Finite-Element Modeling of Biological Tissue Response to Focused Ultrasound with Different Intensity

Abstract

Acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) imaging, shear wave elasticity imaging (SWEI), high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) and other ultrasonic diagnostic and treatment techniques can be realized according to different intensities of ultrasonic excitation of biological tissues. A multi-physics coupling simulation platform has been established, which allows researchers in academia and industry to simulate the response of different intensity ultrasonic excitations in isotropic linear elasticity media. Combining the acoustic module, solid mechanics module, electrical module and thermal module, the displacement response caused by low-intensity focused ultrasound excitation and the temperature response caused by high-intensity focused ultrasound and the corresponding conductivity change are simulated. The simulation platform developed is suitable for ARFI, SWEI, HIFU as well as non-invasive temperature monitoring and efficacy evaluating of HIFU. It provides guidance for understanding how the characteristics and parameters may affect the response of ultrasound excitation with different intensity.