Retrieving multidimensional ultrasonic image information of molecular markers

Diagnostic ultrasound imaging can be used to acquire multidimensional datasets of the presence of specific molecules playing a role in disease progression. This imaging technique relies on the sensitive detection of targeted ultrasound contrast agents (UCAs) which consist of encapsulated gas bubbles with several micrometers diameter and functionalized surfaces. They can be detected by their nonlinear scattering. Detection sensitivity is measured by the ratio of the contrast to tissue intensity (CTR) and is limited by the fact, that the tissue response is also weakly nonlinear. To improve the CTR by 14 dB over current detection methods, differences in the nonlinear Volterra-models of tissue and contrast agents can be exploited. This paper gives an overview of the new method and the necessary corrections for its application in sensitive UCA detection and quantization.