A device for measurement of attenuation coefficient and phase velocity of nearly pure ultrasonic contrast agents

Describes a technique for broadband measurements of the attenuation coefficient and phase velocity of highly attenuating liquid suspensions. To test the technique the authors apply it to the ultrasound contrast agent Albunex at concentrations ranging from 0.69/spl times/10/sup 6/ particles/mL to 364/spl times/10/sup 6/ particles/mL (0.1 to 50% concentration). These longitudinal wave measurements were performed on Albunex suspensions maintained at 37/spl deg/C in a special time-domain reflectometer designed and constructed in the authors' laboratory.