Mismatched Coded Excitation Signals for High-Frame-Rate Ultrasound Imaging
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current biomedical ultrasound imaging techniques face challenges in achieving high-frame-rate imaging while maintaining image quality, particularly in generating mismatched coded excitation signals that provide uniform signal-to-noise ratios and resolutions.
Innovation Solution
The method involves generating and using mismatched coded excitation signals with unique frequency ranges and slopes, allowing for spatial and temporal encoding, and employing these signals in phased array transducers to isolate contributions from multiple coded waveforms, enabling high-speed imaging with improved resolution and SNR.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If multiple mismatched coded excitation signals with unique frequency ranges and slopes are generated, then high-frame-rate imaging with uniform signal-to-noise ratios and resolutions is achieved, but the complexity of signal generation and processing increases
Solution Approach 1:
The frequency spectrum is segmented into multiple unique frequency ranges, with each coded excitation signal assigned to a specific frequency range. This segmentation allows multiple signals to be transmitted simultaneously without interference, enabling high-frame-rate imaging while maintaining uniform signal-to-noise ratios across all channels.
Solution Approach 2:
Each coded excitation signal is assigned unique frequency parameters (frequency ranges and slopes) to differentiate them from one another. By varying these parameters across multiple signals, the system achieves uniform signal-to-noise ratios and resolutions while maintaining high frame rates, as each signal can be independently processed and decoded.
2Measurement precision
If mismatched coded waveforms are used to encode ultrasound signals, then uniform signal-to-noise ratios and resolutions are achieved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring individual signal contributions increases
Solution Approach 1:
The coded excitation signals are pre-encoded with unique frequency ranges and slopes before transmission. This preliminary encoding allows the receiving system to easily identify and separate individual signal contributions during reception, as each signal's unique frequency signature serves as a built-in identifier that simplifies detection and measurement.
3Productivity
If multiple coded excitations are transmitted simultaneously, then high-frame-rate imaging is enabled, but cross-correlation between signals degrades image quality
Solution Approach 1:
Each coded excitation signal is assigned a unique local frequency range and slope characteristics, creating distinct signal identities within the overall transmission. This local differentiation ensures that when multiple signals are transmitted simultaneously, their cross-correlation is minimized, preserving image quality while enabling high frame rates through parallel transmission.
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 enables high-frame-rate imaging with uniform signal-to-noise ratios and resolutions, effectively addressing the limitations of existing methods by utilizing mismatched coded waveforms to encode and decode ultrasound signals efficiently.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting coded imaging energy with one or more transmitter elements such that the coded imaging energy is directed onto an object to be imaged
Implementation Method 2
receiving, with an array of receiver elements, secondary energy that is responsively generated, reflected or transmitted by the object
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides systems and methods for imaging based on the generation and use of mismatched coded excitation signals. Cross-correlation properties of the received signal reveal the location and/or timing and/or properties of the source. The use of mismatched signals enables spatial and/or temporal and/or functional encoding of the transmitted signals. In some embodiments, high-speed imaging may be performed by employing mismatched codes for spatial and/or temporal encoding, and by employing a subset of transducer elements as transmitters, and another subset of elements as receivers. Various example embodiments of different types of mismatched codes are provided, including codes that employ multiple frequency chirps, codes that employ concatenated multi-frequency binary phase-coded waveforms, and chirped binary phase-coded waveforms.