Accuracy of backscatter coefficient estimation using highly focused transducers

Backscatter coefficients (BSCs) have been proposed for decades for tissue characterization. The availability of formulations based on weakly focusing conditions has resulted in a widespread use of large focal number (f/#) transducers for BSC estimation. The use of highly focused transducers (HFTs) offers the possibility of improving the spatial resolution of BSC-based imaging. The model by Chen et al. [1] was developed for estimating BSCs using transducers of arbitrary f/#. However, to this date only preliminary experimental validation of this method has been performed. The goal of the present study is to analyze for the first time the accuracy of Chen's method when estimating BSC vs. frequency curves with HFTs through both simulations and experiments.