Ultrasonic wave properties of human bone marrow in the femur and tibia

Abstract

Ultrasonic wave properties of human bone marrow obtained in the femur and tibia were measured using an ultrasound pulse technique. The measured frequency range was 4–10 MHz, and the temperature range was 30 °C–40 °C. The sound velocity was 1410 m/s, and the attenuation coefficient was 4.4 dB/cm at 36 °C (10 MHz). These values decreased with temperature. Site dependence and individual differences in elderly human bone marrow were negligible. The slopes of the attenuation coefficient were estimated by a power law. The values of the exponent n were 2.0 (30 °C–38 °C) and 2.3 (40 °C).