Very high frequency pulsed Doppler apparatus.
A study of a method for exploration of microvessels is presented. Theoretical considerations taking into account the backscattering of ultrasound wave from a red cell and the attenuation versus frequency (up to 180 MHz) show that a frequency in the range of 80 to 120 MHz is most favorable for small depths of exploration (300 microns). The characteristics of the 113 MHz Doppler system which was built are described. The minimum detectable signal is 3 microV, the lateral resolution around 20 microns and the minimum length of the Doppler sample volume about 80 microns. The Doppler data are displayed in the form of a frequency spectrum. The first encouraging tests carried out using 20 microns rectangular glass capillary tubes and 50 to 150 microns microvessels of the mesentery of rat have demonstrated the resolution and the sensitivity of the system. A discussion illustrates the difficult problem of motion artefacts and the improvements which have to be made. From a technical point of view the authors think that it is possible to work with such a high frequency but there are two main difficulties: the processing of a very low frequency Doppler spectrum and the optimization of the probe (dimensions and shape).
Berson
M
M
Unité INSERM 316, Laboratoire de Biophysique Médicale, Faculté de Médecine, Tours, France.
Patat
F
F
Wang
Z Q
ZQ
Besse
D
D
Pourcelot
L
L
D000818:Animals; D001158:Arteries / Q000502:physiology; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D002196:Capillaries / Q000502:physiology; D004867:Equipment Design; D008833:Microcirculation / Q000502:physiology*; D008961:Models, Structural; D051381:Rats; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods