Abstract— This paper presents a method for the evaluation of linear and comminuted bone fractures by using one dimensional ultrasound system. This paper includes an investigation on the attenuation of 1 MHz ultrasound wave propagating through a normal and fractured bone, through utilising the pulse echo method. Two types of bone fracture were included in this study, namely the linear fracture and comminuted fracture, which were simulated using a goat’s bone encased in gelatin. The reflected echoes were analysed to determine the power spectral density and ultrasound attenuation based on insertion loss method. The ultrasound attenuation resulting from a normal and fractured bone showed that average signal power on the fractured bone was lower than the normal bone by 4.3dB for both linear and comminuted fractures. In addition to that, this study also shows that one dimensional ultrasound can be used to determine the fracture site precisely by observing the difference in ultrasound attenuation value. The fracture site was observed having higher ultrasound attenuation due to the presence of spaces and gaps that allowed the ultrasound to pass through it and further attenuated. Based on the result, the ultrasound signal attenuation showed a potential for use to detect bone fracture; nevertheless, further studies are still needed to determine the type of fractures. The present finding shows the potential of one dimensional ultrasound as a simpler and safer method in diagnosing bone fracture as an adjunct to x-ray imaging, especially for pregnant mothers and paediatric cases. Keywords— Bone fracture, linear, comminuted, one dimensional ultrasound, attenuation. Maheza I. M. Salim is a Senior Lecturer at the Department of Clinical Sciences, Faculty of Biosciences and Medical Engineering. She is also a member of Diagnostic Research Group and UTM-IJN Cardiovascular Engineering Center, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia (+60197646095), (e-mail: maheza@biomedical.utm.my ). Alwin A Alexander is currently a Product Development Engineer, Intel Microelectronics Sdn. Bhd. This research work was carried out when he was with Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Sallehuddin Ibrahim is an Associate professor at the Faculty of Electrical Engineering, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia. Eko Supriyanto is a Professor and Director of UTM-IJN Cardiovascular Engineering Center, Universiti Teknologi Malaysia, 81310 Johor Bahru Malaysia.(email: eko@biomedical.utm.my ) I. INTRODUCTION ONE fracture is among the most common musculoskeletal injuries and represents considerable global health burden every year [1]. Recent reports published that bone fractures take up one of the most frequent non-fatal injuries worldwide [2-3] with the most significant morbidity in childhood and elderly [4-5]. Other than that, the number of hip fractures worldwide was estimated to be 1.66 million worldwide in 1990 and is expected to increase to 6.26 million cases by 2050 [7-8]. The estimation has made World Health Organization (WHO) to call for increasing focus in managing musculoskeletal injuries worldwide. Hence, predicting, preventing and managing bone fracture are very crucial due to its high frequency, surgical complications and socioeconomic impact [7]. A. Anatomy and Physiology of the Bone and Bone Fractures. The main role of the skeletal system is to provide structural support of the body, leverage and movement as well as protection for vital organs. It also performs other important functions such as for mineral reservoir and blood production [7]. The bone is a composite structure composed of hydroxyapatite, collagen, noncollagenous protein, water and small amount of proteoglycans [9-11]. However, these compositions vary according to species, age, sex and the specific bone itself [12]. Generally, bone tissue is nonhomogenous, porous and anisotropic. There are two types of bone tissue, namely the trabecular and cortical, which are distinguished according to their porosity. The trabecular bone has 50-95% porosity. This type of tissue is usually found in cuboidal bones, flat bones and at the ends of long bones. Pores in trabecular tissue are interconnected and filled with marrow for blood production [13]. On the other hand, the cortical bone has 5-10% of porosity. It is usually found in the shaft of a long bone and it surrounds the trabecular bone forming a flat bone. Bone fractures are medical condition in which there is an incomplete or complete break in the continuity of the bone [14]. The break may be a result of a sudden injury due to high force impact and continuous stress as well as fragility due to osteoporosis or certain medical conditions that weaken the Evaluation of Linear and Comminuted Bone Fracture Status by using One Dimensional Ultrasound System Maheza I. Mohamad Salim, Alwin A. Alexander, Sallehuddin Ibrahim and Eko Supriyanto. B INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF BIOLOGY AND BIOMEDICAL ENGINEERING Issue 3, Volume 7, 2013 67