Trial of Human Bone Cross-Sectional Imaging In vivo, Using Ultrasonic Echo Waves

Abstract

We have tried in vivo imaging of the distal forearm bone using ultrasonic echo waves. The obtained ultrasonic echo images were compared with X-ray computed tomography (CT) images. In the case of vertical incidence of an ultrasonic wave to the cortical bone surface, not only the outer and inner boundaries of the near side of the cortical bone but also the inner and outer boundaries of the far side of the cortical bone were identified. The thicknesses of the cortical bone and cancellous bone calculated using the echo waves approximately agreed with those determined from X-ray CT images.