Super-resolution flow field reconstruction via microbubble trajectory fitting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound super-resolution imaging methods based on microbubble localization are prone to false localizations and large match errors due to motion artifacts and low signal-to-noise-ratio, leading to low precision and efficiency in reconstructing blood flow fields.
Innovation Solution
A super-resolution flow field reconstruction method that involves superimposing multiple frames of contrast-enhanced ultrasound images to obtain microbubble trajectories, performing straight line fitting, and calculating instantaneous movement directions and velocities, thereby reconstructing a super-resolution flow field without the need for precise localization and tracking of microbubbles.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasound super-resolution imaging methods based on microbubble localization are used, then spatial resolution beyond diffraction limit is achieved, but false localizations and large match errors occur due to motion artifacts and low signal-to-noise-ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the microbubble tracking process into two independent parts: (1) microbubble localization using contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging, and (2) trajectory reconstruction using straight line fitting on superimposed frames. This segmentation allows each part to be optimized independently, reducing the propagation of errors from localization to final flow field reconstruction.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces straight line fitting as an intermediary step between microbubble localization and flow field reconstruction. By fitting straight lines to microbubble trajectories in superimposed frames, the method creates a robust intermediate representation that is less sensitive to localization errors and motion artifacts, thereby improving reliability.
2Measurement precision
If microbubble localization and nearest neighbor tracking are performed, then super-resolution blood flow velocity and direction are reconstructed, but the process is computationally intensive and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary superimposition of multiple contrast-enhanced ultrasound frames to create a composite image containing microbubble trajectories before performing straight line fitting. This preliminary action consolidates trajectory information early in the process, reducing the computational burden of subsequent tracking and reconstruction steps.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent extracts only the essential trajectory information from the superimposed frames through straight line fitting, discarding redundant localization details. This extraction approach maintains flow field reconstruction precision while significantly reducing computational complexity and processing time.
3Reliability
If multiple frames of contrast-enhanced ultrasound images are superimposed to obtain microbubble trajectories, then motion artifacts and noise are reduced, but the processing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs frame registration and superimposition as preliminary steps before trajectory analysis. By pre-aligning multiple frames and superimposing them to enhance signal-to-noise ratio, the method improves reliability of subsequent measurements while organizing the complexity into manageable preprocessing stages.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed is a super-resolution flow field reconstruction method, including: superimposing a plurality of frames of contrast-enhanced ultrasound images that are in one time interval and each of which includes images of a plurality of microbubbles, to obtain a superimposed image including a plurality of microbubble trajectories of the plurality of microbubbles; performing straight line fitting on the plurality of microbubble trajectories, to obtain a plurality of microbubble trajectory straight lines of the plurality of microbubbles, respectively; determining directions and velocities of instantaneous movements of the plurality of microbubbles in the time interval; and reconstructing a super-resolution flow field. This method avoids localization and tracking process of the plurality of moving microbubbles, overcomes the limitations of current ultrasound super-resolution imaging strategies under the impact of motion artifacts and low signal-to-noise-ratio, and improving precision and efficiency of super-resolution flow field reconstruction.