Ultrasound localization microscopy (ULM) is a method for improving the resolution of ultrasound
imaging and for providing detailed maps of microvascular structure. The localization of individual
microbubbles through thousands of frames enables the reconstruction of detailed maps of the
vascular structure below the diffraction limit, and precise velocity calculations of flow within
different vessels.
Acquisition time in standard ULM can be a limitation in capillaries due to the larger size of
microbubbles. We are using microvascular tissue phantoms specifically designed for ULM in
order to provide a controlled environment for testing and evaluating the behavior of different
sized contrast agents in small vessels. The findings are then used in vivo to identify the effect of
microvasculature architecture on ULM imaging performance.
