Imaging of in vivo carotid artery with time using ultrasonography and sclerosis

The report presents a technique for imaging in vivo common carotid artery using ultrasound B-mode (Brightness-mode) moving pictures and estimating for mechanical properties related to arteriosclerosis. The method is based on reconstruction of moving pictures captured for inner wall of the artery. Mechanical properties (elongation, stiffness, and circumferential rupture strength) were also estimated using deformation of the artery diameter, blood pressure, and the relationship between strength and deformation obtained from the experiment using in vitro specimens. We obtained clear 4D carotid artery image by reconstruction using video image in a couple of second and 2 mm interval for ~60mm length of the common carotid artery. And estimation results of arteriosclerosis were presented. The technique allows examination of arteriosclerosis using carotid ultrasonograpy image and blood pressure based upon biomechanics.