Towards ultrasonic detection of acoustic windows for transcranial Doppler ultrasound and related procedures

Abstract

Transcranial Ultrasound (TCD) is a neurosonological procedure to examine intracranial brain supplying arteries, by visualizing cerebral blood flow patterns. In patients suffering from severe blood flow disruption to the brain neurological pathology conditions such as stenosis, occlusions and vasospasm can be identified with TCD. Ischemic and hemorrhagic strokes require regular TCD monitoring. However, the TCD procedure is largely dependent on the operator's skills and experiences. Finding a suitable site on the temporal plane (an acoustic window) for transcranial insonoification can be challenging in patients with poor or no acoustic windows. In such cases, diagnosis and prognosis may be problematic. Approximately, 10–20% of patients have poor or no acoustic windows. Therefore, early detection of acoustic windows for transcranial sonograph is desirable. This paper examines ultrasound signals in-vitro bovine's biological transcranial media to early detect acoustic windows. The results suggest that transcranial acoustic windows can be detected with an ultrasound signal. Ultrasound attenuation-velocity and B-Mode Ultrasound detection contrast the temporal bone and the surrounding soft-tissue, suggesting that acoustic windows can be detected.