Passive cavitation mapping for biomedical applications using higher order delay multiply and sum beamformer with linear complexity
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: Ultrasound-induced cavitation can be used in various biomedical therapies, including localized drug delivery, sonoporation, gene transfer, noninvasive sonothrombolysis, lithotripsy, and histotripsy. It can also enhance thermal ablation of tumors and facilitate trans-blood-brain-barrier treatments. Accurate monitoring of cavitation activity, including dose and location, is essential for the safe and effective application of these therapies. Passive cavitation mapping (PCM) is a key technique used to achieve this. However, conventional Delay and Sum (DAS) beamforming methods suffer from low resolution and high side-lobe levels, limiting their effectiveness or are computationally expensive, in the case of robust capon beamformer (RCB). To address these challenges, we propose a higher-order nonlinear Delay Multiply and Sum (DMAS) beamformer for improved passive cavitation mapping. Our approach utilizes a novel implementation with linear complexity, using a determinant from symmetrical polynomials. Simulation and experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method enhances both axial and lateral resolution and increasing contrast-to-noise ratio, while exhibiting linear complexity. These improvements suggest that higher-order nonlinear beamforming is a promising advancement for more accurate and reliable cavitation monitoring in biomedical applications.
Source: Ultrasonics
Language: English
Subfield: Biomedical Engineering
Field: Engineering
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $3,680
Funder: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft
OpenAlex ID: W4409248115