A Comparison of the Imaging Performance of High Resolution Ultrasound Scanners for Preclinical Imaging

Carmel M Moran,Stephen D Pye,William Ellis,Anna Janeczko,Keith D Morris,Alan S Mcneilly,Hamish M Fraser

doi:10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2010.11.010

Abstract

Nine ultrasound transducers from six ultrasound scanners were assessed for their utility for preclinical ultrasound imaging. The transducers were: L8-16, L10-22 (Diasus; Dynamic Imaging Ltd., Livingston, UK); L17-5, L15-7io (iU22; Philips, Seattle, WA, USA), HFL38/13-6 (MicroMaxx; Sonosite Inc., Bothell, WA, USA); il3Lv (Vivid 5; GE, Fairfield, CT, USA), RMV 704 (Vevo 770; Visualsonics Inc., Toronto, Canada) and MS550S, MS550D (Vevo 2100; Visualsonics Inc.). A quantitative analysis of the ultrasound images from all nine transducers employed measurements of the resolution integral as an indication of the versatility and technology of the ultrasound scanners. Two other parameters derived from the resolution integral, the characteristic resolution and depth of field, were used to characterise imaging performance. Six of these transducers were also assessed qualitatively by ultrasonically scanning 59 female common marmosets ( Callithrix jacchus) yielding a total of 215 scans. The quantitative measurements for each of the transducers were consistent with the results obtained in the qualitative in vivo assessment. Over a 0–10 mm imaging depth, the values of the resolution integral, characteristic resolution and depth of field, measured using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom, ranged in magnitude from 7–72, 93–930 μm and 3.3–9.2 mm respectively. The largest resolution integrals were obtained using the Vevo 770 and Vevo 2100 scanners. The Edinburgh Pipe Phantom provides a quantitative method of characterising the imaging performance of preclinical imaging scanners. (E-mail: Carmel.Moran@ed.ac.uk)

Highlights

AND LITERATUREResearch using small animals has played and continues to play a key role in the advancement of biological, biomedical and veterinary science
These results are discussed in the context of images acquired from a preclinical imaging model using six of the transducers previously assessed with the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom
The resolution integral R, characteristic resolution DR and depth of field LR were calculated over the full range of depths imaged (Table 2) and over a depth range of 0–10mm appropriate for preclinical imaging (Table 3)

Summary

Introduction

AND LITERATUREResearch using small animals has played and continues to play a key role in the advancement of biological, biomedical and veterinary science. The mouse model has become increasingly popular as a research model due to the fact that the human and mouse genomes are remarkably similar with over 85% of the genomic sequences in mice identical to those found in humans (National Human Genome Research Institute, http:// www.genome.gov). This knowledge of the genomic sequence enables researchers to knock-out specific genes enabling the creation of many genetically engineered. The aim of this article is to describe the development of the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom as a means to assess a range of both clinical and preclinical scanners for preclinical imaging. These results are discussed in the context of images acquired from a preclinical imaging model (common marmoset [Callithrix jacchus]) using six of the transducers previously assessed with the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom

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Discussion

Conclusion