Ultrasonic densitometer device and method.

摘要

An ultrasound densitometer (10) is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers (21) are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. The transit time of an ultrasonic pulse through the water can be compared to the time for a similar pulse with a heel inserted. A novel clinical indicia for bone integrity value has been developed to provide a single numerical indication related both to the speed of sound travel in the member and the ultrasonic broadband attenuation in the member. The bone integrity value numeral based on measurements in the os calcis has been found to correlate well with conventional measurements of spinal bone mineral content. <IMAGE>