Phased-array ultrasound technology enhances accuracy of dual frequency ultrasound measurements – towards improved ultrasound bone diagnostics

Abstract

Overlying soft tissues attenuate ultrasound backscattered from bone, complicating diagnostics of osteoporosis at the most important fracture sites. Dual-frequency ultrasound technique (DFUS) has been proposed to solve this problem through determination of thickness and composition of overlying soft tissue. This study applies DFUS technique for the first time with a phased-array transducer to investigate if the thickness of two interfering layers (oil and water) can be accurately determined in a variety of configurations. Results indicate that DFUS may be used with phased-array ultrasound systems, making them a suitable combination to consider in future development of clinical in vivo ultrasound methodologies.

Keywords:

• Phased-array
• pulse-echo
• quantitative
• ultrasound

Disclosure statement

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Funding information

Financial support received from Kuopio University Hospital (VTR 5041741, PY210 Clinical Neurophysiology), the National Graduate School of Musculoskeletal Disorders and Biomaterials, the Strategic funding of University of Eastern Finland and International Doctoral Programme in Biomedical Engineering and Medical Physics.