Interleave Pulse Scanning for Simultaneous Blood Flow and B-Mode Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic imaging systems have a low frame rate and compromised image quality due to the alternating scanning method for B-mode and color blood flow images, which results in non-continuous scan lines and decreased wall filtering quality.
Innovation Solution
A pulse scanning method that completes an entire color blood flow image through an interleave-scan packet, using a pulse repetition period as a unit scanning time, where part of the time is allocated for color blood flow image scanning and part for B-mode image scanning, with a time interval between adjacent color blood flow image scan lines being one pulse repetition period.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If alternating scanning method is used for B-mode and color blood flow images, then both images can be displayed, but frame rate is low and scanning time is long
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the scan field into multiple regions and segments the scanning process into interleave-scan packets. Each packet contains multiple scan lines that are scanned in an interleaved pattern, allowing simultaneous acquisition of B-mode and color blood flow data for different regions, thereby increasing frame rate and reducing overall scanning time.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic scanning where the ultrasonic probe alternates between scanning B-mode lines and color blood flow lines in a regular periodic pattern. This periodic action allows both imaging modes to share the scanning time efficiently, improving the frame rate for both modes compared to sequential scanning.
2Manufacturing precision
If alternating scanning method is used, then both image types can be acquired, but scan lines are non-continuous and image quality deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the scan field into multiple regions and assigns different scan lines to different regions. This segmentation allows continuous scanning within each region while maintaining the interleaved acquisition pattern, ensuring that scan lines remain continuous and image quality is preserved for both B-mode and color blood flow images.
3Reliability
If alternating scanning method is used, then dual imaging is achieved, but wall filtering quality decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the color blood flow scan lines into groups that are processed together for wall filtering. By organizing the interleaved scan lines into coherent groups corresponding to continuous spatial regions, the wall filtering algorithm can operate more effectively on continuous data segments, maintaining filtering quality while enabling dual imaging.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic wall filtering operations that are synchronized with the periodic scanning pattern. The filtering is applied at regular intervals corresponding to complete scan packets, ensuring that the periodic nature of the alternating scan does not degrade the filtering quality but rather maintains it through systematic processing.
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 shortens scanning time, increases frame rate, and improves image quality by allowing continuous scanning and simultaneous display of blood flow and B-mode images, enhancing the acquisition of blood flow information and horizontal resolution.
Implementation Method 1
Medical ultrasonic imaging equipment acquires ultrasonic characteristic information of human tissues and organs by ultrasonic propagation in a human body
Implementation Method 2
Each of the array elements of the probe receives echoes scattered or reflected by human tissues
Implementation Method 3
A beamformer module processes the echo signals to increase a signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the echo signal
Implementation Method 4
a high-voltage pulse wave is loaded on each of the array elements of the probe to excite the array elements to generate high-frequency ultrasonic waves
Data Source
AI summary
Methods and systems for pulse scanning and simultaneously displaying a blood flow image and a B-mode image are disclosed.