Abstract
Purpose
This paper describes an investigation into direct observation of microscopic images of tissue using a thin acoustic wave guide.
Methods
First, the characteristics of the ultrasonic wave propagated in a fused quartz fiber were measured using the reflection method in order to study the insertion loss and the frequency shift of the ultrasonic wave transmitted from the transducer. Next, a receiving transducer was placed close to the end of the fiber, and the characteristics of the ultrasonic waves propagated through the acoustic coupling medium were measured using the penetration method in order to study the insertion loss and the frequency-dependent attenuation of the penetrated waves. Finally, a C-mode image was obtained by optimizing the measuring conditions using the results of the above measurements and scanning the ultrasonic beams on a target (coin) in water.
Results
A reflected wave with a peak frequency of approximately 220 MHz was obtained from the end of the fiber. The transmitted ultrasonic waves propagated through the acoustic coupling medium were detected with a frequency range of approximately 125–170 MHz, and the maximum detectable distance of the waves was approximately 1.2 mm within the 100-MHz frequency range. Finally, a high-frequency C-mode image of a coin in water was obtained using a tapered fused quartz fiber.
Conclusion
The results suggest that it is necessary to improve the signal-to-noise ratio and reduce the insertion loss in the experimental system in order to make it possible to obtain microscopic images of tissue.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Yoshizawa M, Irie T, Itoh K, Moriya T. Imaging method for acoustic impedance difference for puncture needle-type ultrasonography using a thin rod with focusing end face. Jpn J Appl Phys. 2008;47:4176–9.
Yoshizawa M, Emoto R, et al. Development of scanning method for puncture needle-type ultrasonography. Jpn J Appl Phys. 2009;48:07GK12-1-5.
Yoshizawa M, Irie T, Itoh K, Moriya T. Development of robust sensing system for puncture needle-type ultrasonography. Jpn J Appl Phys. 2010;49:07HF03-1-6.
Hudson GE. Dispersion of elastic waves in solid circular cylinders. Phys Rev. 1943;63:46–51.
Meitzler AH. Mode coupling occurring in the propagation of elastic pulses in wire. J Acoust Soc Am. 1961;33:435–45.
Hu Z, Tagawa N, Moriya T. A method to separate the transmitting signal and the receiving signal in FM-chirp pulse compression systems. Jpn J Appl Phys. 2000;39:3233–5.
Moriya T, Hu Z, Tanahashi Y. Development of flexible acoustic transmission line for intravascular ultrasonograghy. IEEE Ultrason Symp Proc. 2000;1227–30.
Moriya T, Hu Z, Irie T. Development of flexible acoustic transmission lines and high-efficiency coupling method between transmission line and large transducer. J Med Ultrason. 2003;30:J539–47.
Irie T, Hu Z, Tagawa N, Moriya T. A transmission method of 30 MHz range ultrasonic wave using the fused quartz fiber. Proc Symp Ultrason Elect. 2002;3–4.
Irie T, Tagawa N, Moriya T, Itoh K. A transmission method of 200 MHz range ultrasonic wave using fused quartz fiber, IEEE Int Ultrason Symp Proc. 2009;1856–9.
Pochhamer L. Über die Fortpflanzzungsgeshwindigkeiten kleiner Schwingungen in einem unbergrenzten isotropen Kreiscylinder. Zeitschrift für Mathematik. 1876;81:324.
Yoshizawa M, Kiryu S, Moriya et al. A method for suppressing the unwanted signal due to the L (0,2) mode in an L (0,3) mode pulse compression filter by means of a tapered cylindrical fused quartz rod. Jpn J Appl Phys. 1988;27:117–9.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
About this article
Cite this article
Irie, T., Tagawa, N., Tanabe, M. et al. Transmission of 100-MHz-range ultrasound through a fused quartz fiber. J Med Ultrasonics 38, 119–127 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-011-0302-2
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10396-011-0302-2