RECENT DEVELOPMENTS IN ULTRASONOGRAPHY

Developments in high resolution probes, data processing techniques and contrast means are providing a new generation of ultrasound technologies for diagnostic purposes. In this paper new results are presented derived from research performed at the Ultrasound Laboratory of the University of Florence. A new hardware and software platform called Fast Ecographic Multi Image Novel Apparatus (FEMMINA) has been developed based on innovative features. The radiofrequency signals, directly provided by the US transducers, contains fundamental information on the linear and non linear interaction of US with biological tissues. New suitable algorithms have been therefore developed to process on line such radiofrequency signals in order to identify and present information of clinical value. The main concept is the quantification of suitable parameters characterizing the morphology of the local frequency spectrum derived from a little volume of the biological tissue under investigation. Such parameters could be correlated to the microstructure tissue properties and are presented on the traditional tomographic map which are normally present in ultrasound instrumentation. The clinical validation of these techniques are illustrated pointing out the new perspectives for a more efficient and detailed analysis for selected pathologies.