Multi-Aperture Ultrasound Memory Layout for Retrospective Beamforming
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasound imaging systems face limitations in depth of scanning, speckle noise, poor lateral resolution, and obscured tissues due to the design configuration of using the same transducer for both transmitting and receiving ultrasound beams, which restricts the improvement of aperture size and hence image quality.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a multiple aperture ultrasound imaging system that transmits unfocused ping ultrasound pulses, stores echo data in a memory device, and processes it using different beamforming parameters to form images of non-overlapping sections of the region of interest, allowing for higher pixel resolution and improved image quality by combining image layers from various transmit and receive apertures.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the same transducer is used for both transmitting and receiving ultrasound beams, then the device complexity is reduced, but the lateral resolution deteriorates due to the inability to increase aperture size
Solution Approach 1:
The transducer array is divided into multiple independent sub-apertures, each capable of independent transmission and reception. This segmentation allows the system to synthesize a larger effective aperture by combining signals from multiple sub-apertures, thereby improving lateral resolution while maintaining manageable device complexity through modular architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from a single-plane transducer configuration to a multi-plane or multi-aperture configuration, effectively adding a spatial dimension to the aperture synthesis. By utilizing multiple apertures at different positions or orientations, the system achieves enhanced lateral resolution without proportionally increasing overall device complexity.
2Measurement precision
If the aperture size is increased to improve lateral resolution, then the image quality improves, but practical problems arise that prevent aperture size increase
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of implementing a single large aperture, the system segments the aperture into multiple smaller sub-apertures that can be independently controlled. This allows the effective aperture to be synthesized to the desired size through signal processing, avoiding the practical problems associated with physically large single-aperture designs while achieving the same resolution improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces signal processing and beamforming algorithms as intermediaries between the physical transducer elements and the final image formation. These intermediaries enable the system to achieve the resolution benefits of a large aperture through computational synthesis rather than relying solely on physical aperture size, thus avoiding the practical constraints of large-scale transducer fabrication and assembly.
3Speed
If real-time image generation is performed with limited data, then the processing speed is maintained, but the image resolution and coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data acquisition and storage from multiple apertures and angles before final image reconstruction. By collecting and storing raw echo data from multiple sub-apertures in advance, the system enables subsequent high-resolution image generation through retrospective beamforming, maintaining real-time processing speed while achieving superior resolution and coverage.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent acquires data from multiple spatial dimensions and angles using multiple apertures, then reconstructs images by processing this multi-dimensional data. This approach allows the system to maintain processing speed by utilizing parallel data acquisition from multiple apertures simultaneously, while the enhanced multi-dimensional dataset enables higher resolution and broader coverage in the final reconstructed images.
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 image resolution and coverage by enabling the formation of images with higher pixel resolution and simultaneous display of multiple sections of the region of interest, improving diagnostic capabilities and flexibility in imaging.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting an unfocused ping ultrasound pulse with a multiple aperture imaging system to insonify a region of interest
Implementation Method 2
the returned echoes are detected and plotted to form an image
Implementation Method 3
processing it using different beamforming parameters to form images of non-overlapping sections of the region of interest, allowing for higher pixel resolution and improved image quality by combining image layers from various transmit and receive apertures
Data Source
AI summary
A multiple aperture ultrasound imaging system may be configured to store raw, un-beamformed echo data. Stored echo data may be retrieved and re-beamformed using modified parameters in order to enhance the image or to reveal information that was not visible or not discernible in an original image. Raw echo data may also be transmitted over a network and beamformed by a remote device that is not physically proximate to the probe performing imaging. Such systems may allow physicians or other practitioners to manipulate echo data as though they were imaging the patient directly, even without the patient being present. Many unique diagnostic opportunities are made possible by such systems and methods.