Background

In 1984 Dr Christian Langton first described Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation (BUA).

In the early 1980's Dr Langton carried out measurements of, the frequency dependence of ultrasonic attenuation in the range of 0.2 – 1.0MHz, in in vitro sample of bovine cancellous bone and in vivo oscalcis heel bones. The os calcis in the human heel was chosen as the measurement site, because it was accessible, relatively large in volume, and made of cancellous bone.

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In order to obtain these measurements a system was devised that comprised a temperature controlled water bath and 2 transducers, one acting as transmitter and one as a receiver. The foot was carefully positioned between the 2 and measurements were taken. The results indicated a linear relationship between ultrasonic attenuation measured in decibels and frequency measured in megahertz, in the frequency ranges of 0.2 0.6.

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This new parameter, Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation of BUA was first described by Dr Langton in the journal Engineering in Medicine in 1984.

In 1990 the first Contact Ultrasound Bone Analyzer, the CUBA-Research unit was developed. Unlike earlier devices, which incorporated a temperature controlled water bath, this was the first dry calcaneal ultrasound bone densitometer. The transducers were placed in direct contact with the foot, using ultrasound gel as the coupling medium.

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In 1992 some 8 years after the discovery of BUA by Dr Langton and following a number of years of stringent testing and clinical trials using the CUBA-research system, McCue Plc launched the CUBAClinicalTM system, as a device for the diagnosis and monitoring of osteoporosis in the clinical environment. Its advanced design, portability and user friendly operating software has made the system a popular choice with clinicians throughout the world.