# ULTRASONIC PROPERTIES OF NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL TISSUES

> **NIH NIH R01** · SRI INTERNATIONAL · 1992 · $173,516

## Abstract

The objective of the proposed research is to relate ultrasound attenuation
and backscatter coefficients, and their frequency dependencies,and their
sound speed to the pathological state of breast tissue. These data are
required for adequate assessment of the potential of ultrasound
transmission imaging and ultrasound computed tomography when combined with
ultrasound reflection imaging in breast cancer detection. Methodology:
Freshly excised biopsy specimens will be interrogated by finely focused
ultrasound beams. Translation of the sample holder under computer control
permits interrogation at selected locations in the specimen. Data will be
obtained over the frequency range 3 to 9 MHz and stored for subsequent
analysis. Time-of-flight data will yield ultrasound speed at each location;
insertion loss data will yield attenuation coefficients. Transmitted
ultrasound power will be detected by a phase-insensitive acousto-electric
receiver, thereby avoiding phase-cancellation artifacts; backscattered
ultrasound will be detected by a focused piezoelectric
transmitter-receiver. Improvements to the apparatus will be undertaken to
increase speed of data acquisition, maximize spatial resolution, and
increase sensitivity of signal detection. Detailed histological examination
and coding will permit analysis to correlate ultrasonic data with
pathological state. In particular, we seek to discriminate benign from
malignant states. Discriminant analysis using the jackknifing technique,
classification and regression trees, and neural net analyses will be
applied.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3172098
- **Project number:** 5R01CA034398-08
- **Recipient organization:** SRI INTERNATIONAL
- **SAM.gov UEI:** SRG2J1WS9X63
- **Principal Investigator:** PETER D EDMONDS
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1992
- **Award amount:** $173,516
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1991-03-01 → 1994-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3172098

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3172098, ULTRASONIC PROPERTIES OF NORMAL AND PATHOLOGICAL TISSUES (5R01CA034398-08). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-25 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3172098. Licensed CC0.

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