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Applications of Ultrasonic Technology in Biomedical Sciences
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Applications of Ultrasonic Technology in Biomedical Sciences

A special issue of Applied Sciences (ISSN 2076-3417). This special issue belongs to the section "Biomedical Engineering".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 March 2026 | Viewed by 7962

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Constanza Rubio Michavila

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Tecnologías Físicas, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: acoustics materials; acoustic lenses; finite elements method; topology, geometric parametrical and translation optimisation; sound propagation in complex media; composite materials; US material characterisation; medical US applications; modelling ultrasonic devices; ultrasonic NDT
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Prof. Dr. Sergio Castiñeira-Ibáñez

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Applied Physics Department, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 València, Spain
Interests: acoustics materials; noise control; sound propagation in complex media; composite materials and biomaterials; use of ultrasonic techniques for materials characterization; numerical modeling
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Daniel Tarrazó-Serrano

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Centro de Tecnologías Físicas, Universitat Politècnica de València, 46022 Valencia, Spain
Interests: acoustics materials; noise control; sound propagation in complex media, composite materials, and biomaterials; use of ultrasonic techniques for materials characterization; medical application of ultrasonic techniques for diagnosis; modelling ultrasonic devices
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

This Special Issue focuses on emerging applications and the improvement of existing techniques in the field of medical sciences. In biomedicine, ultrasound is used to manipulate cells or particles in suspension, enhance the sensitivity of biosensors, generate images, characterize the viscoelastic properties of biological fluids and tissues, employ holographic lenses for transcranial ultrasound and drug delivery, utilize HIFU therapies and monitor other ablation techniques. This Special Issue seeks contributions that explore  innovations in and the refinement of existing practices, in order to advance the future of ultrasound in the medical field. We encourage submissions that present advances regarding the application of ultrasound field in the biomedical sciences.

Prof. Dr. Constanza Rubio Michavila
Dr. Sergio Castiñeira-Ibáñez
Dr. Daniel Tarrazó-Serrano
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Applied Sciences is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • ultrasound
  • biomedicine
  • medical diagnosis
  • biosensor

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Published Papers (5 papers)

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Research

21 pages, 6526 KB  
Article
Tissue Characterization by Ultrasound: Linking Envelope Statistics with Spectral Analysis for Simultaneous Attenuation Coefficient and Scatterer Clustering Quantification
by Luis Elvira, Carla de León, Carmen Durán, Alberto Ibáñez, Montserrat Parrilla and Óscar Martínez-Graullera
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(18), 9924; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15189924 - 10 Sep 2025
Viewed by 265
Abstract
This paper proposes the use of quantitative methods for the characterization of tissues by linking, into a single approach, ideas coming from the spectral analysis methods commonly used to determine the attenuation coefficient with the envelope statistics formulation. Initially, the Homodyned K-distribution model [...] Read more.
This paper proposes the use of quantitative methods for the characterization of tissues by linking, into a single approach, ideas coming from the spectral analysis methods commonly used to determine the attenuation coefficient with the envelope statistics formulation. Initially, the Homodyned K-distribution model used to fit data obtained from ultrasound signal envelopes was reviewed, and the necessary equations to further derive the attenuation coefficient from this model were developed. To test and discuss the performance of these methods, experimental work was conducted in phantoms. To this end, a series of tissue-mimicking materials composed of poly-vinyl alcohol (PVA) loaded with different particles (aluminium, alumina, cellulose) at varying concentrations were manufactured. A single-channel scanning system was employed to analyse these samples. It was verified that quantitative images obtained from the attenuation coefficient and from the scatterer clustering μ parameter (associated with scatterer concentration) effectively discriminate materials exhibiting similar echo envelope patterns, enhancing the information obtained in comparison with the conventional analysis based on B-scans. Additionally, the implementation of quantitative bi-parametric imaging mappings based on both the μ parameter and the attenuation coefficient, as a means to rapidly visualize results and identify areas characterized by specific acoustic features, was also proposed. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Ultrasonic Technology in Biomedical Sciences)
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12 pages, 770 KB  
Article
How Does Left Ventricular Ejection Fraction Affect the Multimodal Assessment of Congestion in Patients with Acute Heart Failure? Results from a Prospective Study
by Laura Karla Esterellas-Sánchez, Amelia Campos-Sáenz de Santamaría, Zoila Stany Albines Fiestas, Silvia Crespo-Aznarez, Marta Sánchez-Marteles, Vanesa Garcés-Horna, Alejandro Alcaine-Otín, Ignacio Gimenez-Lopez and Jorge Rubio-Gracia
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(15), 8157; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15158157 - 22 Jul 2025
Viewed by 392
Abstract
The assessment of systemic congestion in acute heart failure (AHF) remains clinically challenging, particularly across different left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) phenotypes. This study aimed to evaluate whether differences exist in the degree of congestion, assessed through a multimodal approach including physical examination, [...] Read more.
The assessment of systemic congestion in acute heart failure (AHF) remains clinically challenging, particularly across different left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) phenotypes. This study aimed to evaluate whether differences exist in the degree of congestion, assessed through a multimodal approach including physical examination, biomarkers (NT-proBNP, CA125), and point-of-care ultrasound using the Venous Excess Ultrasound (VExUS) protocol, between patients with preserved (HFpEF) and reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF). We conducted a prospective observational study involving 90 hospitalized AHF patients, 80 of whom underwent a complete VExUS assessment. Although patients with HFrEF exhibited higher levels of NT-proBNP and CA125, and more frequent signs of third-space fluid accumulation such as pleural effusion and ascites, no statistically significant differences were found in VExUS grades between the two groups. These findings suggest that the VExUS protocol provides consistent and reproducible information on systemic venous congestion, regardless of LVEF phenotype. Its integration into clinical practice may help refine congestion assessment and optimize diuretic therapy. Further multicenter studies with larger populations are warranted to validate its diagnostic and prognostic utility and to determine its potential role in guiding individualized treatment strategies in AHF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Ultrasonic Technology in Biomedical Sciences)
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11 pages, 626 KB  
Article
The Role of Ultrasonography in the Diagnostic Evaluation of Patients with Polyneuropathy
by Maj Jožef and Simon Podnar
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(11), 6137; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15116137 - 29 May 2025
Viewed by 533
Abstract
Background: The role of ultrasonography (US) in the practical management of polyneuropathies, particularly axonal, remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the contribution of the US examination of polyneuropathies in daily clinical practice. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients [...] Read more.
Background: The role of ultrasonography (US) in the practical management of polyneuropathies, particularly axonal, remains unclear. The present study aimed to explore the contribution of the US examination of polyneuropathies in daily clinical practice. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with clinical and electrophysiological diagnoses of polyneuropathy referred to our US laboratory over eight years. The contribution of US examination in this patient population was evaluated. Results: We analyzed 201 consecutive patients (66% men), aged 12–90 years (mean (SD), 62 (15) years). The most common referral questions were differentiation of hereditary from acquired demyelinating polyneuropathies (71 (35%) patients, sensitivity 63%, specificity 88%), and additional focal neuropathies in patients with generalized neuropathies (51 (25%) patients, sensitivity 75%, specificity 34%). The US examination was pathological in 158 (79%) of patients. The most common US finding was nerve enlargement at typical entrapment sites (73 (36%) patients), followed by proximal nerve thickening (34 (17%) patients). The US provided new diagnoses in 7 (3.5%) patients, contributed to diagnoses in 39 (19%) patients, and confirmed diagnoses in 50 (25%) patients. Conclusion: Our study demonstrated the ability of peripheral nerve US to provide useful additional diagnostic information in about half of the referred patients with polyneuropathy. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Ultrasonic Technology in Biomedical Sciences)
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13 pages, 1613 KB  
Article
Morphological Analysis of US Treated PANC-1 Spheroids
by Martina Ricci, Mattia Dimitri, Martina Serio and Andrea Corvi
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 1707; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15041707 - 7 Feb 2025
Viewed by 1121
Abstract
This study investigates the impact of low-intensity continuous ultrasound (LICU) on pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PANC-1) spheroids, emphasizing morphological and volumetric transformations. PANC-1 spheroids were cultured and treated with LICU across frequencies from 1 to 5 MHz. Cell viability and mortality were analyzed through Calcein [...] Read more.
This study investigates the impact of low-intensity continuous ultrasound (LICU) on pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PANC-1) spheroids, emphasizing morphological and volumetric transformations. PANC-1 spheroids were cultured and treated with LICU across frequencies from 1 to 5 MHz. Cell viability and mortality were analyzed through Calcein AM/PI staining, while volumetric and morphological changes were quantified across frequencies from 2 to 4 MHz using advanced imaging techniques and computational tools, including a custom Python OpenCv Library, AnaSP 3.0, a MATLAB based open source tool. Notably, a frequency of 3.5 MHz yielded optimal outcomes, also achieving a reduction in spheroid volume and mortality while minimizing disgregation, a factor linked to metastasis risk. These findings underscore LICU’s potential as an effective therapeutic strategy, balancing tumor reduction with the preservation of structural cohesion. The study establishes a methodological framework for optimizing LICU parameters, presenting a less invasive avenue for improving therapeutic outcomes in pancreatic cancer treatment. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Ultrasonic Technology in Biomedical Sciences)
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16 pages, 2394 KB  
Article
Effects of Varying Caffeine Dosages and Consumption Timings on Cerebral Vascular and Cognitive Functions: A Diagnostic Ultrasound Study
by Min-Ki Choi, Hee-Seul Ahn, Da-Eun Kim, Da-Seul Lee, Chan-Sol Park and Chang-Ki Kang
Appl. Sci. 2025, 15(4), 1703; https://doi.org/10.3390/app15041703 - 7 Feb 2025
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 4986
Abstract
Caffeine is consumed owing to its stimulatory effects; however, its excessive intake triggers adverse effects. Herein, we analyzed changes in physiological cerebrovascular and cognitive functions following the consumption of 100 and 200 mg of caffeine in healthy adults after 0/30/60 min to ascertain [...] Read more.
Caffeine is consumed owing to its stimulatory effects; however, its excessive intake triggers adverse effects. Herein, we analyzed changes in physiological cerebrovascular and cognitive functions following the consumption of 100 and 200 mg of caffeine in healthy adults after 0/30/60 min to ascertain appropriate caffeine consumption habits. The peak systolic velocity (PSV), pulse wave velocity (PWV), and common carotid artery (CCA) diameter were measured using diagnostic ultrasound. Cognitive function was evaluated using the accuracy rate and response time on the two-back task. Percutaneous oxygen saturation (SpO2) and heart rate (HR) were assessed using patient monitoring systems. After consuming 100 mg of caffeine, systolic blood pressure (SBP) increased (p > 0.05) and SpO2 and accuracy rate improved by 30 min (p = 0.018 and p = 0.356) but declined by 60 min (p = 0.924 and p = 0.055). HR and response time continuously decreased (p = 0.209 and p = 0.061, respectively), while PWV showed no change (p > 0.05). After consuming 200 mg of caffeine, SBP (p < 0.05), diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.004 and p = 0.820), and SpO2 (p = 0.002 and p = 0.666) increased significantly, while the accuracy rate (p = 0.634 and p = 0.055, respectively) and response time (p < 0.05) decreased. PWV remained unchanged (p > 0.05). The results revealed distinct dose-dependent patterns on physiological and cognitive changes, with SBP and SpO2 exhibiting greater changes when a higher dose was consumed in a short duration. Although moderate caffeine intake may support vascular health and cognitive function, excessive intake reduces blood flow, alters vascular elasticity, and impairs cognitive activation. These findings highlight the need for guidelines to ensure safe and effective caffeine consumption. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Applications of Ultrasonic Technology in Biomedical Sciences)
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