Integration of crawling waves in an ultrasound imaging system. Part 1: system and design considerations

Ultrasound Med Biol. 2012 Feb;38(2):296-311. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2011.10.026. Epub 2011 Dec 16.

Abstract

An ultrasound system (GE Logiq 9) was modified to produce a synthetic crawling wave using shear wave displacements generated by the radiation force of focused beams formed at the left and the right edge of the region of interest (ROI). Two types of focusing, normal and axicon, were implemented. Baseband (IQ) data was collected to determine the left and right displacements, which were then used to calculate an interference pattern. By imposing a variable delay between the two pushes, the interference pattern moves across the ROI to produce crawling waves. Also temperature and pressure measurements were made to assess the safety issues. The temperature profiles measured in a veal liver along the focal line showed the maximum temperature rise less than 0.8°C, and the pressure measurements obtained in degassed water and derated by 0.3 dB/cm/MHz demonstrate that the system can operate within FDA safety guidelines.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Computer-Aided Design*
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / instrumentation*
  • Elasticity Imaging Techniques / methods*
  • Equipment Design
  • Equipment Failure Analysis
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / instrumentation*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*