Signal analysis of elastic waveguide-based techniques for monitoring bone fracture healing: application to structural state evolution in biological composites

Wei  Li; Xiaoya  Li; Jingya  Wu; Xiao  Liang

doi:10.59400/sv3717

Signal analysis of elastic waveguide-based techniques for monitoring bone fracture healing: application to structural state evolution in biological composites

Wei Li Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation, Henan Vocational College of Nursing, Anyang 455000, Henan, China
Xiaoya Li Department of Pharmacy and Medical Technology, Henan Vocational College of Nursing, Anyang 455000, Henan, China
Jingya Wu Department of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Rehabilitation, Henan Vocational College of Nursing, Anyang 455000, Henan, China
Xiao Liang Medical Oncology, Anyang Cancer Hospital, Anyang 455100, Henan, China

Article ID: 3717

Keywords: elastic waveguide; dispersion and attenuation; acoustic signal processing; vibration-based diagnostics; time–frequency analysis; machine learning classification

Abstract

This study explores the use of elastic waveguide propagation and signal analysis for monitoring structural evolution in heterogeneous media, with bone analogues employed as a case example. Synthetic models representing low, intermediate, and high stiffness states were examined using piezoelectric sensors to capture transmitted waveforms. Four parameters velocity, attenuation, dispersion index, and spectral entropy were extracted according to defined procedures. Results showed consistent trends: velocity increased, attenuation decreased, dispersion diminished, and entropy reduced as stiffness increased, confirming the sensitivity of wave-derived features to structural transitions. A Random Forest classifier was applied to these features, demonstrating highly accurate discrimination among the three states under controlled conditions. The integration of elastic wave descriptors with supervised learning highlights the potential of vibration-based diagnostics for tracking stiffness evolution in heterogeneous composites. While bone consolidation provides a compelling case study, the framework is generalisable to other composite systems, thereby reinforcing the contribution of elastic wave analysis to the broader field of sound and vibration.

Published

2025-10-21

How to Cite

Li, W., Li, X., Wu, J., & Liang, X. (2025). Signal analysis of elastic waveguide-based techniques for monitoring bone fracture healing: application to structural state evolution in biological composites. Sound & Vibration, 59(4). https://doi.org/10.59400/sv3717

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Vol. 59 No. 4 (2025)

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Article

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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