Ultrasound Pulse Waveform Modulation with Gauss Window for Acoustoelectric Imaging

Acoustoelectric Imaging (AEI) is a new functional imaging technology. Based on the interaction between a pressure wave and tissue resistivity, this approach could overcome limitations with conventional bioelectrical imaging in terms of spatial resolution. However, as shown in a variety of preparation, including acoustoelectric imaging of rabbit cardiac muscle and lobster nerve cord, the magnitude of the AE signal is weak (~1µV). In this study, based on the role the ultrasound pulse waveform performs in acoustoelectric imaging, we analyzed the effect of window modulation for ultrasound pulse waveform in amplifying the AE signal and improving the signal-to-noise ratio for imaging. With Gauss window, a modulated pulse waveform is adopted. Compared to the traditional pulse waveform without modulation, the modulated ultrasound pulse not only shows a better biosafety, but also improve the signal-to-noise of AEI.