Evaluation of Articular Cartilage with High Frequency Ultrasound Imaging System

一种新开发的高频超声成像系统(HFUIS)提供非接触式高分辨率三维超声(US)成像。中心频率为120 MHz、焦距为3.2 mm的换能器最适合用于关节软骨的检测。将关节软骨分为浅、中、深三层，并与扫描声学显微镜(SAM)的图像进行比较。高频超声的高相对强度与扫描电子显微镜的高声速区有很强的相关性(皮尔逊积矩相关，浅层：0.704，中层：0.731)。

A newly developed high-frequency ultrasound imaging system (HFUIS) provides noncontact high-resolution 3D ultrasound (US) imaging. A Transducer with central frequency of 120 MHz and a focal length of 3.2 mm was most appropriate for evaluating the articular cartilage. We divided the articular cartilage in three layers (superficial, middle and deep layers) and compare the images with those of scanning acoustic microscope (SAM). A high relative intensity by HFUIS and high sound speed area by SAM had strong correlations (Pearson product moment correlation, superficial layer: 0.704, middle layer: 0.731).