Sample impulse response, angular decorrelation and BUA as measures of density and growth axis in coral samples

This work investigates three ultrasound parameters for detecting changes in trabecular bone structure, extracted from ultrasound transmission measurements with broadband 0.5 MHz transducer: (i) broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA); (ii) coral sample impulse response, and (iii) angular decorrelation. These parameters are determined as a function of growth direction, sample rotation and decalcification level. The measurements are performed on natural coral in original or decalcified stages which mimics trabecular bone at different levels of osteoporosis.