The impact and estimation of soft tissue transmission losses based on broadband bubble scattering

What is it about?

This paper presents methods for attenuation estimation and compensation based on broadband cavitation data measured with a conventional ultrasound array. We also assess the sensitivity of passive cavitation monitoring methods to uncertainties in tissue sound speed.

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Why is it important?

Therapeutic ultrasound procedures that either employ cavitation or seek to limit its influence require a reliable method for detection, localization, and quantification of bubble activity. However, passive acoustic mapping (PAM) studies reported to date have not addressed the impact of soft tissue attenuation between the cavitation sources and the monitoring system. This study is the first to 1) directly assess attenuation impact, 2) demonstrate a method for in-situ attenuation estimation based on broadband inertial cavitation emissions, 3) compensate PAM data for attenuation, and 4) assess the sensitivity of all processing steps to uncertainties in sound speed. Estimation of unattenuated signal levels is a critical step in relating absolute levels of cavitation activity to specific bioeffects which are sought or for which efficacy thresholds have been established, and would minimize biases in cavitation observations within a patient and between patients.

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