Ultrasonic Imaging Clutter Reduction via Nonlinear Coherence Weighting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic imaging techniques face challenges in achieving uniform clutter reduction across an entire image, especially when using focused transmission beams, due to varying numbers of statistical samples at different depths, which affects the adaptive signal processing algorithm's effectiveness.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus with a received signal processing unit that includes a summing unit and a weighting unit, where the weighting unit applies nonlinear weights based on coherence values to uniformly reduce clutter across the image, accounting for the varying number of signals at different depths.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adaptive signal processing is combined with synthetic aperture imaging to reduce clutter, then image resolution is improved, but the number of statistical samples varies significantly at different depths, causing non-uniform clutter reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamic weighting to the coherence factor based on the local number of statistical samples. The weighting factor is adjusted dynamically for each imaging point according to the number of bundled channels and transmissions, making the clutter reduction adaptive to local conditions rather than uniform across the entire image.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of coherence factor weighting by introducing a weighting factor that depends on the number of statistical samples. This transforms the fixed coherence factor approach into a variable one, where the weighting is modified based on local sample density to achieve uniform clutter reduction across different depths.
2Productivity
If focused transmission beam is used to improve imaging speed, then productivity is improved, but the number of bundled signals becomes greatly distributed, affecting uniform clutter reduction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the coherence factor weighting location-dependent. Different regions of the image receive different weighting based on their local number of statistical samples, allowing the system to handle the highly distributed signal characteristics of focused transmission beams while maintaining uniform clutter reduction performance.
3Ease of operation
If uniform weighting is applied in adaptive signal processing, then ease of operation is improved, but clutter reduction effectiveness varies across different depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter of weighting from uniform to variable based on the number of statistical samples. By introducing a weighting factor that adapts to local sample density, the system maintains operational simplicity while significantly improving clutter reduction effectiveness across different depths.
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 approach enables uniform clutter reduction across the entire image, even in conditions with greatly distributed bundled signals, improving image resolution and noise suppression.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe that includes a plurality of ultrasonic elements transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a subject, receiving an ultrasonic wave from the subject
Implementation Method 2
an echo from a subject is received by an ultrasonic probe
Implementation Method 3
a weighting unit that obtains a coherence value among the plurality of signals summed in the summing unit, and weights the plurality of signals before being summed in the summing unit or a signal obtained through summing in the summing unit with a weight corresponding to the coherence value
Data Source
AI summary
A clutter reduction effect using adaptive beam forming is uniformly obtained with respect to the entire image even in an imaging condition in which the number of bundled signals is greatly distributed in an ultrasonic image. A received signal processing unit includes a summing unit that bundles the plurality of received signals for a predetermined imaging point or a plurality of signals obtained by processing the received signals, and a weighting unit that obtains a coherence value among the plurality of signals summed in the summing unit, and weights the plurality of signals before being summed in the summing unit or a signal obtained through summing in the summing unit, with a weight corresponding to the coherence value. The weighting unit weights the coherence value nonlinearly in a predetermined direction in the subject, and weights the plurality of signals before being summed in the summing unit or the signal obtained through summing in the summing unit by using the nonlinearly weighted coherence value.