An elasticity microscope. Part II: Experimental results

Abstract

For pt.I see ibid., vol.44, no.6, pp.1304-19 (1997). Initial experimental results from a 50 MHz elasticity microscope are shown. Using methods discussed previously, we present measured displacement and normal axial strain fields from a tissue mimicking phantom. Results from this homogenous gel are compared to a finite element simulation of the deformation experiment. The spatial resolution is estimated to be approximately 52 /spl mu/m for axial displacements, and 71 /spl mu/m for normal axial strains. These estimates were further tested by imaging a phantom containing a hard cylindrical inclusion with cross-sectional diameter of 265 /spl mu/m. By examining the strain transition between regions in this image, the spatial resolution of the normal axial strain was verified to be at most 88 /spl mu/m. A typical experiment produces peak normal axial strain around 3%. These experiments demonstrate the potential of high frequency ultrasound as a means for elasticity microscopy. Preliminary deformation experiments are presented on porcine epidermis.