Multimodal Image-Free Ultrasound Technique for Evaluation of Arterial Viscoelastic Properties: A Feasibility Study

In this article, we have presented a multimodal system and a novel probe design that was built around an image-free ultrasound technology, ARTSENS®, for measurement of arterial viscoelastic properties. ARTSENS® was extensively validated over the years, for performing measurements of arterial wall dynamics and stiffness with an accuracy that meets clinical standards. Concerning this work, several enhancements were incorporated to this basic technology that allowed high frame rate A-scan imaging (1 kHz) and integration of a pressure measuring module for automated measurements of the viscoelastic parameter (elastic index, viscous index and wall buffering function). The functionality of the developed multimodal system and probe were investigated by conducting an in-vivo on 8 young subjects (both normotensive and hypertensive were included). The beat-to-beat measurements of the viscoelastic parameters exhibited acceptable repeatability with a variability < 6.5%. It was observed that the group average for viscosity index and the wall buffering function were higher for hypertensive subjects as compared to normotensive subjects. The study observations were consistent with the reported literature. The proposed system addresses several issues associated with the traditional image-based systems and offers huge advantage of field amenability thus making it favorable for large population screening and studies.