Dr. Steven P. Neal (Project 2)

Simultaneous Wave Speed and Thickness Estimation Given Only Single-Sided Access - Ultrasonic Tissue Characterization Applications

In-vitro studies have shown a correlation between wave speed in tissue and certain pathologies, including breast cancer.  Unfortunately, researchers have been unable to develop useful in-vivo wave speed measurement techniques.  The goal of this project is to apply a new simultaneous wave speed and thickness estimation approach to the problem of local wave speed estimation in tissue.  Relative to cancer detection/characterization, an initial goal is to shown that the approach can be used to estimate of the size and wave speed within a palpable lump.  Part of the motivation for the project Propagation of Wave Fields Through Curved Surfaces Without the Paraxial Assumption is to support this local wave speed estimation project.

Research supported under:

• NSF: Diffuse Ultrasonics and Materials Characterization
• Fiscal Year 1999 DOD Breast Cancer Research Program: A novel method for detection of breast microcalcifications using ultrasound – a preliminary study
• Cancer Research Center: Ultrasoinc detection/characterization of endocrine responsive cancers

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