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Updated: Jul 9, 2026
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Micro-particle Image Velocimetry for Velocity Profile Measurements of Micro Blood Flows
Published on: April 25, 2013
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Characterization of Blood-Mimicking Fluids for Quantitative Flow Imaging with Ultrasound.
Lizbeth Ayala-Dominguez1, Cristel Baiu1, Laura Castaneda-Martinez1
1Department of Medical Physics, University of Wisconsin - Madison, Madison, WI, USA.
Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology
|May 18, 2025
Summary
This study developed a method to characterize blood-mimicking fluids (BMFs) for ultrasound imaging. BMF formulation 2 met international standards and showed consistent performance for quantitative flow imaging.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Ultrasound Imaging
- Fluid Dynamics
Background:
- Standardizing quantitative imaging biomarkers in vascular and microvascular ultrasound requires well-characterized blood-mimicking fluids (BMFs).
- Existing BMFs may not consistently meet the properties required for reliable ultrasound measurements.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize BMFs for their suitability in standardizing quantitative imaging biomarkers in vascular and microvascular ultrasound.
- To develop and validate a methodology for preparing and assessing BMFs according to the International Electrotechnical Commission (IEC)-61685 standard.
Main Methods:
- Three BMF formulations were prepared varying in dynamic viscosity and particle buoyancy, adhering to the IEC-61685 standard.
- A novel figure of merit (FOM) was developed to assess particle buoyancy over time.
- Key fluid properties (density, viscosity, speed of sound, attenuation, backscatter coefficient) and imaging performance (contrast-to-noise ratio) were measured using power Doppler and contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) in a microflow phantom.
Main Results:
- The FOM effectively evaluated particle distribution, enabling the creation of neutrally buoyant BMFs.
- Filtration impacted the backscatter coefficient (BSC) but not other measured properties.
- BMF formulation 2 matched all IEC-61685 reference values and demonstrated consistent contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) across different flow velocities and imaging modes.
- BMF 3 showed the highest BSC and superior CNR in power Doppler at higher flow rates.
Conclusions:
- A robust methodology for BMF preparation and characterization was established.
- BMF formulation 2 is a suitable candidate for standardizing quantitative ultrasound imaging due to its adherence to IEC-61685 standards and consistent performance.
- This work provides a foundation for reproducible BMF development, advancing quantitative flow imaging techniques in ultrasound.
