Estimation of arteries elastic modulus and motion using intravascular ultrasound

Ultrasound elasticity imaging is a promising method that may eventually allow early detection of many tissue pathologies and assess the biomechanical properties of soft tissue. The technique of high frequency intraluminal ultrasound is used to estimate the elasticity modulus of arteries and image the motion of arteries wall. The measurements of lactoprene tube and intraluminal ultrasound were in good agreement. The inner and outer radius and thickness of arteries wall were evaluated precisely through fitting the arteries walls with circles. Optical flow algorithm was used to access the shrink and expansion of arteries wall. The different movements of inner and outer wall of lactoprene tube were clearly defined. This made it possible to evaluate the elastic properties of the local area and the sub-millimeter-layered structure of arteries wall.