基于超声断层成像的小动物器官声速成像

Sound speed imaging of small animal organs by ultrasound computed tomography

声速是表征组织的一个重要声学参数。我们开发了一种超声断层成像(USCT)系统,用于小动物器官的体外声速成像和评估。该USCT系统采用256个阵元的环形阵列换能器,并允许所有通道同时进行信号传输和接收。该方法不需要复杂的样品制备程序,测量结果准确。实验结果表明,该方法测量的离体大鼠脑、心、肝、脾、肾的声速与已发表的数据接近。这项工作展示了一种新的声速成像方法,并具有在体应用潜力。

Sound speed is an important acoustic parameter for tissue characterization.Herein we developed an ultrasound computed tomography(USCT)system for ex vivo sound speed imaging and evaluation of small animal organs.The proposed USCT system employs a 256-element ring array transducer and allows simultaneous signal transmission and reception for all channels.The method does not require complicated sample preparation procedures and can yield accurate measurement results.Experimental results show that sound speeds of excised rat brain,heart,liver,spleen,and kidney measured by the method are close to published data.This work demonstrates a new method for sound speed imaging and holds potential for in vivo applications.