Blood vessel imaging using radiofrequency-induced second harmonic acoustic response

Sci Rep. 2018 Oct 19;8(1):15522. doi: 10.1038/s41598-018-33732-0.

Abstract

We introduce a contrast mechanism for visualizing blood vessels based on radiofrequency-induced second harmonic acoustic (RISHA) signals sensing blood conductivity. We develop a novel imaging system using commonly available inexpensive components, and demonstrate in vivo RISHA visualization of blood vessels based on low-power quasi-continuous radiofrequency excitation of tissue at frequencies of a few MHz. We show how the novel approach also implicitly enables radiofrequency-induced passive ultrasound imaging and can be readily applied to non-invasive imaging of blood vessels ex vivo and in vivo. We discuss the implications of non-invasive conductivity measurements in the context of biomedical applications.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustics
  • Adipose Tissue / diagnostic imaging*
  • Animals
  • Blood Vessels / diagnostic imaging*
  • Mice
  • Models, Theoretical
  • Muscles / diagnostic imaging*
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Radio Waves
  • Second Harmonic Generation Microscopy*
  • Swine
  • Ultrasonography / methods*