Subharmonic imaging with microbubble contrast agents: initial results.
The subharmonic emission from insonified contrast microbubbles was used to create a new imaging modality called Subharmonic Imaging. The subharmonic response of contrast microbubbles to ultrasound pulses was first investigated for determining adequate acoustic transmit parameters. Subharmonic A-lines and gray scale images were then obtained using a laboratory pulse-echo system in vitro and a modified ultrasound scanner in vivo. Excellent suppression of all backscattered signals other than from contrast microbubbles was achieved for subharmonic A-lines in vitro while further optimization is required for in vivo gray scale subharmonic images.
Shi
W T
WT
Department of Radiology, and Jefferson Ultrasound Education and Research Institute, Thomas Jefferson University, Philadelphia, PA 19107, USA.
Forsberg
F
F
Hall
A L
AL
Chiao
R Y
RY
Liu
J B
JB
Miller
S
S
Thomenius
K E
KE
Wheatley
M A
MA
Goldberg
B B
BB
D000818:Animals; D001783:Blood Flow Velocity; D003287:Contrast Media / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D004285:Dogs; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D007275:Injections, Intravenous; D007668:Kidney / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012077:Renal Artery / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012082:Renal Veins / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography
D003287:Contrast Media