Simulation of ultrasound harmonic imaging as affected by tissue properties

Ultrasound harmonic imaging was simulated by numerically solving nonlinear acoustic equations for a given medium field and mimicking the B-mode scan procedures used in medical ultrasound imaging systems. The linear acoustic equations were extended to include relaxation dissipation and nonlinearity in compressibility. Pressure waves were induced by multiple transducer elements at the medium boundary and echoes from the medium field were simulated by using the finite difference time domain algorithm with absorbing boundary conditions. Simulation experiments showed the potential of simulation in analyzing ultrasound harmonic imaging process.