2D numerical simulations of ultrasound propagation in random anisotropic media: Occurrence of two longitudinal waves in bone-like structures

摘要

The ultrasonic characterization of bone biomechanical properties can improve bone fracture risk assessment with a non-invasive, non-ionizing and relatively inexpensive method. These methods appear to have significant potential and are currently underutilized because the physics of ultrasound propagation in bone is still poorly understood. Some phenomena experimentally observed in trabecular bone remain indeed unclear, such as the possible propagation of two longitudinal waves with different velocities. This study focuses on determining the conditions necessary to develop two waves on a simple model, and in particular on the influence of guided modes in their occurrence.