The proposed innovation is for the use of non-invasive non- hazardous ultrasound and infrasound techniques for the monitoring of deleterious changes of bone and muscle mass during space flight. The status of bone can be analyzed by pre-flight, in-flight and post-flight measurement using ultrasound to measure bone strength and weakening due to demineralization and very low frequency sound to define the lose of muscle and bone mass, The objective is to define the optimum technical parameters that will give maximum signal sensitivity within a minimal measurement time. To obtain the necessary information, studies will be performed to establish signal characteristics using bone and muscle phantoms which mimic the variations in bone and muscle mass and strength. The result of this study will define: 1. The correlation between signal characteristics of sound and bone and muscle mass: 2. The methodology of the measurements. The proposed technique will not be affected by a microgravity environment. A small and portable instrument can be developed for use during space flight that will give real time quantitative information which allows for effective countermeasures to be taken to oppose deleterious loss of bone and muscle mass. Compact and lightweight medical instruments for the quatitative diagnosis and measurements of: bone and muscle mass; osteoporotic condition; fracture risk projection: monitoring of fracture healing. The instruments can be used by hospitals as well as general practioners and physical and rehabilitation specialists. bone mass, ultrasound, infrasound, non-invasive diagnostics.
