The objective of this research is to form high-resolution and quantitative ultrasonic images of the breast using significant advances in adaptive aberration correction and in inverse scattering theory in combination with an innovative ring transducer system that has programmable transmit waveforms. High-resolution b-scan images will be formed and evaluated for their utility in the diagnosis of breast cancer. Image formation will employ new adaptive focussing techniques. In one technique, transmit signals are synthesized from scattered signals using backpropagation followed by time-shift estimation and compensation. The synthesized waveforms are predistorted for the particular breast tissue path so that propagation to the focal zone reverses the distortion and yields an undistorted focus for point and contrast resolution limited only by aperture size and pulse length rather than by aberration. Focussing in reception employs backpropagation followed by time-shift compensation. In another technique, ultrasonic wavefronts are processed in one of four domains: space, spatial frequency, time, and temporal frequency. Forward and backward propagation over a selectable distance is used to change the temporal and spatial characteristics as well as the temporal frequency and spatial frequency characteristics of the wavefront. Without the need for a point source, both techniques correct for the effects of inhomogeneities throughout the propagation path between the transducer and the region being imaged. Quantitative images of breast tissue intrinsic parameters such as sound speed, compressibility, and density will be formed using significant advances in the theory of image reconstruction. The advances yield optimal insonifications, estimation of scatterer properties from analysis of operators derived from measured scattering data, and new image reconstruction methods. Data for the construction of both high-resolution b-scan images and quantitative images will be obtained from various phantoms and numerous breast specimens. The resulting images will be compared with observed morphology of scattering objects and the imaging techniques will be critically evaluated for their utility in breast cancer detection, diagnosis, and monitoring for recurrence. Criteria for this evaluation include point and contrast resolution, computational simplicity, and the ability of quantitative images to show new information that is concealed in b-scans by compensatory changes in tissue parameters.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Cancer Institute (NCI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01CA074050-03
Application #
2871952
Study Section
Special Emphasis Panel (ZRG7-DMG (01))
Program Officer
Menkens, Anne E
Project Start
1997-04-11
Project End
2001-01-31
Budget Start
1999-02-01
Budget End
2000-01-31
Support Year
3
Fiscal Year
1999
Total Cost
Indirect Cost
Name
University of Rochester
Department
Engineering (All Types)
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
208469486
City
Rochester
State
NY
Country
United States
Zip Code
14627
Duncan, David P; Astheimer, Jeffrey P; Waag, Robert C (2009) Scattering calculation and image reconstruction using elevation-focused beams. J Acoust Soc Am 125:3101-19
Tillett, Jason C; Daoud, Mohammad I; Lacefield, James C et al. (2009) A k-space method for acoustic propagation using coupled first-order equations in three dimensions. J Acoust Soc Am 126:1231-44
Astheimer, Jeffrey P; Waag, Robert C (2008) Born iterative reconstruction using perturbed-phase field estimates. J Acoust Soc Am 124:2353-63
Waag, Robert C; Lin, Feng; Varslot, Trond K et al. (2007) An eigenfunction method for reconstruction of large-scale and high-contrast objects. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 54:1316-32
Waag, Robert C; Fedewa, Russell J (2006) A ring transducer system for medical ultrasound research. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 53:1707-18
Astheimer, Jeffrey P; Pilkington, Wayne C; Waag, Robert C (2006) Reduction of variance in spectral estimates for correction of ultrasonic aberration. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 53:79-89
Waag, Robert C; Astheimer, Jeffrey P (2005) Statistical estimation of ultrasonic propagation path parameters for aberration correction. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 52:851-69
Varslot, Trond; Angelsen, Bjorn; Waag, Robert C (2004) Spectral estimation for characterization of acoustic aberration. J Acoust Soc Am 116:97-108
Tabei, Makoto; Mast, T Douglas; Waag, Robert C (2003) Simulation of ultrasonic focus aberration and correction through human tissue. J Acoust Soc Am 113:1166-76
Tabei, Makoto; Mast, T Douglas; Waag, Robert C (2002) A k-space method for coupled first-order acoustic propagation equations. J Acoust Soc Am 111:53-63

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