Ultrasonic Beam Steering Correction for Sound Speed Mismatch
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic diagnostic devices face image quality degradation and positional shifts in ultrasonic images due to differences between the set sound speed and the actual sound speed of the subject during transmission or reception focusing, making it difficult to accurately compare images before and after sound speed changes.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic device with a focusing processing correction unit that adjusts the delay of transmission and reception focusing based on a correction angle calculated using the equation θ=arcsin(sin(θ0)·v/V0), ensuring the steering direction remains consistent even when the set sound speed changes, and incorporating a correction table for precise delay adjustments.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the set sound speed is changed to adjust focusing, then the focusing accuracy is improved, but the steering direction shifts from the desired direction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by calculating a correction angle before performing transmission or reception focusing. The correction angle is computed based on the ratio of set sound speed to actual sound speed, and this correction is applied in advance to the desired steering angle. This pre-correction prevents the beam direction from shifting due to sound speed differences, thereby maintaining both focusing accuracy and steering direction accuracy simultaneously.
2Ease of operation
If transmission or reception focusing is performed by steering with a predetermined delay time, then the beam direction is controlled, but image quality degrades when the set sound speed differs from the actual sound speed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs feedback by using the known actual sound speed of the subject as feedback information to adjust the delay time calculation. The system calculates the correction angle based on the ratio of set sound speed to actual sound speed, and uses this correction to modify the desired steering angle. This feedback mechanism ensures that the ultrasonic beam is steered in the correct direction while maintaining optimal focusing, thereby preventing image quality degradation.
3Manufacturing precision
If the set sound speed of transmission focusing or reception focusing is changed, then the focusing conditions are optimized, but the position on the image shifts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by calculating the correction angle before image generation. The correction angle is determined based on the ratio of set sound speed to actual sound speed and the desired steering angle. This pre-calculated correction is then applied to all beam steering operations, ensuring that images generated with different set sound speeds maintain consistent positioning. This prevents position shifts when optimizing focusing conditions with different sound speed settings.
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 solution maintains the steering direction of the ultrasonic beams, preventing image quality degradation and allowing for accurate comparison of ultrasonic images before and after sound speed changes, ensuring consistent image positioning and improved diagnostic accuracy.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe (1) transmits an ultrasonic wave toward a subject and receives an ultrasonic echo from the subject to output a reception signal
Implementation Method 2
a focusing processing correction unit (7) that corrects a delay of at least one of the transmission focusing processing and the reception focusing processing based on a correction angle calculated by a calculating unit using Equation (A)
Data Source
AI summary
There are provided an ultrasonic diagnostic device and an ultrasonic image generation method in which the direction of a beam formed in a subject is not changed even if at least one of set sound speeds used in transmission focusing processing and reception focusing processing is changed. When at least one of the set sound speeds used in the transmission focusing processing and the reception focusing processing has been changed by a set sound speed changing unit, a focusing processing correction unit corrects a delay of at least one of the transmission focusing processing and the reception focusing processing based on the changed set sound speed such that the direction of the beam formed in the subject is not changed.