Ultrasonic Scan Conversion Using PSF Principal Direction Interpolation
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic imaging methods, such as bilinear interpolation, perform interpolation in directions perpendicular to the depth direction, which is not the principal direction of the point spread function (PSF) for steered linear array imaging, resulting in less accurate interpolation results.
Innovation Solution
The method and apparatus perform coordinate conversion and interpolation in the principal direction of the point spread function (PSF) for ultrasonic linear array steering imaging, computing intersections of the PSF with scan lines and using these points for accurate interpolation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If conventional bilinear interpolation is used in directions perpendicular to the depth direction, then the interpolation process is simple, but the interpolation accuracy is reduced for steered linear array imaging
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the interpolation direction parameter from perpendicular to depth direction to parallel with the main lobe direction of the point spread function. This parameter change aligns the interpolation direction with the actual signal distribution characteristics in steered linear array imaging, thereby improving interpolation accuracy while maintaining computational feasibility through systematic coordinate transformation methods.
2Measurement precision
If interpolation is performed in the principal direction of the point spread function, then the interpolation accuracy is improved, but the computational complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary coordinate transformation to establish the relationship between the display coordinate system and the probe coordinate system before interpolation. By pre-calculating the main lobe direction of the point spread function and transforming coordinates accordingly, the complex interpolation along arbitrary directions is converted to standard interpolation operations, reducing the overall computational complexity while maintaining high accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate coordinate system that bridges the display coordinate system and the probe coordinate system. This dimensional transformation approach allows the interpolation to be performed in a coordinate system aligned with the point spread function main lobe, effectively separating the coordinate transformation complexity from the interpolation operation complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for scan conversion and interpolation of linear array steering imaging in an ultrasonic system are disclosed. The method computes the points that are most related to the point to be interpolated in the principal direction of the point spread function and performs interpolation in the principal direction of the point spread function according to the steering angle of the scan lines so as to obtain a more accurate interpolation result.