Regularized framework for simultaneous estimation of ultrasonic attenuation and backscatter coefficients

Quantitative ultrasound (QUS) is a set of techniques for tissue characterization which allows to model tissue properties, such as ultrasonic attenuation and backscatter coefficients. Nevertheless, the challenge of QUS parameters estimation still remains as the trade-off between estimates variance and spatial resolution limits the applicability of the estimations. This work aims at providing an effective framework for QUS parameters estimation. Based on this framework, an estimation algorithm is proposed and tested using simulated phantoms and an in vivo assessment of breast fibroadenoma. The proposed algorithm was validated using simulated phantoms, while the in vivo experiment showed consistent results with the literature (i.e. attenuation for fibroadenoma: 1.97 ± 0.33 dB. MHz−1. cm-1, and normal tissue: 0.59 ± 0.13 dB. MHz−1. cm-1). These results suggest the proposed framework has the potential to improve the estimation of QUS parameters.