Abstract
The authors first present a brief review of the motivation for ultrasound assessment of bone fragility, and then they discuss the principal sources of artifacts in measurements of apparent velocity (AVU) in vivo. They then describe the SIGNATURE WAVEFORM, a novel approach to reducing the largest source artifact in the measurement of AVU in bone: inhomogeneity. Theory, specific details of implementation, and results of clinical tests are given for this approach. It is noted that the SIGNATURE WAVEFORM approach now provides long-term reproducibility. Coupled with the proven ability to detect osteoporotic bone fragility, AVU appears ready for routine clinical application.