Broadband attenuation and nonlinear propagation in biological fluids: an experimental facility and measurements

The design and construction of a versatile experimental facility for making measurements of the frequency-dependence of attenuation coefficient (over the range 1 MHz to 25 MHz) and nonlinear propagation in samples of biological fluids is described. The main feature of the facility is the ability to perform all of the measurements on the same sample of fluid within a short period of time and under temperature control. In particular, the facility allows the axial development of nonlinear waveform distortion to be measured with a wideband bilaminar polyvinylidene difluoride membrane hydrophone to study nonlinear propagation in biological fluids. The system uses a variable length bellows to contain the fluid, with transparent Mylar end-windows to couple the acoustic field into the fluid. Example results for the frequency-dependence of attenuation of Dow Corning 200/350 silicone fluid, used as a standard fluid, are presented and shown to be in good agreement with alternative measurements. Measurements of finite amplitude propagation in amniotic fluid, urine and 4.5% human albumin solutions at physiological temperature (37 degrees C) are presented and compared with theoretical predictions using existing models. The measurements were made using a 2.25-MHz single-element transducer coupled to a polymethyl methacrylate lens with a focal amplitude gain of 12 in water. The transducer was driven with an eight-cycle tone burst at source pressures up to 0.137 MPa. In general, given an accurate knowledge of the medium parameters and source conditions, the agreement with theoretical prediction is good for the first five harmonics.