The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Feb. 01, 2011
Filed:
May. 04, 2006
Paul K. Hansma, Isla Vista, CA (US);
Douglas J. Rehn, Lompoc, CA (US);
Georg Fantner, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Patricia J. Turner, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Paul K. Hansma, Isla Vista, CA (US);
Douglas J. Rehn, Lompoc, CA (US);
Georg Fantner, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
Patricia J. Turner, Santa Barbara, CA (US);
The Regents of the University of California, Oakland, CA (US);
Abstract
Methods and instruments for assessing bone, for example fracture risk, in a subject in which a test probe is inserted through the skin of the subject so that the test probe contacts the subject's bone and the resistance of the test bone to microscopic fracture by the test probe is determined. Macroscopic bone fracture risk is assessed by measuring the resistance of the bone to microscopic fractures caused by the test probe. The microscopic fractures are so small that they pose negligible health risks. The instrument may also be useful in characterizing other materials, especially if it is necessary to penetrate a layer to get to the material to be characterized.