Intravascular Imaging Signal Processing Noise Reduction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Intravascular imaging systems face challenges in achieving high resolution images with low noise, as high frequency imaging results in lower signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) due to signal loss, making it difficult to generate real-time in-vivo visualization of vascular structures.
Innovation Solution
The system employs coherence filtering, envelope detection, and spatial filtering to process high frequency image information, allowing for real-time generation and display of high resolution images by reducing both high and low frequency noise through parallel processing and data point comparisons.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If high frequency imaging is used, then image resolution is improved, but signal-to-noise ratio deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the image processing into multiple independent filtering stages: high-frequency noise filtering, envelope detection, and low-frequency noise filtering. Each stage processes specific frequency components separately, allowing high-frequency image data to be processed while selectively removing noise at different frequency ranges, thus maintaining both resolution and signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different filtering operations to different frequency components of the same signal. High-frequency components undergo noise filtering to preserve resolution, while low-frequency components undergo separate noise reduction. This localized processing quality ensures that each frequency band is optimized independently, resolving the contradiction between resolution and signal-to-noise ratio
2Reliability
If image processing is performed sequentially, then noise filtering is effective, but real-time imaging capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary high-frequency noise filtering and envelope detection in parallel before final low-frequency noise filtering. By preparing processed data in advance through parallel operations, the system reduces the computational burden on subsequent processing stages, enabling real-time imaging while maintaining effective noise filtering
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a periodic processing pipeline where multiple filtering operations are applied in repeated cycles. The parallel processing of envelope detection and high-frequency filtering creates a rhythmic processing pattern that maintains steady-state operation, ensuring real-time performance while achieving thorough noise reduction
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2A~2B
Figure 3
AI summary
An intravascular imaging system includes a transducer capable of generating raw data representative of the structure of a patient's vasculature. The system includes an imaging engine for receiving the raw data and generating enhanced data for presentation to a user. The imaging engine includes a coherence filter, an envelope detection module having one or more envelope detectors, and a spatial filter for processing data in various stages. Such stages of processing in the imaging engine act to reduce high frequency noise, generate low frequency data, reduce low frequency noise, and display low frequency data with an improved signal-to-noise ratio. The system can include an image generator for generating an image based on enhanced data and a display for displaying the generated image.