Vibro-acoustography for modal analysis of arterial vessels

In order to apply vibro-acoustography for imaging of arteries, a theoretical model of vibro-acoustics of thick arterial vessels is presented. The arterial wall is modeled with the first order shear deformation theory. The fluids outside and inside the artery are modeled with acoustic wave theory. The coupled vibration of arterial tubes is analyzed with the wave propagation approach. The experiments were carried out on a silicone rubber tube in a water tank with a vibro-acoustography system. This system uses the radiation force of ultrasound to vibrate the tube at low frequency and records the resulting response by a laser vibrometer. Both the excitation and measurement are remote and noncontact. The theory has been evaluated against those available in the literature. The measured fundamental frequency is in good agreement with the present theory.