Computational Investigation of Generation Mechanism of Fast Wave in Cancellous Bone

In cancellous bone, longitudinal waves often separate into fast and slow waves depending on the alignment of bone trabeculae in the propagation path [1]. This interesting phenomenon becomes an effective tool for the diagnosis of osteoporosis because wave propagation behavior depends on the bone structure [2]. Nagatani et al. pointed that fast wave requires certain propagation distance for steady propagation [3]. However, the precise mechanism of fast wave propagation is not clarified yet. In this study, therefore, we investigated the detailed behaviour of fast wave generation by using three-dimensional simulation technique.