Patent ID: 6135964
Filing Date: 2000-10-24
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
An apparatus for performing ultrasonic bone analysis comprising:a foot well assembly having a foot well for resting a patient's foot and first mating means for connecting to said foot well assembly;a shin guide assembly for securing a position of said foot in said foot well and a position of a lower leg of said patient, said shin guide assembly having second mating means for mechanically coupling said shin guide assembly to said foot well assembly by connection with said first mating means; anda transducer drive mechanism including a first transducer assembly having a first transducer and a first coupling pad for ultrasonic signals, and a second transducer assembly having a second transducer and a second coupling pad for ultrasonic signals, at least one of said transducer assemblies supplying signals corresponding to received ultrasonic signals, said transducer drive mechanism automatically positioning said first transducer assembly and said second transducer assembly to apply a pressure against a heel of said patient which achieves ultrasonic coupling.