Physics Flashcards
Specular reflection
Mirror-like
Structures >1 wavelength in diameter
Angle of incidence = angle of reflection
Specular reflection and frequency
Independent of frequency
Diffuse reflection
Omnidirectional
Structures <1 wavelength in diameter
Frequency dependent, more scattering with higher frequency
Interference
Algebraic sum of wave amplitude
Speckle
Noise in US images produced by interference pattern from multiple small reflectors (scatterers)
Refraction
Bending of wavefront as sound passes between media with different propagation velocities
Snell’s law
Snell’s law
Sin Angle I / Sin angle T = V I / V T
Diffraction
Spreading or divergence of sound beam
Greater with smaller source
Absorption
Sound energy converted to other forms of energy like heat
Attenuation
Loss of intensity as sound wave passes through medium
Soft tissue attenuation
0.5-1.0 dB/cm/MHz
Resonance
Air bubbles resonate within ultrasound field, ring like a bell
Persistent oscillation produces continued ultrasound signal
Nonlinear behavior
Distortion of sound wave by interaction with media
Can be described as sum of sine waves at frequencies that are multiples of principle frequency (harmonics)
Harmonics generated strongly by
Microbubbles
Compression and expansion not equal
Harmonic generated weakly by
Tissue
Velocity of sound higher during compression than rarefaction
Transducer components
Piezoelectric crystal
Backing block
Quarter-wavelength matching layer
Piezoelectric crystal
Vibrates with applied current, most efficient at resonant frequency
Transmitter and receiver
Backing block
Limits ringing of crystal to create discrete US pulses
Quarter-wavelength matching layer
Provides better acoustic impedance matching between crystal and skin
Mechanical transducer
Controlled movement of single element to produce 2D image
Phase array transducer
Multiple crystal elements to produce 2D or 3D image
Narrow bandwidth transducer
High Q factor
Crystals allowed to ring freely
More efficient / sensitive
Wide bandwith transducer
Low Q factor Wide range of frequencies sent and received Backing block, crystal impurities Short pulses Facilitates harmonic imaging
Continues imaging
Continuous
Separate send and receive transducers
CW doppler
Pulsed imaging
Single transducer alternately sends and receives
PW doppler
Grayscale imaging
Colorflow imaging
Colorflow pulsed imaging methods
Autocorrelation method
Time domain method
Colorflow autocorrelation method
Compares frequency differences from sequential pulses
Colorflow time domain method
Measures distance objects move between pulses separated in time by PRP
Velocity = change in distance./ PRP
Pulse repetition period
Time between pulses
Directly related to imaging depth
PRP Equation
PRP = depth * speed of sound
Pulse repetition frequency
Inversely related to PRP and imaging depth
PRF Equation
PRF = 1 / PRP
Duty factor
Fraction of PRP that transducer is emitting sound
CW doppler duty factor
1
Pulsed techniques duty factor
<1 (usually 0.001 to 0.01)
Duty factor equation
Pulse duration(s) / PRP (s)
Pulse duration
Time from start of a pulses to end of a pulse
Second harmonic imaging
Single sent out at nominal frequency, filter processes signals returned at 2f which are displayed as image
Types of resolution
Temporal
Contrast
Spatial
Temporal resolution
Ability to see object as it moves over time
How often you can see something
Temporal resolution determined by
Fram rate (frames / sec)
Depth
Line density
Use of multiple beam formers increase frame rate
Improving temporal resolution
Decrease image depth
Decrease image display width
Decrease # of focal points
Decrease line density
Contrast resolution
Ability to see differences in gray scale
Contrast resolution dependent on
Intrinsic properties Frequency Gain Compression Color
Types of spatial resolution
Axial
Lateral
Axial resolution
Discern two objects in line of US beam
Axial resolution determined by
Spatial pulse length (set by manufacturer)
Axial resolution improved by
Higher frequencies
Fewer cycles
Axial resolution equation
(Cycles x wavelength) / 2
Lateral resolution
Discern two objects across image
Lateral resolution better with
Narrower beam
Use of focal point, near field
Ultrasound beam focusing
Mechanical beam focusing
Electronic beam focusing
Multiple focal zones
Mechanical beam focusing
Fixed, acoustic lenses, shaped crystals
Electronic beam focusing
Dynamic, delay in firing central elements
Multiple focal zones
Separate scan lines for each zone, images electronically spliced
Poor frame rate