Investigation of Acoustic Changes Resulting from Contrast Enhancement in Through-Transmission Ultrasonic Imaging

Through-transmitted ultrasonic waves can be used for computed projection imaging of the breast. The goal of this research was to analyze the acoustic properties changes associated with the propagation of ultrasonic waves through media before and after ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) injection and to study the feasibility of a new imaging method combining projection imaging and UCA. Two transmission techniques were examined: Gaussian pulses and pulse inversion. In the latter, three different double inverted pulses were studied: double Gaussian, double square and double sine. A computerized automatic ultrasonic scanning system was used for imaging. To simulate blood vessels, a phantom, consisting of a latex tube through which saline was circulated, was assembled. The phantom was placed within the scanner and sets of acoustic projection images were acquired. Then, a suspension of the UCA Definity™ was added to the saline and a new set of images was obtained. The pre and postcontrast images were quantitatively compared in terms of amplitude and time-of-flight (TOF). In addition, nonlinearity was evaluated by comparing the relative alteration of the positive and negative parts of the signal. Statistically significant (p < 0.001) changes in the projection images resulting from the UCA injection were observed in wave amplitude (22% ± 13%), TOF (7.9 ns ± 6.3 ns) and nonlinear properties (35% ± 32% and 56% ± 17% for Gausian pulses and pulse inversion, respectively). One in vivo study of a female breast is also presented and its preliminary outcomes discussed. Together, these results indicate the technical feasibility of the suggested method and its potential to detect breast tumors. (E-mail:haim@bm.technion.ac.il)