Harmonic imaging for ultrasound contrast agents

TLDR

Contrast echography originated in 1968, and while conventional fundamental imaging was initially thought sufficient, recent advances require specialized hardware and software to exploit the unique acoustic properties of ultrasound contrast agents. The study aims to describe a new imaging technique, contrast super‑harmonic imaging, based on the nonlinear vibrations of microbubbles. By exploiting the specific acoustic properties of microbubbles, the authors enable harmonic B‑mode, harmonic power Doppler, pulse inversion, release burst, subharmonic imaging, and introduce contrast super‑harmonic imaging based on their nonlinear vibrations.

Abstract

The field of contrast echography traces its origin to the work first published in 1968. With the introduction of UCA, it was thought that it would be sufficient to detect and image them with conventional imaging methods nowadays referred to as fundamental imaging. It is currently believed that special hard- and software development is required and that will result in newer imaging techniques, which will be more sensitive and will be based on the specific properties of the UCA. Taking advantage of the specific acoustic properties of the bubbles has made different imaging methods feasible like harmonic B-mode imaging, harmonic power Doppler imaging, pulse inversion imaging, release burst imaging, subharmonic imaging. As well as these, we describe a new imaging technique, contrast super-harmonic imaging based on the nonlinear vibrations of the microbubbles.