A new method for the diagnosis of osteoporosis based on standing waves

Background and aim: The main task of this work was to develop a new method of bone densitometry, based on the effect of resonance (standing waves), and assess reliability of new method for assessment of bone density at the lumbar spine.Materials and Methods: The applicability of the effect of standing waves for bone density estimation was tested in a group of 15 male volunteers from 50 to 70 years of age. In these subjects, the parameter of bone density at the lumbar spine generated by resonance method, was compared to the bone mineral density (BMD) assessed by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).Results: As a result of this study, a new approach for the bone density assessment based on standing waves was generated, as well as its hardware implementation. The results of the bone density estimation (quality factor) at the lumbar spine demonstrated close positive correlation with BMD obtained by DEXA (r=0.92, p<0.00001).Conclusions: These preliminary data indicate that the quality factor, a parameter of bone densitometry generated by wave resonance method, is comparable to BMD assessed by DEXA. Further validation of the technique in other parts of the skeleton is required.