Having reread what I have written I don't want to mislead anyone into thinking Sonic Contrast (SC) is in all cases quantifiable, it is not. Ultrasound imaging, especially with the introduction of median filters is non linear and it is not possible at this time to make comparative assessments between scanners or get a true SC for any given machine for any system settings.
For a true Rayleigh distribution of the grey levels we can have more confidence in the SC derived but on modern scanners this is increasingly rare. Even so, SC points the way towards a quantifiable and comparative test method which is very sensitive to subtle changes in image quality as potentially any repaired probe with have. One should not expect manufacturers to leap in to provide access to raw or unprocessed data. It was once suggested to me the purpose of a good phantom from a manufactures perspective was to show the merit of "our scanners" not the competitions. Comparative phantoms could be a manufactures night mare.
One way to put pressure on the manufactures to open the way for change and greater quantification would be for this community to engage on SC measurement and start asking the questions.
