Lower-limb vascular imaging with acoustic radiation force elastography: Demonstration of in vivo feasibility

• Published in: IEEE transactions on ultrasonics, ferroelectrics, and frequency control Vol. 56; no. 5; pp. 931 - 944
• Main Authors: Allen, J., Dumont, D., Fahey, B., Miller, E., Dahl, J., Trahey, G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New York, NY IEEE 01.05.2009; Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers; The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc. (IEEE)
• Subjects: Acoustic imaging; Acoustic measurements; Acoustic radiation; Acoustic signal processing; Acoustics; Algorithms; Biological and medical sciences; Biomedical materials; Displacement measurement; Elastic Modulus; Elasticity Imaging Techniques - methods; Equipment Design; Exact sciences and technology; Force measurement; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Human subjects; Humans; Image contrast; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted - methods; Imaging; Imaging phantoms; In vivo; In vivo tests; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Lower Extremity - blood supply; Lower Extremity - diagnostic imaging; Mechanical factors; Mechanical properties; Mechanical variables measurement; Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; Nonlinear acoustics, macrosonics; Peripheral Vascular Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Phantoms, Imaging; Physics; Polyvinyl alcohol; Popliteal Artery - diagnostic imaging; Surgical implants; Transduction; acoustical devices for the generation and reproduction of sound; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonic variables measurement; Human; Occlusion; Stratified material; B scan; Ultrasound imaging; Mechanical properties; Experimental study; Radiation pressure; Arterial disease; Polyvinylalcohol; Tissue; Displacement measurement; Acoustic radiation; Medical imagery; Feasibility; Circulatory system; Model test; Acoustic image; Vascular wall; Elastography; Image contrast
• ISSN: 0885-3010; 1525-8955; 1525-8955
• DOI: 10.1109/TUFFC.2009.1126

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging characterizes the mechanical properties of tissue by measuring displacement resulting from applied ultrasonic radiation force. In this paper, we describe the current status of ARFI imaging for lower-limb vascular applications and present results from both tissue-mimicking phantoms and in vivo experiments. Initial experiments were performed on vascular phantoms constructed with polyvinyl alcohol for basic evaluation of the modality. Multilayer vessels and vessels with compliant occlusions of varying plaque load were evaluated with ARFI imaging techniques. Phantom layers and plaque are well resolved in the ARFI images, with higher contrast than B-mode, demonstrating the ability of ARFI imaging to identify regions of different mechanical properties. Healthy human subjects and those with diagnosed lower-limb peripheral arterial disease were imaged. Proximal and distal vascular walls are well visualized in ARFI images, with higher mean contrast than corresponding B-mode images. ARFI images reveal information not observed by conventional ultrasound and lend confidence to the feasibility of using ARFI imaging during lower-limb vascular workup.