You might think: "Yet another book covering a well-known medical topic ?" - yes, that is right but it is written from a technical insider in a way that helps to understand the essential physics and signal processing techniques behind modern imaging systems as well as the processing of the resulting echo information step-by-step.
Some of the 15 chapters are dedicated to one special part or "inside" of a diagnostic imaging system: Various transducer construction and system technology or beamforming methods. These different topics are explained on a level that is suitable both for newcomers and for experienced readers. Basic equations and underlaying concepts are given to understand the function of the latest commercial products used in medical applications. A reference list citing fundamental publications is added to each chapter. But how does ultrasound interact with tissue or blood and what about nonlinear aspects during propagation ? The book as well gives detailed and enhanced answers resp. explains well-known models conceming bioeffects, scattering or non-linear effects caused by contrast agents within the remaining chapters - always having modern applications and exaples in mind.
The author is successful to span the descriptive bridge between the technology implemented "inside" a modern ultrasonic imaging system for emitting and for processing the information that is coming back from "outside" after interacting with the human body. Theory and reality is combined in a comprehensive, illustrative and practical manner to enjoy the reading and learning of diagnostic ultrasound imaging.
Christian Kollmann, Vienna
