Ultrasound echo and Photoacoustic Strain Tensor Imaging for In Vivo Observations of Soft Tissue Motion and Blood Flow

With ultrasound (US) echo and/or photoacoustic (PA) signals, in addition to a high accuracy vectorial Doppler imaging, a high accuracy strain (rate) tensor imaging is performed for both wrist soft tissues and the surrounding bloods. Automatic detection regarding the boundary between a blood vessel and a blood flow region using high intensity PA signals generated at the blood flow positions adjacent to the vessel. Using the detection method instead of a clutter rejection filter, the flow region is successfully detected. Simultaneous imaging of the soft tissues and bloods is also performed.