Abstract
We present here a quantitative ultrasound tomographic method yielding a sub-mm resolution, quantitative 3D representation of tissue characteristics in the presence of high contrast media. This result is a generalization of previous work where high impedance contrast was not present and may provide a clinically and laboratory relevant, relatively inexpensive, high resolution imaging method for imaging in the presence of bone. This allows tumor, muscle, tendon, ligament or cartilage disease monitoring for therapy and general laboratory or clinical settings. The method has proven useful in breast imaging and is generalized here to high-resolution quantitative imaging in the presence of bone. The laboratory data are acquired in ~ 12 min and the reconstruction in ~ 24 min—approximately 200 times faster than previously reported simulations in the literature. Such fast reconstructions with real data require careful calibration, adequate data redundancy from a 2D array of 2048 elements and a paraxial approximation. The imaging results show that tissue surrounding the high impedance region is artifact free and has correct speed of sound at sub-mm resolution.
Highlights
We present here a quantitative ultrasound tomographic method yielding a sub-mm resolution, quantitative 3D representation of tissue characteristics in the presence of high contrast media
The fundamental algorithm is similar, involving the paraxial approximation, and a full 3D model, but the unique use of particular data is critical to success, just as different MR sequences yield different results
Transmission ultrasound imaging has high spatial/contrast resolution and is safe for and broadly applicable to human and whole body medical and research imaging in the presence of bone. It has the following advantages: (1) it is inherently safe using low frequency and low energy sound, (2) it is fast and efficient, (3) it is less expensive than comparable imaging technology, making it available for low-resource areas—while providing high-quality medical/clinical and laboratory images (4) it meets all the needs of a point-of-care device for trauma and sport injury, (5) it can be adapted to partial-angle imaging—creating an “open” scanner design for intervention or biopsy, (6) it does not require a contrast agent or ionizing radiation, (7) it allows radiomics and machine learning analysis to be applied to the quantitative ultrasound tomography image, (8) it is aligned with personal precision medicine paradigms—allowing immediate monitoring of adjuvant/neo-adjuvant therapy
Summary
We present here a quantitative ultrasound tomographic method yielding a sub-mm resolution, quantitative 3D representation of tissue characteristics in the presence of high contrast media This result is a generalization of previous work where high impedance contrast was not present and may provide a clinically and laboratory relevant, relatively inexpensive, high resolution imaging method for imaging in the presence of bone. Johnson’s group at the University of U tah[4,5,6,7,8] led to high contrast and spatial resolution images in 2 0086,8–12, which were steadily improved, resulting in FDA clearance for its dedicated prone breast scanner in 2 01713 Another approach commonly employed in the literature is based on the ‘diffraction tomography’ approach of Devaney[14,15]. There is clinical need for sound wave imaging as described here because of 3 issues: (1) currently MRI has challenges directly measuring tissue characteristics such as cartilage, tendons, periosteum and the interior of trabecular bone (see below), (2) MRI has practical requirements of a high magnetic field and specialized facilities and (3) required
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
