Combined estimation of thickness and velocity of cortical shell using reflected waves: Study on bone phantoms and samples

Estimation of the thickness and sound velocity of cortical bone is important per se as well as for correcting measurements of cancellous bone properties. We propose a method that allows the thickness of a compact bone layer and longitudinal wave velocity in the bone to be determined simultaneously with the use of the reflected waves, with particular emphasis on the 1mm - 3mm thick bone layers corresponding to the thickness of the cortex of the human femur. The method was tested using ultrasonic data obtained from cortical bone phantoms and a fresh calf bone specimen. The results show that the method seems to be well suited to be employed for the determination of the thickness and acoustic wave velocity of the cortical bone layer.