Kohrt
Medical School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
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R. Civitelli
R. Civitelli
Medical School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
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S. D. Panteliou
Department of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, University of Patras, Patras 26500, Greece; Department of Mechanical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
H. Abbasi-Jahromi
Physiology Department, Medical School, Chiraz, Iran; Biomedical Engineering Center, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
A. D. Dimarogonas
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
W. Kohrt
Medical School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
R. Civitelli
Medical School, Washington University, St. Louis, MO 63130
J Biomech Eng. Aug 1999, 121(4): 423-431 (9 pages)
Published Online: August 1, 1999
Article history
Received:
September 22, 1997
Revised:
March 3, 1999
Online:
October 30, 2007
Citation
Panteliou, S. D., Abbasi-Jahromi, H., Dimarogonas, A. D., Kohrt, W., and Civitelli, R. (August 1, 1999). "Low-Frequency Acoustic Sweep Monitoring of Bone Integrity and Osteoporosis." ASME. J Biomech Eng. August 1999; 121(4): 423–431. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2798340
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