Applications of spectral analysis in medical ultrasonography

Spectral analysis of ultrasonic reflections from biological tissues can be used to determine basic tissue parameters for use in differential diagnosis. This paper describes the use of the technique under circumstances encountered in several types of clinical examinations. The applications are illustrated with results obtained from laboratory measurements with a system now being employed in a clinical evaluation programme. The test objects studied simulate tissues with planar boundaries, tissues with heterogeneous interior structure, and tissues causing acoustic 'shadowing' of posterior regions.