Magnetic resonance imaging of ultrasonic fields.

A nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method is described that allows noninvasive, quantitative mapping of medical ultrasound (US) fields in tissue. Application of a resonant magnetic field gradient operating at the US frequency permits detection of nanometer motions associated with ultrasound, and allows direct measurement of absolute pressure, intensity, and speed of sound. By altering gradient timing, the propagation of US fields in time and space can be observed; this enables tracking of US scattering phenomena in a tissue-equivalent medium. An experimental apparatus was constructed that combined a 515-kHz focused US transducer configured with its focus in the center of a small-bore oscillating gradient. This provided an oscillating gradient with a peak gradient strength of 0.40 T/m over a useable imaging volume of 61 cm3. When used in conjunction with 1.5-T clinical MRI system, this apparatus allowed the clear visualization of the focused US field within this volume and its propagation with time. Current limits of sensitivity indicate a noise equivalent sensitivity of 3.8 nm in displacement amplitude, 19 kPa in pressure amplitude and 12 mW/cm2 in acoustic intensity. These studies indicate that MRI can provide a new, noninvasive method for US exposimetry and the basic study of ultrasound biophysics in tissue.