Ultrasonic Image Deconvolution Using Transfer Function Segmentation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic diagnostic devices face challenges in achieving high spatial resolution due to the narrow band characteristics of ultrasonic transducers, leading to stretched images and inadequate signal deconvolution, especially since existing methods require significant calculation time and memory and do not adequately account for phase characteristics.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic measuring device that identifies a transfer function using reception signals from multiple areas of a test subject, incorporating both amplitude and phase characteristics, and applies a deconvolution filter to efficiently generate high-resolution images by determining the transfer function based on first, second, and third reception signals and using a deconvolution filter with an adjustment factor to suppress noise.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If a deconvolution filter is used to remove narrow band characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer, then spatial resolution is improved, but calculation time and memory requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the frequency spectrum into multiple bands and processes each band separately using band-pass filters. This segmentation allows the deconvolution operation to be performed on narrower frequency ranges, reducing the overall computational complexity and processing time while maintaining spatial resolution improvement.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing by applying band-pass filters to divide the reception signal into multiple frequency bands before deconvolution. This preliminary segmentation prepares the signal in a form that requires less computational effort for the subsequent deconvolution operation, thereby reducing calculation time.
2Measurement precision
If a deconvolution filter is used to remove narrow band characteristics of the ultrasonic transducer, then spatial resolution is improved, but memory requirements increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
By segmenting the frequency spectrum into multiple bands and processing each band independently, the patent reduces the amount of data that needs to be stored in memory at any given time. Each band-pass filtered signal occupies less memory than the full-spectrum signal, thereby reducing overall memory requirements.
3Measurement precision
If existing deconvolution methods are used, then some resolution improvement is achieved, but phase characteristics are not included in the transfer function resulting in insufficient deconvolution
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the transfer function to include both amplitude and phase characteristics. By modifying the transfer function to incorporate phase information in addition to amplitude, the deconvolution process becomes more accurate and achieves better resolution improvement.
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 allows for highly accurate and efficient generation of ultrasonic images with high spatial resolution by effectively deconvolving the reception signals, reducing processing time and improving image clarity while minimizing noise amplification.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transducer and a control unit. The ultrasonic transducer radiates an ultrasonic wave to a measurement target and receives an ultrasonic echo resulting from reflection of the ultrasonic wave by the measurement target
Implementation Method 2
applies a deconvolution filter to efficiently generate high-resolution images by determining the transfer function based on first, second, and third reception signals
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic measuring device including: an ultrasonic transducer device; an emission unit for emitting an ultrasonic beam; a reception unit for receiving an ultrasonic echo reflected by a test subject; and a processing unit for processing reception, wherein the processing unit identifies a transfer function with respect to the ultrasonic transducer device and the test subject based on a first reception signal corresponding to an ultrasonic beam radiated to a first area in the test subject, a second reception signal corresponding to an ultrasonic beam radiated to a second area in the test subject, and a third reception signal corresponding to an ultrasonic beam radiated to a third area located between the first area and the second area in the test subject, and performs ultrasonic image generation processing including filter processing using a deconvolution filter including the transfer function performed on the reception signals.