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Biomedical subjects

S W Smith

Publications and source records attributed to S W Smith.

158 records · Page 9Linked to original sources
PubMedDate not supplied

Frequency independent ultrasound contrast-detail analysis.

An ultrasound contrast-detail phantom has been developed to evaluate the image quality of diagnostic ultrasound imaging systems. The phantom includes eight conical targets whose B-mode images show disk lesions such that the object contrast of each lesion relative to background is independent of the imaging device or transducer frequency/spectrum. By maintaining conditions for Rayleigh scattering and Rayleigh speckle statistics in the phantom gel, the object contrast of each lesion depends only on the scatterer concentration in the lesion relative to the scatterer concentration in the background. Experimental data confirmed this frequency independence. Results of contrast-detail performance of an ultrasound imaging system are shown, and a standard technique for error analysis of contrast-detail data is described.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Severe acidosis and hyperdynamic circulation in a 39-year-old alcoholic.

A case of acute fulminant cardiovascular beriberi, or "shoshin beriberi," is presented. Beriberi is classified as "dry" (neurologic) or "wet" (cardiovascular) and may be mixed. "Wet" beriberi refers to a spectrum of clinical manifestations ranging from a hyperdynamic state with high output cardiac failure to fulminant failure with collapsed peripheral circulation, lactic acidosis, and shock. Beriberi is probably much more common than previously recognized. Beriberi is caused by thiamine deficiency and should be suspected in alcoholics who present with unexplained lactic acidosis, a hyperdynamic state, high output cardiac failure, or cardiogenic shock without electrocardiographic (EKG) evidence of myocardial necrosis. Shoshin beriberi is rapidly fatal without immediate treatment with thiamine.

Acidosis↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Angular response of miniature ultrasonic hydrophones.

The voltage response of ceramic and polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) hydrophones was measured in the receive mode for angles of incidence ranging from 0 degrees to 90 degrees. The measurements were performed at 2.5, 3.5, 5.0, and 8.0 MHz; these frequencies are typical of those used in medical diagnosis. The results are compared to three theoretical models based on diffraction theory; correlation between the measured response and theoretical models is evident for some PVDF hydrophones but not for others, and not for any ceramic hydrophone. The effective radius, as defined in the AIUM-NEMA standard for diagnosis ultrasound, is calculated and compared to the test criteria established in that standard. All of the ceramic hydrophones and two of the five PVDF hydrophones failed to meet the criteria.

Ceramics↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A contrast-detail analysis of diagnostic ultrasound imaging.

For diagnostic ultrasound imaging, as in computed tomography, a feature of prime importance is the detection of focal lesions of varying size and contrast (echo amplitude) from surrounding tissue. This study describes a new tissue-stimulating phantom which has been used to measure the threshold detection of varying contrast, simulated lesions. The phantom consists of a block of tissue-mimicking gelatin which contains a row of conical targets at a depth of 7 cm. Each cone contains a different tissue-mimicking material so that the echo amplitude of the cones relative to the background material covers a dynamic range of 20 dB. Cross-sectional B-scans, perpendicular to the lengths of the cones, result in images of disks of constant diameter but varying contrast. Parallel cross-sectional scans yield "lesions" varying in diameter from 20 to 1 mm. Relative contrast of the cones vs background tissue is obtained by varying scattering particle sizes from 90 to 300 microns. Ultrasound B-scans of the phantom were examined by medical physicist observers to determine threshold detection of lesions as a function of size and contrast. The results indicate that detection of high contrast targets is limited by the imaging system's spatial resolution. Detection of low contrast targets is limited by the image speckle, i.e., coherent noise.

Models, Structural↗
PubMedDate not supplied

A signal processing model of diagnostic x-ray scatter.

A model of scatter is developed from a signal processing approach. The scattering process is viewed as a nonlinear filter (NLF), which transforms a two-dimensional signal representing phantom thickness into a two-dimensional signal of scattered radiation. The NLF point spread function (PSF) is derived from a single scattering model, using the principles of Compton scattering and x-ray attenuation. The PSF is characterized by three approximations: a constant geometric shape, a volume that depends on the phantom thickness, and a width that depends on the phantom-to-detector distance. This leads to a closed form expression for the scatter-to-primary ratio as a function of phantom thickness, field size, photon energy, source-to-phantom distance, and phantom-to-detector distance. The NLF model is compared with previously reported measurements using constant thickness phantoms, and discrepancies are discussed. The good agreement found between the NLF model and measured data shows that the functional dependence of scatter on the above parameters, previously only explained in terms of empirical models or Monte Carlo simulations, can be incorporated into a signal processing model.

Humans↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Reconstruction of blood vessels from x-ray subtraction projections: limited angle geometry.

Several algorithms have been investigated for reconstructing blood vessels from a limited number of x-ray subtraction projections, distributed over a limited range of angles. Both computer simulations and an in vivo animal study were carried out. The best reconstruction performance was achieved using an algorithm that folded in two pieces of a priori knowledge of the vascular density distributions: (1) the object is dilute, consisting mainly of a void; and (2) the density distribution in the reconstructions is most likely to be non-negative. Both the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and the signal to out-of-focus blur were quantitated. Compared to tomosynthetic reconstruction (backprojection), the amount of residual blur from out-of-focus planes was significantly reduced with only a small penalty in diminished SNR. The combined effect resulted in significant qualitative image improvement for real arterial distributions as demonstrated in a canine arterial imaging example.

Algorithms↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Simulation studies of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry.

Computer simulations were performed to predict the performance characteristics of dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. K-edge filter techniques were analyzed in detail and compared to 153Gd sources in terms of output intensity, precision, patient dose, image contrast, beam hardening, and marrow fat effects. Similar analyses were performed for two dual-kV techniques that have been reported in the literature. The simulations indicate that K-edge filter techniques, or a dual-kV technique combined with K-edge filtering, can provide performance capabilities that equal or exceed those achievable with 153Gd systems. A (70/140) dual-kV technique with conventional (Al or Cu) filtration also has advantages in terms of source output intensity, but is 2-3 X inferior to the K-edge techniques and 153Gd in terms of patient dose and beam-hardening effects.

Bone and Bones↗
PubMedDate not supplied

Real time ultrasound tomography of the adult brain.

Initial clinical results are reported from a new real time, 2-dimensional ultrasound scanner modified for adult cephalic applications. An optimized transducer design and the use of the dynamically focused phased array imaging system have resulted in ultrasound tomograms of the brain which are significant improvements over previous attempts. Horizontal and coronal images of the ventricles, the corpus callosum and other midline structures are routinely displayed in a 45 degrees sector format. In addition, pulsating cerebral arteries are displayed in real time. Quantitative information can be obtained concerning cerebral vascular patency by using the selectable M-mode feature of this system. The results indicate that real time ultrasound tomography has potential for clinical application.

Adult↗
PubMedDate not supplied

B cell differentiation and lymphocyte surface phenotype in late onset hypogammaglobulinaemia.

Lymphocyte function and cell surface phenotype were examined in fifteen patients with late onset hypogammaglobulinaemia. The percentage of surface immunoglobulin-positive B cells in fourteen of the fifteen patients was in the normal range. Patients' B cells expressed MHC class II antigens at normal levels. For one patient, there was relatively high sIgD and low sIgM expression on B cells; the rest of the patients did not differ from controls in surface immunoglobulin density. The proportion of B cells positive for CD5 in patients was comparable to normal controls, and considerably less than in cord blood. However, the pattern of immunoglobulin isotype secretion in vitro by patients' B cells closely paralleled responses of cord blood B cells. Spontaneous secretion of IgM and IgG by patients' B cells was very low. Following polyclonal activation in the presence of autologous T cells, cells from thirteen patients secreted IgM within the normal range in response to at least one activator. The response of patients' purified B cells to IL-2 and gamma-IFN was variable. For four of six tested, B cells cultured with IL-2 and gamma-IFN together with polyclonal activators secreted normal levels of IgM. B cells from the other two patients secreted little or no IgM in response to these cytokines. For fourteen patients, IgG secretion following polyclonal activation remained low both when B cells were cultured with T cells or with a combination of IL-2 and gamma-IFN. IgG subclass imbalance was seen in one patient, whose cells secreted an unusually high proportion of IgG3, and undetectable IgG2 and IgG4; this pattern was consistent whether T cell help was provided by autologous or allogeneic T cells. Similarly purified B cells from this patient showed deficient IgG2 and IgG4 production in response to IL-2 and gamma-IFN.

Adult↗