Vibration measurement of tendon using acoustic radiation force

We propose a method for measuring the vibration of motor organs, such as tendons, to functionalize the organs and improve the visualization of ultrasonic images. To produce localized vibration in a tendon, acoustic radiation force was applied to the tendon and the vibration was detected using cross-correlations between echo signals obtained with an ultrasonic probe and scanner. The accompanying wave traveling along the tendon was then measured. The specific frequencies and propagation speeds of the wave were estimated as several different tensions. Similar measurements were executed in which a tendon was stretched in a tissue-mimicking phantom to emulate in-vivo condition. The estimated speeds and frequencies agreed with the theoretical values of the fundamental vibration mode of a string. The results show the possibility of using the localized vibration method to fictionalize motor organs and enhance the visualization the organs in B-mode images.