Development of an optical bone densitometer

2015 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 26560206
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Challenging Exploratory Research
• Allocation Type: Multi-year Fund
• Research Field: Biomedical engineering/Biomaterial science and engineering
• Research Institution: Kanazawa University
• Principal Investigator: Tanaka Shigeo 金沢大学, 機械工学系, 教授 (20262602)
• Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha): MATSUBARA Hidenori 金沢大学, 医薬保健研究域, 助教 (10507057)
• Project Period (FY): 2014-04-01 – 2016-03-31
• Keywords: 骨粗しょう症 / 光計測

Outline of Final Research Achievements

In this study, a handy-size optical bone densitometer has been developed and confirmed to be able to automatically acquire bone density signal passing through the skin with a thickness of 2 mm, at least, which is the average thickness of human skin. This results indicate the reliability of this device for clinical application. Periodic self-check of bone density using this device allows us early detection of osteoporosis, contributing to the maintenance of high quality of life and the extension of healthy life expectancy in elderly people.

Free Research Field

生体医用工学