Absolute backscatter coefficient estimates of tissue-mimicking phantoms in the 5-50 MHz frequency range

J Acoust Soc Am. 2011 Aug;130(2):737-43. doi: 10.1121/1.3605669.

Abstract

Absolute backscatter coefficients in tissue-mimicking phantoms were experimentally determined in the 5-50 MHz frequency range using a broadband technique. A focused broadband transducer from a commercial research system, the VisualSonics Vevo 770, was used with two tissue-mimicking phantoms. The phantoms differed regarding the thin layers covering their surfaces to prevent desiccation and regarding glass bead concentrations and diameter distributions. Ultrasound scanning of these phantoms was performed through the thin layer. To avoid signal saturation, the power spectra obtained from the backscattered radio frequency signals were calibrated by using the signal from a liquid planar reflector, a water-brominated hydrocarbon interface with acoustic impedance close to that of water. Experimental values of absolute backscatter coefficients were compared with those predicted by the Faran scattering model over the frequency range 5-50 MHz. The mean percent difference and standard deviation was 54% ± 45% for the phantom with a mean glass bead diameter of 5.40 μm and was 47% ± 28% for the phantom with 5.16 μm mean diameter beads.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cattle
  • Equipment Design
  • Glass
  • Milk
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Motion
  • Particle Size
  • Phantoms, Imaging*
  • Propylene Glycol
  • Scattering, Radiation
  • Sepharose
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Time Factors
  • Transducers*
  • Ultrasonography / instrumentation*

Substances

  • Propylene Glycol
  • Sepharose