Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer for measuring the physical properties and integrity of a member in vivo includes a transmit transducer from which acoustic signals are transmitted, and a receive transducer which receives the acoustic signals after they have been transmitted through the member and/or a material with known acoustic properties. The densitometer allows the physical properties of a member to be measured without having to determine the distance between the transducers. The densitometer is able to measure the physical properties and integrity of the member from the transit time of acoustic signals through the member and/or by determining the absolute attenuation of at least one specific frequency component of acoustic signals transmitted through the member.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer for measuring the physical properties and integrity of a member in vivo includes a transmit transducer from which acoustic signals are transmitted, and a receive transducer which receives the acoustic signals after they have been transmitted through the member and/or a material with known acoustic properties. The densitometer allows the physical properties of a member to be measured without having to determine the distance between the transducers. The densitometer is able to measure the physical properties and integrity of the member from the transit time of acoustic signals through the member and/or by determining the absolute attenuation of at least one specific frequency component of acoustic signals transmitted through the member.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer is disclosed in which ultrasonic transducers are located spaced apart in a water bath into which the heel of a person may be inserted. The transit time of an ultrasonic pulse through the water can be compared to the time for a similar pulse with a heel inserted. A novel clinical indicia for bone integrity value has been developed to provide a single numerical indication related both to the speed of sound travel in the member and the ultrasonic broadband attenuation in the member. The bone integrity value numeral based on measurements in the os calcis has been found to correlate well with conventional measurements of spinal bone mineral content.

Abstract: An ultrasound densitometer for measuring the physical properties and integrity of a member in vivo includes a transmit transducer from which acoustic signals are transmitted, and a receive transducer which receives the acoustic signals after they have been transmitted through the member and/or a material with known acoustic properties. The densitometer allows the physical properties of a member to be measured without having to determine the distance between the transducers. The densitometer is able to measure the physical properties and integrity of the member from the transit time of acoustic signals through the member and/or by determining the absolute attenuation of at least one specific frequency component of acoustic signals transmitted through the member.