title: Experimental evaluation of a non-linear coded excitation method for contrast imaging.
abstract: Previously, we have shown that for a single bubble, using chirps as the excitation signal improves both the linear and the non-linear response. Computer simulations of randomly distributed contrast agent bubbles show an increase of 10-13 dB in response when comparing pulse excitations with chirp excitations that have equal bandwidths and peak amplitudes. Second harmonic compression of simulated bubble echoes with chirp excitation shows low side-lobe levels and limited loss of axial resolution when compared to pulse excitation. Experimental results from water tank measurements with SonoVue contrast agent are in agreement with computer simulations showing increased signal-to-noise ratio and an increase of approximately 12 dB at the second harmonic when comparing pulse and chirp excitation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology and Experimental Echocardiography, Thoraxcentre, Erasmus MC, Room Ee 2302, P.O. Box 1738, Rotterdam 3000 DR, The Netherlands. j.borsboom@erasmusmc.nl
authors.forename: Jerome
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Borsboom
authors.forename: Chien
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ting Chin
authors.forename: Nico
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: de Jong
mesh_terms: D003287:Contrast Media; D008863:Microspheres; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D010743:Phospholipids; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D003287:Contrast Media; D010743:Phospholipids; C420843:contrast agent BR1; D013459:Sulfur Hexafluoride