Determining mechanical parameters of the bone using a vibro-acoustic method

Human bones are energy absorbing complex composite structures that have an irregular hollow structure filled with marrow and surrounded by soft tissue and muscles. Current recommendations for the assessment of patients for bone mineral density (BMD) and fracture risk have several difficulties, and they are not suitable for international use. To date, no satisfactory evidence exists either supporting or refuting the usefulness of the vibro-acoustic technique. The aim of this paper is to use the vibro-acoustic technique to analyse and assess the acoustical and mechanical properties of human bone by demonstrating if variations in sound propagation through the bone can be detected. Firstly, a viscoelastic bone system is modelled to estimate mechanical properties of the bone. modal analysis of the human bone and sawbones are carried out using the viscoelastic bone system to estimate mechanical properties of the bone from acoustical parameters deduced from frequency dependent transfer function.