In the H-scan analysis and display, visualization of different scattering sizes and types is enabled by a matched filter approach involving different orders of Gaussian weighted Hermite functions. An important question with respect to clinical applications involves the change in H-scan outputs with respect to small changes in scatterer sizes. The sensitivity of H-scan outputs is analyzed using the theory of backscatter from a compressible sphere. Experimental corroboration is established using mono dispersed spherical scatterers in phantoms. With a 6-MHz center frequency broadband transducer, it is possible to visualize changes in scattering size in the order of 10 to [Formula: see text] in phantoms and also changes in ex vivo bovine liver tissue due to edema caused by hypotonic perfusion.
Keywords: Rayleigh scattering; scattering; tissue characterization; ultrasound.