Patent ID: 6520914
Filing Date: 2003-02-18
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An ultrasonic densitometer comprising:a patient support; an ultrasonic transducer system including at least one ultrasonic transducer positioned with respect to the patient support to direct ultrasonic signals through a patient positioned by the patient support and to receive the ultrasonic signals after attenuation by the patient; a coupling volume positioned between an ultrasonic transducer and the patient, the coupling volume alternatively occupied by a first coupling material having a first known sound propagation property and a second coupling material having a second known sound propagation property different from the first sound propagation property; and a computer communicating with the ultrasonic transducer system to measure a first ultrasound propagation through both the patient and the first coupling material and a second ultrasonic propagation through both the patient and the second coupling material, the computer executing a stored program to compare the first and second ultrasonic propagations to produce an indication of bone quality of bone within the patient.