What is meant by imaging?

The ultrasound transducers move simultaneously on either side of the heel sending and receiving 8 different frequencies. The amplitude of those signals are then converted in to a high resolution image displayed in the software as the scanning progresses

What is the purpose of imaging?

The image serves as your assurance that the measurement performed is valid and that there was no interference with the ultrasonic signal. Furthermore it assists you in verifying that the region of interest is placed correctly and can indeed be used to make a calculation. Since the Region of Interest is determined automatically, it also eliminates operator dependency, i.e. anyone can use the DTU-one UltraSure® and get similar results, without variance in the results obtained.

Is there an added benefit to having an image?

The benefit is first of all one of safety - consider a non-imaging system like driving a car with a blindfold. You are moving along, but really have no idea if you are on the right track. With the imaging system you are certain that you can determine if the patient has moved the foot, or if there are any other factors that may influence the measurement.

You use water as a coupling media, why is that?

The water is used to ensure the best possible transmission of the ultrasonic signals. If there is a break-up in the transmission - e.g. air-hole in the gel or lack of gel, the signal received by the receiving transducers will be nothing but noise, and the values obtained will be useless. The image furthermore allows you to verify if any such interference has taken place, and you can make an informed decision on whether to continue with the measurement or make a new one.

What is the correlation of BUA to BMD?

Studies performed in the US have shown a correlation between ultrasound and DEXA of the hip of 0.71. Similar results have been found in studies performed in Europe.

Ultrasound uses many different result parameters, DEXA only uses BMC and BMD. Why are there so many different ways of expressing an ultrasound result?

Regardless of what values are expressed by different manufacturer's they all take their basis in one or two parameters. BUA (Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation) or SOS (Speed of Sound). Any other results you see from an ultrasound system will be a mathematical manipulation of either of these two values or both of them.

I already have a DEXA system in my practice, would there be added benefit to getting a DTU-one as well?

It would definitely be worth considering. All else being equal it is much more expensive to run a DEXA system as opposed to an ultrasound system. The DTU-one UltraSure® could assist you a identifying patients at risk, which then could be measured on the more expensive and time-consuming DEXA systems, thereby saving you both money and time.