Characterization of shear waves in cortical bone using the axial transmission technique

Abstract

A quantitative ultrasound technique with the advantages of an axial transmission measurement was applied in this study for the characterization of ultrasonic waves in the MHz range. This study focuses on the evaluation and effective detection of shear waves in bone plates. Subsequently, wave propagation in a homogeneous and isotropic bone model is analyzed using the finite-difference time-domain, (FDTD) method. A comparative analysis is presented between the experimental measurements and simulation results. Ultrasound generated and detected at different incident angles, revealed that longitudinal or shear waves can be observed depending on the angle. Wave velocity measurements in the anisotropic medium of the bone plate showed good agreement with the FDTD isotropic model results, suggesting that isotropic models could give a reliable estimation for measurements performed in the axial direction of the cortical bone. Finally, this study confirmed the possibility of shear wave detection using the axial transmission technique.