An integrate ultrasound system for Intravascular Acoustic Radiation Force Impulse Imaging

In order to evaluate elasticity, acoustic radiation force impulse imaging has been used for diagnosis and studies of diseases. However, due to the lack of dedicated systems with low-frequency high-power long-duration transmit and high-frequency transceiver channels, commercial diagnostic ultrasound system is not suitable to perform acoustic radiation force impulse imaging for intravascular usage. To this end, this paper reports an integrate ultrasound elastic imaging system based on FPGA, which meets the needs of applying acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging in intravascular ultrasound (IVUS). The system is consist of high and low frequency pulse transmitters, a passive T/R switch, an adjustable high bandwidth gain amplifier, a high sampling rate AD converter, an integrated board power supply, and a stepper motor. Also, a software is developed to drive the hardware components, execute the imaging process and display in the monitor. This system is tested comprehensively, the B-mode imaging and Quasi-static elastography testing are conducted. The results show a good feasibility of the system for intravascular acoustic radiation force impulse imaging.