Abstracto

Acoustic microscopy: latest developments and applications.

Saijo

Scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM) introduced a new form of contrast that is based on the mechanical properties of what is imaged. For bone, cartilage, tendon and cardiovascular tissues, micro-acoustic properties provided important information on biomechanical properties. Biomechanics of these tissues are especially important for assessing the pathophysiology. Cells are considered to consist of visco-elastic materials and SAM is capable of imaging information on viscosity by attenuation and information on elasticity by sound speed. Recent developments such as ultrasound impedance microscopy, 3D ultrasound microscopy and high frequency array transducer may realize a clinically applicable SAM in the near future.