Ultrasound Beamforming Delay Compression Using Focus Phase Data
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
The increasing number of array elements and sampling rates in ultrasonic probes complicates the compression and transmission of delay data required for beamforming, leading to higher data complexity and bandwidth demands in ultrasonic imaging.
Innovation Solution
A method that determines focus phase description information based on delay data, using interpolation coefficients and phase change analysis to compress this information, reducing data complexity and amount.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the number of array elements and sampling rates are increased to improve ultrasonic imaging quality, then the data amount and bandwidth requirements increase, but the data compression complexity and transmission burden worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments delay data into multiple focus groups, where each group corresponds to a specific focus point. By processing and compressing data for each focus separately rather than handling all delay data uniformly, the system reduces overall compression complexity while maintaining imaging quality. This segmentation allows for more efficient data organization and compression algorithm application.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transforms delay data into phase data by changing the parameter representation from time delays to phase angles. This parameter transformation enables the use of phase-specific compression techniques that exploit the periodic nature of phase data, significantly reducing the data amount required for beamforming while preserving the essential information needed for high-quality ultrasonic imaging.
2Reliability
If delay data from all focuses to all array elements is transmitted to maintain beamforming accuracy, then the data transmission bandwidth increases, but the transmission efficiency and storage requirements worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential phase information from the complete delay data set. Instead of transmitting all delay values for all focuses and array elements, the system extracts phase data that captures the critical beamforming information. This extraction process significantly reduces the quantity of data that needs to be transmitted while maintaining the reliability of beamforming operations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a compressed representation (copy) of the original delay data in the form of phase data. This copied phase information serves as a sufficient substitute for the full delay data set, enabling beamforming to be performed accurately with much less data. The phase copy preserves the essential spatial and temporal relationships needed for image reconstruction.
3Quantity of substance
If traditional data compression methods are applied to delay data, then the data amount is reduced, but the loss of information and degradation of imaging quality worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter domain from delay time to phase angle, which fundamentally alters how the data is compressed. Phase data has inherent periodicity and bounded range properties that delay data lacks, enabling more efficient compression algorithms that preserve information better. This parameter transformation allows for lossless or near-lossless compression while achieving higher compression ratios compared to traditional methods applied directly to delay data.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to data compression and data decompression methods and apparatuses, and storage media. The method includes: acquiring delay data from a plurality of focuses to different array elements during ultrasonic imaging; determining focus phase description information corresponding to the array elements based on the delay data; and compressing the focus phase description information corresponding to the array elements to obtain compressed delay data.