Contrast Resonance Imaging with Embedded Ultrasound Imaging Pulses

A new ultrasound contrast imaging modality called Contrast Resonance Imaging (CRI) is proposed, which is based on our finding that, for a short imaging pulse, the nonlinear scattering signal from resonant contrast microbubbles can be greatly enhanced if the imaging pulse is embedded at the end of a relatively long pulse. The new imaging technique is evaluated with in vitro laboratory A-line measurements, achieving a contrast-to-tissue ratio of approximate 40 dB. For a proof of the concept, the new imaging mode is implemented on an iE33 ultrasound scanner and images of a contrast flow phantom with robust contrast signals are obtained.