Anisotropy influence on B-scan imaging and tissue characterization

Aspects of wave mechanics in inhomogeneous and anisotropic media that relate to potential speckle pattern variations in B-scan imaging analysis are presented. The hypotheses that diseased or malignancy areas embedded inside larger tissue masses become more or less anisotropic or ordered or disordered compared to the surrounding tissue is explored. It is shown that speckle pattern variations due to impingement angle or scan direction that relates to the anisotropic or ordered character of the tissue can occur. The influence of frequency and frequency bandwidth is studied with respect to image quality and characterization potential. Sample problems are presented in phantom analysis of unidirectional fibers in a fluid medium in an attempt to direct the technological efforts toward in vivo tissue characterization analysis