A Low Cost and Ionizing Radiation-free Method based on Pulse-Echo Ultrasonic for the Diagnosis of Osteoporosis

Abstract

The risk of suffering from osteoporosis is increasing day by day, specially the people with increasing age are at high risk. Nowadays, different cure and preventives have been taken to minimize the risk and sufferings of osteoporosis along with lifestyle interference. Till now, the Dual energy X-ray Absorptiometry(DXA) is known as the ultimate “gold standard” because of having certified management qualification to prevent it. But, it comes with some particular restrictions like high cost, vast size of equipment and most significantly the use of ionizing radiation which makes it unsuitable for an elementary stage of healthcare. Other methodologies like QCT, Radiographs could not show proper skill in this site. This study describes a low cost, ionizing radiation free ultrasound method which is based on pulse-echo measurements using ultrasound simulation software wave2000 plus for the determination of bone thickness. Thickness has been calculated from three different model of bone sample using the time delays obtained from the transmitted and echo signals through the bone models. Presently, ultrasound methods are able to diagnose osteoporosis more effectively by characterizing between subjects with fractures. Therefore, this study will help to form a basis for the diagnosis of osteoporosis at an elementary stage.