Multiple-Aperture Ultrasound Memory for Remote Re-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 lateral resolution despite efforts to increase the aperture size.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a multiple aperture ultrasound imaging system that transmits unfocused ping ultrasound pulses, generates and processes echo data in real-time to form images with different beamforming parameters, allowing for higher pixel resolution and improved image coverage of the region of interest, including the ability to display simultaneous images of non-overlapping sections and adjust beamforming parameters such as speed-of-sound and transducer element positions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the aperture size of the ultrasonic probe is increased to improve lateral resolution, then lateral resolution is improved, but practical problems occur that prevent further aperture increase
Solution Approach 1:
The probe aperture is divided into multiple independent sub-apertures that can be individually controlled. This segmentation allows the system to synthesize larger effective apertures by coordinating multiple smaller elements, achieving improved lateral resolution without the practical problems of single large aperture designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D phased array scanning to 3D volumetric imaging by adding a temporal dimension through stored echo data re-processing. This enables resolution improvement in multiple spatial dimensions simultaneously by synthesizing images from different aperture configurations and processing angles.
2Productivity
If real-time image generation is performed with current processing methods, then real-time imaging is achieved, but image resolution and coverage are limited
Solution Approach 1:
Echo data is stored in memory during the imaging process, allowing subsequent re-processing and re-beamforming operations. This preliminary data preservation enables multiple image resolutions and viewing angles to be generated from the same raw data without requiring additional scanning, thus maintaining real-time capability while improving resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts beamforming parameters such as aperture size, focus depth, and scan angle by re-processing stored echo data. This parameter flexibility allows the same dataset to produce multiple images with different resolutions and coverage areas, resolving the contradiction between real-time processing and image quality.
3Device complexity
If the same transducer is used for both transmitting and receiving ultrasound beams, then device simplicity is maintained, but lateral resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The same transducer array performs both transmission and reception functions, but through sophisticated signal processing and aperture synthesis techniques, the system achieves lateral resolution comparable to systems with separate transmit and receive arrays. The multi-functionality is enhanced by allowing different subsets of elements to be used for transmit and receive in different scanning configurations.
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 quality by improving lateral resolution, reducing speckle noise, and providing better tissue visualization, enabling more effective diagnostic imaging with increased flexibility in image processing and display.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting an unfocused ping ultrasound pulse with a multiple aperture imaging system to insonify a region of interest
Implementation Method 2
detecting the returning echoes and plotted to form an image
Implementation Method 3
processing the echo data to form a second image of a second section of the region of interest, wherein the second section covers a portion of the region of interest not present first section
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.