7,705 research outputs found
High-frequency ultrasonic speckle velocimetry in sheared complex fluids
High-frequency ultrasonic pulses at 36 MHz are used to measure velocity
profiles in a complex fluid sheared in the Couette geometry. Our technique is
based on time-domain cross-correlation of ultrasonic speckle signals
backscattered by the moving medium. Post-processing of acoustic data allows us
to record a velocity profile in 0.02--2 s with a spatial resolution of 40
m over 1 mm. After a careful calibration using a Newtonian suspension, the
technique is applied to a sheared lyotropic lamellar phase seeded with
polystyrene spheres of diameter 3--10 m. Time-averaged velocity profiles
reveal the existence of inhomogeneous flows, with both wall slip and shear
bands, in the vicinity of a shear-induced ``layering'' transition. Slow
transient regimes and/or temporal fluctuations can also be resolved and exhibit
complex spatio-temporal flow behaviors with sometimes more than two shear
bands.Comment: 15 pages, 18 figures, submitted to Eur. Phys. J. A
Super-resolution photoacoustic imaging via flow induced absorption fluctuations
In deep tissue photoacoustic imaging the spatial resolution is inherently
limited by the acoustic wavelength. We present an approach for surpassing the
acoustic diffraction limit by exploiting temporal fluctuations in the sample
absorption distribution, such as those induced by flowing particles. In
addition to enhanced resolution, our approach inherently provides background
reduction, and can be implemented with any conventional photoacoustic imaging
system. The considerable resolution increase is made possible by adapting
notions from super-resolution optical fluctuations imaging (SOFI) developed for
blinking fluorescent molecules, to flowing acoustic emitters. By generalizing
SOFI mathematical analysis to complex valued signals, we demonstrate
super-resolved photoacoustic images that are free from oscillations caused by
band-limited detection. The presented technique holds potential for
contrast-agent free micro-vessels imaging, as red blood cells provide a strong
endogenous source of naturally fluctuating absorption
In-Suit Doppler Technology Assessment
The objective of this program was to perform a technology assessment survey of non-invasive air embolism detection utilizing Doppler ultrasound methodologies. The primary application of this technology will be a continuous monitor for astronauts while performing extravehicular activities (EVA's). The technology assessment was to include: (1) development of a full understanding of all relevant background research; and (2) a survey of the medical ultrasound marketplace for expertise, information, and technical capability relevant to this development. Upon completion of the assessment, LSR was to provide an overview of technological approaches and R&D/manufacturing organizations
Flow velocity mapping using contrast enhanced high-frame-rate plane wave ultrasound and image tracking: methods and initial in vitro and in vivo evaluation
Ultrasound imaging is the most widely used method for visualising and quantifying blood flow in medical practice, but existing techniques have various limitations in terms of imaging sensitivity, field of view, flow angle dependence, and imaging depth. In this study, we developed an ultrasound imaging velocimetry approach capable of visualising and quantifying dynamic flow, by combining high-frame-rate plane wave ultrasound imaging, microbubble contrast agents, pulse inversion contrast imaging and speckle image tracking algorithms. The system was initially evaluated in vitro on both straight and carotid-mimicking vessels with steady and pulsatile flows and in vivo in the rabbit aorta. Colour and spectral Doppler measurements were also made. Initial flow mapping results were compared with theoretical prediction and reference Doppler measurements and indicate the potential of the new system as a highly sensitive, accurate, angle-independent and full field-of-view velocity mapping tool capable of tracking and quantifying fast and dynamic flows
Cardiovascular instrumentation for spaceflight
The observation mechanisms dealing with pressure, flow, morphology, temperature, etc. are discussed. The approach taken in the performance of this study was to (1) review ground and space-flight data on cardiovascular function, including earlier related ground-based and space-flight animal studies, Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, Skylab, and recent bed-rest studies, (2) review cardiovascular measurement parameters required to assess individual performance and physiological alternations during space flight, (3) perform an instrumentation survey including a literature search as well as personal contact with the applicable investigators, (4) assess instrumentation applicability with respect to the established criteria, and (5) recommend future research and development activity. It is concluded that, for the most part, the required instrumentation technology is available but that mission-peculiar criteria will require modifications to adapt the applicable instrumentation to a space-flight configuration
Mathematical Analysis of Ultrafast Ultrasound Imaging
This paper provides a mathematical analysis of ultrafast ultrasound imaging.
This newly emerging modality for biomedical imaging uses plane waves instead of
focused waves in order to achieve very high frame rates. We derive the point
spread function of the system in the Born approximation for wave propagation
and study its properties. We consider dynamic data for blood flow imaging, and
introduce a suitable random model for blood cells. We show that a singular
value decomposition method can successfully remove the clutter signal by using
the different spatial coherence of tissue and blood signals, thereby providing
high-resolution images of blood vessels, even in cases when the clutter and
blood speeds are comparable in magnitude. Several numerical simulations are
presented to illustrate and validate the approach.Comment: 25 pages, 13 figure
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