Evaluating periodicity of trabecular bone phantoms using ultrasound signals

The aim of this work was to characterize the periodicity of a commercial available trabecular bone phantom with ultrasound (US) backscattered signals. Three US frequencies were applied (1.0, 2.25 and 5.0 MHz), and spectral analysis methods were used to estimate the mean scatterer spacing (MSS) of 100 signals/sample from five different samples. The results showed that it is possible to estimate the medium periodicity (trabecular spacings varying from 1.5 to 2.5 mm), and at higher frequencies the average MSS decreased, which is expected because of a higher spatial resolution (identification of the trabecular thickness periodicity). MSS values are in agreement with intertrabecular distances declared by the product supplier.