Ultrasonic Imaging Adaptive Morphology Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic imaging devices face challenges in distinguishing between tissue structures and speckle noise, leading to limited edge enhancement and noise removal effectiveness due to fixed structural element values and inadequate adaptation to image positions.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic imaging device that performs noise processing followed by morphology processing using a structural element value determined based on dilation and erosion results, allowing for adaptive structural element values that vary by pixel position to enhance edge detection and reduce speckle noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a fixed structural element value is used in morphology processing, then the processing is simple and fast, but the edge enhancement effect is limited and speckle noise cannot be effectively removed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the structural element value variable rather than fixed. The structural element value is dynamically determined based on the pixel position in the ultrasonic image, allowing the morphology processing to adapt to different regions (edge areas vs. uniform areas). This dynamic adjustment enables effective edge enhancement while avoiding speckle noise removal issues.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by determining different structural element values for different regions of the image. The structural element value is determined based on whether the pixel is located in an edge area or a uniform area, allowing each region to receive optimized processing parameters. This local adaptation improves both edge enhancement and speckle noise removal effectiveness.
2Measurement precision
If the structural element value is changed according to pixel position to achieve high edge enhancement, then edge detection is improved, but speckle edges may be enhanced and smoothing effect is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by performing noise removal processing before morphology processing. The noise removal unit processes the ultrasonic image to remove speckle noise before the morphology processing unit applies structural element-based processing. This preliminary noise removal prevents speckle edges from being enhanced during morphology processing while still allowing effective edge enhancement of actual tissue structures.
3Object-generated harmful factors
If normal filtering processing is used to remove noise, then speckle reduction is achieved, but tissue structure details are blurred and resolution deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces conventional filtering processing with morphology processing based on structural elements. Instead of using standard filtering techniques that blur image details, the patent uses morphology operations (dilation, erosion, opening, closing) with adaptively determined structural element values. This substitution allows effective speckle noise removal while preserving tissue structure details and maintaining image resolution.
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is a technique capable of simultaneously satisfying two requests of removing a speckle and clarifying a tissue structure. A noise in an ultrasonic image is removed, and a morphology processing is performed on a noise-removed image. The morphology processing includes a first calculation of performing dilation and erosion and a second calculation of performing opening and closing, and determines a value of a structural element used in the second calculation of the morphology by using a result of the first calculation performed on the noise-removed image.