Doppler Image Flash Artifact Suppression via Motion-Weighted Clutter Filtering
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses face challenges in effectively suppressing flash artifacts in Doppler images, which can obscure blood flow information and reduce image quality.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves obtaining both clutter-filtered and unfiltered Doppler signals, determining a motion score to assess flash artifact occurrence, and applying weights to the signals to generate and display Doppler images with adjustable flash artifact suppression, allowing users to set the level of suppression and view the remaining artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If clutter filtering is applied to suppress flash artifacts, then image quality is improved, but blood flow information may be lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic weight adjustment to the clutter-filtered signal based on motion scores. The weight is not fixed but varies according to the detected motion level, allowing the system to adaptively balance artifact suppression and blood flow preservation. When motion is detected (high motion score), the weight decreases to preserve blood flow information; when motion is low, the weight increases to enhance artifact suppression.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of signal weighting based on motion scores. By calculating motion scores from velocity information and using them to adjust the weight applied to clutter-filtered signals, the system dynamically modifies processing parameters to resolve the contradiction between artifact suppression and information preservation.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If strong clutter filtering is applied, then flash artifacts are suppressed, but diagnostic accuracy may decrease due to loss of blood flow details
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the degree of clutter filtering application based on real-time motion scores. Rather than applying strong filtering uniformly, the weight applied to clutter-filtered signals varies with motion levels, preserving blood flow details when motion is present while suppressing artifacts when motion is minimal.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where motion scores calculated from velocity information are used to adjust the weighting of clutter-filtered signals. This closed-loop approach allows the system to respond to detected motion and adjust filtering strength accordingly, maintaining diagnostic accuracy while suppressing artifacts.
3Ease of operation
If automatic flash artifact suppression is applied, then ease of operation is improved, but user control over suppression level is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent provides both automatic and manual control modes. The automatic mode uses motion scores to dynamically adjust suppression levels, while the manual mode allows users to override and set custom suppression levels. This dual-mode approach maintains ease of operation through automation while preserving user adaptability when needed.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple approaches (automatic motion-score-based suppression and manual user control) into a unified system that offers both convenience and flexibility. The system structure allows users to access different levels of control, from fully automatic to fully manual, depending on their needs.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enhances the quality of Doppler images by effectively suppressing flash artifacts, providing users with the ability to adjust the suppression level and visualize the degree of artifact reduction, thereby improving diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
Ultrasound diagnosis apparatuses transmit ultrasound signals toward a predetermined part in a body and obtain images of a cross-section of soft tissue or blood flow by using information about ultrasound signals reflected from the predetermined part
Data Source
AI summary
Provided are a method of displaying a Doppler image and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus for performing the method. The method includes: obtaining a first Doppler signal where clutter filtering corresponding to each of a plurality of pixels is not performed and a second Doppler signal where clutter filtering corresponding to each of the plurality of pixels is performed; determining a first motion score indicating a degree of flash artifact occurrence by using velocity information of the first Doppler signal; determining a first weight for suppressing flash artifacts of each pixel based on the first motion score and a velocity difference value between the first Doppler signal and the second Doppler signal; generating a first Doppler image of the object by applying the first weight to the second Doppler signal of each pixel; and displaying the first Doppler image of the object.