Elasto-electric longitudinal harmonic waves in porous long bones filled with physiological fluid

Transmission of elasto-electric longitudinal harmonic waves in porous long bones filled with physiological fluid is investigated. The complete set of equations of the problem is obtained on the basis of the Biot theory of elastic waves in fluid-saturated porous media and the linear equations of electrokinetics, by means of quantities analogous to those in the theory of electrical transmission lines. Experimental findings from the biomechanical literature, supporting applicability of the proposed description, are presented. The electric signal associated with the propagation of longitudinal elastic waves in a wet long bone shaft can potentially be used for monitoring these waves during their application in e.g. bone porosity measurements.