Patent ID: 6277076
Filing Date: 2001-08-21
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An ultrasonic densitometer comprising:a pre-inflated acoustic coupling system having bladders retained by corresponding fixed supports, and presenting corresponding bladder surfaces opposed along an ultrasonic propagation axis and, prior to insertion of a human heel, separated by a distance smaller than the width of a human heel;a coupling material contained within the bladder surfaces;a first ultrasonic transducer communicating with the coupling material and positioned to direct ultrasonic signals through the coupling material along the ultrasonic propagation axis; andcircuitry for excitation of the first ultrasonic transducer to measure propagation of ultrasonic signals; andwherein the bladder surfaces are shaped to remain aligned with the propagation axis and in sliding contract with a human heel, when the human heel is inserted between the bladder surfaces across the ultrasonic propagation axis.