Medical Ultrasound Acoustic Impedance Echo

Biomedical Engineering

How It Works

Diagnostic ultrasound imaging relies on acoustic reflection at biological tissue boundaries differing in specific acoustic impedance (Z = ρ·c). When an ultrasound pulse reaches an interface separating soft tissue from an internal organ or bone, a fraction of the acoustic power reflects back to the transducer as an echo pulse. Echo arrival time and amplitude are processed into brightness-mode (B-mode) anatomical scans.

Governing Equation
R = (Z₂ - Z₁) / (Z₂ + Z₁) , Z = ρ · c , I_echo = I_inc · ((Z₂ - Z₁) / (Z₂ + Z₁))²