Estimation of the slope of the acoustic attenuation coefficient.

In this paper, a theoretical framework is developed which removes the Gaussian assumption commonly used in ultrasonic attenuation estimation based on mean frequency shift. The theory is developed for general non-Gaussian spectra and for media whose attenuation coefficient is nonlinear with frequency. Then, a linear approximation in the estimation of the attenuation coefficient's slope is examined.

In vivo stochastic ultrasonic characterisation of abdominal tissues.

Two experimental systems have been used for digitization of waveforms backscattered from normal and pathologic abdominal tissues in vivo. Initial studies were performed with a digitization system which allowed only A-mode display of areas of interest before and during waveform recording. A new interactive system allows for digitization of waveforms from areas of interest in abdominal organs, selected with the aid of real-time B-mode images of a mechanical sector scanner.