Reconstruction of Ultrasound Propagation Speed Distributions in Soft Tissue: Time-of-Flight Tomography

Abstract

A soft tissue imaging/characterization technique is described which is based on computerized reconstruction of two-dimensional velocity distributions from one-dimensional time-of-flight (TOF) projections. The projection data are obtained by measuring short-pulse propagation delay from transmitter to receiver along many paths through the specimen. The velocity reconstruction provides a true measure of bulk tissue properties and is presented in both digital and video display formats, The concept is demonstrated with results on phantoms and beef liver as well as live human breasts. Copyright © 1977 by The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, Inc.