Impact of local attenuation approximations when estimating correlation length from backscattered ultrasound echoes

Estimating the characteristic correlation length of tissue microstructure from the backscattered power spectrum could improve the diagnostic capability of medical ultrasound. Previously, size estimates were obtained after compensating for source focusing, the frequency-dependent attenuation along the propagation path (total attenuation), and the frequency-dependent attenuation in the scattering region (local attenuation). In this study, the impact of approximations of the local attenuation on the scatterer size estimate was determined using computer simulations and theoretical analysis. The simulations used Gaussian impedance distributions with an effective radius of 25 microm randomly positioned in a homogeneous half-space sonified by a spherically focused source (f/1 to f/4). The approximations of the local attenuation that were assessed neglected local attenuation (i.e., assume 0 dB/cm-MHz) neglected frequency dependence of the local attenuation, and assumed a finite frequency dependence (i.e., 0.5 dB/cm-MHz) independent of the true attenuation of the medium. Errors in the scatterer size estimate due to the local attenuation approximations increased with increasing window length, increasing true local attenuation and increasing f number. The most robust estimates were obtained when the local attenuation was approximated by a tissue-independent attenuation value that was greater than 70% of the largest attenuation expected in the tissue region of interest.     

Acousto-mechanical and thermal properties of clotted blood

The efficacy of ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis as an adjunct treatment of ischemic stroke is being widely investigated. To determine the role of ultrasound hyperthermia in the process of blood clot disruption, the acousto-mechanical and thermal properties of clotted blood were measured in vitro, namely, density, speed of sound, frequency-dependent attenuation, specific heat, and thermal conductivity. The amplitude coefficient of attenuation of the clots was determined for 120 kHz, 1.0 MHz, and 3.5 MHz ultrasound at room temperature (20 +/- 2 degrees C). The attenuation coefficient ranged from 0.10 to 0.30 Np/cm in porcine clots and from 0.09 to 0.23 Np/cm in human clots. The experimentally determined values of specific heat and thermal conductivity for porcine clotted blood are (3.2 +/- 0.5) x 10(3) J/kg x K and 0.55 +/- 0.13 W/m x K, respectively, and for human clotted blood are (3.5 +/- 0.8) x 10(3) J/kg x K and 0.59 +/- 0.11 W/m x K, respectively. Measurements of the acousto-mechanical and thermal properties of clotted blood can be helpful in theoretical modeling of ultrasound hyperthermia in ultrasound-assisted thrombolysis and other high-intensity focused ultrasound applications.     

窄带脉冲信号测量横波衰减系数-频率曲线的方法

提出一种测量材料超声横波衰减-频率曲线(αs-f)的方法:应用窄带脉冲驱动接触式横波探头的脉冲反射方式,采用石英晶体作为耦合块,通过测量耦合块和被测试块耦合界面的声压反射和透射系数,并在衍射修正下测量得到单频率下的超声横波衰减系数;在探头有效带宽内改变发射频率并重复测量,得到不同频率下超声横波衰减系数数值;利用非线性最...     

Image reconstruction in optoacoustic tomography for dispersive acoustic media

Conventional image reconstruction methods for optoacoustic tomography (OAT) assume an idealized, non-dispersive acoustic medium. However, the linear attenuation coefficient and the phase velocity of acoustic waves propagating in soft tissue depend on temporal frequency and satisfy a known dispersion law. These frequency-dependent effects are incorporated into an optoacoustic wave equation, and a corresponding reconstruction method for OAT is developed. The improvement in image fidelity that can be achieved over conventional reconstruction methods is demonstrated by use of computer-simulation studies.     

各向异性渗流条件下弹性波的传播特征

研究了弹性波在非均匀裂纹孔隙介质中的传播特性,建立了各向异性喷射流模型.当弹性波通过裂纹孔隙介质时,由于波的扰动及裂纹和孔隙几何结构的不一致,导致在裂纹内部及裂纹与周边孔隙之间同时存在着流体压力梯度.此时的弹性波波动响应中包含着裂纹内连通性特征和背景孔隙渗透率信息.流体的动态流动过程使得介质的等效弹性参数为复数(非完全弹性),并且具有频率依赖性.当弹性波为低频和高频极限时,介质为完全弹性;当处于中间频段时,波有衰减和频率依赖.裂纹孔隙介质的各向异性连通性(渗透率)对应着各向异性特征频率(当渗流长度等于非均匀尺度时的弹性波频率),波的传播受到裂纹内连通性的影响.在一定频段内,随着裂纹厚度的增加,将出现第二峰值,峰值大小同时受到裂纹厚度和半径的影响.     

Influence of dynamic tissue properties on temperature elevation and lesions during HIFU scanning therapy: Numerical simulation

When large tumors are treated,ablation of the entire volume of tumors requires multiple treatment spots formed by high intensity-focused ultrasound(HIFU)scanning therapy.The heating effect of HIFU on biological tissue is mainly reflected in temperature elevation and tissue lesions.Tissue property parameters vary with temperature and,in turn,the distribution of temperature as well as the heating effects change accordingly.In this study,an HIFU scanning therapy model considering dynamic tissue properties is provided.The acoustic fields and temperature fields are solved combining the Helmholtz wave equation with Pennes bio-heat transfer equation based on the finite element method(FEM)to investigate the effects of various tissue properties(i.e.,the attenuation coefficient,acoustic velocity,thermal conductivity,specific heat capacity,density,and blood perfusion rate)on heating performance.Comparisons of the temperature distribution and thermal lesions under static and dynamic properties are made based on the data of tissue property parameters varying with temperature.The results show that the dynamic changes of thermal conductivity,specific heat capacity,and acoustic velocity may account for the decrease of temperature elevation in HIFU treatment,while the dynamic changes of attenuation coefficient,density,and blood perfusion rate aggravate the increase of temperature on treatment spots.Compared with other properties,the dynamic change of attenuation coefficient has a greater impact on tissue temperature elevation.During HIFU scanning therapy,the temperature elevation and tissue lesions of the first treatment spot are smaller than those of the subsequent treatment spots,but the temperature on the last treatment spot drops faster during the cooling period.The ellipsoidal tissue lesion is not symmetrical;specifically,the part facing toward the previous treatment spot tends to be larger.Under the condition of the same doses,the temperature elevation and the size of tissue lesions under dynamic properties present significant growth in comparison to static properties.Besides,the tissue lesion begins to form earlier with a more unsymmetrical shape and is connected to the tissue lesion around the previous treatment spot.As a result,lesions around all the treatment spots are connected with each other to form a closed lesion region.The findings in this study reveal the influence of dynamic tissue properties on temperature elevation and lesions during HIFU scanning therapy,providing useful support for the optimization of treatment programs to guarantee higher efficacy and safety.     

材料非线性衰减系数的二次谐波测量方法研究

采用有限幅值法测量材料在基波和非线性引起的二次谐波作用下的衰减系数:利用准线性下的KZK方程推导基波和二次谐波的声压分布,并提取波束修正系数;采用短纯音信号进行非线性实验,对检测得到的基波和二次谐波声压进行衍射修正处理,有效抑制衍射对衰减系数测量的不利影响,继而通过线性拟合的方法计算得到更精确的基波和二次谐波的衰减系数。以水为例进行实验,研究了实验测量所得衰减系数的频率依赖关系,结果表明在非线性条件下水的衰减系数与频率间存在较强的线性关系,而线性条件下衰减系数随频率呈现二次方增长的特性则不适用于非线性条件。该研究提出了准确测量非线性声波衰减系数的方法,为更有效地应用非线性超声检测提供理论依据。      

衰减匹配的超声Barker码激励方法

为增加超声穿透高声衰减介质的能力,提出了一种衰减匹配的超声Barker码激励方法。基于换能器高斯响应与材料非频散线性衰减的假设,得到了Barker码激励的信号模型,求解旁瓣抑制滤波后脉冲压缩的信噪比表达式可知,该方法仅需要根据材料衰减特性与轴向分辨率的要求,分别调整Barker码的中心频率与时长,便可以获得更高的信噪比。取衰减系数为1.4 Np/(MHz·cm)、厚度为5 cm的橡胶为试样进行验证。当与方波激励方法的轴向分辨率相近时,衰减匹配的Barker码激励方法比传统Barker码激励方法的信噪比增益提高接近5 dB;当牺牲一定轴向分辨率时,信噪比增益提高接近11 dB。结果表明,衰减匹配的Barker码激励方法可以降低依频率衰减对脉冲压缩的影响,有效提高衰减回波的信噪比。      

High frequency ultrasonic characterization of human vocal fold tissue

Recently, endolaryngeal sonography at frequencies ranging from 10 to 30 MHz has been found to be useful in diagnosing diseases of the vocal folds (VFs). However, image resolution can be further improved by ultrasound at higher frequencies, necessitating the measurement of high-frequency acoustic properties of VF tissue. The ultrasonic parameters of integrated backscatter, sound velocity, and frequency-dependent attenuation coefficient were measured in both the lamina propria (LP) and vocalis muscle (VM) of human VFs using a 47 MHz high-frequency ultrasonic transducer. The integrated backscatter was -173.44+/-6.14 (mean+/-s.d.) and -195.13+/-3.58 dB in the LP and VM, respectively, the sound velocity was 1667.68+/-44.9 and 1595.07+/-39.33 ms, and the attenuation coefficient at 47 MHz was 8.28+/-1.72 and 7.17+/-1.30 dBmm. The difference between these ultrasonic parameters may be attributed to variations in the structure and fiber concentrations in VF tissue. These results could serve as a useful clinical reference for the further development of high-frequency ultrasound devices for endolarynx sonography applications.     

In vivo measurement of attenuation

We propose a new technique for the in vivo measurement of attenuation. The method is conceptually simple and can also be easily implemented on a real-time ultrasound unit. The technique is suggested by an analysis of the propagation of a Gaussian pulse in a medium which has frequency-dependent attenuation as well as dispersion (frequency-dependent velocity). If the medium has a loss factor which can be described by H(f) = exp(-eta[f]pX), where f is the frequency and O less than or equal to p less than or equal to 2 (valid for tissues and other objects of interest), then the pulse retains its Gaussian shape, shifting only its centre frequency and bandwidth. This suggests that by measuring the mean frequency of the reflected rf waveform in a window which is moved in depth we can obtain an estimate of the attenuation. Here we describe a particular hardware implementation of this technique which we have completed (based on measurement of zero-crossings) and present some preliminary in vivo measurements.     

Improved algorithm for estimation of attenuation along propagation path using backscattered echoes from multiple sources

Accurately determining the attenuation along the propagation path leading to a region of interest could significantly improve diagnostic ultrasound tissue characterization since tissue characterization requires exact compensation for the frequency-dependent attenuation along the propagation path. In a previous study (JASA, 124:1367, 2008), it was shown that the total attenuation can be determined by using the backscattered echoes from multiple sources. The preliminary computer simulation results, had an average error between ?0.3 and +0.2 dB/MHz for the cases tested with a trend towards increasing error with increasing correlation length (i.e., characteristic size of the tissue microstructure of the scattering medium) and attenuation along the propagation path. Therefore, the goal of this study was to improve the accuracy of previously derived algorithm and reduce the dependence of the algorithm on correlation length and attenuation. In this study, the previous derivations were redone and the assumptions made by the algorithm regarding the scattering properties of the medium and the shape of the backscattered power spectrum were relaxed. The revised algorithm was then verified using computer simulations of five sources (6, 8, 10, 12, and 14 MHz, 50% bandwidth) exposing a homogeneous tissue region. The simulated tissue had microstructure following a Gaussian spatial correlation function (i.e., exp (?0.827(ka_eff)²) where k is the wavenumber) with effective radii, a_eff, of 5–55 μm (one size per simulated case) placed at a density of 250/mm³ (～5 scatterers/resolution cell for 14 MHz transducer). The attenuation of the tissue was also varied from 0.1 to 0.9 dB/cm-MHz. The computer simulations demonstrated that the modifications significantly improved the accuracy of the algorithm resulting in average errors between ?0.04 and 0.1 dB/MHz which is three times better than the error performance of the original algorithm.     

Rayleigh wave attenuation due to the scattering by two-dimensional irregularities of the walls of an empty borehole

Attenuation of the Rayleigh waves propagating along an irregular surface of an empty borehole is investigated. This problem generalizes the problem on the attenuation of Rayleigh waves by an irregular boundary of a half-space. The technique used to evaluate the attenuation coefficient is based on the perturbation method and the mean field method. As a result, an expression is obtained that relates the partial attenuation coefficients of the surface Rayleigh wave to the scattering by the irregular surface of an empty borehole into the bulk longitudinal and transverse waves (the R → P and R → S processes) and into the surface Rayleigh waves (the R → R processes). The frequency-dependent behavior of the partial attenuation coefficients is analyzed for different correlation functions of irregularities.     

Determination of optical properties of oxidative bleaching human dental tissue samples using optical coherence tomography

Oxidative bleaching changes of human teeth induced changes in the optical properties of dental tissue. We introduced 1310 nm wavelengths of optical coherence tomography (OCT) attenuation coefficient method which is a relatively novel and rarely reported methodology to measure the correlation coefficient during the teeth oxidative bleaching procedure. And the quantitative parameters of enamel optical thickness and disruption of the entrance signal (DES) were extracted from the OCT images. The attenuation coefficient of the bleached tissue is 6.2 mm⁻¹ which is significant (p < 0.001) higher than that unbleached sample is 1.4 mm⁻¹. But attenuation coefficient varied significantly (p < 0.001) between 5.9 and 1.5 mm⁻¹ in dentine which is downtrend. Furthermore, the persistence of bleaching oxidation in 35% hydrogen peroxide-induced optical thickness of enamel is similar with unbleached tissue which may indicate the refractive index of enamel is unchanged. Moreover, disruption of the entrance signal (DES) analysis showed that remarkable difference was appeared at enamel surface. The results indicate that optical properties of oxidative bleaching human dental tissue can be determined by attenuation coefficient using OCT system.     

Attenuation of a Stoneley wave and higher Lamb modes due to the scattering by two-dimensional irregularities of the walls of a fluid-filled borehole

Attenuation of Stoneley waves and higher Lamb modes propagating along an irregular surface of a fluid-filled borehole is investigated. This problem generalizes the problem on the attenuation of Rayleigh waves by an irregular surface of an empty borehole [10]. The technique used to evaluate the attenuation coefficient is based on the perturbation method (surface irregularity heights are considered to be small in comparison with the wavelength) and the mean field method. As a result, an expression is obtained for the partial coefficients of the eigenmode attenuation due to the scattering of eigenmodes by the irregularities of the borehole walls into the same or other eigenmodes, as well as into the bulk longitudinal and transverse waves. The frequency-dependent behavior of the partial attenuation coefficients of both Stoneley waves and higher modes is analyzed against the ratio between the irregularity correlation length and the borehole radius for different correlation functions of irregularities.     

Numerical simulation of nonlinear acoustic attenuation of multi-component gas mixture

The direct simulation Monte Carlo （DSMC） method was introduced to model the acoustic propagation in multi-component gas mixtures. And a theoretical predictive model of acoustic attenuation was proposed, which does not rely on experiential parameters. The acoustic attenuation spectra of various multi-component gas mixtures, consisting of nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, methane and water, were estimated by the DSMC method. The sound frequency range of interest is from 8 MHz to 232 MHz. Compared with the result of the relaxation attenuation based on the DL model plus that of the classical attenuation calculated by the Stokes-Kirchhoff formula, the estimations of acoustic attenuation of our model agreed with them. The precision of the model depends upon the understanding of the physical mechanism of molecule collision from which the attenuation arises. In addition, the result of our model shows that the characters of the frequency-dependent acoustic attenuation rely on the composition of the gas mixtures. And this could lead to the development of smart acoustic gas sensors capable of quantitatively determining gas composition in various environments and processes.     

The dependence of time-domain speed-of-sound measurements on center frequency, bandwidth, and transit-time marker in human calcaneus in vitro

Time-domain speed-of-sound (SOS) measurements in calcaneus are effective predictors of osteoporotic fracture risk. High attenuation and dispersion in bone, however, produce severe distortion of transmitted pulses that leads to ambiguity of time-domain SOS measurements. An equation to predict the effects of system parameters (center frequency and bandwidth), algorithm parameters (pulse arrival-time marker), and bone properties (attenuation coefficient and thickness) on time-domain SOS estimates is derived for media with attenuation that varies linearly with frequency. The equation is validated using data from a bone-mimicking phantom and from 30 human calcaneus samples in vitro. The data suggest that the effects of dispersion are small compared with the effects of frequency-dependent attenuation. The equation can be used to retroactively compensate data. System-related variations in SOS are shown to decrease as the pulse-arrival-time marker is moved toward the pulse center. Therefore, compared with other time-domain measures of SOS, group velocity exhibits the minimum system dependence.     

Phase velocity and normalized broadband ultrasonic attenuation in Polyacetal cuboid bone-mimicking phantoms

The variations of phase velocity and normalized broadband ultrasonic attenuation (nBUA) with porosity were investigated in Polyacetal cuboid bone-mimicking phantoms with circular cylindrical pores running normal to the surface along the three orthogonal axes. The frequency-dependent phase velocity and attenuation coefficient in the phantoms with porosities from 0% to 65.9% were measured from 0.65 to 1.10 MHz. The results showed that the phase velocity at 880 kHz decreased linearly with porosity, whereas the nBUA increased linearly with porosity. This study provides a useful insight into the relationships between ultrasonic properties and porosity in bone at porosities lower than 70%.     

Acoustic characterization of echogenic liposomes: frequency-dependent attenuation and backscatter

Ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) are used clinically to aid detection and diagnosis of abnormal blood flow or perfusion. Characterization of UCAs can aid in the optimization of ultrasound parameters for enhanced image contrast. In this study echogenic liposomes (ELIPs) were characterized acoustically by measuring the frequency-dependent attenuation and backscatter coefficients at frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz using a broadband pulse-echo technique. The experimental methods were initially validated by comparing the attenuation and backscatter coefficients measured from 50-μm and 100-μm polystyrene microspheres with theoretical values. The size distribution of the ELIPs was measured and found to be polydisperse, ranging in size from 40 nm to 6 μm in diameter, with the highest number observed at 65 nm. The ELIP attenuation coefficients ranged from 3.7 ± 1.0 to 8.0 ± 3.3 dB/cm between 3 and 25 MHz. The backscatter coefficients were 0.011 ± 0.006 (cm str)(-1) between 6 and 9 MHz and 0.023?±?0.006 (cm str)(-1) between 13 and 30 MHz. The measured scattering-to-attenuation ratio ranged from 8% to 22% between 6 and 25 MHz. Thus ELIPs can provide enhanced contrast over a broad range of frequencies and the scattering properties are suitable for various ultrasound imaging applications including diagnostic and intravascular ultrasound.     

Acoustic dispersion and attenuation measurement using both transmitted and reflected pulses

Traditional broadband transmission method for measuring acoustic dispersion and attenuation requires the measurement of the thickness of the specimen, the transmission coefficient at the water–specimen interface, and the Fourier spectra of two transmitted pulses. A new method has recently been developed that can determine both the thickness and dispersion of the specimen by utilizing the phase spectra of two additional pulses reflected back from the front and back surfaces of the specimen. In this paper, the method is further extended to the measurement of attenuation. If the density of the specimen is known, the frequency-dependent transmission coefficient can be determined based on the measured phase velocity, and only the amplitude spectra of the two transmitted pulses are used to determine the attenuation. If the density of the specimen is unknown, the attenuation can be determined from the amplitude spectra of all the four pulses. In both cases, the thickness estimated from the phase spectra of the four pulses is utilized. Experimental results from two specimens are presented to demonstrate the application of the new method.