Ultrasonic Scattering In Biological Tissues

Ultrasonic Scattering in Biological Tissues contains 14 chapters written by world-renowned authorities who describe current work related to theoretical and experimental aspects of ultrasonic scattering phenomenon in biological tissues. Introductory material regarding ultrasonic scattering in biological tissues is presented, followed by discussions on theoretical treatments, experimental approaches, in vitro results on selective tissues, in vivo results on various tissues, and the current status of quantitative backscatter imaging. Ultrasonic Scattering in Biological Tissues will be an excellent reference for biomedical engineers, ultrasound specialists, biophysicists, and radiology researchers.

Ultrasonic Scattering in Biological Tissues contains 14 chapters written by world-renowned authorities who describe current work related to theoretical and experimental aspects of ultrasonic scattering phenomenon in biological tissues. Introductory material regarding ultrasonic scattering in biological tissues is presented, followed by discussions on theoretical treatments, experimental approaches, in vitro results on selective tissues, in vivo results on various tissues, and the current status of quantitative backscatter imaging. Ultrasonic Scattering in Biological Tissues will be an excellent reference for biomedical engineers, ultrasound specialists, biophysicists, and radiology researchers.

Due to parallel advances in signal processing and computer hardware in the last 15 years, quantitative ultrasound techniques have reached maturity, allowing for the construction of quantitative maps or images of soft tissues. This book will focus on 5 modern research topics related to quantitative ultrasound of soft tissues: - Spectral-based methods for tissue characterization, tissue typing, cancer detection, etc.; - Envelope statistics analysis as a means of quantifying and imaging tissue properties; - Ultrasound elastography for quantifying elastic properties of tissues (several clinical ultrasound scanners now display elastography images); - Scanning acoustic microscopy for forming images of mechanical properties of soft tissues with micron resolution (desktop size scanners are now available); and - Ultrasound computer tomography for breast cancer imaging (new ultrasound tomography systems have been developed and are currently under evaluation clinically).

Methods and Phenomena, 3: Ultrasound: Its Applications in Medicine and Biology, Part II focuses on the applications of ultrasound in biology and medicine, including irradiation, acoustic attenuation, and impedance distribution. The selection first tackles selected non-thermal mechanisms of interaction of ultrasound and biological media, therapy with continuous wave ultrasound, and pulse echo visualization. Discussions focus on imaging properties, modes of operation, rationale for selecting ultrasound as a therapeutic agent, mechanical disarrangement of tissue structures, and wave distortion. The manuscript then examines a research approach to visualization of breast tumors by ultrasound methods, acoustic characterization of tissue at the microscopic level, and intense focused ultrasound. Concerns cover systems for irradiation with intense focused ultrasound, interaction of intense focused ultrasound and biological tissue, sonomicroscopic characterization of tissues, acoustic attenuation and impedance distribution, velocity of sound distribution, and methods of procedure. The book tackles cavitation and its effects on organized mammalian tissues and thermal mechanisms in ultrasound-tissue interactions. The selection is a valuable source of data for researchers interested in the applications of ultrasound in biology and medicine.

There are two major reasons for having this symposium. First, Tohoku Univer sity is the place where ultrasound investigations in Japan originated. Starting from the research studies of Professors H. Nukiyama and Y. Kikuchi of To hoku University, Professor J. Saneyoshi of Tokyo Institute of Technology, and Dr. K. Kato of Osaka University - all graduates of Tohoku University - the results spread to all parts of Japan. More recently we have had acoustic macro scopic studies by researchers like Professor N. Chubachi. As regards tissue char acterization, which was the main theme of the symposium, the collaboration among research workers in Japan and the United States started 10 years ago between Professor F. Dunn of the University of Illinois and staff members of Tohoku University and the Tokyo Institute of Technology. So this conference commemorates the lOth anniversary of that joint research effort. The second reason for this conference is that the application of ultrasound has become wide spread and indispensable in the routine clinical activities of medicine. But there have not been many breakthroughs in terms of quantitative and qualitative measurement of the living body tissues. Also, there are many problems with regard to practical application. There are various points that have not been elucidated yet as to the physical and acoustical characteristics of ultrasound itself. The methodology has not in all cases been well established. Therefore, the scientific elucidation of these areas is essential.