title: Linear arrays for vibro-acoustography: a numerical simulation study.
abstract: In this work, we study linear array beamforming for vibro-acoustography systems. The goal of this research is to assess the feasibility of vibro-acoustography imaging systems based on linear arrays for clinical applications. The vibro-acoustography transducer is designed with two arrays driven by two continuous-wave or tone-burst signals at slightly different frequencies. The system beamforming is modeled in a homogeneous and lossless fluid. In this model, the point-spread function (psf) of the system is obtained as the product of the spatial impulse function of each linear array. Three linear array configurations are analyzed for vibro-acoustography systems. Simulations considering 64 elements in each array are performed. Aspects related to clinical applications ofvibro-acoustography, such as system spatial resolution, sidelobes, grating lobes and image frame-rate are discussed. It is concluded that linear array transducers can produce acceptable spatial resolution for clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology and Biomedical Engineering, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, 200 1st St. SW, Rochester, MN 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Glauber T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Silva
authors.forename: James F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Greenleaf
authors.forename: Mostafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fatemi
mesh_terms: D000162:Acoustics; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014159:Transducers; D014465:Ultrasonics; D014732:Vibration