In Vivo Ultrasonic Measurements of Tissue Properties

ABSTKACX The measurement technique developed for in vivo assessment of ultrasound velocity in mammalian tissue is described and discussed from the point of view of the limitations of the technique. Selected experimental results in vivo on farm livestock (beef and pigs) are presented and show that the average values of in vivo ultrasound velocity for muscle, fatty tissue and skin in cattle are: 1604 m/s, 1471 m/s and 1591 m/s, respectively. Corresponding values in pigs are: 1579 m/s, 1426 m/s and 1503 m/s. These in vivo values are compared with ultrasound velocities measured under carefully controlled conditions, 1 hour and 24 hours post mortem. Implications of the results are discussed with particular reference to clinical applications of ultrasound and tissue characterization. The measurement technique developed specifically for in vivo measurements of ultrasonic pressure amplitude and attenuation in human body was de