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Osteoscreen Ultrasound Bone Densitometer

Ultrasound phalangeal bone densitometer for non-invasive, radiation-free osteoporosis screening. Measures BMD & T-scores at the finger with clinical accuracy and user-friendly software.

  • Osteoscreen during exhibition, user put her finger on the transducer

  • Demonstration of the first prototype in 3D CAD software

    Demonstration of the first prototype in 3D CAD software

  • Appearance of the prototype, including a main box and a battery box

  • Osteoscreen uses phone number to track records of bone density data. This is the JAVA UI home page.

  • The user enters function selection page after entering its phone number.

  • User Interface showing the approximate T-score and Bone Mass Density

What it does

OsteoScreen is a portable, non-invasive ultrasound bone densitometer for osteoporosis screening ,addressing inaccessible DXA diagnostics. Its elderly-friendly Java UI, precise motor, and lightweight casing ensure usability, reducing fracture risks.

Your inspiration

The development of our portable ultrasound bone densitometer was driven by critical limitations in current osteoporosis screening methods. The breakthrough came when we identified finger bones (phalanges) as an ideal measurement site, as they exhibit early metabolic bone changes and are easily accessible. By adapting ultrasound technology—already proven for heel measurements—into a compact, handheld phalangeal scanner, we achieved radiation-free testing that is 90% cheaper than DXA and usable in pharmacies, clinics, or remote areas.

How it works

OsteoScreen is an innovative device that uses safe ultrasound waves to measure bone density in metaphysis of proximal phalanges (finger bones), helping detect osteoporosis risk without radiation. A small motor moves the ultrasound probe to the right position, ensuring accurate scans. A user-friendly screen shows results, with a simple interface designed for elderly users. A computer processes the ultrasound signals to calculate bone strength, comparing it to healthy standards. Housed in a lightweight plastic case, OsteoScreen ensures ease-of-use and radiation-free bone density screening in community centers. It offers a cost-effective, safe alternative to expensive DXA machines for primary diagnosis of osteoporosis, making osteoporosis screening accessible for Hong Kong’s elderly, reducing fracture risks.

Design process

The OsteoScreen Ultrasound Bone Densitometer began as a concept to address inaccessible osteoporosis screening in Hong Kong’s elderly centers. Inspired by DXA’s limitations, we chose quantitative ultrasound (QUS) for phalangeal screening, leveraging its radiation-free, cost-effective nature. Initial research identified 1.25 MHz transducers and MATLAB for signal processing. The first prototype integrated a NEMA 17 motor for probe positioning, an Arduino-controlled pressure sensor, and a Java UI. Testing revealed bulky casing and inefficient power supply issues. The second prototype refined the UI with phone number tracking and Microsoft YaHei font for elderly usability, achieving 0.36° motor accuracy over 50 cycles. A custom ±60 V power supply and Red Pitaya ADC ensured reliable BMD calculations with 80% DXA correlation. Feedback from S.K.H. Welfare Council highlighted the need for portability. Current enhancements, per expert advice, include a compact multi-layer PCB enclosure and voltage-uplifting chips to replace dual high-voltage supplies, reducing size by 30% and enhancing safety. Future iterations will add configurable MATLAB parameters and clinical trials, improving scalability and validation for community deployment.

How it is different

OsteoScreen’s uniqueness lies in its portable, radiation-free osteoporosis screening tailored for Hong Kong’s elderly. Unlike costly, radiation-based DXA scanners, limited to hospitals, OsteoScreen uses quantitative ultrasound (QUS) at the phalangeal joint, achieving 80% DXA correlation for safe, community-based screening. Its elderly-friendly Java UI, with phone number tracking and clear visuals (Microsoft YaHei font, PNG buttons), ensures accessibility. The compact design, with a lightweight acrylic case and precise NEMA 17 motor (0.36° accuracy), contrasts with bulky QUS devices like calcaneal scanners. A custom ±60 V power supply and Red Pitaya ADC deliver reliable BMD calculations, while planned enhancements—multi-layer PCB and voltage-uplifting chips—further reduce size and enhance safety, unlike existing high-voltage systems. OsteoScreen’s affordability, Gerontechnology focus, and integration for community centers like S.K.H.

Future plans

OsteoScreen’s next steps focus on enhancing portability and safety by integrating a compact enclosure with a multi-layer PCB and voltage-uplifting chips to replace dual ±60 V supplies, reducing size by 30% and minimizing electric shock risks. We plan clinical trials to validate performance across diverse populations, configurable MATLAB parameters for scalability, and partnerships with Hong Kong’s elderly centers. These improvements will enhance usability and market fit. Our goal is to deploy OsteoScreen widely, reducing osteoporosis-related fracture risks and healthcare costs for Hong Kong’s aging population.

Awards

The 5th Biomedical Engineering Innovation Competition "Love. Innovate for Happy Ageing" 1. The most user-friendly award 2. The most innovative award BME31147 Biomedical Engineering Innovation for the Community Service-Learning Project Exhibition, held by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University 1. Best Exhibition Award

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