Multisource Acoustoelectric Imaging With Different Current Source Features

Based on acoustoelectric (AE) effect, AE imaging is a potential neuroimaging technique for mapping brain electrical activity with high temporal and spatial resolution. Acting as multiple current sources in the brain, neurons discharge with complex spatial distribution and current features, including frequency and amplitude. However, the current AE imaging mainly focuses on source with single feature, which is lack of multisource AE imaging. To make a step toward developing AE imaging as a clinical imaging technique, this work evaluates and verifies multisource AE imaging with different current source features. Three phantom experiments were implemented with different source configurations, including 1-source, 2-source with different frequencies and amplitudes, and 3-source with different frequencies and amplitudes. Each source with different features can be clearly imaged with a high resolution (1-2 mm of the -6-dB peak). Besides, according to frequency spectrum, the frequency feature can be effectively distinguished. In addition, based on the statistic results of AE signal amplitudes, there are significant differences between each source with different amplitudes. In this study, the multisource with different frequencies and amplitudes is not only clearly imaged but also effectively extracted corresponding features from AE signals. It validates the feasibility of multisource AE imaging with different current source features, which is critical to further research and application of complex AE neuroimaging.