Value proposition

Quantitative Ultrasound Based Cortical Bone Microstructure Analysis

Osteoporosis accounts for more days in the hospital than breast cancer, heart attack, diabetes, and other diseases. Due to this fact, the cost that osteoporosis imposes on healthcare budgets is staggering. In 2010, European Union countries spent €37 billion (US$40 billion), while in 2015, the United States spent US$20 billion, a staggering total annual cost of US$60 billion and growing.

Current measurement methods cannot detect the onset of osteoporosis but rather approximate the bone-loss associated relative fracture risk, typically at advanced stages of the disease progression. Early detection is vital because the highest fracture incidence is not seen in people diagnosed to have osteoporosis but in those diagnosed to be healthy or osteopenic (losing bone mass), rendering osteoporosis one of the most underdiagnosed diseases in the western world. Early detection technology to overcome this clinical need was not available, until today.

The Porous solution uses quantitative ultrasound (QUS) technology with patented intelligent algorithms being able to measure the cortical bone quality to a microscopic pore level without radiation hazards. The intelligent algorithms overcome the limitations of ultrasound imaging in the bone where waves are scattered, making it impossible to analyze the cortical bone (micro) structure. This unique technology can measure for the first time not only the cortical thickness, but also the microscopic pores and pore-size distribution in human cortical bone of the peripheral skeleton.

Due to the use of ultrasound systems (mobile by design), this solution can be used anywhere in- or outside the hospital, e.g., primary care, elderly homes, or even pharmacies. It creates the ability to use the technology for prevention (screening); being able to diagnose patients already at the onset of osteoporosis.


Bone Diagnostics, Quantitative Ultrasound, and Osteoporosis