Bio-structural monitoring of bone mineral alterations through electromechanical impedance measurements of a Piezo-device joined to a tooth

Bone presents different systemic functionalities as calcium phosphate reservoir, organ protection, among others. For that reason, the bone health conditions are essential to keep in equilibrium the metabolism of several body systems. Different technologies exist to diagnose bone conditions with invasive methods based on ionizing radiation. Therefore, there is a challenge to develop new ways to evaluate bone alterations in a noninvasive form. This study shows the assessment of a piezo-actuated device acting on a human tooth for the bio-monitoring of bone alterations. The bone diagnosis is performed by applying the electromechanical impedance technique (EMI), commonly used in structural health monitoring. For the experimental tests, five bone samples were prepared, and one was chosen as the monitoring. All samples were put in a decalcifying substance (TBD1 acid-base) at different times to emulate localized bone mineral alterations. Bone reductions were computed by using X-ray micro-computed tomography analyzing the morphometry. Electrical resistance measurements (piezo-device) were taken for the monitoring specimen meanwhile it was partially decalcified during 8520 seconds. In the frequency spectrum, several observation windows showed that the bone alterations gradually changed the electrical resistance signals which were quantified statistically. Results evidenced that the bone density changes are correlated with the electrical resistance measurements; these changes presented an exponential behavior as much as in the calculated index, and bone mineral reduction. The results demonstrated that bone alterations exhibit linear dependence with the computed statistical indexes. This result confirms that it is possible to observe the bone changes from the teeth as a future application.