Ultrasonic spectrum analysis for assays of different scatterer morphologies: theory and very-high frequency clinical results

Abstract

Theoretical results are obtained to describe how clinically measured ultrasonic spectral parameters are related to effective physical properties of tissue scatterers. Scatterer morphologies include small asymmetric or isotropic scatterers, thin quasi-cylindrical scatterers, and quasi-planar scatterers. Closed form expressions relate linear-regression spectral parameters to system and analysis factors and to effective scatterer properties including size, concentration, and relative acoustic impedance. Results are being used to guide very-high-frequency ultrasonic examinations of ocular tissues.