Abstract
Background: Ultrasound stimulated Vibro‐acoustography has been used to image tissues using the acoustic response of tissues to localized harmonic radiation pressure. The method provides high resolution and high dynamic range images of tissues. The parameter being imaged is a complex combination of scattering, attenuation, and nonlinearity. However specific use of harmonic or pulsed radiation pressure and subsequent measurement of the tissue response can be used to measure fundamental material properties of tissue. The measurement of shear wave dispersion can be used to estimate elastic shear moduli of tissue. Fundamental model free properties such as elastic storage and loss constants can also be measured. Methods: Ultrasound radiation pressure is used to induce free propagating shear waves. The measurable properties of the shear waves are sensitive to only the material properties of the tissue under certain circumstances. A model relating the shear wave speed as a function of frequency is related to the elastic and viscous moduli within small regions of tissue. Results: Shear and elastic moduli in tissue are measured with high accuracy and precision given appropriate models of wave propagation within the geometry of the tissue. Conclusion: Careful use of shear wave propagation and subsequent measurements can provide fundamental measurements of tissue mechanical properties if models are accurate. An application of this method is the noninvasive measurement of liver stiffness as a surrogate for fibrosis. Educational Objectives 1. Understand Shear Wave moduli. 2. Understand Vibrometry. 3. Understand measurement of elasticity and viscosity with ultrasound.
| Original language | English (US) |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 2617 |
| Number of pages | 1 |
| Journal | Medical physics |
| Volume | 34 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| DOIs | |
| State | Published - Jun 2007 |
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Radiology Nuclear Medicine and imaging