Multiphase nature and structure of biomaterials studied by ultrasounds

The paper discusses the applicability of a two-phase model of saturated por ous materials for a description of the results of broadband ultrasonic stud ies of wave parameters in bovine trabecular bone. The analysis is focused o n the role of the internal structure of the materials in the propagation of dilatational waves within the frequency range with a significant attenuati on of wave energy due to absorption and scattering. The applicability of ul trasonic studies for the determination of characteristic macro- and micro-s tructural parameters of biomaterials using a model-based approach is consid ered. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.