An ultrasonic imaging system and method are shown which includes a transducer (10) for pulse insonification of an object (12) and for receiving echo signals from within the object. Echo signals are converted to electrical signals at the transducer (10) and the electrical signals are supplied to a signal processor (28). Processor (28) includes an envelope detector (38) and integrator (40) for integrating the detected output. Echo signals obtained from a first range zone (Z1) at the focal point (F) are processed by processor (28) and supplied to a hold circuit (50) to provide a reflection pixel signal value which is dependent upon reflectivity at the focal point. Echo signals obtained from a second range zone (Z2) opposite the focal point (F) also are processed by processor (28) and supplied to a hold circuit (52) to provide a transmission pixel signal value which is dependent upon attenuation of ultrasonic waves at the focal point (F). The reflection and transmission pixel signal values from hold circuits (50) and (52) are supplied as inputs to generator (60) for generation of combined image data for a combined image which is a function of both reflection and transmission image data. A combined image is displayed at display (64).

A bone assessment apparatus provides a precise bone assessment based on the attenuation factor of an ultrasonic wave which has passed through a bone of a patient. A transmitting transducer and a receiving transducer are positioned at either side of the bone respectively, and an ultrasonic wave is irradiated to the bone, and passes therethrough. A transmitter/receiver provides an attenuation spectrum of the ultrasonic wave and determines a reference frequency f.sub.p peculiar to the patient at which the attenuation factor is minimum. A gradient .DELTA. of the attenuation spectrum is calculated based on the difference between the attenuation factor .alpha..sub.p at the reference frequency f.sub.p and the attenuation factor .alpha..sub.q at a frequency f.sub.q which is spaced apart by a predetermined value from the reference frequency f.sub.p. A density index .rho..sub.I is also calculated which is a gradient of the attenuation spectrum per unit thickness of the bone.

A bone assessment apparatus for obtaining an assessment value E for a bone 12 with good repeatability by simple calculation using the waveform of a signal derived from received ultrasound which has passed through the bone. A transmitting transducer (20) transmits an ultrasound pulse. A receiving transducer (22) receives the ultrasound pulse which has passed through a test sample (10), and then converts the received ultrasound pulse to a signal. An A/D converter (30) digitizes the signal amplified in a receiving amplifier (28). The digitized signal is inputted to a calculator (32) via a transducer controller (26). The calculator (32) calculates the assessment value E for the bone (12) from characteristic values of the waveform of the signal, such as the half-value width of the first positive portion, which are derived from ultrasonic transmission characteristics of the bone (12).

Columns, walls and other solid structures of concrete, wood, masonry or other materials are non-destructively tested by acoustic signals transmitted from a carriage. The carriage has a frame which is wheel mounted to move over the surface of the test candidate. An internally-mounted piezoelectric crystal roller as an acoustic signal generator or receiver is suspended from the carriage with two degrees of spring freedom to allow accommodation of irregularities in the test candidate surface. The assembly including the piezoelectric crystal roller and its flexible mounting are configured as a replaceable module relative to the carriage frame. The same carriage is useable as an echo type acoustic scanner or, in combination with other devices or carriages, as either an acoustic transmitter or receiver although inclusion of elements to perform both functions within the same carriage is contemplated. The carriage frame can also mount one or more hammer mechanisms to impact the test candidate surface at regular intervals as the carriage moves along the specimen surface. The device is suitable for detecting or generating compression, shear or surface waves in the test specimen.

A wearable breast tissue examination device including a support element adapted to fit over at least a portion of a breast of the wearer. The support element has a shell, a measurement apparatus including at least two mutually opposed ultrasound transducer arrays disposed on at least a portion of the inner surface of the shell and at least one bladder element disposed in the shell that is configured to orient the wearer's breast properly for examination. The wearable device may also include means for operatively connecting the two mutually opposed transducer arrays to a transducer driver, and means for holding the support element on the wearer during use.