Measured Fractional Calculus Parameters for Shear Waves in Swine Liver

Shear waves are highly attenuated in soft tissue, and the attenuation of shear waves in soft tissue follows a power law. To characterize the power law attenuation of shear waves, complex shear modulus values are measured before and after swine liver samples are immersed in formalin for 1 hour. Measured values are shown for two different swine liver samples, and then the frequency-dependent shear wave attenuation constant and the power law exponent are extracted from these measured values. Substantial changes are observed in the shear wave attenuation constant after immersion in formalin. Each measurement shows that the shear wave attenuation follows a power law with an exponent that is between 0.77 and 1.07.