New approaches to contrast agent modelling

Abstract

Current options for modelling contrast agent nonlinearities do not predict acoustic propagation. Other popular formulae are restricted to the linear steady state (e.g. for cross sections, sound speed and attenuation). Hence all options for modelling contrast agents have limited applicability to most of the insonification conditions to which they are exposed in vivo. This paper provides a theoretical framework into which any nonlinear single-bubble model can be input, to predict the sound speeds and attenuations which clouds of contrast agents would produce. These two propagation characteristics are fundamental to the quantitative interpretations of signals from contrast agents in the clinical environment.