Bone Vibration Analysis as a Novel Screening Tool for Long Bone Fractures

Abstract

The aim of this study is to reduce the number of X-ray scans taken to detect fractures, by developing a bone fracture screening system. When assessing a bone injury, doctors need to decide whether the injury has resulted in a fracture or a sprain so that they can provide appropriate treatments. The current way to differentiate between these is by an X-ray scan. In 2011, the 46,000 children attending Sheffield Children's Hospital Emergency Department had 10,400 X-rays, mostly to help diagnose bone fractures. Roughly half the X-ray scans taken indicate that the injury is sprain. Unnecessary X-ray scan means raising costs and exposing patients to ionising radiation.

Investigation of bone fracture diagnosis system using transverse vibration response

“…Some related studies have found that the response varies depending on the presence or absence of fracture. 2,3,5–9 In particular, there are different responses at low and high frequencies, and this has also been observed in experiments. The present study develops an intelligent system to detect these characteristic responses and features.…”

“…Various medical techniques, such as X-rays, computed tomography (CT), and fork tuning systems, have been developed and are widely used. In addition, more advanced technologies are currently emerging in the field of medical engineering 1–4 Radiography-based approaches, such as CT, X-Ray, electromagnetic interference (EMI), and positron emission tomography (PET)/CT are capable of accurately monitoring various pathological and trauma-induced conditions with some side effects. For the rapid detection of bone fractures without the need for radiation exposure, this research proposes the measurement and analysis of the transverse vibration responses of bones considering the bilateral symmetry of the human body.…”

“…A screening tool has been developed to detect long bone fractures in children. 3 It was observed that while most injured children were exposed to X-rays, the majority of cases showed the absence of fractures. Without the use of X-rays, doctors were unable to determine whether an injury was a sprain or a fracture.…”