[Harmonic imaging].

Microbubbles undergoing resonant oscillation in a diagnostic ultrasound field can be induced to exhibit nonlinear motion. The ultrasound signals emitted by such microbubbles contain strong harmonics at twice the frequency of the transmitted ultrasound beam. Second harmonic imaging improves tissue-agent contrast. The usefulness of second harmonic imaging was evaluated in vivo experiments. The hepatic parenchyma was clearly enhanced in dogs. Second harmonic imaging can be expected to expand the capabilities of diagnostic ultrasound systems in visualizing tissue perfusion.