Patent ID: 8419643

Claim:
A method for quantitative non-invasive assessment of bone conditions comprising the steps of: (a) acoustically coupling of an ultrasonic probe with a body surface over the bone, said probe comprising a broadband emitting transducer and a broadband receiving transducer, (b) emitting a composite signal comprising a sequential train of ultrasonic wave packets of multiple carrier frequencies with predefined delays therebetween and propagating said wave packets in axial propagation mode along a predetermined trajectory on said bone with said broadband emitting transducer, (c) acquiring a train of ultrasonic signals from said broadband receiving transducer, (d) repeating the steps (a), (b) and (c) at various locations along said trajectory, (e) defining said probe positions along said trajectory at the same time as acquiring said series of ultrasonic signals, (f) calculating spatial profiles of selected parameters of the received waveforms for at least a portion of said bone, said step further including analyzing said acquired ultrasonic signals to determine portions thereof related to different modes of ultrasonic waves, said different modes defined as longitudinal, surface, and guided waves; calculating waveform parameter profiles for said determined portions related to different modes of ultrasonic waves; calculating of a quality index defined as deviation of calculated parameters from a predetermined smooth curve; wherein said quality index is provided as a feedback for an operator, said quality index indicating a degree of operator error in handling said probe during examination of said bone, (g) evaluating diagnostically relevant features of said spatial profiles, and (h) evaluating bone condition from said diagnostically relevant features of said spatial profiles.