Pulse-echo Ultrasound Imaging Research Articles

DYNAMIC CHANGES IN THE ACOUSTO-MECHANICAL AND STATISTICAL PARAMETERS OF TISSUE DURING HIGH INTENSITY FOCUSED ULTRASOUND (HIFU) TREATMENT

High intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) induces focalized tissue coagulation by increasing the tissue temperature in a tight focal region and has been successfully used as a new technique of tumor treatment or to stop bleeding in clinical applications. The main challenges of this technique are: adjusting the location of HIFU thermal ablation exactly at the region of interest, and controlling the level of thermal ablation. Several imaging methods have been proposed to monitor HIFU-induced thermal lesions such as X-ray, MRI and ultrasound imaging. Currently, ultrasound imaging techniques that are clinically used for monitoring HIFU treatment are standard pulse-echo B-mode ultrasound imaging, ultrasound temperature estimation, and elastography-based methods. This study was carried on ex vivo animal tissue samples. Backscattered radio frequency (RF) signals were acquired in real-time including before, during and after HIFU treatment. In this study, first we estimate the dynamic changes in the acoustical, mechanical and statistical parameters of the tissue resulted from HIFU exposures with three different acoustic powers. Then, we use these parameters to detect the induced HIFU thermal lesions and monitor the treatment process. By estimating the standard deviation of the studied parameters along acquired RF data frames, we show that there are significant changes in the tissue properties during the HIFU treatment.

Nonlinear simultaneous reconstruction of inhomogeneous compressibility and mass density distributions in unidirectional pulse-echo ultrasound imaging

In diagnostic ultrasound imaging, the image reconstruction quality is crucial for reliable diagnosis. Applying reconstruction algorithms based on the acoustic wave equation, the obtained image quality depends significantly on the physical material parameters accounted for in the equation. In this contribution, we extend a proposed iterative nonlinear one-parameter compressibility reconstruction algorithm by the additional reconstruction of the object’s inhomogeneous mass density distribution. The improved iterative algorithm is able to reconstruct inhomogeneous maps of the object’s compressibility and mass density simultaneously using only one conventional linear transducer array at a fixed location for wave transmission and detection. The derived approach is based on an acoustic wave equation including spatial compressibility and mass density variations, and utilizes the Kaczmarz method for iterative material parameter reconstruction. We validate our algorithm numerically for an unidirectional pulse-echo breast imaging application, and thus generate simulated measurements acquired from a numerical breast phantom with realistic compressibility and mass density values. Applying these measurements, we demonstrate with two reconstruction experiments the necessity to calculate the mass density in case of tissues with significant mass density inhomogeneities. When reconstructing spatial mass density variations, artefacts in the breast’s compressibility image are reduced resulting in improved spatial resolution. Furthermore, the compressibility relative error magnitude within a diagnostically significant region of interest (ROI) decreases from 3.04% to 2.62%. Moreover, a second image showing the breast’s inhomogeneous mass density distribution is given to provide additional diagnostic information. In the compressibility image, a spatial resolution moderately higher than the classical half-wavelength limit is observed.

Co‐registered pulse‐echo/photoacoustic transvaginal probe for real time imaging of ovarian tissue

We present the design and construction of a prototype imaging probe capable of co-registered pulse-echo ultrasound and photoacoustic (optoacoustic) imaging in real time. The probe consists of 36 fibers of 200 micron core diameter each that are distributed around a commercial transvaginal ultrasound transducer, and housed in a protective shield. Its performance was demonstrated by two sets of experiments. The first set involved imaging of blood flowing through a tube mimicking a blood vessel, the second set involved imaging of human ovaries ex vivo. The results suggest that the system along with the probe has great potential for imaging and characterizing of ovarian tissue in vivo.

A feed-forward neural network algorithm to detect thermal lesions induced by high intensity focused ultrasound in tissue

Non-invasive ultrasound surgeries such as high intensity focused ultrasound have been developed to treat tumors or to stop bleeding. In this technique, incorporation of a suitable imaging modality to monitor and control the treatments is essential so several imaging methods such as X-ray, Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound imaging have been proposed to monitor the induced thermal lesions. Currently, the only ultrasound imaging technique that is clinically used for monitoring this treatment is standard pulse-echo B-mode ultrasound imaging. This paper describes a novel method for detecting high intensity focused ultrasound-induced thermal lesions using a feed forward neural-network. This study was carried on in vitro animal tissue samples. Backscattered radio frequency signals were acquired in real-time during treatment in order to detect induced thermal lesions. Changes in various tissue properties including tissue's attenuation coefficient, integrated backscatter, scaling parameter of Nakagami distribution, frequency dependent scatterer amplitudes and tissue vibration derived from the backscattered radio frequency data acquired 10 minutes after treatment regarding to before treatment were used in this study. These estimated parameters were used as features of the neural network. Estimated parameters of two sample tissues including two thermal lesions and their segmented B-mode images were used along with the pathological results as training data for the neural network. The results of the study shows that the trained feed forward neural network could effectively detect thermal lesions in vitro. Comparing the estimated size of the thermal lesion (9.6 mm × 8.5 mm) using neural network with the actual size of that from physical examination (10.1 mm × 9 mm) shows that we could detect high intensity focused ultrasound thermal lesions with the difference of 0.5 mm × 0.5 mm.

Convolutional modeling of diffraction effects in pulse-echo ultrasound imaging

A model is presented for pulse-echo imaging of three-dimensional, linear, weakly-scattering continuum media by ultrasound array transducers. The model accounts for the diffracted fields of focused array subapertures in both transmit and receive modes, multiple transmit and receive focal zones, frequency-dependent attenuation, and aberration caused by mismatched medium and beamformer sound speeds. For a given medium reflectivity function, computation of a B-scan requires evaluation of a depth-dependent transmit/receive beam product, followed by two one-dimensional convolutions and a one-dimensional summation. Numerical results obtained using analytic expressions for transmit and receive beams agree favorably with measured B-scan images and speckle statistics.

Analytic and numerical modeling of ultrasonic B‐scan and echo decorrelation imaging.

An numerical model is presented for B-scan images of weakly-scattering,lossy media, based on ultrasound array beam patterns calculated analytically under the Fresnel approximation. Given these beam patterns and a 3D analytic or numerical tissue model, this method yields beamformed A-line signals from which B-scan images are constructed. This approach is further employed to model echo decorrelation imaging, a method for quantitatively mapping transient heat-induced changes in pulse-echo ultrasound images. In echo decorrelation imaging, a normalized decorrelation parameter is computed between A-line signals separated by milliseconds. Maps of this parameter comprise echo decorrelation images, which are potentially useful for monitoring of local tissue coagulation during thermal ablation treatments for cancer therapy. Following previous studies in which scattering cross section has been related to spatial-frequency spectra of tissue sound speed, density, and impedance variations, echo decorrelation is related quantitatively to the local decoherence of these spatial-frequency spectra. Decoherence estimates are validated by simulations employing analytic array beam patterns and random-media models for ablated tissue, and are further applied to quantify tissue structure changes caused by thermal coagulation during in-vitro radiofrequency ablation.

Estimation of speed of sound in dual-layered media using medical ultrasound image deconvolution

The speed of sound in soft tissues is usually assumed to be 1540 m/s in medical pulse-echo ultrasound imaging systems. When the true speed is different, the mismatch can lead to distortions in the acquired images, and so reduce their clinical value. Previously we reported a new method of sound-speed estimation in the context of image deconvolution. Unlike most other sound-speed estimation methods, this enables the use of unmodified ultrasound machines and a normal scanning pattern. Our approach was validated for largely homogeneous media with single sound speeds. In this article, we demonstrate that sound speeds of dual-layered media can also be estimated through image deconvolution. An ultrasound simulator has been developed for layered media assuming that, for moderate speed differences, the reflection at the interface may be neglected. We have applied our dual-layer algorithm to simulations and in vitro phantoms. The speed of the top layer is estimated by our aforesaid method for homogeneous media. Then, when the layer boundary position is known, a series of deconvolutions are carried out with dual-layered point-spread functions having different lower-layer speeds. The best restoration is selected using a correlation metric. The error level (e.g., a mean error of −9 m/s with a standard deviation of 16 m/s) for in vitro phantoms is found to be not as good as that of our single-speed algorithm, but is comparable to other local speed estimation methods where the data acquisition may not be as simple as in our proposed method.

Diagnostic Efficacy of Real-Time Optical Coherence Tomography in the Management of Preinvasive and Invasive Neoplasia of the Uterine Cervix

Determine the sensitivity and specificity of optical coherence tomography (OCT) as an adjunct to colposcopy in the detection of cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) grade 2 or higher in a real-time clinical evaluation. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) uses infrared light similar to ultrasound pulse-echo imaging. Image resolution is optimal in the 1-to-3-mm range. This study is the third in our series of OCT investigations and our first real-time clinical trial. The study was conducted at the Peking University Shenzhen Hospital, Shenzhen, China. Nonpregnant women 18 years or older with abnormal cervical cytologic findings or a positive high-risk human papillomavirus test result were recruited. Women were assessed; and diagnoses, recorded by cervical quadrant first with colposcopy, followed by colposcopic directed OCT. A biopsy of the abnormal areas was performed. In normal quadrants, biopsy specimens were obtained at the 2-, 4-, 8-, and 10-o'clock positions at the squamocolumnar junction depending on the quadrant. An endocervical curettage was also done. Individual OCT diagnoses were paired with colposcopic impressions and biopsy specimens to assess its role as a paired secondary screen. Data were analyzed using generalized estimating equations to control for correlation within a woman. One thousand two hundred thirty-seven paired diagnoses from 299 women were analyzed. Median age was 36 years. Ninety-six women (8%) had a diagnosis of CIN 2 or higher. Evaluation by quadrant showed that the sensitivity for CIN 2 or higher decreased by adding OCT to colposcopy, but the specificity increased from 83% to 93%. We continue to try to improve sensitivity by improving the near-infrared light source, decreasing the scan time to 8 frames per second, and using a larger diameter (5 mm) fiberoptic probe with a newly designed application specific probe sheath.

Development of a catheter for combined intravascular ultrasound and photoacoustic imaging

Atherosclerosis is characterized by formation and development of the plaques in the inner layer of the vessel wall. To detect and characterize atherosclerotic plaques, we previously introduced the combined intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) and intravascular photoacoustic (IVPA) imaging capable of assessing plaque morphology and composition. The utility of IVUS/IVPA imaging has been demonstrated by imaging tissue-mimicking phantoms and ex vivo arterial samples using laboratory prototype of the imaging system. However, the clinical realization of a IVUS/IVPA imaging requires an integrated intravascular imaging catheter. In this paper, two designs of IVUS/IVPA imaging catheters--side fire fiber-based and mirror-based catheters--are reported. A commercially available IVUS imaging catheter was utilized for both pulse-echo ultrasound imaging and detection of photoacoustic transients. Laser pulses were delivered by custom-designed fiber-based optical systems. The optical fiber and IVUS imaging catheter were combined into a single device. Both designs were tested and compared using point targets and tissue-mimicking phantoms. The results indicate applicability of the proposed catheters for clinical use.

Light shadowing effect of large breast lesions imaged by optical tomography in reflection geometry.

When a large, highly absorbing breast lesion is imaged by optical tomography in reflection geometry, most of the photons are absorbed by the top portion of the lesion. As a result, the lower portion of the lesion is not quantified correctly. This posterior light shadowing effect is similar to the sound shadowing effect frequently seen in pulse-echo ultrasound images. The presence of significant posterior shadowing of a lesion in ultrasound images suggests malignance. The light shadowing effect due to optical contrast is characterized using a simple measure and validated by the Monte Carlo photon-tracking method and phantom experiments. Clinical examples of large malignant and benign lesions are presented to demonstrate the shadowing effect and the utility of the measure. Understanding and quantifying the shadowing effect due to optical contrast is important for characterizing larger malignant cancers from benign lesions.

Ultrasound Backscatter Imaging Provides Frequency-Dependent Information on Structure, Composition and Mechanical Properties of Human Trabecular Bone

The strength as well as the acoustic properties of trabecular bone are determined by its structure and composition. Consequently, tissue structure and compositional properties also affect the ultrasound propagation in bone. The diagnostic potential of ultrasound has not been fully exploited in clinical quantitative ultrasound devices. The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of quantitative ultrasound pulse-echo imaging, conducted over a broad range of frequencies (1 to 5 MHz), to predict the mechanics, composition and microstructure of trabecular bone. Ultrasound reflection and backscatter parameters correlated significantly with the ultimate strength of the trabecular bone and the bone volume fraction ( r = 0.76–0.90, n = 20, p < 0.01). Ultrasound backscatter associated significantly (independently of bone structure or mineral content) with the collagen content of the bone matrix ( r = 0.75, r adjusted = 0.66, p < 0.01). Interestingly, the applied ultrasound frequency seemed to relate the sensitivity of ultrasound backscatter to different properties of trabecular bone. At frequencies ranging from 1 to 3.5 MHz, the ultrasound backscatter associated significantly with the tissue mechanical and structural parameters. At 5 MHz, the composition of the bone matrix was a more significant determinant of the measured backscatter. This study provides useful information for optimizing the use of pulse-echo measurements, and thereby further emphasizes the diagnostic potential of the ultrasound backscatter measurements of trabecular bone.

Molecular Imaging Without Radiopharmaceuticals?

The limitations on the sensitivity for detecting small changes in MRI, CT, and ultrasound pulse-echo images are used to estimate the practical requirements for molecular imaging and targeted contrast enhancement for these modalities. These types of imaging are highly unlikely to approach the sensitivity for detecting molecular processes of radionuclear methods, and the prospects for achieving sufficient concentrations of appropriate agents in vivo are poor for several types of applications such as small-molecule targeting of specific receptors. However, using relatively large carrier systems such as particles and liposomes, sufficient concentrations of paramagnetic agents may be delivered to achieve MR-signal changes adequate for detection. The use of higher-resolution MR images will aid the prospects for molecular imaging in small animals. Theoretic considerations also predict that a similar approach, using rather large particles or carriers of materials with a high atomic number, may also be successful for CT, especially with additional developments such as the use of monochromatic x-rays. The prospects of molecular imaging by x-ray imaging may not be as bleak as has been predicted. For ultrasound detection, gas-filled bubbles can provide a sufficient backscattered sound intensity to be detectable at concentrations and sizes not much different from agents designed for these other modalities.

Ultrasound-modulated optical tomography in reflection mode with ring-shaped light illumination

We have succeeded in implementing ring-shaped light illumination ultrasound-modulated optical tomography (UOT) in reflection mode. The system used intense acoustic bursts and a charge-coupled device (CCD) camera-based speckle contrast detection method. In addition, the implementation allows placing the tissue sample below (not within) an acoustic coupling water tank and scanning the tissue without moving the sample. Thus, the UOT system is more clinically applicable than previous transmission-mode systems. Furthermore, we have successfully imaged an ex vivo methylene-blue-dyed sentinel lymph node (SLN) embedded at a depth of 13 mm in chicken breast tissue. This UOT system offers several advantages: noninvasiveness, nonionizing radiation, portability, cost effectiveness, and the possibility of combination with ultrasound pulse-echo imaging and photoacoustic imaging. One potential application of the UOT system is mapping SLNs in axillary staging for breast cancer patients.

High-resolution ultrasonic imaging using an etalon detector array

A photoacoustic imaging system was built and tested to demonstrate the feasibility of high-resolution low-noise ultrasonic imaging based on parallel detection using polymer etalons. Its capability of detecting ultrasound at different elements simultaneously in the optical end was verified by imaging three 49 mum beads. An average noise-equivalent pressure of 3.6 kPa over 50 MHz for 50 mum diameter detection elements in a two-dimensional array with a diameter of 1.35 mm and a detection bandwidth of 75 MHz at -3 dB was measured. These results demonstrate the potential of polymer etalons for high-frame-rate high-resolution three-dimensional photoacoustic and ultrasound pulse-echo imaging.

“Compression-Only” Behavior of Phospholipid-Coated Contrast Bubbles

Ultrasound contrast agents oscillate approximately linearly up to a certain pressure range where nonlinearity sets in. Nonlinear microbubble oscillations are exploited in ultrasound pulse-echo imaging as this improves the contrast-to-tissue ratio. Here we report the observation of a highly nonlinear response of phospholipid-coated contrast agents at pressures as low as 50 kPa, termed “compression-only” behavior, where the microbubbles only compress, yet hardly expand. Time-resolved bubble dynamics recorded through ultra high-speed imaging revealed that nearly 40% of the coated bubbles show “compression-only” behavior. (E-mail: n.dejong@erasmusmc.nl)

Wavelet restoration of medical pulse-echo ultrasound images in an EM framework

The clinical utility of pulse-echo ultrasound images is severely limited by inherent poor resolution that impacts negatively on their diagnostic potential. Research into the enhancement of image quality has mostly been concentrated in the areas of blind image restoration and speckle removal, with little regard for accurate modeling of the underlying tissue reflectivity that is imaged. The acoustic response of soft biological tissues has statistics that differ substantially from the natural images considered in mainstream image processing: although, on a macroscopic scale, the overall tissue echogenicity does behave some-what like a natural image and varies piecewise-smoothly, on a microscopic scale, the tissue reflectivity exhibits a pseudo-random texture (manifested in the amplitude image as speckle) due to the dense concentrations of small, weakly scattering particles. Recognizing that this pseudorandom texture is diagnostically important for tissue identification, we propose modeling tissue reflectivity as the product of a piecewise-smooth echogenicity map and a field of uncorrelated, identically distributed random variables. We demonstrate how this model of tissue reflectivity can be exploited in an expectation-maximization (EM) algorithm that simultaneously solves the image restoration problem and the speckle removal problem by iteratively alternating between Wiener filtering (to solve for the tissue reflectivity) and wavelet-based denoising (to solve for the echogenicity map). Our simulation and in vitro results indicate that our EM algorithm is capable of producing restored images that have better image quality and greater fidelity to the true tissue reflectivity than other restoration techniques based on simpler regularizing constraints.

Optical Coherence Tomography Findings at 5-Year Follow-Up After Coronary Stent Implantation

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is an in vivo, high-resolution imaging modality (resolution, 12 μm; wavelength, 1300 nm; probe size, 0.018 inch; Lightlab Imaging). The principle is analogous to that of pulse-echo ultrasound imaging; however light is used rather than sound to create the image. The case presented illustrates the 5-year follow-up examination after bare metal stent implantation (Figure 1). Intravascular ultrasound imaging (IVUS) shows concentric, moderate neointimal hyperplasia (Figure 2). Intravascular …

Optical coherence tomography*1

Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a light-based imaging modality that can be used in biological systems to study tissues in vivo with near-histologic, ultrahigh resolution. The rationale for intravascular application of OCT is its potential for in vivo visualisation of the coronary artery microstructure. The principle is analogous to pulse-echo ultrasound imaging; however, light is used rather than sound to create the image. Low-coherent near-infrared light is emitted by a superluminescent diode and reflected by the microstructures within biological tissues. The echo time delay of reflected light waves is converted into a two-dimensional spatial image. The intensity of the reflected light waves is translated into an intensity map. Experimental studies confirmed the ability of intravascular OCT for plaque characterisation and accurate assessment of vascular structures that are close to the luminal surface. Preliminary clinical experience proved in vivo feasibility of intravascular OCT. A variety of atherosclerotic plaque structures including thin cap fibroatheromas can be visualized in vivo. Intravascular OCT allows for accurate assessment of vessel structures close to the luminal side. Clinical application is feasible. To date, however, the clinical relevance of OCT findings in coronary arteries is unclear and further validation of OCT imaging is mandatory.

Optical coherence tomography

Background Optical coherence tomography (OCT) is a light-based imaging modality that can be used in biological systems to study tissues in vivo with near-histologic, ultrahigh resolution. The rationale for intravascular application of OCT is its potential for in vivo visualisation of the coronary artery microstructure. Methods and results The principle is analogous to pulse-echo ultrasound imaging; however, light is used rather than sound to create the image. Low-coherent near-infrared light is emitted by a superluminescent diode and reflected by the microstructures within biological tissues. The echo time delay of reflected light waves is converted into a two-dimensional spatial image. The intensity of the reflected light waves is translated into an intensity map. Experimental studies confirmed the ability of intravascular OCT for plaque characterisation and accurate assessment of vascular structures that are close to the luminal surface. Preliminary clinical experience proved in vivo feasibility of intravascular OCT. A variety of atherosclerotic plaque structures including thin cap fibroatheromas can be visualized in vivo. Conclusions Intravascular OCT allows for accurate assessment of vessel structures close to the luminal side. Clinical application is feasible. To date, however, the clinical relevance of OCT findings in coronary arteries is unclear and further validation of OCT imaging is mandatory.

A PC-Based Near Real-Time Ultrasonic Imaging System for Flaw Characterization

Abstract This paper presents the description of a PC-based ultrasonic imaging system which generates three types of pulse-echo ultrasound images, namely, A-scan, B-scan, and C-scan, almost in real time. The system has pulser-receiver circuitry employing a single ultrasonic probe working as both the transmitter and the receiver. The generated ultrasound signal is transferred to a PC-AT using the A/D conversion facility of a digital storage oscilloscope where it is processed for target echoes with their amplitude and location. Thereafter, this information is correlated to provide a particular type of image. The probe positioning for the images is accomplished by a motorized mechanical system made up of two stepping motors. This developed ultrasonic imaging system is fully automatic, user-friendly, and operator independent.