Imaging and spectrum analysis of contrast agents using very high frequency ultrasound

Abstract

A theoretical model of calibrated power spectrum analysis is formulated to relate the spectral features to the characteristics of contrast agents, including their concentration and size. In vitro and in vivo experiments demonstrated the feasibility of employing contrast agents with very high frequency ultrasound (VHFU). Analytical and experimental results show that concentration information for Albunex can be extracted from the measured spectral intercept using VHFU. Analysis of detectable time history of contrast agent activity could provide information about perfusion in a contrast agent perfused organ.