Technology monitors tiny bone fractures

West Lafayette, Ind. -- U.S. scientists say they are developing a monitoring system similar to those used by seismologists to detect tiny cracks in bones.

Purdue University researchers say the technology could help prevent fractures in humans and racehorses by recording "acoustic emission data," or sound waves created by tiny bone fissures. That's the same kind of acoustic emissions used to monitor the integrity of bridges.

"When a microcrack occurs in a bone it generates sound waves similar to those created by earthquakes," said Associate Professor Ozan Akkus. "The goal is to create a wearable device that would alert the person when a stress fracture was imminent so that they could stop rigorous physical activity long enough for the bone to heal."

The scientists said the technology might help prevent serious fractures in racehorses that could cause lameness and lead to more serious catastrophic bone failure. It might also protect soldiers, athletes and dancers. Akkus said he will visit the U.S. Military Academy at West Point this summer to test the monitoring system on cadets undergoing basic training.

Researchers at Purdue and the University of Toledo have jointly filed patents on the technology.

Copyright 2008 by United Press International.