Observation of Ultrasonic Fields Transmitted through Bovine Cortical or Cancellous Bones by the Schlieren Method

Abstract

Ultrasonic wave fields at 1.03 and 3.5 MHz were visualized by the schlieren method after they had traveled through bovine cortical or cancellous bones. Schlieren images showed that wavefronts were distorted at both frequencies when they traveled through a cortical bone of a bovine limb. After traveling through cancellous bones, wavefronts at 1.03 MHz were almost undistorted, but those at 3.5 MHz showed distortions depending on the condition of the bone. These results indicate that correction is required with regard to ultrasound-receiving geometry to improve the accuracy of attenuation measurement in ultrasonic bone densitometry.