Ultrasonic Shear Wave Research Articles

Transmission detection of internal defects in billets using shear ultrasonic waves

We used ultrasonic shear waves for nondestructive defect detection in a billet using transmitted waves. We utilized the deviation the time-of-flight (TOF) obtained by cross-correlation of transmitted waves of a defect-free reference plane and that of a measurement plane containing a defect. We compared the performance of longitudinal waves and shear waves at different wavelengths in detecting the diameter of a circular defect in two-dimensional (2D) simulation and the TOF for a cylindrical defect while changing the vibration direction of shear waves in three-dimensional (3D) simulation. Shear waves detected defects better than longitudinal waves in the 2D simulation, especially at wavelengths of 1.4–2.4 mm. In the 3D simulation, the maximum TOF was larger when the vibration direction was perpendicular to the defect’s major axis than when it was parallel in the measurement using shear waves. This suggests a defect’s shape can be estimated by measurement using shear waves.

Reliability of shear wave elastography for the assessment of gastrocnemius fascia elasticity in healthy individual

The mechanical properties of the deep fascia, particularly their stiffness, strongly affect the development of muscle pathologies (such as compartment syndrome) and the action of the muscles. However, the mechanical characteristics of the deep muscular fascia are still not clearly understood. The present study focuses on examining the reliability of ultrasonic shear wave elastography (USWE) devices in quantifying the shear modulus of the gastrocnemius fascia in healthy individuals, particularly their ability to measure the shear modulus of the deep fascia of the gastrocnemius during ankle dorsiflexion. Twenty-one healthy males (age: 21.48 ± 1.17 years) participated in the study. Using USWE, the shear moduli of the medial gastrocnemius fascia (MGF) and lateral gastrocnemius fascia (LGF) were quantified at different angles during passive lengthening. The two operators took turns measuring each subject’s MGF and LGF over a 1-h period, and operator B took an additional measurement 2 h later. For the intra-operator test, the same subjects were measured again at the same time of day 5 days later. Both the intrarater [intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) = 0.846–0.965)] and interrater (ICC = 0.877–0.961) reliability values for measuring the shear moduli of the MGF and LGF were rated as excellent; the standard error of the mean (SEM) was 3.49 kPa, and the minimal detectable change (MDC) was 9.68 kPa. Regardless of the ankle angle, the shear moduli of the LGF were significantly greater than that of the MGF (p < 0.001). Significant increases in the shear moduli of both the MGF and the LGF were observed in the neutral position compared to the relaxed position. These results indicate that USWE is a reliable technique to assess the shear modulus of the gastrocnemius fascia and detect its dynamic changes during ankle dorsiflexion. USWE can be used for biomechanical studies and intervention experiments concerning the deep fascia.

The effect of a shoe lift on tensor fasciae latae length during standing with an artificial functional leg length discrepancy: An ultrasonic shear wave elastography study.

Shortening of tensor fasciae latae is one factor that causes a functional leg length discrepancy. A shoe lift has been used to correct the compensatory posture resulting from the discrepancy. Despite the potential therapeutic benefit of a shoe lift, the mechanism by which it exerts its effect is unclear. To investigate the effect of a shoe lift on tensor fasciae latae length during standing with an artificial functional leg length discrepancy using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. Twenty-two healthy individuals performed static standing under three conditions: drop of the pelvis and flexion of the leg resulting from fixing in the hip abduction position using a hip orthosis (functional leg length discrepancy condition); drop of the pelvis by the orthosis, but no flexion of the leg due to a shoe lift (shoe lift condition); and normal bilateral standing condition. The shear elastic modulus of tensor fasciae latae was calculated using ultrasonic shear wave elastography. The shear elastic modulus was significantly lower in the functional leg length discrepancy condition than in the shoe lift and normal conditions (p= 0.038). Using a shoe lift for the functional leg length discrepancy can result in a functional hip position that elongates tensor fasciae latae.

Study of the anisotropic elastic response of a foliated phyllite

Anisotropy is a crucial characteristic of metamorphic rocks whereby minerals oriented in a preferential direction can originate mineral foliation. Inherent anisotropy can affect the rock behaviour significantly. Transverse isotropy is a particular case of anisotropy where foliation planes are distributed in the rock mass. Therefore, in this study the anisotropy effect on the elastic properties of a foliated phyllite is considered. To this end, a series of laboratory tests was programmed. Triaxial tests were carried out under confining pressures up to 20 MPa. Elastic parameters such as elasticity modulus, E, and Poisson's ratio, ν, are assessed from triaxial test results as well as from ultrasonic tests, where compression and shear wave velocities are determined. Empirical relationships for elastic parameters are suggested as a function of foliation angle, β, and confinement. In addition, anisotropy indexes are adopted to evaluate results, comparing when possible with those of previous works. It was found that E increases with confinement; however, the effect of anisotropy on E reduces with confinement. It was also found that ν is affected by β but not by confinement.

Two-dimensional shear wave elastography of the pancreas: measurement success rate, repeatability, and factors affecting measurement values.

We aimed to evaluate the success rate, repeatability, and factors affecting the measurement values of two-dimensional ultrasonic shear wave elastography (2D-SWE) for measuring pancreatic stiffness. This prospective study recruited 100 healthy participants. 2D-SWE was performed on the pancreatic head, body, and tail. We compared the success rates of pancreatic stiffness measurements of different body positions and ultrasonic scans, with and without probe pressurization, as well as the effects of sex, age, body mass index (BMI), and region of interest (ROI) depth on measurement values. Intra- and inter-operator repeatabilities were assessed in 20 participants. The influence of ROI depth was verified using a tissue-like phantom. The median 2D-SWE measurements of the pancreatic head, body, and tail were 1.44, 1.45, and 1.56m/s, respectively. The success rates for the pancreatic head and body were significantly higher than that of the tail. The success rate for the semi-recumbent position was higher than that of the supine position (P < 0.001). The intra-operator values for same-day and inter-operator reliability were excellent. Univariate analyses showed that probe pressurization, age, BMI, and ROI depth were correlated with pancreatic shear wave velocity (SWV) (P < 0.05); only ROI depth had a significant effect on SWV values. The inclusion phantom showed that the SWV value increased as the ROI depth increased. 2D-SWE had a high success rate and good repeatability for measuring pancreatic head and body stiffness. The ROI depth was the main factor affecting pancreatic SWV, which increased with ROI depth.

In Hamstring Muscles of Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis an Increased Ultrasound Shear Modulus Indicates a Permanently Elevated Muscle Tonus.

BackgroundSome patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA) show pain, stiffness and limited flexion and extension at the back of the knee, leading to dysfunction and affecting life. This may be related to changes in the biomechanical properties of skeletal muscles. Shear wave elastography (SWE) can detect these changes by measuring muscle shear modulus.AimsTo investigate hamstring muscle shear modulus of healthy people and patients was studied using SWE method, and the correlation analysis between the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score of patients’ subjective feeling and shear modulus of objective quantification was conducted.MethodsThe hamstring shear modulus was measured by SWE in 50 patients and 50 healthy individuals. Pearson correlation coefficient was used to evaluate the correlation between hamstring stiffness and shear modulus in patients.ResultsThe hamstring shear modulus were significantly higher in the KOA group [the semimembranosus (SM) 15.23 ± 7.23, the semitendinosus (ST) 15.94 ± 5.40, the biceps femoris long tendinitis (BFL) 14.21 ± 6.55] than in the control group (the SM 10.95 ± 2.41, the ST 11.25 ± 2.23, the BFL 9.98 ± 2.81) (p = 0.000, p = 0.000, p = 0.001). The hamstring shear modulus in the KOA group was moderately positively correlated with pain, shear modulus, and physical function score.ConclusionPreliminary results show that the shear modulus of the hamstring of KOA patients is higher than that of healthy people, the WOMAC score and the shear modulus of patients are moderately correlated. These preliminary results show that ultrasonic shear wave elastography measurement of shear modulus may be enough to sensitive, can detect these effects, more targeted in order to assist the doctor’s diagnosis and treatment.

Full Characterization of in vivo Muscle as an Elastic, Incompressible, Transversely Isotropic Material Using Ultrasonic Rotational 3D Shear Wave Elasticity Imaging.

Using a 3D rotational shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI) setup, 3D shear wave data were acquired in the vastus lateralis of a healthy volunteer. The innate tilt between the transducer face and the muscle fibers results in the excitation of multiple shear wave modes, allowing for more complete characterization of muscle as an elastic, incompressible, transversely isotropic (ITI) material. The ability to measure both the shear vertical (SV) and shear horizontal (SH) wave speed allows for measurement of three independent parameters needed for full ITI material characterization: the longitudinal shear modulus μL , the transverse shear modulus μT , and the tensile anisotropy χE . Herein we develop and validate methodology to estimate these parameters and measure them in vivo, with μL = 5.77±1.00 kPa, μT = 1.93±0.41 kPa (giving shear anisotropy χμ = 2.11±0.92 ), and χE = 4.67±1.40 in a relaxed vastus lateralis muscle. We also demonstrate that 3D SWEI can be used to more accurately characterize muscle mechanical properties as compared to 2D SWEI.

The Behaviour of Wave Propagation for Structural System Identification: A Comparative Study

The way a wave behaves, while propagating across a medium, varies with the wave type and the medium. So, knowledge of the behaviour of a wave in a system with a different form of damage, and behaviour of different types of waves in a particular system is an essential prerequisite for almost all activities in structural system identification and mainly for damage detection and localization of damage. This paper presents a comparative study of various wave propagations, that has been done by researchers in various structural systems. Further, a numerical model of an isotropic plate using finite element is created both with and without damage. The behaviour of waves has been studied. Finally, the comparative result is shown. This paper offers a new perspective for ongoing research by providing the most recent developments, difficulties, and prospects of wave propagation behaviours for damage detection and localization in the commonly used structural systems and structural elements. While propagating through different structural systems and components, the most used waves, which are (a) Shear wave, (b) Rayleigh wave, (c) Ultrasonic wave and (d) Lamb wave, have been thoroughly investigated. Along with several difficult problems for future growth, the summarized observations are provided.

Smart Ultrasound Device for Non-Invasive Real-Time Myocardial Stiffness Quantification of the Human Heart.

Quantitative assessment of myocardial stiffness is crucial to understand and evaluate cardiac biomechanics and function. Despite the recent progresses of ultrasonic shear wave elastography, quantitative evaluation of myocardial stiffness still remains a challenge because of strong elastic anisotropy. In this paper we introduce a smart ultrasound approach for non-invasive real-time quantification of shear wave velocity (SWV) and elastic fractional anisotropy (FA) in locally transverse isotropic elastic medium such as the myocardium. The approach relies on a simultaneous multidirectional evaluation of the SWV without a prior knowledge of the fiber orientation. We demonstrated that it can quantify accurately SWV in the range of 1.5 to 6 m/s in transverse isotropic medium (FA < 0.7) using numerical simulations. Experimental validation was performed on calibrated phantoms and anisotropic ex vivo tissues. A mean absolute error of 0.22 m/s was found when compared to gold standard measurements. Finally, in vivo feasibility of myocardial anisotropic stiffness assessment was evaluated in four healthy volunteers on the antero-septo basal segment and on anterior free wall of the right ventricle (RV) in end-diastole. A mean longitudinal SWV of 1.08 ± 0.20 m/s was measured on the RV wall and 1.74 ± 0.51 m/s on the septal wall with a good intra-volunteer reproducibility (±0.18 m/s). This approach has the potential to become a clinical tool for the quantitative evaluation of myocardial stiffness and diastolic function.

Clinical Study of Ultrasonic Shear Wave Elastography in Assessing Placental Function in Patients with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy During Late Pregnancy

Clinical Study of Ultrasonic Shear Wave Elastography in Assessing Placental Function in Patients with Hypertensive Disorders of Pregnancy During Late Pregnancy

Ultrasonics for monitoring melt pool dynamics and in situ sensing of microstructure during powder bed fusion additive manufacturing

Ultrasonics are viable tools to monitor internal microstructure of polycrystalline metals. Recently, the need for such tools has dramatically increased as metallic additively manufactured (AM) materials are rapidly becoming common in engineered structures. Nondestructive techniques like X-ray CT and ultrasonics are increasingly being used as a quality control step to help assure performance. Ultrasonics can also be used to help improve and develop AM processes by integration as an in situ method to assess the relationship between part microstructure and process parameters. This presentation will cover the development of two in situ ultrasonic techniques aimed at improving the state of the art in metal AM. First, ultrasound is employed to monitor keyhole melt pool dynamics in Al6061 samples. In this application, a high-frequency ultrasonic shear wave scatters from the liquid-solid boundary of the melt pool, which allows us to monitor keyhole initiation, melt pool depth, fluctuations in depth, and solidification. The sensitivity was confirmed through ground truth measurements using simultaneous synchrotron x-ray imaging. Then, progress on using in situ diffuse ultrasonic scattering on Gr91 powder bed fusion parts will be highlighted. The microstructure sensitivity of diffuse scattering is thought to be able to discern the formation of different microstructures during the manufacturing process.

An ex vivo investigation of ultrasonic shear wave imaging for detecting liver cracks

Liver crack is a type of liver trauma in which a capsular tear of different geometries occurs due to external impacts. Since liver crack is an important source of morbidity and mortality in emergency medicine, a timely and accurate detection of the crack location and geometry is highly demanded. In current emergency care, ultrasonography, although has a low accuracy, is mostly used for initial examination of liver trauma due to its immediate availability, high mobility, and nonionizing nature. To improve the diagnosis accuracy, ultrasonic shear wave imaging, a technique based on shear wave generation and tracking in liver tissue, was proposed. In this study, the feasibility and effectiveness of this method was investigated in an ex vivo scenario. A porcine liver with cracks of different geometries was tested. Shear waves were generated using acoustic radiation force impulse and recorded using ultrafast ultrasound imaging. To find the best way to display the cracks, different methods of signal processing based on time-of-flight, shear wave modulus, and accumulated shear wave path were applied to the shear wave displacement extracted. The results show that shear wave imaging is a more sensitive method than the conventional ultrasonography in detecting liver cracks.

New radiation techniques in controlling bone regeneration in fractures

Objective: comparative study of the possibilities of radiation methods in control of bone regeneration in fractures.Materials and methods. A study of bone calluse formation was conducted in 116 patients with broken tubular bones of the upper and lower limbs from the first day of the fracture to the complete consolidation of the fractures. In X-rays and CT determined the mineral density of bone calluses, with ultrasonic elastography shear wave and compression elastography determined the rigidity of bone calluses in kPa.Results. X-ray bone corn was determined at the end of the second – the beginning of the third stage of bone calluse formation. On CT bone corn density (in the HU), its structure and the condition of bone breaks were determined in some patients in all stages of bone regenerate formation. In ultrasound examination in the multiparametric mode studied the rigidity, structure and vascularization of bone calluses, the correct comparison of bone breaks from the first day of the fracture to their complete fusion.Conclusions. Ultrasonic studies in multiparametric mode can be used to control bone regeneration in fractures. Ultrasonic elastography shear wave, in determining the rigidity of bone calluse, in sensitivity and specificity exceeds the indicators of ultrasonic compression elastography at all stages of bone regenerate formation.

Quantifying the impact of effective stress on changes in elastic wave velocities due to CO2 injection into a depleted carbonate reef

AbstractThe interpretation of time‐lapse seismic monitoring of CO2 sequestration has typically focused on mapping the saturation and pressure changes. However, elastic wave velocity and associated seismic attribute variation also depend on the poroelastic response to CO2 injection. In this study, we investigated the impact of effective stress changes on elastic wave velocity responses during CO2 storage within a carbonate reef of the Michigan basin. The geomechanical multiphase flow modeling combined with the experimental measurements were used to investigate the impact of effective stress on changes in velocities. We measured the ultrasonic compressional (Vp) and shear (Vs) wave velocities in cores acquired from the carbonate formations under different stress‐pressure scenarios. Experimental scenarios were applied by changing the effective stress and pore pressure conditions simulating injection into the depleted reservoir. Experimental results show that incorporating stress changes of injection avoids overestimation of changes in velocities due to considering only pore pressure effects. Coupled multiphase flow – geomechanical simulations were performed to assess stress and saturation change during CO2 injection. We discussed expected changes in elastic wave velocities using combined simulation results with experimental ones. The simulation results show that both effective stress and saturation changes contribute to changes in velocities in the main reservoir. Effective stress is the dominant parameter that contributes to changes in velocities in the upper formations. Results of this work show that quantifying the poroelastic effect of stress on elastic wave velocities changes can lead to a better interpretation of changes in seismic attributes during CO2 injection. © 2021 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Transformation of laser-induced broadband pulses of longitudinal ultrasonic waves into pulses of shear waves in an isotropic solid plate immersed in a liquid

Transformation of laser-induced broadband pulses of longitudinal ultrasonic waves into pulses of shear waves and back into pulses of longitudinal waves (further called as the “double” transformation) in an isotropic solid plate immersed in a liquid is theoretically studied. It is shown that the time profile of the pulse of shear waves strongly depends on the angle of incidence and only at a certain value of this angle the time profiles of the incident longitudinal-wave pulse and induced shear-wave pulse coincide. For various angles of incidence, the broadband pulses of longitudinal waves experimentally obtained after the double transformation in an aluminum and fused silica plane-parallel plates immersed in distilled water correspond to the theoretically calculated profiles except for the increased duration of experimental pulses. Based on the double transformation scheme, the method of broadband acoustic spectroscopy of longitudinal and shear waves for isotropic solid plates in the spectral range of the blue-green glass laser source of ultrasound (1–40 MHz) was proposed and experimentally realized for the first time. The obtained frequency dependences of the attenuation coefficients of longitudinal and shear ultrasonic waves in stainless steel, cast babbit, and brass can be used for appropriate choice of an operating frequency range by ultrasonic nondestructive testing of these materials.

Physical and mechanical investigations for bismuth tungsten tellurite glasses

Two ternary tellurite glass systems were prepared according to the formula: 70TeO2-(30-x) WO3-xBi2O3 and 80TeO2-(20-x) WO3-xBi2O3 using the melt quench method. The amorphous state of the samples was checked by using XRD. Density and molar volume were measured and calculated. Longitudinal (VL) and shear (Vs) ultrasonic wave velocities were measured. The elastic moduli were then calculated using the values obtained for both glass densities and Longitudinal (VL) and shear (Vs) velocities. Moreover, Poisson's ratio (σ), microhardness (Hv) and Debye temperature (θD) were calculated.

Effective muscle elongation positions for the neck extensor muscles: An ultrasonic shear wave elastography study

This study aimed to clarify the effective stretching positions for neck extensor muscles. Fifteen healthy men were measured shear moduli of the right neck extensor muscles using ultrasound shear wave elastography in following positions: rest (Rest), flexion (Flex), contralateral bending (Bend), flexion + contralateral bending (Flex → Bend), flexion + contralateral bending + contralateral rotation (Flex → Bend → ConRot), and flexion + contralateral bending + ipsilateral rotation (Flex → Bend → IpsRot). The increase in the shear modulus indicated a greater muscle elongation. Regarding the upper trapezius and splenius capitis, the shear moduli at Flex → Bend, Flex → Bend → ConRot, and Flex → Bend → IpsRot were significantly higher than those at Rest. The shear moduli at stretching positions, including contralateral bending, were significantly higher than those at Rest and Flex in the levator scapulae. The results indicated that the stretching position with a combination of flexion and contralateral bending could be effective for elongation of the upper trapezius and splenius capitis. Furthermore, the stretching positions including contralateral bending could be effective for the levator scapulae.

A comparative study of different concentrations of (Co/Ni/Cu) effects on elastic properties of Li–Mn ferrite employing IR spectroscopy and ultrasonic measurement

Three series of divalent ions (Co2+/Ni2+/Cu2+) substituted into lithium-manganese ferrites were synthesized using a typical ceramic technique. Two different methods were used to investigate their elastic properties. Infrared (IR) spectroscopy showed two essential bands referring to the tetrahedral ‘υA’ and the octahedral ‘υB’ sites. The force constant, elastic wave velocity and elastic moduli of all specimens have been calculated from the results of IR spectroscopy. Using the ultrasonic pulse transmission (UPT) technique, the longitudinal and shear wave velocities were measured. Using these values; bulk modulus (B), rigidity modulus (G), Young's modulus (E), and Poisson ratio (σ) were determined. In comparison, the elastic moduli resulting from IR spectroscopy results were larger than those obtained from UPT measurements. Because the present ferrite systems are porous, the elastic moduli of the compositions from UPT have been adjusted to zero porosity by two models. The values of the adjusted elastic moduli have been shown to have the same trend as those of the uncorrected elastic moduli. Elastic parameters have generally improved dramatically for Li–Mn–Co ferrite and Li–Mn–Ni ferrite compared to Li–Mn–Cu ferrite. Higher elastic moduli values have been obtained in Li–Mn–Co spinel ferrites, suggesting that such materials are ideal for use in core shapes. Two methods were used to evaluate the Debye temperature of all compositions.

Experimental and theoretical elastic moduli of sodium–zinc–tellurite glasses

70TeO2-(30-x)ZnO-xNa2O, x = 0, 3, 7, 10 and 15 mol% glasses were prepared. Samples amorphousity has been checked by XRD. Density and molar volume have been estimated. Longitudinal and shear ultrasonic wave velocities were measured by using pulse echo technique. Elastic moduli (bulk, shear, longitudinal, Young's), Poisson’s ratio, Debye temperature, microhardness and softening temperature of the glasses were measured. Theoretical analysis of the elastic moduli has been achieved. Bond compression (B.C) and Makishima - Mackenzie (M.M) models have been used to interpret the experimental data of elastic moduli.

Experimental validation of differential evolution indicators for ultrasonic imaging in unknown backgrounds

The differential evolution indicators, recently introduced Pourahmadian and Haddar (2020) [1] for imaging mechanical evolution in highly scattering solids, is examined in a laboratory setting with the focus on spatiotemporal tracking of an advancing damage zone in an elastic specimen. To this end, a prismatic slab of charcoal granite is quasi-statically fractured in the three-point-bending (3 PB) configuration, while ultrasonic shear waves are periodically generated in the sample at certain time steps tκ,κ=∘,1,2,…,4. The interaction of probing waves with the propagating damage give rise to transient velocity responses measured on the plate’s boundary by a 3D scanning laser Doppler vibrometer. Thus obtained sensory data are then carefully processed to retrieve the associated spectra of scattered displacement fields vκ at every tκ. On deploying consecutive pairs of multifrequency data (vκ,vκ+1), the differential indicators are computed exposing the progress of 3 PB-induced damage in the specimen. Verified with in situ observations, each indicator map successfully reconstructs (a) the support of newborn fractures, and (b) the loci of discontinuities in the process zone that undergo interfacial evolution in the designated timeframe [tκtκ+1]. Further, it is shown that the evolution indicators help better understand the damage mechanism e.g., by shining light on the fragmented nature of induced cracks and their coalescence. For completeness, data inversion via reduced and partial-aperture data is investigated, including the one-sided reconstruction.