Reference-Guided Ultrasound Correction Through Bone and Gas Barriers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic imaging is challenging in areas with bone or gas barriers, such as the skull, ribs, and internal organs due to chaotic refraction, scattering, and attenuation, making it difficult to achieve high-resolution imaging in emergency settings where CT or MRI is not feasible.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic imaging system and method that corrects distortion by equalizing signal amplitude and adjusting sampling time delays to compensate for attenuation and aberration caused by barriers, and moves the channel position to reduce scattering noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasonic imaging is performed through barriers such as skull, ribs, or gas-filled organs, then imaging capability is achieved, but image quality deteriorates due to chaotic refraction, scattering, and attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by acquiring reference information about the ultrasonic barrier (such as skull bone thickness and acoustic properties) before performing the actual ultrasonic imaging. This reference information is used to pre-calculate compensation values for attenuation and aberration, which are then applied during the imaging process to correct the distorted signals and improve image quality
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes parameters by adjusting the ultrasonic signal characteristics based on the measured barrier properties. Specifically, it modifies the signal amplitude compensation factors and time delay corrections according to the reference information about the barrier, thereby transforming the distorted ultrasonic signals into corrected images with improved quality
2Measurement precision
If CT or MRI is used for imaging through barriers, then high-resolution imaging is achieved, but mobility and accessibility deteriorate in emergency settings
Solution Approach 1:
The system replaces the heavy mechanical imaging systems (CT and MRI machines) with a portable ultrasonic imaging device. By incorporating signal processing techniques that correct for barrier effects, the system achieves imaging capability comparable to CT/MRI while maintaining the inherent mobility and portability of ultrasonic devices, making it suitable for emergency and bedside use
3Adaptability or versatility
If ultrasonic signal is transmitted through barriers, then imaging of distorted objects is achieved, but signal distortion increases due to attenuation, aberration, and scattering
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements feedback by using the acquired reference information about the ultrasonic barrier to continuously adjust and optimize the imaging parameters. The reference information feedback loop allows the system to calculate appropriate compensation factors for attenuation and aberration, which are then applied to correct the ultrasonic signals in real-time, reducing information loss and improving image accuracy
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
Enables high-resolution ultrasonic imaging through barriers by correcting attenuation, aberration, and scattering distortions, allowing for accurate imaging of complex anatomical structures like the brain and lungs, and is applicable in emergency scenarios.
Implementation Method 1
The channel part has a plurality of channels that transmit and receive an ultrasonic signal
Implementation Method 2
organs such as the brain, heart, lungs, stomach, and intestines are surrounded by or adjacent to barriers that cause chaotic refraction and scattering of signals
Implementation Method 3
barriers that cause chaotic refraction and scattering of signals
Implementation Method 4
correcting attenuation distortion caused by the ultrasonic barrier by equalizing the signal amplitude of the sample section estimated to be the object signal
Implementation Method 5
correcting aberration distortion caused by the ultrasonic barrier by moving the ultrasonic signal extraction section for each channel
Data Source
AI summary
In an ultrasonic imaging system and an ultrasonic imaging method using the ultrasonic imaging system, the system includes a channel part, a correction part, an imaging part and a reference information providing part. The channel part has a plurality of channels configured to send and receive an ultrasonic signal. The correction part is configured to correct distortion caused by an ultrasonic barrier in the ultrasonic signal received by the channel part. The imaging part is configured to image the ultrasonic signal to an ultrasonic image. The reference information providing part is configured to provide reference information required for the correction to the correction part. The correction part is configured to determine a sample section using the reference information, and to correct attenuation distortion and aberration distortion caused by the ultrasonic barrier based on a signal of the sample section.