Super Resolution Ultrasound Imaging via Microbubble Geometry
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging systems are limited by diffraction, failing to resolve microstructures and micro-vasculature despite high-frequency imaging, and existing super-resolution techniques require extensive artifact rejection and processing time.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound imaging system that includes a transducer array, signal processor, and microbubble processor to generate contrast-enhanced ultrasound data based on predetermined microbubble size and adjacency, reducing artifact rejection and processing time by focusing on the geometry of microbubbles for precise detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If tracking microbubbles by searching for nearest neighbor detections in consecutive frames is used, then microbubble detection capability is improved, but processing time and computational requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-defining the expected geometric characteristics (size, shape, adjacency) of microbubbles before processing the ultrasound data. This allows the system to filter and identify microbubbles based on predetermined criteria rather than performing computationally intensive nearest neighbor searches across all detected signals, significantly reducing processing time while maintaining detection precision.
2Reliability
If extensive artifact rejection is performed to ensure only microbubbles of interest are retained, then detection reliability is improved, but processing complexity and time requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes parameters by defining specific geometric parameters (size, shape, adjacency) as selection criteria for microbubbles. By transforming the artifact rejection process from a complex signal analysis task into a geometric parameter filtering task, the system achieves high detection reliability with reduced processing complexity. The microbubble processor evaluates detected signals against predetermined geometric parameters to reliably identify valid microbubbles.
3Device complexity
If conventional ultrasound imaging is used, then system simplicity is maintained, but resolution capability is limited by diffraction to approximately half the wavelength
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies segmentation by separating the ultrasound imaging system into distinct functional modules: a conventional ultrasound imaging system for data acquisition, a contrast agent injection system, and a microbubble processor for super-resolution image generation. This segmentation allows the system to maintain simplicity in the imaging hardware while achieving enhanced resolution through specialized processing of contrast agent microbubble signals based on their geometric characteristics.
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 precise detection of desired contrast agent microbubbles, reducing processing and time requirements, and facilitates real-time micro-vascular imaging with increased sensitivity and specificity.
Implementation Method 1
a transducer array configured to transmit an ultrasound pressure field and receive an echo pressure field
Implementation Method 2
processing the CEUS data with a structuring element to generate microbubble data based on one or more predetermined contrast-agent microbubble sizes, shapes and adjacencies
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound imaging system includes a transducer array configured to transmit an ultrasound pressure field and receive an echo pressure field for a contrast-enhanced scan, and generate an electrical signal indicative of the received echo pressure field. The system further includes a signal processor configured to process the electrical signal and generate at least contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) data indicative of nonlinear signal in the electrical signal. The system further includes a microbubble processor configured to process the CEUS data and generate microbubble data based on a predetermined contrast-agent microbubble size, shape and adjacency for microbubbles of interest. The system further includes a display configured to display a microbubble image indicative of the microbubble data.