Pathway of ultrasound waves in the equine third metacarpal bone.
Abstract: The velocity of ultrasound waves through bone has been used widely as a non-invasive method for assessing bone quality. Accurate measurement of velocity depends on accurate assessment of the distance travelled by the sound wave. It has been argued that the sonic pathway is deflected around the marrow cavity and so does not follow a straight line through the bone; therefore, correction factors have been developed to account for the extra distance travelled. This hypothesis was examined in vitro using sections from the equine third metacarpal bone. Two 1 MHz transducers used with the transmitting transducer energized by a 600 V electrical spike generator produced a 0.1 microsecond pulse width and the received signal was recorded on a delayed time-base oscilloscope, from which the velocity was calculated. Two distinct peaks were apparent in the received signal, corresponding to a direct cortical transmission wave and a direct medullary transmission wave. This observation was confirmed quantitatively using models of the third metacarpal made from homogeneous materials that allow accurate determination of the transit times of each component of the signal. Perspex was used to mimic cortical bone, with water as the mimic for the contents of the medullary canal; these materials were chosen because they have transmission velocities similar to the materials they were mimicking. The results confirmed that the pathway went straight through the bone with a time lag in the medullary wave due to the slower transmission velocity of the marrow. To ensure that the cortical wave is always received, transducers larger than the medullary width should always be used.
Publication Date: 1991-03-01 PubMed ID: 2033946DOI: 10.1016/0141-5425(91)90057-eGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
Summary
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This research aims to study the pathway of ultrasound waves in equine third metacarpal bone. The study challenges previous arguments suggesting that ultrasound waves deflect around the marrow cavity in bones, and proposes that the pathway goes straight through the bone.
Method of the Study
- The researchers conducted an in vitro experiment focusing on sections from the equine third metacarpal bone. For this, they utilized two 1 MHz transducers.
- The transmitting transducer was energized by a 600 V electrical spike generator, yielding a 0.1 microsecond pulse width.
- The received signal was recorded on a delayed time-base oscilloscope to calculate the velocity of the ultrasound wave.
Observation and Confirmation
- Two distinct peaks were observed in the received signal. These peaks represent a direct cortical transmission wave and a direct medullary transmission wave.
- To confirm their observation, the team used models of the third metacarpal made from homogeneous materials. With this method, they could accurately determine the transit times of each signal component.
- Perspex resembled the role of cortical bone and water mimicked the contents of the medullary canal. The chosen materials had transmission velocities similar to the materials they were impersonating, ensuring precision in the research.
Results and Conclusion
- The results affirmed that the ultrasound pathway travelled straight through the bone and did not deflect around the marrow.
- There was a time lag in the medullary wave due to the slower transmission velocity of the marrow, further proving the direct pathway of the ultrasound wave.
- The study suggests that to always receive the cortical wave, usage of transducers larger than the medullary width is recommended.
Cite This Article
APA
Langton CM, Riggs CM, Evans GP.
(1991).
Pathway of ultrasound waves in the equine third metacarpal bone.
J Biomed Eng, 13(2), 113-118.
https://doi.org/10.1016/0141-5425(91)90057-e Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Applied Physics, Sheffield City Polytechnic, UK.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Bone Density
- Horses
- In Vitro Techniques
- Metacarpus / diagnostic imaging
- Reference Values
- Transducers
- Ultrasonography
Citations
This article has been cited 2 times.- Rhee Y, Lee J, Jung JY, Lee JE, Park SY, Kim YM, Lee S, Choi HS, Kim SH, Lim SK. Modifications of T-scores by quantitative ultrasonography for the diagnosis of osteoporosis in koreans. J Korean Med Sci 2009 Apr;24(2):232-6.
- McCartney RN, Jeffcott LB, McCarthy RN. Transverse path of ultrasound waves in thick-walled cylinders. Med Biol Eng Comput 1995 Jul;33(4):551-7.
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