A Study of a Parametric Method for the Snow Reflection Coefficient Estimation Using Air-Coupled Ultrasonic Waves.

In this paper, a method for estimating snow pressure reflection coefficient based on non-contact ultrasound examination is described. A constant frequency and air-coupled ultrasound pulses were used in this study, which incorporates a parametric method for reflected energy estimation. The experimental part was carried out in situ in the Antarctic, where the snow parameters were measured along with meteorological data. The proposed method represents a promising alternative for estimating the snow-water equivalent, since it uses a parametric approach, which does not require measurements of absolute values for acoustic pressure.

Imaging results of multi-modal ultrasound computerized tomography system designed for breast diagnosis.

Nowadays, in the era of common computerization, transmission and reflection methods are intensively developed in addition to improving classical ultrasound methods (US) for imaging of tissue structure, in particular ultrasound transmission tomography UTT (analogous to computed tomography CT which uses X-rays) and reflection tomography URT (based on the synthetic aperture method used in radar imaging techniques). This paper presents and analyses the results of ultrasound transmission tomography imaging of the internal structure of the female breast biopsy phantom CIRS Model 052A and the results of the ultrasound reflection tomography imaging of a wire sample. Imaging was performed using a multi-modal ultrasound computerized tomography system developed with the participation of a private investor. The results were compared with the results of imaging obtained using dual energy CT, MR mammography and conventional US method. The obtained results indicate that the developed UTT and URT methods, after the acceleration of the scanning process, thus enabling in vivo examination, may be successfully used for detection and detailed characterization of breast lesions in women.

Recognition of external object features in gas media using ultrasound transmission tomography.

The paper presents and analyzes a new way of recognizing external object features (shape, size, location) in gas media using ultrasound transmission tomography (UTT) with parallel-ray-projection scanning geometry. The concept of UTT in a gas medium is close to classical tomography, however because of the nature of the measurement environment, visualizing the internal structure of solid objects is difficult; whereas it is possible to image their external features: their shape, size and spatial location. The paper presents the results of examining the shape, size and location of different objects in the air in the form of tomographic images, obtained in parallel-ray-projection geometry, using a specially elaborated research setup for UTT. Applying parallel-ray-projection geometry enabled us to investigate the influence of scanning resolution on image quality. In order to test the operation of the elaborated algorithm of tomographic image reconstruction on the basis of correct measurement data, special software was written for simulating the binary matrix of the measurements for a set of a dozen or so solid objects of different shapes and a few simulations were performed.

Multi-parameter ultrasound transmission tomography of biological media.

Using a specially elaborated computer software and research setup, within the scope of this paper, projection and tomographic calculations (simulation) and real measurements of biological media by means of ultrasound were carried out, and the images of different parameters of the ultrasonic wave run through biological objects were obtained. The images were analyzed from the point of view of the precision of representation of the structures and visualization of different features of these structures. On the basis of the results obtained it can be said that such a complex multi-parameter ultrasound transmission tomography (MUTT) is best suited for diagnosing early stages of tumors in tissues, and especially women's breast tumors, because of the structure of this organ and its possible scanning in vivo from many directions.

The ultrasonic probe for the investigating of internal object structure by ultrasound transmission tomography.

The main component of every device used for investigating internal object structure by Ultrasound Transmission Tomography (UTT) is a special ultrasonic probe. This paper presents the structure of model multielement ring probe for examining objects using this method in divergent ray projection geometry. The probe is made up of 1024 rectangular separate piezoelectric transducers working at frequency f=1.7 MHz, placed inside a ring with diameter D=30 cm and height h=9 cm. Each element of the probe is equipped with a quarter-wave matching layer. All the transducers function as transmitters and receivers, and can be joined in groups both during transmitting and during receiving. Some examples of admittance characteristics of a single piezoelectric transducer and examples of shapes of pulses generated and received by particular transducers were presented. Important factors affecting the measurement resolution are the sizes of the active surface of the transducers.

Ultrasonic transducers working in the air with the continuous wave within the 50-500 kHz frequency range.

Transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves in the air requires high standards of both the transmitters and the receivers of these waves. The paper presents the results of measurements of ultrasonic signals generated by ultrasonic transducers of mean power working with the continuous wave, designed for operating in the air at the frequencies between 50 and 500 kHz. The characteristic feature of these transducers is their high effectiveness and sensitivity, which are necessary for working in the transmission system. Directional characteristics' measurements and the measurements of the acoustic field in the air enabling its visualization on different planes were done on specially built research setups. The results of the measurements of these transducers' admittance were also presented. Because of the forecast applications of these transducers for examining ultrasonic signals transmitted in the air by materials with different degrees of porosity, obtaining the high energy of the generated ultrasonic wave is necessary. This was possible thanks to applying layers of acoustic impedance Z approximately (0.2/1.0)x10(6) kg/(m2 s) matching the high impedance of ceramics with the low impedance of air. The designed and produced transducers had the normalized diameter of D=38 mm and worked at frequencies within the ranges of f=50, 200, 350 and 500 kHz.

Applying spectrum analysis and cepstrum analysis to examine the cavitation threshold in water and in salt solution.

The paper presents the way of determining the cavitation threshold by means of classical spectral analysis and proposes the usage of cepstrum analysis in examining the cavitation phenomenon. Cepstrum analysis enables a more lucid interpretation of signals generated in the cavitation process than the universally used Fourier analysis. This refers above all to evaluating the relationship between particular frequencies as well as frequency groups. The research conducted allowed us to observe the changes of spectrum near the cavitation threshold in water, in water partly degassed and in salt solution in the free field and in the standing wave field. Differences of spectrum structure for particular cases were noted, especially for the third harmonic and the first subharmonic. The measurements done in the standing wave field showed differences in spectrum, depending on whether the measurements were done in the loop or in the node of the wave. In particular, what was not observed was the occurrence of subharmonics with a frequency two times lower than the basic frequency which were typical of the free field. Other characteristic spectrum elements that could unmistakably point to reaching the cavitation threshold were not noticed either. The cepstrum analysis proved the existence of irregularities, hardly visible in the classical Fourier spectrum. This refers especially the range below the signal's basic frequency.

Three-dimensional reconstruction of biological objects' internal structure heterogeneity from the set of ultrasonic tomograms.

The paper presents the method of the three-dimensional reconstruction of biological objects' internal structure heterogeneity based on the ultrasonic examination of a woman's breast biopsy phantom. The phantom is made of quasi-homogeneous dense gel in which drops of lesions, characterized by fixed sizes and two different acoustic impedances, were dipped at random. For the purpose of this research a special measurement setup was elaborated, enabling a non-invasive in vitro imaging of biological objects' internal structure in cross-sections for fixed levels, by means of ultrasound transmission tomography (UTT) using the parallel-ray projection geometry of scanning. The two-dimensional images of the local values of ultrasonic wave's propagation velocity in the phantom's internal structure (ultrasonic tomograms) were reconstructed for fixed levels (by using the convolution and back-projection algorithm) from the measurements of average values of ultrasonic signals' runtime propagated from many directions around the object dipped in water. Analyzing the values of particular pixels and using an appropriate image processing technique, in effect the three-dimensional image of heterogeneity boundaries in the examined phantom's internal structure was computer-reconstructed. The obtained results are compatible with the specification provided by the phantom's producer in terms of sizes and acoustic parameters of lesions, which can simulate pathological changes and of the gel imitating the healthy tissue. It means that the method presented, after an appropriate modification and development of the measurement setup with an aim to accelerate the object scanning process and thus provide an opportunity for non-invasive in vivo examinations, could be applied for detecting and diagnosing tumors in women's breasts.

Influence of acoustic impedance of multilayer acoustic systems on the transfer function of ultrasonic airborne transducers.

In different solutions of ultrasonic transducers radiating acoustic energy into the air there occurs the problem of the proper selection of the acoustic impedance of one or more matching layers. The goal of this work was a computer analysis of the influence of acoustic impedance on the transfer function of piezoceramic transducers equipped with matching layers. Cases of resonance and non-resonance matching impedance in relation to the transfer function and the energy transmission coefficient for solid state-air systems were analysed. With stable thickness of matching layers the required shape of the transfer function can be obtained through proper choice of acoustic impedance were built (e.g. maximal flat function). The proper choice of acoustic impedance requires an elaboration of precise methods of synthesis of matching systems. Using the known matching criteria (Chebyshev's, DeSilets', Souquet's), the transfer function characteristics of transducers equipped with one, two, and three matching layers as well as the optimisation methods of the energy transmission coefficient were presented. The influence of the backside load of the transducer on the shape of transfer function was also analysed. The calculation results of this function for different loads of the transducer backside without and with the different matching layers were presented. The proper load selection allows us to obtain the desired shape of the transfer function, which determines the pulse shape generated by the transducer.

Influence of the thickness of multilayer matching systems on the transfer function of ultrasonic airborne transducer.

The effective ultrasonic energy radiation into the air of piezoelectric transducers requires using multilayer matching systems with accurately selected acoustic impedances and the thickness of particular layers. This problem is of particular importance in the case of ultrasonic transducers working at a frequency above 1 MHz. Because the possibilities of choosing material with required acoustic impedance are limited (the counted values cannot always be realised and applied in practice) it is necessary to correct the differences between theoretical values and the possibilities of practical application of given acoustic impedances. Such a correction can be done by manipulating other parameters of matching layers (e.g. by changing their thickness). The efficiency of the energy transmission from the piezoceramic transducer through different layers with different thickness enabling a compensation of non-ideal real values by changing their thickness was computer analysed. The result of this analysis is the conclusion that from the technological point of view a layer with defined thickness is easier and faster to produce than elaboration of a new material with required acoustic parameter.