A system was refined for the determination of the bulk ultrasonic wave propagation velocity in small cortical bone specimens. Longitudinal and shear wave propagations were measured using ceramic, piezoelectric 20 and 5 MHz transducers, respectively. Results of the pulse transmission technique were refined via the measurement of the system delay time. The precision and accuracy of the system were quantified using small specimens of polyoxymethylene, polystyrene-butadiene, and high-density polyethylene. These polymeric materials had known acoustic properties, similarity of propagation velocities to cortical bone, and minimal sample inhomogeneity. Dependence of longitudinal and transverse specimen dimensions upon propagation times was quantified. To confirm the consistency of longitudinal wave propagation in small cortical bone specimens (<1.0 mm), cut-down specimens were prepared from a normal rat femur. Finally, cortical samples were prepared from each of ten normal rat femora, and Young’s moduli (Eii), shear moduli (Gij), and Poisson ratios (vij) were measured. For all specimens (bone, polyoxymethylene, polystyrene-butadiene, and high-density polyethylene), strong linear correlations (R2 > 0.997) were maintained between propagation time and distance throughout the size ranges down to less than 0.4 mm. Results for polyoxymethylene, polystyrene-butadiene, and high-density polyethylene were accurate to within 5 percent of reported literature values. Measurement repeatability (precision) improved with an increase in the wave transmission distance (propagating dimension). No statistically significant effect due to the transverse dimension was detected.
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August 1997
Technical Papers
Ultrasonic Wave Velocity Measurement in Small Polymeric and Cortical Bone Specimens
S. S. Kohles,
S. S. Kohles
Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Mechanical Engineering. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792
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J. R. Bowers,
J. R. Bowers
Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Electrical Engineering. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792
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A. C. Vailas,
A. C. Vailas
Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Kinesiology. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792
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R. Vanderby, Jr.
R. Vanderby, Jr.
Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Mechanical Engineering. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792
Search for other works by this author on:
S. S. Kohles
Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Mechanical Engineering. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792
J. R. Bowers
Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Electrical Engineering. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792
A. C. Vailas
Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Kinesiology. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792
R. Vanderby, Jr.
Division of Orthopedic Surgery and Department of Mechanical Engineering. University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI 53792
J Biomech Eng. Aug 1997, 119(3): 232-236 (5 pages)
Published Online: August 1, 1997
Article history
Received:
August 10, 1995
Revised:
September 3, 1996
Online:
October 30, 2007
Citation
Kohles, S. S., Bowers, J. R., Vailas, A. C., and Vanderby, R., Jr. (August 1, 1997). "Ultrasonic Wave Velocity Measurement in Small Polymeric and Cortical Bone Specimens." ASME. J Biomech Eng. August 1997; 119(3): 232–236. https://doi.org/10.1115/1.2796085
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