B-mode Scanning Research Articles

Ocular biometry in Gaddi breed goats of Himachal Pradesh

The echo-biometrical evaluation of normal eye was done in 20 Gaddi goats with the help of ultrasonography at Gaddi goat unit, CSK Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya, Palampur. Trans-corneal and trans-palpebral ultrasound scanning of the normal eye was done in standing position without any sedation or regional nerve block. Xylocaine ointment (5%) was used to desensitize the cornea and 2% lignocaine jelly was applied directly on the cornea to serve as a conductive medium for ultrasound waves in trans-corneal technique. B-mode ultrasound scan of the eyes was done in both the transverse and sagittal planes. Corneal thickness varied from 0.03 to 0.07 cm, aqueous chamber depth from 0.12 to 0.31 cm, lens thickness from 0.78 to 0.96 cm, lens diameter from 0.92 to 1.36 cm, vitreous chamber depth from 0.90 to 1.08 cm, eyeball diameter from 1.90 to 2.66 cm and eyeball length from 1.90 to 2.12 cm. There was no statistically significant difference between the echo-biometric parameters of the left and right eye in the present study.

Fetal and neonatal echocardiographic analysis of biomechanical alterations for the systemic right ventricle heart

Background The perinatal transition’s impact on systemic right ventricle (SRV) cardiac hemodynamics is not fully understood. Standard clinical image analysis tools fall short of capturing comprehensive diastolic and systolic measures of these hemodynamics. Objectives Compare standard and novel hemodynamic echocardiogram (echo) parameters to quantify perinatal changes in SRV and healthy controls. Methods We performed a retrospective study of 10 SRV patients with echocardiograms at 33-weeks gestation and at day of birth and 12 age-matched controls. We used in-house developed analysis algorithms to quantify ventricular biomechanics from four-chamber B-mode and color Doppler scans. Cardiac morphology, hemodynamics, tissue motion, deformation, and flow parameters were measured. Results Tissue motion, deformation, and index measurements did not reliably capture biomechanical changes. Stroke volume and cardiac output were nearly twice as large for the SRV compared to the control RV and left ventricle (LV) due to RV enlargement. The enlarged RV exhibited disordered flow with higher energy loss (EL) compared to prenatal control LV and postnatal control RV and LV. Furthermore, the enlarged RV demonstrated elevated vortex strength (VS) and kinetic energy (KE) compared to both the control RV and LV, prenatally and postnatally. The SRV showed reduced relaxation with increased early filling velocity (E) compared prenatally to the LV and postnatally to the control RV and LV. Furthermore, increased recovery pressure (ΔP) was observed between the SRV and control RV and LV, prenatally and postnatally. Conclusions The novel hydrodynamic parameters more reliably capture the SRV alterations than traditional parameters.

0.36BiScO3-0.64PbTiO3/Epoxy 1-3-2 High-Temperature Composite Ultrasonic Transducer for Non-destructive Testing Applications.

The development of high-temperature nondestructive testing (NDT) requires ultrasonic transducers with good temperature resistance and high sensitivity for improved detection efficiency. Piezoelectric composite can improve the performance of transducers because of its high electromechanical coupling coefficient and adjustable acoustic impedance. In this study, 1-3-2 composites and 1-3-2 high-temperature composite ultrasonic transducers (HTCUTs) based on 0.36BiScO3-0.64PbTiO3 (BSPT), which are preferred piezoelectric materials at 200°C-300°C, and high-temperature epoxy with a center frequency of 6 MHz were designed and fabricated. From 25°C to 250°C, 1-3-2 composites show a higher electromechanical coupling coefficient kt especially at high temperatures (~0.53 at 25°C, and ~0.64 at 250°C) than monolithic BSPT (~0.5). The signal of the pulse-echo response of 1-3-2 HTCUTs is distinguishable up to 250 °C and remains stable (Vpp~500 mV) below 150°C, exhibiting higher sensitivity (improved by 7 dB) than that of monolithic BSPT high-temperature ultrasonic transducers (HTUTs). Bandwidth has been greatly enhanced especially at high temperatures (~103250°C) compared with that of monolithic BSPT HTUTs(~30250°C). To verify the excellent performance, B-mode scanning imaging measurement of a stepped steel block and defect location detection of a steel block were performed, showing the potential for high-temperature NDT applications.

Abstract 4159: Noninvasive measurement of murine glioblastoma in vivo with a benchtop ultrasound instrument

Abstract The purpose of this study was to evaluate a new in vivo approach for rapidly measuring tumor volumes in rodent models for glioblastoma (GBM). GBM is the most common primary brain tumor with <5% of patients surviving >5 years post diagnosis. These poor outcomes underscore the importance of researching new treatment options, and murine models play a vital role in this. Noninvasive measurements of murine GBM tumors are commonly performed using CT and MRI but these tools are costly and time-consuming to use. BLI can quickly detect the presence of GBM cells in vivo, but image data can be challenging to correlate to tumor volume. In this study we demonstrate the feasibility of imaging GBM in vivo through the intact mouse skull using a benchtop robotic ultrasound scanner. This approach could offer researchers a means to quickly size tumors in the murine brain noninvasively. To test feasibility of this approach, a female athymic nude mouse aged 16 weeks was implanted with 2e5 U87 GBM cells in the brain. The tumor was given 25 days to develop prior to ultrasound imaging. After imaging, the brain was harvested for ex vivo validation of tumor presence and volume. Imaging was performed using a Vega ultrasound system (Revvity, Waltham, MA, USA) with the mouse in supine position and fur removed from head with depilatory cream. In vivo imaging consisted of a contrast-enhanced acoustic angiography (AA) scan to assess tumor perfusion. An ex vivo B-mode scan of the brain was collected after sacrificing the animal to validate the location and size of the tumor without interference from the skull. The tumor volumes were measured in each image and compared. 3D segmentations in the ex vivo and in vivo images yielded volumes of 43.1 mm3 and 44.6 mm3, respectively, a 3.5% variance. In the in vivo AA image, the borders of the tumor were adequately well-defined for volume estimation, despite some shadowing from the sagittal suture of the skull. In the B-mode image of the excised brain, the tumor appeared hyperechoic compared to the contralateral hemisphere. Images were acquired in < 2 min. This pilot study demonstrates a potential alternative to CT and MRI for monitoring of GBM volumes in vivo. Citation Format: Thomas M. Kierski, Juan D. Rojas, Morrent Thang, Shawn D. Hingtgen, Phillip G. Durham, Paul A. Dayton, Tomek J. Czernuszewicz, Ryan C. Gessner. Noninvasive measurement of murine glioblastoma in vivo with a benchtop ultrasound instrument [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84(6_Suppl):Abstract nr 4159.

Initial description of the novel handheld wireless ultrasound device TE Air with Doppler and Color Duplex imaging.

To test and initially describe a new handheld wireless ultrasound technique (TE Air) for clinical use. In this pilot study, the new ultrasound device TE Air from Mindray was used to examine the hepatic and renal vessels of healthy volunteers for first impressions. The probe has a sector transducer with a frequency range of 1.8-4.5 MHz. The B-mode and color-coded doppler sonography (CCDS) scanning methods were used. A high-end device from the same company (Resona 9, Mindray) was used as a reference. The results were evaluated using an image rating scale ranging from 0 to 5, with 0 indicating not assessable and 5 indicating without limitations. Altogether, 61 participants (n = 34 female [55.7%], n = 27 male [44.3%]), age range 18-83 years, mean age 37.9±16.5 years) could be adequately studied using TE AIR and the high-end device. With one exception, the image quality score for TE Air never fell below 3 and had a mean/median scored of 4.97/5.00 for the B-mode, 4.92/5.00 for the color flow (CF) mode, and 4.89/5.00 for the pulse wave (PW) mode of the hepatic vein, 4.90/5.00 for the portal vein, 4.11/4.00 for the hepatic artery, and 4.57/5.00 for the renal segmental artery. A significant difference in the assessment of flow measurement of the hepatic artery and renal segmental arteries was found between TE AIR and the high-end device. TE Air represents a new dimension in point-of-care ultrasound via wireless handheld devices. Especially, its flow measurement ability offers a relevant advantage over other available handheld models. TE Air provides a formally sufficient image quality in terms of diagnostic significance.

(156) Morphometrix Tissue Segmentation Technology as a Diagnostic Aid in the Evaluation of Vasculogenic Causes of Erectile Dysfunction

Abstract Introduction Morphometrix Imaging Technologies Inc. (MPX) Tissue Segmentation Technology (TST) isolates and processes the component of ultrasound reflective signals associated with coherent specular reflection at the liquid spaces in living tissue. The software identifies and quantifies the hypoechoic structures in B-Mode Ultrasound Scans produced by these reflections and thereby profiles liquid spaces in the tissue created by blood and lymphatic vessels as a proxy for vascular intensity. It then derives tissue segment counts (TSC) as a final quantification step. Unlike SHIM Scores, TST provides a quantitative assessment of the vascular health of the erectile tissue. Objective The goal of the study was to determine whether TSC can predict a response to regenerative treatments for ED. We retrospectively studied the efficacy of MPX TST in assessing the vascularity of the corpus cavernosa (CC) and compared the findings to SHIM scores before and after Shockwave therapy (SWT). MPX can assess penile vascularity in the flaccid state using TSC and can calculate cross-sectional area and volume. Methods Retrospective study of 57 men, average age 54.9 with ED. B-mode Ultrasound video scans were performed on the penis in the flaccid state before and after treatment completion and processed through MPX to obtain the TSC which were compared to IIEF-5 SHIM scores. A typical treatment involved multiple sessions of SWT and PRP penile injection. Subjects were divided into three groups based on response to treatment and correlation with SHIM Scores: Group 1 – Good Responders & Good Correlation with SHIMs, Group 2 – Poor & Non-Responders & Good Correlation with SHIMs, Group 3 – Good & Poor Responders & Non-Correlation with SHIMs. Results Overall we had an 80.7% correlation between TSC and the SHIM Score results. The average SHIM score increased to 15.9 from 10.6, (p<0.006). The average TSC in the left CC increased to 25 from 17.3, (p<0.002). The average TSC in the right CC increased to 24.7 from 17.9, (p<0.002). 54.9% (34 patients) were good responders and the SHIM scores correlated well with TSC. The average SHIM score increased to 17.5 from 10.8, (p<0.001). The average TSC in the left CC increased to 28.1 from 15.3, (p<0.001). The average TSC in the right CC increased to 31.2 from 17.1, (p<0.003). 21.1% (12 patients) were poor responders and the SHIM scores correlated well with TSC. The average SHIM score increased 10.3 from 9.4, (p<0.554). The average TSC in the left CC declined to 13.5 from 15.5, (p<0.559). The average TSC in the right CC declined slightly to 14.9 from 12.5, (p<0.268). 19.3% (11 patients) were a mixture of good and poor responders and the SHIM scores did not correlate well with TSC. The average SHIM score increased to 15.1 from 11.3, (p<0.103). The average TSC in the left CC declined to 25.5 from 26.8, (p<0.919). The average TSC in the right CC declined to 25.5 from 25.7, (p<0.975). Conclusions MPX tissue segmentation software can provide quantitative information about the vascularity of the corpus cavernosa and can differentiate responders to treatment from non-responders. Disclosure Any of the authors act as a consultant, employee or shareholder of an industry for: Morphometrix.

Three-Dimensional Magneto-Acousto-Electrical Computed Tomography (3D MAE-CT): A Preliminary Study Using Ultrasound Linear Array Transducer.

Magneto-acousto-electrical tomography (MAET) is a hybrid imaging method that combines the high spatial resolution of ultrasonography with the high contrast of electrical impedance tomography (EIT). While most previous studies on MAET have focused on two-dimensional imaging, our recent research proposed a novel three-dimensional (3D) MAET method using B-mode and translational scanning. This method has been the first to reconstruct a 3D volume image of conductivity interfaces. However, this method has its limitations in mapping irregular shapes of conductivity. To address this challenge, we propose a 3D magneto-acousto-electrical computed tomography (3D MAE-CT) method utilizing an ultrasound linear array transducer in this work. Both phantom and in vitro experiments were conducted to validate our proposed method. The results from the phantom experiments demonstrate that our method can map the 3D volume conductivity with high spatial resolution. The oblique angles extracted from the 3D image closely match practical value, with the relative error ranging between -2.80% and 4.07%. Furthermore, the in vitro experiment successfully obtained a 3D image of a chicken heart, marking the first MAET 3D conductivity image of a tissue sample to date.

Correlation of Carotid Intima-Media Thickness with One-hour Postload Plasma Glucose (1h-PPG) in Overweight and Obese North Indian Adults

Background: Cardiovascular morbidities like arterial stiffness and atherosclerosis have a negative association with insulin resistance, which can be identified by carotid intima media thickness (CIMT) measurement. One-hour postload plasma glucose (1 h-PPG) is a novel marker for early identification of insulin resistance, but very few studies are available on its relationship with CIMT. Objective: To identify the correlation of CIMT with 1 h-PPG in overweight and obese adults without diabetes. Methods: Individuals not having known diabetes or other chronic illnesses were identified and subjected to the initial anthropometric analysis for body mass index (BMI) calculation. A standard oral glucose tolerance test was performed on individuals with a BMI of ≥25 kg/m2 for 1 h-PPG values, and a B-mode ultrasound scan of the neck was used for CIMT measurement. A Pearson’s correlation statistical test was applied for correlation identification. Results: A total of 94 nondiabetic individuals participated, of whom 55 (58.5%) were women. Mean age, BMI, and CIMT values of the study population were 38.8 (±8.09) years, 29.6 (±3.22) kg/m2, and 0.72 (±0.10) mm, respectively. Average 1 h-PPG levels were 150.7 (±21.11) mg/dl, and the Pearson’s coefficient ( r) value with CIMT was 0.5792 ( P < 0.05). Further, correlation analysis demonstrated an r-value of −0.0029 for BMI, −0.1293 for waist-hip ratio, −0.0047 for waist-height ratio, 0.3862 for glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and −0.2930 for 2 h-PPG. Conclusion: In euglycemic adults, the early insulin resistance defining parameter, i.e., 1 h-PPG levels had a consistent positive correlation with CIMT, which is a marker of the initial stages of atherosclerosis.

The use of real time strain endometrial elastosonography plus endometrial thickness and vascularization flow index to predict endometrial receptivity in IVF treatments: a pilot study

BackgroundThe usefulness of endometrium strain elastosonography (SE) for the evaluation of endometrial receptivity in women undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) remains controversial. The objective of this prospective, observational study was to evaluate the correlation between endometrial thickness (EMT) and its related strain (ESR) on the day of ovulation triggering (hCG-d) and in vitro fertilization outcomes. Additionally, 3D Power Doppler vascular indices (3DPDVI) were also analysed.MethodsWe included all the patients undergoing fresh IVF-single blastocyst transfer cycle from January 2021 to August 2021 at our center. On hCG-d, after B-mode scanning was completed to measure the EMT, the mode was changed to elastosonography to evaluate the ESR (ratio between endometrial tissue and the myometrium below). At the end of examination, the Endometrial Volume (EV) and 3DPDVI (vascularization index [VI], flow index [FI] and vascularization flow index [VFI]), were assessed. Statistical analysis was completed using STATA MP16 software.ResultsA total number of 57 women were included. Based on the EMT on hCG-d, women were divided into two groups, Group 1: <7 mm and Group 2 ≥ 7 mm. Women with EMT < 7 mm had a significantly higher ESR (p = 0.004) and lower pregnancy rate (p = 0.04). Additionally, low ESR values were correlated with high VFI values (rho = -0.8; 95% CI = -0.9- -0.6; p < 0.0001) and EMT ≥ 7 mm could be predicted by low ESR (OR = 0.01; 95% CI = 0.01–0.30; p = 0.008, area under the ROC curve: 0.70). After all, in multiple logistic regression analysis, low values of ESR (p = 0.050) and high values of EMT (p = 0.051) on hCG-d had borderline statistical effects on pregnancy rate.ConclusionsThe ESR may be useful to improve the ultrasound evaluation of the endometrial quality in infertile women candidates to IVF/ICS. Given the small sample size of our study, the usefulness of strain elastosonography in this patients, needs further investigation.

Evaluation of commercially available point-of-care ultrasound for automated optic nerve sheath measurement

BackgroundMeasurement of the optic nerve sheath diameter (ONSD) via ultrasonography has been proposed as a non-invasive metric of intracranial pressure that may be employed during in-field patient triage. However, first responders are not typically trained to conduct sonographic exams and/or do not have access to an expensive ultrasound device. Therefore, for successful deployment of ONSD measurement in-field, we believe that first responders must have access to low-cost, portable ultrasound and be assisted by artificial intelligence (AI) systems that can automatically interpret the optic nerve sheath ultrasound scan.We examine the suitability of five commercially available, low-cost, portable ultrasound devices that can be combined with future artificial intelligence algorithms to reduce the training required for and cost of in-field optic nerve sheath diameter measurement. This paper is focused on the quality of the images generated by these low-cost probes. We report results of a clinician preference survey and compare with a lab analysis of three quantitative image quality metrics across devices. We also examine the suitability of the devices in a hypothetical far-forward deployment using operators unskilled in ultrasound, with the assumption of a future onboard AI video interpreter.ResultsWe find statistically significant differences in clinician ranking of the devices in the following categories: “Image Quality”, “Ease of Acquisition”, “Software”, and “Overall ONSD”. We show differences in signal-to-noise ratio, generalized contrast-to-noise ratio, point-spread function across the devices. These differences in image quality result in a statistically significant difference in manual ONSD measurement. Finally, we show that sufficiently wide transducers can capture the optic nerve sheath during blind (no visible B-mode) scans performed by operators unskilled in sonography.ConclusionsUltrasound of the optic nerve sheath has the potential to be a convenient, non-invasive, point-of-injury or triage measure for elevated intracranial pressure in cases of traumatic brain injury. When transducer width is sufficient, briefly trained operators may obtain video sequences of the optic nerve sheath without guidance. This data suggest that unskilled operators are able to achieve the images needed for AI interpretation. However, we also show that image quality differences between ultrasound probes may influence manual ONSD measurements.

Analysis of Using Multi-Angle Conventional Ultrasound Scanning for Efficient 3-D Object Imaging

The purpose of this work is to examine the possibility of using multi-angle conventional ultrasound B-mode scanning in efficient 3-D imaging. In the paper, the volume of an object is reconstructed from vertical projections registered at fixed angular positions of the multi-element linear ultrasonic probe rotated in relation to the object submerged in water. The possible configurations are: vertical lateral, vertical top or vertical bottom. In the vertical lateral configuration, the ultrasonic probe acquires 2-D images of object’s vertical cross-sections, turning around its lateral surface. In the vertical top or bottom configuration, the ultrasonic probe acquires 2-D images of the object’s vertical cross-sections, turning on the horizontal plane over the top or under the bottom surface of the object. The method of recording 3-D volume of an object’s structure and reconstruction algorithm have been designed. Studies show the method in the vertical top or bottom configuration could be successfully applied to the effective 3-D visualisation of the structure of the female breast in vivo as the new complement ultrasonic imaging modality in the prototype of the developed ultrasound tomography scanner.

Ultrasound diagnostics in the assessment of traumatic peripheral nerve damage in combat trauma

BACKGROUND: Traumatic peripheral nerve damage is a significant clinical and social problem, which is characterized by a high level of disability in young patients.&#x0D; AIM: To assess the diagnostic efficiency of ultrasound in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve damage in combat trauma.&#x0D; METHODS: A total of 163 patients (362 peripheral nerves) were examined. The duration of traumatic nerve damage was 2273 days. All patients were men aged 2048 years. Ultrasound was performed with 717 MHz linear transducers on an ACUSSON S2000 device using standard technique in B-mode, in longitudinal and transverse scanning planes, with the use of Doppler techniques. Statistical analysis was conducted to assess diagnostic efficiency. Calculation of operational (sensitivity and specificity) and integral (accuracy) characteristics was performed by the qualitative assessment of the reference method (surgical intervention) and the method under study (ultrasound).&#x0D; RESULTS: Peripheral nerve damage resulted from combat trauma. In 120 (73.6%) cases, injuries of the limbs were accompanied by injuries of the osteoarticular apparatus and vessels. A total of 274 (75.7%) nerves had signs of traumatic damage. Multiple nerve injuries were observed in 95 (58.3%) people. Nerves of the upper extremities were damaged more frequently (185 [67.5%]) compared to nerves of the lower extremities (89 [32.5%]). Contusional structural changes were observed in 181 (66%) nerves. Impairment of anatomical integrity was diagnosed in 46 (16.8%) nerves, while complete impairment was found in 29 (10.6%) cases with the presence of diastasis between the nerve ends. Early after injury, a wound canal and hematomas were visualized near the nerve. In 4 cases, a foreign body of metallic density was visualized in the nerve sheath. After 3 weeks from the moment of injury, terminal neuromas were observed. The neuroma sizes for the proximal and distal ends were 0.50.3 to 1.60.6 cm and 0.40.2 to 1.30.6 cm (avascular), respectively. Adjacent sections of the nerve over 35 cm were thickened and characterized by echo structure, however, with thickening of all fasciculi and blood flow observed along the periphery of the nerve. Marginal nerve damage was observed in 17 (6.2%) people. In case of marginal neuroma, a significant nerve thickening of 1.43.2 times over a short distance (from 0.4 cm to 1.5 cm) with loss of bundle differentiation of the part of the nerve, pronounced decrease in echogenicity, and absence of Doppler signal was detected. Nerve compression in 47 cases (17.1%) was accompanied by 1.22.3 times thickening of nerve trunks, indistinct contours, decreased echogenicity, and significant changes in the nerve structure. Compression was due to cicatricial changes, hematomas, foreign bodies, bone fragments, and in 2 cases spokes from external fixation devices. A total of 106 patients underwent surgery.&#x0D; CONCLUSIONS: The ultrasound sensitivity and specificity were 96% and 67%, respectively. The peculiarities of the examination included extensive soft tissue defects and external fixation devices, which significantly complicated the examination. The diagnostic accuracy was 91%. A pronounced cicatricial process (70%) was the main cause of false-positive (6.6%) and false-negative (2.8%) results.

(202) Exploring Erectile Hemodynamics in Men Complaining of Hard-Flaccid Syndrome (HFS)

Abstract Introduction There is increasing awareness of a condition, vernacularly termed HFS, in which men complain of subjective and palpable abnormalities in the flaccid penis (hardness, heaviness) often associated with erectile dysfunction (ED). Objective We attempted to define erectile hemodynamic profiles in this population. Methods The study population consisted of (i) males ≥18 years of age (ii) who presented with self-diagnosed HFS (iii) who underwent comprehensive history and examination (including genital and lower extremity neurological) and (iv) penile duplex Doppler ultrasound (PDDU). PDDU was performed using redosing of vasodilators. PSV ≥35 cm/s and EDV ≤3 were considered normal. Patients with Peyronie’s disease or a history of intracavernosal injection therapy were excluded. Results 88 men were analyzed. Mean age was 28 ± 12 years. Median number of vascular comorbidities was zero (0, 1). 66 (75%) had a history of depression or anxiety, 60 of whom had used pharmacotherapy for such at some time and 40 were actively using anxiolytics or anti-depressants at time of evaluation. No patient had a history of neurological conditions and neurological exam was normal in all. Mean duration of symptoms was 14 ± 20 months. Median number of prior physician consultations was 1 (1,4). All complained of impaired erectile function, 50% being incapable of having penetrative sexual relations. 91% had or were using PDE5 inhibitors. On examination all patients had a hypertonic flaccid penis with excellent stretch on traction. At PDDU, median number of penile injections was 2 (1, 3). 50% of men required phenylephrine reversal. All patients had normal PSV with 2/88 having abnormal EDV values, both of whom required reversal. Mean PSV was 45 ± 35 cm/s, mean EDV was 2 ± 11 cm/s. No patient had elevated echogenicity on B-mode scanning. Conclusions In this analysis, all men presenting with self-reported HFS had normal hemodynamics and an absence of fibrosis, suggesting the absence of vascular or gross cavernosal smooth muscle structural changes. Disclosure No

Comparison between transrectal palpation, B-mode and Doppler ultrasonography to assess luteal function in Holstein cattle.

Over the years, the most common methods for monitoring reproductive health in cattle have varied from transrectal palpation to B-mode ultrasonography. Nowadays, some portable ultrasound equipment includes the Doppler mode. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of the different methods to assess corpus luteum (CL) functionality. In Experiment 1, 53 Holstein lactating cows undergoing a synchronization protocol were examined via transrectal palpation and B-mode scanning. Measurements for the largest diameter (LAD) and subjective size of CL (SCLS) were collected. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis and ROC Curves. In Experiment 2, 30 Holstein non-lactating cows with a CL were administered PGF2α and examined several times after injection, first in B-mode and then with Power Doppler. Measurements for LAD, CL area (CLA) and subjective and objective CL blood flow were collected. Blood samples were taken in both experiments to determine P4 concentration. Data were analyzed using correlation analysis and the GLM repeated measures test. Results for Experiment 1 showed that LAD was more accurate than SCLS. In Experiment 2, CLA was the best measurement to assess CL function, although both subjective and objective CL blood flow offer accurate information 24 h after PGF2α administration. Consequently, ultrasonography provides more accurate information about CL function than transrectal palpation. Although CLA seems to be an earlier indicator of luteal function than blood flow, 24 h after the onset of luteolysis, both parameters are valid.

Abstract 10045: Higher Renal Vascular Resistance is Associated With Greater Body Mass Index in Children

Background: Obesity is associated with increased risk for cardiovascular and renal diseases, however, there has been little focus on renal vascular function. The purpose of this study is to assess renal vascular flow regulation and investigate their relation to cardiovascular risk factors in obese children. Methods: Noninvasive ultrasonographic measurements were made in 108 overweight/obese children aged 7 to 13 years (body mass index 18 to 33kg/m 2 ). Using color Doppler sonography, peak systolic (PSV), end-diastolic (EDV), and average peak flow (APV) velocities of renal artery were measured. Pulsatility index as a parameter of vascular resistance was calculated. Pulsatility index was defined as (PSV-EDV)/APV. Quantitative B-mode ultrasound scans were used to measure intima-media thickness and diameters of the common carotid artery. Plasma lipid concentrations, uric acid, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, and high sensitivity C-reactive protein were assessed in the obese children. Results: Compared with overweight children with body mass index &lt;25 kg/m 2 , pulsatility index in obese children with body mass index≥25 kg/m 2 was significantly higher (1.24 ±0.13 vs. 1.13 ±0.14 cm/sec, p &lt; 0.01), because APV and EDV were significantly lower (35 ±3 vs. 38 ±7 cm/sec and 21± 3 vs. 25 ±5 cm/sec, p &lt;0.05, respectively), although PSV was not significantly different. Pulsatility index correlated significantly with body mass index (r =0.58, p &lt; 0.01), insulin (r = 0.24, p &lt; 0.05), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (r =0.25, p &lt; 0.01), triglycerides (r = 0.26, p &lt; 0.01), uric acid (r = 0.22, p &lt; 0.05), systolic blood pressure (r = 0.31, p &lt; 0.01), and carotid intima-media thickness (r = 0.36, p&lt;0.01). Renal blood flow velocities did not correlate with high sensitivity C-reactive protein. Conclusions: The present study indicates that obesity can adversely affect renal vascular flow and resistance in children. Obesity-related insulin resistance may be a main risk factor for renal vascular flow changes. Obesity not only is a risk factor for later cardiovascular disease, but also is associated with significant impairment of renal arterial flow dynamics.

Objective assessment of segmentation models for thyroid ultrasound images.

Ultrasound features related to thyroid lesions structure, shape, volume, and margins are considered to determine cancer risk. Automatic segmentation of the thyroid lesion would allow the sonographic features to be estimated. On the basis of clinical ultrasonography B-mode scans, a multi-output CNN-based semantic segmentation is used to separate thyroid nodules' cystic & solid components. Semantic segmentation is an automatic technique that labels the ultrasound (US) pixels with an appropriate class or pixel category, i.e., belongs to a lesion or background. In the present study, encoder-decoder-based semantic segmentation models i.e. SegNet using VGG16, UNet, and Hybrid-UNet implemented for segmentation of thyroid US images. For this work, 820 thyroid US images are collected from the DDTI and ultrasoundcases.info (USC) datasets. These segmentation models were trained using a transfer learning approach with original and despeckled thyroid US images. The performance of segmentation models is evaluated by analyzing the overlap region between the true contour lesion marked by the radiologist and the lesion retrieved by the segmentation model. The mean intersection of union (mIoU), mean dice coefficient (mDC) metrics, TPR, TNR, FPR, and FNR metrics are used to measure performance. Based on the exhaustive experiments and performance evaluation parameters it is observed that the proposed Hybrid-UNet segmentation model segments thyroid nodules and cystic components effectively.

Multimodal system for optical biopsy of melanoma with integrated ultrasound, optical coherence tomography and Raman spectroscopy.

We introduce a new single-head multimodal optical system that integrates optical coherence tomography (OCT), 18 MHz ultrasound (US) tomography and Raman spectroscopy (RS), allowing for fast (<2 min) and noninvasive skin cancer diagnostics and lesion depth measurement. The OCT can deliver structural and depth information of smaller skin lesions (<1 mm), while the US allows to measure the penetration depth of thicker lesions (≥4 mm), and the RS analyzes the chemical composition from a small chosen spot (≤300 μm) that can be used to distinguish between benign and malignant melanoma. The RS and OCT utilize the same scanning and optical setup, allowing for co-localized measurements. The US on the other side is integrated with an acoustical reflector, which enables B-mode measurements on the same position as OCT and RS. The US B-mode scans can be translated across the sample by laterally moving the US transducer, which is made possible by the developed adapter with a flexible membrane. We present the results on custom-made liquid and agar phantoms that show the resolution and depth capabilities of the setup, as well as preliminary ex vivo measurements on mouse models with ∼4.3 mm thick melanoma.

Fabrication and Characterization of Tissue-Mimicking Phantoms for Ultrasound-Guided Cannulation Training.

Tissue-mimicking materials (TMMs) have been investigated and used for decades as imaging phantoms in various medical applications. They are designed and fabricated to replicate certain biological tissue characteristics, a process often dictated by the target application. Moreover, TMMs have been utilized in some medical procedural training requiring the use of imaging modalities. One potential application for TMMs is ultrasound-guided cannulation training. Cannulation is a procedure that requires a level of dexterity to gain vascular access using ultrasound guidance while avoiding complications like vessel laceration and bleeding. However, an ideal phantom for this application is yet to be developed. This work investigates the development and characterization of high-fidelity phantoms for cannulation training. The mechanical (shore hardness, elastic modulus, and needle-interaction forces) and acoustic (B-mode ultrasound scans) properties of candidate materials were quantitatively compared with biological tissue. The evaluated materials included ballistic gel, plasticized polyvinyl chloride (PVC), silicone, gelatin, agar, and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)- cryogel. Mechanical testing demonstrated that each material could replicate the Shore hardness and elasticity characteristics of different biological tissues (skin, fat, and muscle), with PVA and PVC showing tunability by varying composition or fabrication processes. Shore hardness (OO-range) for PVA ranged between 6.3 ± 1.0 to 59.3 ± 2.6 and PVC from 4.8 ± 0.7 to 14.6 ± 0.8. Ultrasound scans of PVA were the closest to human scans, both qualitatively (based on experts' opinion) and quantitatively (based on pixel intensity measurements). Modified mixtures of PVA are found to best serve as high-fidelity cannulation phantoms. Alternatively, PVC can be used to avoid troublesome fabrication processes of PVA.

Altered regional 3D shear wave velocity patterns in youth competitive alpine skiers suffering from patellar tendon complaints – a prospective case–control study

ABSTRACT Patellar tendon (PT) complaints are frequent throughout the population, with increased occurrence in athletes and, particularly, in youth competitive alpine skiers. Timely detection and treatment might improve prospects of recovery. Diagnostic modalities in clinical use to date rely on pain symptoms, manual palpation, and potentially, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI); however, MRI-based imaging yields limited sensitivity. Quantitatively measuring the morphological and mechanical properties of PTs by means of B-mode ultrasound and shear wave elastography (SWE), instead, may allow improved diagnosis or even early detection. We performed B-mode scans and three-dimensional ultrasound shear wave velocity (SWV) mapping and MRI of the PT in 106 youth skiers. A prospective one-year survey on health problems combined with clinical assessments served to categorize symptomatic and asymptomatic youth skiers. Skiers suffering from distal or proximal tendon complaints showed lower SWV in the respective tendon region than asymptomatic skiers (p = 0.035 and p = 0.019, respectively). Youth skiers with distal tendon complaints additionally exhibited decreased SWV in the proximal region compared to asymptomatic counterparts (p = 0.020). Cross-validated analysis of retrospective prediction indicated sensitivity and specificity in detecting tendon complaints in the range of 0.606–0.621 and 0.536–0.650, respectively. MRI detected distal tendon complaints with a sensitivity of 0.410 (12/29) but failed to detect any proximal cases. This study agrees with the most recent literature in that SWE holds promise as a valuable adjunct modality for the diagnosis of PT complaints or even the detection of subclinical prestages. However, to evaluate its prospective predictive value, long-term studies are warranted. Highlights Patellar tendon complaints are a frequent complaint in athletes, particularly in youth competitive alpine skiers, but timely quantitative detection of related tendon properties remains challenging. Quantitative B-mode US and three-dimensional ultrasound shear wave elastography assessments and magnetic resonance imaging were performed in youth competitive alpine skiers. Three-dimensional shear wave elastography was able to discern symptomatic from asymptomatic patellar tendons both in the distal and proximal tendon regions, whereas magnetic resonance imaging failed to detect any proximal cases.

Nanodelivery System for Ovsynch Protocol Improves Ovarian Response, Ovarian Blood Flow Doppler Velocities, and Hormonal Profile of Goats.

Simple SummaryDrug delivery systems depending on nanotechnology have been recently created to improve biological activity of drugs including hormones. Nanoformulated drugs have different pharmacokinetic properties in biological systems compared to their conventional forms due to the acquired new physicochemical properties such as lesser size, high size-to-weight ratio, and different surface charges and shapes. These properties enable them to efficiently deliver into target sites coping with existing biological barriers. Ovsynch protocol, GPG, is one of the most important estrous synchronization protocols due to the possibility of applying timed insemination with this protocol. This protocol is commonly used in many farm animals, as it aids in herd management and eliminates the need for the detection of estrus. However, there are still some shortcomings that restrict the outcomes of this protocol, such as scattering ovulation time, short luteal phase and inadequate luteal function, and low conception rates. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate ovarian response, blood flow of the ovarian and luteal arteries, and hormonal profile of goats receiving either a standard Ovsynch protocol or an Ovsynch protocol delivered via a nanodelivery system with different dosages of hormones. The present study is the first one that poses the idea that the nanodelivery system for the Ovsynch protocol enables lower hormone dose administration and improves the results of the protocol by inducing tighter synchrony of ovulation and better luteal function of synchronized goats.Fifteen cyclic, multiparous goats were equally stratified and received the common Ovsynch protocol (GPG: intramuscular, IM, injection of 50 mg gonadorelin, followed by an IM injection of 125 µg cloprostenol 7 days later, and a further IM injection of 50 mg gonadorelin 2 days later) or the Ovsynch protocol using nanofabricated hormones with the same dosages (NGPG) or half dosages (HNGPG) of each hormone. The ovarian structures and ovarian and luteal artery hemodynamic indices after each injection of the Ovsynch protocol using B-mode, color, and spectral Doppler scanning were monitored. Levels of blood serum progesterone (P4), estradiol (E2), and nitric oxide (NO) were determined. After the first gonadotrophin-releasing hormone (GnRH) injection, the number of large follicles decreased (p = 0.02) in NGPG and HNGPG, compared with GPG. HNGPG resulted in larger corpus luteum (CL) diameters (p = 0.001), and improved ovarian and luteal blood flow, compared with GPG and NGPG. Both NGPG and HNGPG significantly increased E2 and NO levels compared with GPG. HNGPG increased (p < 0.001) P4 levels compared with GPG, whereas NGPG resulted in an intermediate value. After prostaglandin F2α (PGF2α) injection, HNGPG had the largest diameter of CLs (p = 0.001) and significantly improved ovarian blood flow compared with GPG and NGPG. Both NGPG and HNGPG increased (p = 0.007) NO levels, compared with GPG. E2 level was increased (p = 0.028) in HNGPG, compared with GPG, whereas NGPG resulted in an intermediate value. During the follicular phase, HNGPG increased (p = 0.043) the number of medium follicles, shortened (p = 0.04) the interval to ovulation, and increased (p < 0.001) ovarian artery blood flow and levels (p < 0.001) of blood serum P4, E2, and NO, compared with GPG and NGPG. During the luteal phase, the numbers of CLs were similar among different experimental groups, whereas the diameter of CLs, luteal blood flow, and levels of blood serum P4 and NO increased (p < 0.001) in HNGPG, compared with GPG and NGPG. Conclusively, the nanodelivery system for the Ovsynch protocol could be recommended as a new strategy for improving estrous synchronization outcomes of goats while enabling lower hormone dose administration.