Ultrasound phase-contrast transmission imaging of localized thermal variation and the identification of fat/tissue boundaries.

We present a new ultrasound technique for registering localized temperature changes in soft tissues. Conversely, small temperature changes may be induced in order to image tissue layers. The concept is motivated by the search for a compact, low cost method for guiding noninvasive thermal therapies; however its utility may extend to a wide range of imaging problems such as tumour imaging in the breast. This method combines ultrasound transmission imaging, planar projection techniques and phase-contrast theory. After outlining the theoretical foundation of the technique, its feasibility is tested by simulating localized heating within homogeneous tissue layers. Success of this imaging method is evaluated as a function of the ultrasound-imaging wavelength for a Gaussian-shaped heated region over the frequency range from 0.1 to 2 MHz. Furthermore we simulate two-dimensional image reconstruction from a receiving array. We conclude that thermal phase-contrast imaging in tissues is plausible for detecting the treatment spot in thermal therapies while operating at frequencies below 1 MHz. Additionally, it may also be possible to use the method for noninvasive thermometry. However, thermometry would require operation at higher frequencies at the tradeoff of increased attenuation and higher sensitivity to scattering, which needs to be further explored.