Four-dimensional ultrasound current source density imaging of a dipole field

Simulation study on high spatio-temporal resolution acousto-electrophysiological neuroimaging

Objective.Acousto-electrophysiological neuroimaging (AENI) is a technique hypothesized to record electrophysiological activity of the brain with millimeter spatial and sub-millisecond temporal resolution. This improvement is obtained by tagging areas with focused ultrasound (fUS). Due to mechanical vibration with respect to the measuring electrodes, the electrical activity of the marked region will be modulated onto the ultrasonic frequency. The region's electrical activity can subsequently be retrieved via demodulation of the measured signal. In this study, the feasibility of this hypothesized technique is tested.Approach.This is done by calculating the forward electroencephalography response under quasi-static assumptions. The head is simplified as a set of concentric spheres. Two sizes are evaluated representing human and mouse brains. Moreover, feasibility is assessed for wet and dry transcranial, and for cortically placed electrodes. The activity sources are modeled by dipoles, with their current intensity profile drawn from a power-law power spectral density.Results.It is shown that mechanical vibration modulates the endogenous activity onto the ultrasonic frequency. The signal strength depends non-linearly on the alignment between dipole orientation, vibration direction and recording point. The strongest signal is measured when these three dependencies are perfectly aligned. The signal strengths are in the pV-range for a dipole moment of 5 nAm and ultrasonic pressures within Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-limits. The endogenous activity can then be accurately reconstructed via demodulation. Two interference types are investigated: vibrational and static. Depending on the vibrational interference, it is shown that millimeter resolution signal detection is possible also for deep brain regions. Subsequently, successful demodulation depends on the static interference, that at MHz-range has to be sub-picovolt.Significance.Our results show that mechanical vibration is a possible underlying mechanism of acousto-electrophyisological neuroimaging. This paper is a first step towards improved understanding of the conditions under which AENI is feasible.

Acoustoelectric brain imaging with different conductivities and acoustic distributions

Objective: Acoustoelectric brain imaging (AEBI) is a promising imaging method for mapping brain biological current densities with high spatiotemporal resolution. Currently, it is still challenging to achieve human AEBI with an unclear acoustoelectric (AE) signal response of medium characteristics, particularly in conductivity and acoustic distribution. This study introduces different conductivities and acoustic distributions into the AEBI experiment, and clarifies the response interaction between medium characteristics and AEBI performance to address these key challenges. Approach: AEBI with different conductivities is explored by the imaging experiment, potential measurement, and simulation on a pig's fat, muscle, and brain tissue. AEBI with different acoustic distributions is evaluated on the imaging experiment and acoustic field measurement through a deep and surface transmitting model built on a human skullcap and pig brain tissue. Main results: The results show that conductivity is not only inversely proportional to the AE signal amplitude but also leads to a higher AEBI spatial resolution as it increases. In addition, the current source and sulcus can be located simultaneously with a strong AE signal intensity. The transcranial focal zone enlargement, pressure attenuation in the deep-transmitting model, and ultrasound echo enhancement in the surface-transmitting model cause a reduced spatial resolution, FFT-SNR, and timing correlation of AEBI. Under the comprehensive effect of conductivity and acoustics, AEBI with skull finally shows reduced imaging performance for both models compared with no-skull AEBI. On the contrary, the AE signal amplitude decreases in the deep-transmitting model and increases in the surface-transmitting model. Significance: This study reveals the response interaction between medium characteristics and AEBI performance, and makes an essential step toward developing AEBI as a practical neuroimaging technique.

An adaptive acoustoelectric signal decoding algorithm based on Fourier fitting for brain function imaging

Acousticelectric brain imaging (ABI), which is based on the acoustoelectric (AE) effect, is a potential brain function imaging method for mapping brain electrical activity with high temporal and spatial resolution. To further enhance the quality of the decoded signal and the resolution of the ABI, the decoding accuracy of the AE signal is essential. An adaptive decoding algorithm based on Fourier fitting (aDAF) is suggested to increase the AE signal decoding precision. The envelope of the AE signal is first split into a number of harmonics by Fourier fitting in the suggested aDAF. The least square method is then utilized to adaptively select the greatest harmonic component. Several phantom experiments are implemented to assess the performance of the aDAF, including 1-source with various frequencies, multiple-source with various frequencies and amplitudes, and multiple-source with various distributions. Imaging resolution and decoded signal quality are quantitatively evaluated. According to the results of the decoding experiments, the decoded signal amplitude accuracy has risen by 11.39% when compared to the decoding algorithm with envelope (DAE). The correlation coefficient between the source signal and the decoded timing signal of aDAF is, on average, 34.76% better than it was for DAE. Finally, the results of the imaging experiment show that aDAF has superior imaging quality than DAE, with signal-to noise ratio (SNR) improved by 23.32% and spatial resolution increased by 50%. According to the experiments, the proposed aDAF increased AE signal decoding accuracy, which is vital for future research and applications related to ABI.

Biological current source imaging method based on acoustoelectric effect: A systematic review

Neuroimaging can help reveal the spatial and temporal diversity of neural activity, which is of utmost importance for understanding the brain. However, conventional non-invasive neuroimaging methods do not have the advantage of high temporal and spatial resolution, which greatly hinders clinical and basic research. The acoustoelectric (AE) effect is a fundamental physical phenomenon based on the change of dielectric conductivity that has recently received much attention in the field of biomedical imaging. Based on the AE effect, a new imaging method for the biological current source has been proposed, combining the advantages of high temporal resolution of electrical measurements and high spatial resolution of focused ultrasound. This paper first describes the mechanism of the AE effect and the principle of the current source imaging method based on the AE effect. The second part summarizes the research progress of this current source imaging method in brain neurons, guided brain therapy, and heart. Finally, we discuss the problems and future directions of this biological current source imaging method. This review explores the relevant research literature and provides an informative reference for this potential non-invasive neuroimaging method.

Experimental and simulation studies of localization and decoding of single and double dipoles

Electroencephalography (EEG) is a technique for measuring normal or abnormal neuronal activity in the human brain, but its low spatial resolution makes it difficult to locate the precise locations of neurons due to the volume conduction effect of brain tissue. The acoustoelectric (AE) effect has the advantage of detecting electrical signals with high temporal resolution and focused ultrasound with high spatial resolution. In this paper, we use dipoles to simulate real single and double neurons, and further investigate the localization and decoding of single and double dipoles based on AE effects from numerical simulations, brain tissue phantom experiments, and fresh porcine brain tissue experiments. The results show that the localization error of a single dipole is less than 0.3 mm, the decoding signal is highly correlated with the source signal, and the decoding accuracy is greater than 0.94; the location of double dipoles with an interval of 0.4 mm or more can be localized, the localization error tends to increase as the interval of dipoles decreases, and the decoding accuracy tends to decrease as the frequency of dipoles decreases. This study localizes and decodes dipole signals with high accuracy, and provides a technical method for the development of EEG.

Living Rat SSVEP Mapping with Acoustoelectric Brain Imaging

Acoustoelectric Brain Imaging (ABI) is a potential method for mapping brain electrical activity with high spatial resolution (millimeter). To resolve the key issue for eventual realization of ABI, testing the hypothesis that recorded acoustoelectric (AE) signal can be used to decode intrinsic brain electrical activity, the experiment of living rat SSVEP measurement with ABI is implemented.

METHOD

A 1-MHz ultrasound transducer is focused on the visual cortex of anesthetized rat. With visual stimulus, the electroencephalogram and AE signal are simultaneously recorded with Ag electrode. Besides, with FUS transducer scanning at the visual cortex, corresponding AE signals at different spatial positions are decoded and imaged.

RESULTS

Consistent with that of direct measurement of SSVEP, the decoded AE signal presents a clear event-related spectral perturbation (ERSP). And, the decoded AE signal is of high amplitude response at the base and harmonics of the visual stimulus frequency. Whats more, for timing signal, a significant positive amplitude correlation is observed between decoded AE signal and simultaneously measured SSVEP. In addition, the mean SNRs of SSVEP and decoded AE signal are both significantly higher than that of background EEG. Finally, with one fixed recording electrode, the active area with an inner diameter of 1mm is located within the 4mm4mm measurement region.

CONCLUSION

These experimental results demonstrate that the millimeter-level spatial resolution SSVEP measurement of living rat is achieved through ABI for the first time.

SIGNIFICANCE

This study confirms that ABI should shed light on spatiotemporal resolution neuroimaging.

In vivo acoustoelectric imaging for high-resolution visualization of cardiac electric spatiotemporal dynamics

Acoustoelectric cardiac imaging (ACI) is a hybrid modality that exploits the interaction of an ultrasonic pressure wave and the resistivity of tissue to map current densities in the heart. This study demonstrates for the first time in vivo ACI in a swine model. ACI measured beat-to-beat variability (n=20) of the peak of the cardiac activation wave at one location of the left ventricle as 5.32±0.74µV, 3.26±0.54mm below the epicardial surface, and 2.67±0.56ms before the peak of the local electrogram. Cross-sectional ACI images exhibited propagation velocities of 0.192±0.061m/s along the epicardial-endocardial axis with an SNR of 24.9 dB. This study demonstrates beat-to-beat and multidimensional ACI, which might reveal important information to help guide electroanatomic mapping procedures during ablation therapy.

Acoustoelectric imaging of deep dipoles in a human head phantom for guiding treatment of epilepsy

OBJECTIVE

This study employs a human head model with real skull to demonstrate the feasibility of transcranial acoustoelectric brain imaging (tABI) as a new modality for electrical mapping of deep dipole sources during treatment of epilepsy with much better resolution and accuracy than conventional mapping methods.

APPROACH

This technique exploits an interaction between a focused ultrasound (US) beam and tissue resistivity to localize current source densities as deep as 63 mm at high spatial resolution (1 to 4 mm) and resolve fast time-varying currents with sub-ms precision.

MAIN RESULTS

Detection thresholds through a thick segment of the human skull at biologically safe US intensities was below 0.5 mA and within range of strong currents generated by the human brain.

SIGNIFICANCE

This work suggests that 4D tABI may emerge as a revolutionary modality for real-time high-resolution mapping of neuronal currents for the purpose of monitoring, staging, and guiding treatment of epilepsy and other brain disorders characterized by abnormal rhythms.

High resolution transcranial acoustoelectric imaging of current densities from a directional deep brain stimulator

OBJECTIVE

New innovations in deep brain stimulation (DBS) enable directional current steering-allowing more precise electrical stimulation of the targeted brain structures for Parkinson's disease, essential tremor and other neurological disorders. While intra-operative navigation through MRI or CT approaches millimeter accuracy for placing the DBS leads, no existing modality provides feedback of the currents as they spread from the contacts through the brain tissue. In this study, we investigate transcranial acoustoelectric imaging (tAEI) as a new modality to non-invasively image and characterize current produced from a directional DBS lead. tAEI uses ultrasound (US) to modulate tissue resistivity to generate detectable voltage signals proportional to the local currents.

APPROACH

An 8-channel directional DBS lead (Infinity 6172ANS, Abbott Inc) was inserted inside three adult human skulls submerged in 0.9% NaCl. A 2.5 MHz linear array delivered US pulses through the transtemporal window and focused near the contacts on the lead, while a custom amplifier and acquisition system recorded the acoustoelectric (AE) interaction used to generate images.

MAIN RESULTS

tAEI detected monopolar current with stimulation pulses as short as 100 µs with an SNR ranging from 10-27 dB when using safe US pressure (mechanical indices  <0.78) and injected current of ~2 mA peak amplitude. Adjacent contacts were discernable along the length and within each ring of the lead with a mean radial separation between contacts of 2.10 and 1.34 mm, respectively.

SIGNIFICANCE

These results demonstrate the feasibility of tAEI for high resolution mapping of directional DBS currents using clinically-relevant stimulation parameters. This new modality may improve the accuracy for placing the DBS leads, guide calibration and programming, and monitor long-term performance of DBS for treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Selective Mapping of Deep Brain Stimulation Lead Currents Using Acoustoelectric Imaging

We describe a new application of acoustoelectric imaging for non-invasive mapping of the location, magnitude and polarity of current generated by a clinical deep brain stimulation (DBS) device. Ultrasound at 1MHz was focused near the DBS device as short current pulses were injected across different DBS leads. A recording electrode detected the high-frequency acoustoelectric interaction signal. Linear scans of the US beam produced time-varying images of the magnitude and polarity of the induced current, enabling precise localization of the DBS leads within 0.70mm, a detection threshold of 1.75mA at 1 MPa and a sensitivity of 0.52 ± 0.07 μV/(mA*MPa). Monopole and dipole configurations in saline were repeated through a human skullcap. Despite 13.8-dB ultrasound attenuation through bone, acoustoelectric imaging was still >10dB above background with a sensitivity of 0.56 ± 0.10 μV/(mA*MPa). This proof-of-concept study indicates that selective mapping of lead currents through a DBS device may be possible using non-invasive acoustoelectric imaging.

Polarity detection in ultrasound current source density imaging

Modulating the electric dipole field with ultrasound pulse, ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI) can detect current direction and form spatial 3D imaging of dipole changing in one period of treatment. As ultrasound pulse passes through the conductive media, it convolves/correlates with the inner product of the electric field of a dipole and lead field of a pair of detectors, making the shifting frequency of polarity lower than the center frequency of the ultrasound pulse. After acoustoelectric (AE) signal is shifted to base band, the AE voltage is positive at anode and negative at cathode. In the simulation, the lead fields of detectors and electric field of dipole were calculated by the finite element (FE) method; the convolution and correlation in the computation of AE signal were accelerated using 3-D fast Fourier transforms. The current direction and amplitude are encoded in the phase and amplitude of the AE signal. Based on the analysis of polarity algorithms on the simulated and in-vitro ultrasound current source density images, it is concluded that the cross-correlation method is significantly better than the autocorrelation method to extract the frequency shift for high pulse bandwidth.

Autographa californica Multiple Nucleopolyhedrovirus AC83 is a Per Os Infectivity Factor (PIF) Protein Required for Occlusion-Derived Virus (ODV) and Budded Virus Nucleocapsid Assembly as well as Assembly of the PIF Complex in ODV Envelopes

Baculovirus occlusion-derived virus (ODV) initiates infection of lepidopteran larval hosts by binding to the midgut epithelia, which is mediated by per os infectivity factors (PIFs). Autographa californica multiple nucleopolyhedrovirus (AcMNPV) encodes seven PIF proteins, of which PIF1 to PIF4 form a core complex in ODV envelopes to which PIF0 and PIF6 loosely associate. Deletion of any pif gene results in ODV being unable to bind or enter midgut cells. AC83 also associates with the PIF complex, and this study further analyzed its role in oral infectivity to determine if it is a PIF protein. It had been proposed that AC83 possesses a chitin binding domain that enables transit through the peritrophic matrix; however, no chitin binding activity has ever been demonstrated. AC83 has been reported to be found only in the ODV envelopes, but in contrast, the Orgyia pseudotsugata MNPV AC83 homolog is associated with both ODV nucleocapsids and envelopes. In addition, unlike known pif genes, deletion of ac83 eliminates nucleocapsid formation. We propose a new model for AC83 function and show AC83 is associated with both ODV nucleocapsids and envelopes. We also further define the domain required for nucleocapsid assembly. The cysteine-rich region of AC83 is also shown not to be a chitin binding domain but a zinc finger domain required for the recruitment or assembly of the PIF complex to ODV envelopes. As such, AC83 has all the properties of a PIF protein and should be considered PIF8. In addition, pif7 (ac110) is reported as the 38th baculovirus core gene.IMPORTANCE ODV is essential for the per os infectivity of the baculovirus AcMNPV. To initiate infection, ODV binds to microvilli of lepidopteran midgut cells, a process which requires a group of seven virion envelope proteins called PIFs. In this study, we reexamined the function of AC83, a protein that copurifies with the ODV PIFs, to determine its role in the oral infection process. A zinc finger domain was identified and a new model for AC83 function was proposed. In contrast to previous studies, AC83 was found to be physically located in both the envelope and nucleocapsid of ODV. By deletion analysis, the AC83 domain required for nucleocapsid assembly was more finely delineated. We show that AC83 is required for PIF complex formation and conclude that it is a true per os infectivity factor and should be called PIF8.

Complementary Detection of Multiple Electrical Sources in Tissue Using Acoustoelectric Effects

Accurate 3-D mapping of multiple bioelectric sources in nerve fibers with high spatial resolution is challenging for the diagnosis and treatment of a variety of neural abnormalities. Ultrasound current source density imaging exploits the acoustoelectric (AE) effect, an interaction between electrical current and acoustic pressure waves propagating through a conducting material, and has distinct advantages over conventional electrophysiology (i.e., without ultrasound) for mapping electrical current flow in tissue. Ultrasound current source density imaging and two complementary Wheatstone bridge circuits were used to simultaneously detect two separate current flows induced in tissue phantoms. It has been found that the addition and subtraction of AE signals acquired by two circuits are independent components, regardless of whether the two sources are positioned at the same or different depths. In the ultrasound field, the AE signal from the bridge circuits is stronger, with a higher signal-to-noise ratio, than without a bridge circuit. Both experimental and simulated AE images depend on the magnitude and direction of the current, as well as the geometry (shape and thickness) and location of the current sources in the ultrasound field (2.25-MHz transducer). The experimental results are consistent with simulations consisting of multiple current sources. Real-time 3-D ultrasound current source density images of multiple current flows co-registered with convention pulse echo ultrasound potentially facilitate monitoring of neurologic disorders.

Application of Acoustic-Electric Interaction for Neuro-Muscular Activity Mapping: A Review

Acousto-electric interaction signal (AEI signal) resulting from interaction of acoustic pressure wave and electrical current field has received recent attention in biomedical field for detection and registration of bioelectrical current. The signal is very of small value and brings about several challenges when detecting it. Several observations has been done in saline solution and on nerves and tissues under controlled condition that give optimistic indication about its utilization. Ultrasound Current Source Density Imaging (UCSDI) has been introduced, that uses the AEI signal to image the current distribution. This review provides an overview of the investigations on the AEI signal and USCDI imaging that has been made, their results and several considerations on the limitations and future possibilities on using the acousto-electric interaction signal.

Ultrasound current source density imaging of the cardiac activation wave using a clinical cardiac catheter

Ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI), based on the acoustoelectric (AE) effect, is a noninvasive method for mapping electrical current in 4-D (space + time). This technique potentially overcomes limitations with conventional electrical mapping procedures typically used during treatment of sustained arrhythmias. However, the weak AE signal associated with the electrocardiogram is a major challenge for advancing this technology. In this study, we examined the effects of the electrode configuration and ultrasound frequency on the magnitude of the AE signal and quality of UCSDI using a rabbit Langendorff heart preparation. The AE signal was much stronger at 0.5 MHz (2.99 μV/MPa) than 1.0 MHz (0.42 μV/MPa). Also, a clinical lasso catheter placed on the epicardium exhibited excellent sensitivity without penetrating the tissue. We also present, for the first time, 3-D cardiac activation maps of the live rabbit heart using only one pair of recording electrodes. Activation maps were used to calculate the cardiac conduction velocity for atrial (1.31 m/s) and apical (0.67 m/s) pacing. This study demonstrated that UCSDI is potentially capable of real-time 3-D cardiac activation wave mapping, which would greatly facilitate ablation procedures for treatment of arrhythmias.

CIR-Myo News: Proceedings of the 2014 Spring Padua Muscle Days: Terme Euganee and Padova (Italy), April 3-5, 2014

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Simulation-based validation for four- dimensional multi-channel ultrasound current source density imaging

Ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI), which has application to the heart and brain, exploits the acoustoelectric (AE) effect and Ohm's law to detect and map an electrical current distribution. In this study, we describe 4-D UCSDI simulations of a dipole field for comparison and validation with bench-top experiments. The simulations consider the properties of the ultrasound pulse as it passes through a conductive medium, the electric field of the injected dipole, and the lead field of the detectors. In the simulation, the lead fields of detectors and electric field of the dipole were calculated by the finite element (FE) method, and the convolution and correlation in the computation of the detected AE voltage signal were accelerated using 3-D fast Fourier transforms. In the bench-top experiment, an electric dipole was produced in a bath of 0.9% NaCl solution containing two electrodes, which injected an ac pulse (200 Hz, 3 cycles) ranging from 0 to 140 mA. Stimulating and recording electrodes were placed in a custom electrode chamber made on a rapid prototype printer. Each electrode could be positioned anywhere on an x-y grid (5 mm spacing) and individually adjusted in the depth direction for precise control of the geometry of the current sources and detecting electrodes. A 1-MHz ultrasound beam was pulsed and focused through a plastic film to modulate the current distribution inside the saline-filled tank. AE signals were simultaneously detected at a sampling frequency of 15 MHz on multiple recording electrodes. A single recording electrode is sufficient to form volume images of the current flow and electric potentials. The AE potential is sensitive to the distance from the dipole, but is less sensitive to the angle between the detector and the dipole. Multi-channel UCSDI potentially improves 4-D mapping of bioelectric sources in the body at high spatial resolution, which is especially important for diagnosing and guiding treatment of cardiac and neurologic disorders, including arrhythmia and epilepsy.

Design considerations and performance of MEMS acoustoelectric ultrasound detectors

Most single-element hydrophones depend on a piezoelectric material that converts pressure changes to electricity. These devices, however, can be expensive, susceptible to damage at high pressure, and/or have limited bandwidth and sensitivity. We have previously described the acoustoelectric (AE) hydrophone as an inexpensive alternative for mapping an ultrasound beam and monitoring acoustic exposure. The device exploits the AE effect, an interaction between electrical current flowing through a material and a propagating pressure wave. Previous designs required imprecise fabrication methods using common laboratory supplies, making it difficult to control basic features such as shape and size. This study describes a different approach based on microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) processing that allows for much finer control of several design features. In an effort to improve the performance of the AE hydrophone, we combine simulations with bench-top testing to evaluate key design features, such as thickness, shape, and conductivity of the active and passive elements. The devices were evaluated in terms of sensitivity, frequency response, and accuracy for reproducing the beam pattern. Our simulations and experimental results both indicated that designs using a combination of indium tin oxide (ITO) for the active element and gold for the passive electrodes (conductivity ratio = ~20) produced the best result for mapping the beam of a 2.25-MHz ultrasound transducer. Also, the AE hydrophone with a rectangular dumbbell configuration achieved a better beam pattern than other shape configurations. Lateral and axial resolutions were consistent with images generated from a commercial capsule hydrophone. Sensitivity of the best-performing device was 1.52 nV/Pa at 500 kPa using a bias voltage of 20 V. We expect a thicker AE hydrophone closer to half the acoustic wavelength to produce even better sensitivity, while maintaining high spectral bandwidth for characterizing medical ultrasound transducers. AE ultrasound detectors may also be useful for monitoring acoustic exposure during therapy or as receivers for photoacoustic imaging.

Three-dimensional noninvasive ultrasound Joule heat tomography based on the acousto-electric effect using unipolar pulses: a simulation study

Electrical properties of biological tissues are highly sensitive to their physiological and pathological status. Thus it is of importance to image electrical properties of biological tissues. However, spatial resolution of conventional electrical impedance tomography (EIT) is generally poor. Recently, hybrid imaging modalities combining electric conductivity contrast and ultrasonic resolution based on the acousto-electric effect has attracted considerable attention. In this study, we propose a novel three-dimensional (3D) noninvasive ultrasound Joule heat tomography (UJHT) approach based on the acousto-electric effect using unipolar ultrasound pulses. As the Joule heat density distribution is highly dependent on the conductivity distribution, an accurate and high-resolution mapping of the Joule heat density distribution is expected to give important information that is closely related to the conductivity contrast. The advantages of the proposed ultrasound Joule heat tomography using unipolar pulses include its simple inverse solution, better performance than UJHT using common bipolar pulses and its independence of a priori knowledge of the conductivity distribution of the imaging object. Computer simulation results show that using the proposed method, it is feasible to perform a high spatial resolution Joule heat imaging in an inhomogeneous conductive media. Application of this technique on tumor scanning is also investigated by a series of computer simulations.

A 3-D reconstruction solution to current density imaging based on acoustoelectric effect by deconvolution: a simulation study

Hybrid imaging modality combining ultrasound scanning and electrical current density imaging through the acoustoelectric (AE) effect may potentially provide solutions to imaging electrical activities and properties of biological tissues with high spatial resolution. In this study, a 3-D reconstruction solution to ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI) by means of Wiener deconvolution is proposed and evaluated through computer simulations. As compared to previous 2-D UCSDI problem, in a 3-D volume conductor with broadly distributed current density field, the AE signal becomes a 3-D convolution between the electric field and the acoustic field, and effective 3-D reconstruction algorithm has not been developed so far. In the proposed method, a 3-D ultrasound scanning is performed while the corresponding AE signals are collected from multiple electrode pairs attached on the surface of the imaging object. From the collected AE signals, the acoustic field and electric field were first decoupled by Wiener deconvolution. Then, the current density distribution was reconstructed by inverse projection. Our simulations using artificial current fields in homogeneous phantoms suggest that the proposed method is feasible and robust against noise. It is also shown that using the proposed method, it is feasible to reconstruct 3-D current density distribution in an inhomogeneous conductive medium.

Optimizing frequency and pulse shape for ultrasound current source density imaging

Electric field mapping is commonly used to identify irregular conduction pathways in the heart (e.g., arrhythmia) and brain (e.g., epilepsy). Ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI), based on the acoustoelectric (AE) effect, is a promising new technique for mapping electrical current in four dimensions with enhanced resolution. The frequency and pulse shape of the ultrasound beam affect the sensitivity and spatial resolution of UCSDI. In this study, we explore the effects of ultrasound transducer frequency bandwidth and coded excitation pulses for UCSDI and the inherent tradeoff between sensitivity and spatial resolution. We used both simulations and bench-top experiments to image a time-varying electrical dipole in 0.9% NaCl solution. To study the effects of ultrasound bandwidth, we chose two ultrasound transducers with different center frequencies (1.0 and 2.25 MHz). For coded excitation, we measured the AE voltage signal with different chirp excitations. As expected, higher bandwidth correlated with improved spatial resolution at the cost of sensitivity. On the other hand, chirp excitation significantly improved sensitivity (3.5 μV/mA) compared with conventional square pulse excitation (1.6 μV/mA) at 1 MHz. Pulse compression achieved spatial resolution similar to that obtained using square pulse excitation, demonstrating enhanced detection sensitivity without loss of resolution. Optimization of the time duration of the chirp pulse and frequency sweep rate can be further used to improve the quality of UCSDI.

Mapping the ECG in the live rabbit heart using Ultrasound Current Source Density Imaging with coded excitation

Ultrasound current source density imaging (UCSDI) is a noninvasive technique for mapping electric current fields in 4D (space + time) with the resolution of ultrasound imaging. This approach can potentially overcome limitations of conventional electrical mapping procedures often used during treatment of cardiac arrhythmia or epilepsy. However, at physiologic currents, the detected acoustoelectric (AE) interaction signal in tissue is very weak. In this work, we evaluated coded ultrasound excitation (chirps) for improving the sensitivity of UCSDI for mapping the electrocardiogram (ECG) in a live rabbit heart preparation. Results confirmed that chirps improved detection of the AE signal by as much as 6.1 dB compared to a square pulse. We further demonstrated mapping the ECG using a clinical intracardiac catheter, 1 MHz ultrasound transducer and coded excitation. B-mode pulse echo and UCSDI revealed regions of high current flow in the heart wall during the peak of the ECG. These improvements to UCSDI are important steps towards translation of this new technology to the clinic for rapidly mapping the cardiac activation wave.