Biot theory: A review of its application to ultrasound propagation throughcancellous bone

To facilitate an understanding of the dependence of ultrasound velocity and attenuation upon the material and structural properties of cancellous bone , several theoretical concepts for ultrasound propagation have been adapted or developed, including the Blot theory and several scattering theories. B lot theory considers wave propagation through an elastic porous solid inter spersed with fluid, considering the separate motion of the trabecular frame work and morrow, respectively. The success achieved with the Blot theory ha s, to date, tended to be greater for the prediction of velocity than for at tenuation. This article provides a review of the relevant literature, descr ibing the physical parameters required for the Blot theory and their experi mental determination. It is suggested that future developments should consi der additional attenuation mechanisms, in particular, those due to scatteri ng, local flow in microcracks, and surface roughness of the trabeculae, (C) 1999 by Elsevier Science Inc. All rights reserved.