Frequency dependence of inclusion characterization in harmonic motion imaging

Harmonic motion imaging (HMI) is an elasticity imaging method that employs an amplitude modulated (AM) acoustic radiation force to generate oscillations within the tissue. Recently, the capability of HMI in characterizing tumors with different geometries and pathologies was demonstrated in murine and human subjects using an AM frequency of 25 Hz. However, there is still a need to optimize the technique to reconstruct small lesions and improve image contrast. In this study, we investigated the role of the AM frequency in HMI and how it can detect and characterize inclusions with different sizes and stiffnesses in experimental tissue-mimicking phantoms.