We have developed a new method of imaging the mechanical properties of tissues based on very brief (< 1ms) and localized applications of acoustic radiation force and the ultrasonic measurement of the associated tissues' responses to that force. Initial results with this technique demonstrate its ability to image mechanical properties of the medial and adventitial layers within ex vivo and in vivo arteries, and to distinguish hard and soft atherosclerotic plaques from normal vessel wall. We have labeled this method Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse (ARFI) imaging, and are poised to develop a real-time ARFI imaging system utilizing a modified commercial ultrasonic scanner and transducers. We propose studies to develop and evaluate this new technique in the characterization of diffuse and focal atherosclerosis. We propose phantom trials and finite element simulations to guide signal acquisition and processing methods, to explore the fundamental issues of resolution and contrast, and to derive mechanical properties from tissue responses to ARFI excitations containing both inertial and viscoelastic components. We propose ex vivo and in vivo trials in the popliteal and femoral arteries to assess the relationship between the mechanical properties of healthy and diseased arteries provided by this new method and those obtained by alternative methods. We propose clinical trials to assess the relationship between ARFI-derived measures of vascular disease and other methods based on ultrasonic imaging and physical examinations.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
1R01HL075485-01
Application #
6712409
Study Section
Diagnostic Imaging Study Section (DMG)
Program Officer
Buxton, Denis B
Project Start
2003-12-15
Project End
2007-11-30
Budget Start
2003-12-15
Budget End
2004-11-30
Support Year
1
Fiscal Year
2004
Total Cost
$366,100
Indirect Cost
Name
Duke University
Department
Biomedical Engineering
Type
Schools of Engineering
DUNS #
044387793
City
Durham
State
NC
Country
United States
Zip Code
27705
Vejdani-Jahromi, Maryam; Nagle, Matt; Trahey, Gregg E et al. (2015) Ultrasound shear wave elasticity imaging quantifies coronary perfusion pressure effect on cardiac compliance. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 34:465-73
Doherty, Joshua R; Dahl, Jeremy J; Kranz, Peter G et al. (2015) Comparison of Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging Derived Carotid Plaque Stiffness With Spatially Registered MRI Determined Composition. IEEE Trans Med Imaging 34:2354-65
Vejdani-Jahromi, Maryam; Kiplagat, Annette; Trahey, Gregg E et al. (2014) The effect of acute coronary perfusion change on cardiac function measured by Shear Wave Elasticity Imaging. Conf Proc IEEE Eng Med Biol Soc 2014:5072-5
Doherty, Joshua R; Trahey, Gregg E; Nightingale, Kathryn R et al. (2013) Acoustic radiation force elasticity imaging in diagnostic ultrasound. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 60:685-701
Doherty, Joshua R; Dahl, Jeremy J; Trahey, Gregg E (2013) Harmonic tracking of acoustic radiation force-induced displacements. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 60:2347-58
Doherty, Joshua R; Dumont, Douglas M; Trahey, Gregg E et al. (2013) Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of vulnerable plaques: a finite element method parametric analysis. J Biomech 46:83-90
Hsu, Stephen J; Byram, Brett C; Bouchard, Richard R et al. (2012) Acoustic radiation force impulse imaging of mechanical stiffness propagation in myocardial tissue. Ultrason Imaging 34:142-58
Pinton, Gianmarco F; Trahey, Gregg E; Dahl, Jeremy J (2011) Sources of image degradation in fundamental and harmonic ultrasound imaging using nonlinear, full-wave simulations. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 58:754-65
Lediju, Muyinatu A; Trahey, Gregg E; Byram, Brett C et al. (2011) Short-lag spatial coherence of backscattered echoes: imaging characteristics. IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control 58:1377-88
Dumont, Douglas M; Doherty, Joshua R; Trahey, Gregg E (2011) Noninvasive assessment of wall-shear rate and vascular elasticity using combined ARFI/SWEI/spectral Doppler imaging system. Ultrason Imaging 33:165-88

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