Intravascular ultrasonic palpation: assessment of local wall compliance

The availability of IVUS imaging has lead to interest in the development of complementary ultrasonic characterization techniques such as the assessment of the mechanical properties of arterial tissues. The authors present a technique to incorporate local compliance information onto the IVUS image. The technique involves analysis of echo signals obtained at two or more states of incremental intravascular pressure. Elasticity information is added in the form of a color coded line congruent with the lumen perimeter. Using vessel phantoms and a specimen the authors demonstrate the utility of intravascular palpation. The palpograms are able to identify lesions of different elasticity independently of the echogenicity contrast. Thus, palpograms may complement the information provided by the image with additional characterization of the lesion.