# ULTRASONIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ABDOMINAL TISSUES

> **NIH NIH R01** · STANFORD UNIVERSITY · 1991 · $164,964

## Abstract

The proposed work involves the further development of a new
quantitative and imaging ultrasonic technique which encode
amplitude information following frequency band filtering.  It is
planned also to perform theoretical studies, computer simulations
and experimental work which will result in the creation of further
new innovative types of image and quantitative data based on
instantaneous frequency and amplitude content of backscattered
ultrasound.  The experimental work will involve the utilization of
two different experimental systems; an extremely versatile
laboratory system will be employed for a variety of studies of
phantoms with known acoustic and scattering characteristics.  A
second dedicated ultrasound machine adapted to acquire RF data from
tissue region of interest in the real time ultrasonic image will
be employed in clinical studies.  It is also planned to adapt a
more state of the art clinical scanner for the acquisition of RF
data in further clinical studies.  The phantom studies will employ
phantoms with differing types and concentrations and distribution
scatterers to observe the effects of these variables on the
frequency and amplitude content of received ultrasonic waveform
data, and develop optimal methods of differentiating such phantoms
based on their scattering characteristics.  Extensive work will be
performed to separate the effects of the frequency dependence of
backscattering of ultrasound from the frequency dependent
attenuation and diffraction effects.  This will involve two basic
approaches:  1) investigation of the possibility of "correction"
of the filtered amplitude distributions on the basis of depth
range, or overall system gain 2) measurement of the frequency-
dependent attenuation of regions overlying regions to be
characterized on the basis of their scattering characteristics.
In clinical studies it is planned to scan normal livers and livers
of patients with a wide range of diffuse liver diseases.  A major
goal will be a determination of whether the extent of hepatic
fibrosis may be characterized noninvasively by ultrasound.  The
second major clinical project will involve the acquisition of RF
data from spleens of patients prior to staging laparotomy to
determine the possibility of non-invasive determination of splenic
involvement with lymphoma.  Limited in vitro studies of liver
specimens are proposed to obtain the best possible
ultrasonic/histologic correlation.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 3175325
- **Project number:** 5R01CA037483-06
- **Recipient organization:** STANFORD UNIVERSITY
- **SAM.gov UEI:** HJD6G4D6TJY5
- **Principal Investigator:** FRANK GRAHAM SOMMER
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 1991
- **Award amount:** $164,964
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 1984-03-01 → 1994-02-28

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/3175325

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 3175325, ULTRASONIC CHARACTERIZATION OF ABDOMINAL TISSUES (5R01CA037483-06). Retrieved via MORVS 2026-10-24 from https://api.morvs.ai/grant/nih/3175325. Licensed CC0.

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