Ultrasound

Contrast (vision)

Modality (human–computer interaction)

Medical ultrasound

Scope (computer science)

Medical physics

Computer science

Radiology

Medical imaging

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound

Artificial intelligence

Ultrasound imaging

Medicine

Programming language

Diagnostic ultrasound

Microbubbles

Frontiers in Physics

The development of microbubble contrast agents has broadened the scope of medical ultrasound imaging. Along with dedicated imaging techniques, these agents provide enhanced echoes from the blood pool and have enabled diagnostic ultrasound to assess and quantify microvascular blood flow. Contrast-enhanced ultrasound is currently used worldwide with clinical indications in cardiology and radiology, and it continues to evolve and develop through innovative technological advancements. In this review article, we present an overview of the basic microbubble physics and bubble-specific imaging techniques that enable this modality, and follow this with a discussion on new and emerging applications.

Ultrasound Contrast Imaging: Fundamentals and Emerging Technology