Applications of Ultrasound Stimulated Vibro-acoustography

Vibro-acoustography is a method of imaging and measurement that uses ultrasound to produce radiation force to vibrate objects. The radiation force is concentrated laterally by focusing the ultrasound beam. The radiation force is limited in depth by intersecting two beams at different frequencies so that there is interference between the beams at the difference frequency only at their intersection. This results in a cyclic radiation stress of limited spatial extent on or within the object of interest. The resulting harmonic displacement of the object is detected by its acoustic emission, with ultrasound Doppler measurement, with a laser interferometer or with a hydrophone. The displacement is a complicated function of the object material parameters. However, significant images and measurements can be made with this arrangement. Vibro-acoustography can produce images of biologically relevant objects such as breast microcalcification, vessel calcifications, heart valves, and normal arteries. Specific examples of these results will be described.