Bone Ultrasonic Scanner (BUSS) for Bone Health Assessment

The main goal of this project is contructing a lightweight, low-cost, real-time ultrasound system for bone assessment that could readily be used in long term space flights as well as in a variety of environments in general medical practice. The major goal of Phase I of this project was to construct a functional prototype of the BUSS and to demonstrate in model experiments that the device is capable of evaluating the stiffness of compact bone, coritcla thickness and the stiffness of underlying spongy structure using flexural and longitudinal acoustic wave propagation parameters. In every area, Artann Laboratories fulfilled the proposed accomplishments of Phase I. A proof-of-concept prototype of the BUSS was designed, constructed and extensively tested in laboratory experiments with bone composite models. In Phase II, the BUSS team will enhance system hardware and software quality and design to the level of a final product and will validate BUSS functionality through comprehensive laboratory and clinical studies. The end products of the project would be twofold: (1) a lightweight, hand-held and easy-to-use device, with which an astronaut will monitor bone health; (2) a small size inexpensive, diagnostic bone ultrasonometer that would be marketed for general use in the commercial marketplace.