Tests of the accuracy of a data reduction method for determination of acoustic backscatter coefficients.

The accuracy of a new method for measuring ultrasonic backscatter coefficients was tested, using narrow-band pulses and well-defined media having scatterers randomly distributed in space. Experimentally determined values agree very well with theoretical values for wide ranges of experimental parameters, these ranges being applicable in measurements made on human soft tissues. An important outcome is that the method yields accurate results for scattering media positioned anywhere from the nearfield through the farfield of the nonfocused transducers employed. In addition, backscatter coefficients can be determined for a broad range of gate durations.