Ultrasound Signal Analysis Applied to Determine the Optimal Contrast Dose for Echographic Examinations
In recent years the understanding of the behaviour of currently available ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs), in the form of gas-filled microbubbles encapsulated in elastic shells, has significantly improved thanks to “ad hoc” designed “in vitro” studies. However, in several studies there has been a...
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doaj-4bfbbe38d0cb4f14a776a877bfeceedf2020-11-24T22:07:32ZengIFSA Publishing, S.L.Sensors & Transducers2306-85151726-54792010-12-019Special Issue4855Ultrasound Signal Analysis Applied to Determine the Optimal Contrast Dose for Echographic Examinations Roberto FRANCHINI0Francesco CONVERSANO1Antonio GRECO2Raffaella VERRIENTI 3Sergio CASCIARO4Institute of Clinical Physiology, Biomedical Engineering Division, National Council of Research, 73100 Lecce, ItalyInstitute of Clinical Physiology, Biomedical Engineering Division, National Council of Research, 73100 Lecce, ItalyInstitute of Clinical Physiology, Biomedical Engineering Division, National Council of Research, 73100 Lecce, ItalyInstitute of Clinical Physiology, Biomedical Engineering Division, National Council of Research, 73100 Lecce, ItalyInstitute of Clinical Physiology, Biomedical Engineering Division, National Council of Research, 73100 Lecce, Italy In recent years the understanding of the behaviour of currently available ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs), in the form of gas-filled microbubbles encapsulated in elastic shells, has significantly improved thanks to “ad hoc” designed “in vitro” studies. However, in several studies there has been a tendency to use high UCA concentrations, potentially reducing the safety of microbubbles in clinical applications. In this study we investigated a possible strategy to improve microbubble safety by reducing the injection dose and employing low ultrasound intensities. We measured the achievable contrast enhancement insonifying microbubbles at different low concentrations (range 0.01-0.10 µL/mL) using a very low mechanical index (MI=0.08). Our results, based on the use of advanced techniques for signal processing and spectrum analysis, showed that UCA backscatter strongly depends on microbubble concentration also in the considered low range, providing useful indications towards the definition of an optimal low contrast dose, effectively employable at low MIs.http://www.sensorsportal.com/HTML/DIGEST/december_2010/P_SI_112.pdfUltrasound signal analysisUltrasound contrast agentEchographic imagingRadiofrequency spectrum analysisMicrobubble acoustic behaviour |
collection |
DOAJ |
language |
English |
format |
Article |
sources |
DOAJ |
author |
Roberto FRANCHINI Francesco CONVERSANO Antonio GRECO Raffaella VERRIENTI Sergio CASCIARO |
spellingShingle |
Roberto FRANCHINI Francesco CONVERSANO Antonio GRECO Raffaella VERRIENTI Sergio CASCIARO Ultrasound Signal Analysis Applied to Determine the Optimal Contrast Dose for Echographic Examinations Sensors & Transducers Ultrasound signal analysis Ultrasound contrast agent Echographic imaging Radiofrequency spectrum analysis Microbubble acoustic behaviour |
author_facet |
Roberto FRANCHINI Francesco CONVERSANO Antonio GRECO Raffaella VERRIENTI Sergio CASCIARO |
author_sort |
Roberto FRANCHINI |
title |
Ultrasound Signal Analysis Applied to Determine the Optimal Contrast Dose for Echographic Examinations |
title_short |
Ultrasound Signal Analysis Applied to Determine the Optimal Contrast Dose for Echographic Examinations |
title_full |
Ultrasound Signal Analysis Applied to Determine the Optimal Contrast Dose for Echographic Examinations |
title_fullStr |
Ultrasound Signal Analysis Applied to Determine the Optimal Contrast Dose for Echographic Examinations |
title_full_unstemmed |
Ultrasound Signal Analysis Applied to Determine the Optimal Contrast Dose for Echographic Examinations |
title_sort |
ultrasound signal analysis applied to determine the optimal contrast dose for echographic examinations |
publisher |
IFSA Publishing, S.L. |
series |
Sensors & Transducers |
issn |
2306-8515 1726-5479 |
publishDate |
2010-12-01 |
description |
In recent years the understanding of the behaviour of currently available ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs), in the form of gas-filled microbubbles encapsulated in elastic shells, has significantly improved thanks to “ad hoc” designed “in vitro” studies. However, in several studies there has been a tendency to use high UCA concentrations, potentially reducing the safety of microbubbles in clinical applications. In this study we investigated a possible strategy to improve microbubble safety by reducing the injection dose and employing low ultrasound intensities. We measured the achievable contrast enhancement insonifying microbubbles at different low concentrations (range 0.01-0.10 µL/mL) using a very low mechanical index (MI=0.08). Our results, based on the use of advanced techniques for signal processing and spectrum analysis, showed that UCA backscatter strongly depends on microbubble concentration also in the considered low range, providing useful indications towards the definition of an optimal low contrast dose, effectively employable at low MIs. |
topic |
Ultrasound signal analysis Ultrasound contrast agent Echographic imaging Radiofrequency spectrum analysis Microbubble acoustic behaviour |
url |
http://www.sensorsportal.com/HTML/DIGEST/december_2010/P_SI_112.pdf |
work_keys_str_mv |
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