Development of Non-Invasive Diagnostics for Osteoporosis: A Model Based Approach

Gemunu H. Gunaratne

The skeletal disease, osteoporosis, is a major socio-economic problem in an aging population. Optimal management of
osteoporosis requires the availability of non-invasive diagnostics. Current research aimed at developing new diagnostic
tools makes exclusive use of animal bones. Even preliminary tests to determine their suitability takes several years to
design and implement. We have used a suitable model system to determine features of stress propogation in bone, and use
the insight gained to identify possible forms for diagnostic tools. In particular, it is found that the ratio of linear
responses to AC and DC strains acts as a surrogate for the strength of these systems. We are currently extending these
studies to digitized images of bone samples.