Biomedical Engineering, Thorax Centre, Erasmus University Medical Centre, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
Ultrasound Med Biol. 2013 Apr;39(4):706-13. doi: 10.1016/j.ultrasmedbio.2012.10.020. Epub 2013 Feb 4.
We demonstrate two methods for vasa vasorum imaging using contrast-enhanced intravascular ultrasound, which can be performed using commercial catheters. Plaque neovascularization was recognized as an independent marker of coronary artery plaque vulnerability. IVUS-based methods to image the microvessels available to date require high bandwidth (-6 dB relative frequency bandwidth >70%), which are not routinely available commercially. We explored the potential of ultraharmonic imaging and chirp reversal imaging for vasa vasorum imaging. In vitro recordings were performed on a tissue-mimicking phantom using a commercial ultrasound contrast agent and a transducer with a center frequency of 34 MHz and a -6 dB relative bandwidth of 56%. Acoustic peak pressures <500 kPa were used. A tissue-mimicking phantom with channels down to 200 μm in diameter was successfully imaged by the two contrast detection sequences while the smallest channel stayed invisible in conventional intravascular ultrasound images. Ultraharmonic imaging provided the best contrast agent detection.
我们展示了两种使用对比增强血管内超声（contrast-enhanced intravascular ultrasound，CE-IVUS）进行血管生成成像的方法，这些方法可以使用商业导管进行。斑块新生血管化被认为是冠状动脉斑块易损性的独立标志物。迄今为止，基于 IVUS 的微血管成像方法需要高带宽（-6 dB 相对频率带宽>70%），而商业上通常无法提供。我们探讨了超声谐波成像和啁啾反转成像在血管生成成像中的应用潜力。在使用商业超声对比剂和中心频率为 34 MHz、-6 dB 相对带宽为 56%的换能器的组织模拟体模上进行了体外记录。使用的声压峰值<500 kPa。两种对比检测序列成功地对直径小至 200 μm 的通道进行了成像，而最小的通道在传统的血管内超声图像中仍不可见。超声谐波成像提供了最佳的对比剂检测效果。
