Temperature dependence of acoustic properties of human tissues with a high‐resolution ultrasound backscatter microscope

Abstract

The B‐mode in vitro images of human skin and ocular tissues are obtained using a high‐resolution ultrasound backscatter microscope (UBM) at the frequencies of 40, 80, and 100 MHz. It shows that a high‐resolution UBM can visualize more detailed superficial microstructures of skin and eye at higher frequencies. In order to improve high‐frequency ultrasound images, we have investigated the acoustic properties, such as sound velocity, sound attenuation, and backscatter coefficient, of human tissues with this UBM system over the frequency range from 25 to 110 MHz. Their acoustic properties are also investigated as a function of temperature in the range from 20<th>°C to 65<th>°C, which may provide bases for ultrasound image monitoring of thermal therapy. [Work supported by Strategic National R&D Program of Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Energy (MOCIE), Republic of Korea.]