The propagation mechanisms of ultrasound in trabecular bone are poorly
understood and have been the subject of extended debate; also, the re
producibility of ultrasonic measurements on bone in vivo using commerc
ial ultrasound heel-scanning devices is such that the interpretation o
f the obtained data is difficult. In this paper we describe recent dev
elopments in the production of a bone-mimicking material which is well
suited to the task of routine monitoring of commercial ultrasound bon
e scanners. The material, based on a standard epoxy resin is fabricate
d to a pre-determined porosity value by the inclusion of a marrow-mimi
cking material thereby introducing a known and controlled mean pore si
ze. Measurements of the velocity and attenuation of the material have
been performed over a range of porosity values from 10% to 80% in the
frequency range 500-900 kHz; also, broadband ultrasonic attenuation (B
UA) values have been obtained from commercial equipment. The material
displays velocities in the range 1844-3118 m s(-1) and attenuation ran
ging from 7.0 to 17.7 dB cm(-1) at 500 kHz.