A dual frequency excitation method for simultaneous translation and selective real-time imaging of microbubbles is presented. The method can distinguish signals originating from free flowing and static microbubbles. This method is implemented on a programmable scanner with a broadband linear array. The programmable interface allows for dynamic variations in the acoustic parameters and aperture attributes, enabling application of this method to large blood vessels located at varying depths. The performance of the method was evaluated in vitro (vessel diameter 2 mm) by quantifying the sensitivity of the method to various acoustic, microbubble, and fluid flow parameters. It was observed that the static microbubble response maximized at the approximate resonance frequency of the microbubble population (estimated from a coulter counter measurement), thus signifying the need for dual frequency excitation. The static microbubble signal declined from 25 to 12 dB with increasing centerline flow velocities (2.65-15.9 cm/s); indicating applicable range of flow velocities. The maximum intensity of the static microbubbles signal scaled with variations in the microbubble concentration. The rate of increment of static microbubble signal was independent of microbubble concentration. It was deduced that the rate of increment of the static microbubble signal is primarily a function of the pulse frequency, whereas the maximum static microbubble signal intensity is dependent on three parameters: a) the pulse frequency, b) the flow velocity, and c) the microbubble concentration. The proposed dual frequency sequence may enable application of radiation force for optimizing the effect of targeted imaging and modulating drug delivery in large blood vessels with high flow velocities.
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