Horiba, Ltd.

Japan Science and Technology Agency

Oyo Electric Co., Ltd.

Takahiko Otani

Takuji Suzaki

Haruyoshi Hirata

Isao Mano

Atsushi Hosokawa

A bone strength measuring instrument and method is provided for obtaining thickness values of cortical bone, cancellous bone and tissue in a human body part by applying an ultrasonic wave to a measured portion of the human body. Ultrasonic transmitters and receivers can be positioned in contact with the human body to provide a set thickness for the human body while processing the received signals transmitted through and reflected from the human body portions to determine a first wave higher in speed and a second wave lower in speed. Prior to making the measurements, a preliminary measurement procedure can be utilized to optimize the desired measurement site. An acoustic speed of the second wave in a cancellous bone can be assumed to be constant and transit times can be calculated and respective thickness values of the soft tissue of cortical bone and cancellous bone can be determined to indicate the bone strength.

Bone strength measuring instrument and method

An ultrasonic diagnostic method and apparatus is provided wherein an ultrasonic wave is transmitted through a patient to contact the human bone and the corresponding diagnostic waveform is then compared with a standard prestored waveform of a comparable healthy bone. The patient's bone is then judged to determine the osteoporosis condition of the patient.

Ultrasonic bone diagnostic apparatus and method

Growing community of inventors

Kyoto, Japan

Takahiko Otani