Acoustic Properties of Fluid-Saturated Blood Clots
Abstract
Ultrasound has been applied to blood clots to enhance enzyme-mediated thrombolysis through unknown mechanisms. A basic physical description of a blood clot is a two-phase medium composed of a saturating fluid and an interconnected network of elastic material. Acoustic wave propagation in a fluid-saturated, poroelastic medium can be represented by Biot's theory. The question therefore arises, Might blood clots support the propagation of sound in a way consistent with Biot's theory? We address this question by first surveying the literature for measurements of the physical properties of blood clots that are needed to apply Biot's theory. We discuss the strengths and weaknesses of these measurements, and determine a useful set of values for modeling. Using these parameter values, we then calculate the phase velocities and absorption coefficients of the three waves predicted by Biot's theory for various types of blood clots in an unbounded medium.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Sep 01, 2000
- Accession Number
- ADA384335
Entities
People
- Pierre D. Mourad
- Steven G. Kargl
Organizations
- University of Washington