A viscoelastic system for determining acoustical and mechanical parameters of the bone

Human bones are energy absorbing complex composite structures that have an irregular hollow structure filled with marrow and surrounded by soft tissue and muscles. To date, no satisfactory evidence exists either supporting or refuting the usefulness of vibro-acoustic technique to determine the acoustical and mechanical parameters of the bone. The aim of the paper is to use acoustic wave propagation techniques and viscoelastic bone system to analyse and assess the acoustical and mechanical properties of human bone which may be used to monitor the bone condition and diagnose the osteoporosis at an early stage, by demonstrating if variations in sound propagation through the bone can be detected.