We present a new method for estimation of spectrum transition of nonstationary signals in cases of low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). Instead of the basic functions employed in the previously proposed time-varying autoregressive (AR) modeling, we introduce a spectrum transition constraint into the cost function described by the partial correlation (PARCORR) coefficients so that the method is applicable to noisy nonstationary signals of which spectrum transition patterns are complex. By applying this method to the analysis of vibration signals on the interventricular septum (IVS) of the heart, noninvasively measured by the novel method developed in our laboratory using ultrasonics, the spectrum transition pattern is clearly obtained during one cardiac cycle for normal subjects and a patient with cardiomyopathy.

In this paper we propose a new method for removing the characteristic of the piezoelectric transducer from the received signal in the pulse-echo method so that the time resolution in the determination of transit time of ultrasound in a thin layer is increased. The total characteristic of the pulse-echo system is described by cascade of distributed-constant systems for the ultrasonic transducer, matching layer, and acoustic medium. The input impedance is estimated by the inverse matrix of the cascade system and the voltage signal at the electrical port. From the inverse Fourier transform of input impedance, the transit time in a thin layer object is accurately determined with high time resolution. The principle of the method is confirmed by simulation experiments.

We have proposed a non-invasive method for diagnosis of the early stage of atherosclerosis, namely, the detection of small vibrations on the aortic wall near the heart by using ultrasound diagnostic equipment. It is, however, necessary to confirm the effectiveness of such measurement of the pulse wave velocity for quantitative evaluation of the local characteristics of atherosclerosis. It is well known that Young's modulus of a tube wall, estimated from measured pulse wave velocity, depends on inner pressure because of the non-linear relationship between the inner pressure and the change of volume in the tube. The inner pressure, however, changes during the period of one heartbeat. In this experimental study, we found for the first time that Young's modulus of the tube wall, estimated from the measured pulse wave velocity, depends not only on the diastolic pressure but also on the pulse pressure and the pressure gradient of the systolic period.