High-frequency ultrasound Doppler system for biomedical applications with a 30-MHz linear array
Xiaochen Xu1, Lei Sun, Jonathan M Cannata
1NIH Resource on Medical Ultrasonic Transducer Technology, Department of Biomedical Engineering, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA. xiaochenxu@gmail.com
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
|November 13, 2007
Summary
This study introduces the first high-frequency (HF) pulsed-wave Doppler system for small animal cardiovascular assessment. The novel system accurately measures blood flow in tiny vessels, crucial for small animal research.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Cardiovascular Research
- Medical Imaging
Background:
- Assessing cardiovascular function in small animals is vital for research.
- Existing Doppler systems may lack the resolution for microvasculature.
- High-frequency (HF) ultrasound offers potential for improved imaging of small structures.
Purpose of the Study:
- To develop and validate the first HF pulsed-wave Doppler system utilizing a 30-MHz linear array transducer.
- To assess the system's capability in measuring cardiovascular functions in small animals.
- To evaluate the system's performance in detecting low-velocity flows and microvascular blood flow.
Main Methods:
- Development of a 16-channel HF analog beamformer and pulsed-wave Doppler module.
- Digitization of in-phase and quadrature-phase (IQ) Doppler signals using a sound card or Gage digitizer.
- Calibration and evaluation using a micro-flow phantom (127-microm inner diameter tube) and wire phantom.
Main Results:
- The system achieved two-way beamwidths of 160-320 microm at depths of 5-10 mm.
- Detected motion velocity as low as 0.1 mm/s in a wire phantom.
- Measured blood-mimicking flow velocity below 7 mm/s in a 127-microm tube.
- Successfully measured in vivo blood flow in mouse superficial vessels (~200 microm) and aorta.
Conclusions:
- The developed HF pulsed-wave Doppler system is capable of high-resolution cardiovascular assessment in small animals.
- The system demonstrates potential for indispensable application in HF array-based small animal imaging.
- This technology advances the study of microcirculation and cardiovascular physiology in preclinical models.
Related Concept Videos
01:19Assessing Blood pressure using a doppler ultrasound
To obtain accurate blood pressure measurements in clinical settings, especially when traditional methods are insufficient, healthcare professionals utilize the Doppler ultrasound technique. This method uses high-frequency sound waves to detect blood flow within the arteries, which is crucial for patients with conditions that complicate circulatory system assessment.
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
Pre-Procedural Guidelines for Doppler Ultrasound Blood Pressure Assessment:
Preparation of Equipment:
01:17Ultrasonography
Ultrasonography is an imaging technique that uses high-frequency sound waves to visualize the body's internal structures. It is a non-invasive and safe procedure that does not involve the use of ionizing radiation, making it widely used in various medical fields. Ultrasonography is used to study heart function, blood flow in the neck or extremities, certain conditions such as gallbladder disease, and fetal growth and development.
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called a...
During an ultrasonography procedure, a handheld device called a...
01:25Ultrasound II: Endoscopic Ultrasound and FibroScan
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS) and FibroScan are valuable diagnostic tools in gastroenterology and hepatology, each with specific applications and techniques.
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
Endoscopic Ultrasound (EUS):
01:05Doppler Effect - II
The Doppler effect has several practical, real-world applications. For instance, meteorologists use Doppler radars to interpret weather events based on the Doppler effect. Typically, a transmitter emits radio waves at a specific frequency toward the sky from a weather station. The radio waves bounce off the clouds and precipitation and travel back to the weather station. The radio frequency of the waves reflected back to the station appears to decrease if the clouds or precipitation are moving...