Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus Depth-Specific Frequency Correction
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in optimizing image quality due to varying ultrasonic attenuation across different depths, which conventional gain control and reception delay curve adjustments cannot adequately address.
Innovation Solution
Incorporating a frequency characteristic analysis circuit, filter setting circuit, and filter processing circuit to analyze and correct the frequency characteristics of reception signals at each depth, applying a complex reception filter to ensure a substantially flat bandwidth and improve image quality by shaping the frequency response.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If conventional gain control and reception delay curve adjustments are used, then the device complexity is low, but the image quality deteriorates due to varying ultrasonic attenuation across different depths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the reception signal processing into multiple stages: initial gain control, reception delay curve adjustment, and depth-specific frequency characteristic correction. By segmenting the processing pipeline and applying different correction strategies to different depth regions, the system achieves comprehensive image quality improvement without requiring complete system redesign.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements depth-dependent frequency characteristic correction where different reception signals from different depth regions are corrected using tailored frequency characteristics. This local quality approach ensures that each depth region receives appropriate correction for its specific attenuation characteristics, improving overall image quality without uniformly increasing complexity across all processing paths.
2Manufacturing precision
If depth-specific frequency characteristic correction is applied, then the image quality improves across varying depths, but the processing time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs frequency characteristic analysis and determines correction parameters in advance for different depth regions. By preparing depth-specific frequency characteristics and correction filters beforehand, the system minimizes real-time processing requirements while maintaining high image quality across all depths.
Solution Approach 2:
The system automatically performs frequency characteristic analysis on reception signals and generates appropriate correction filters without requiring manual intervention. This self-service approach streamlines the processing pipeline and reduces the time penalty associated with complex depth-specific corrections.
3Manufacturing precision
If complex reception filter is applied to correct frequency characteristics, then the bandwidth flatness improves, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adjusts frequency characteristic parameters (such as center frequency and bandwidth) based on depth-specific attenuation characteristics. By dynamically changing these parameters to match the reception signal's depth origin, the system achieves flat bandwidth response without requiring overly complex filter structures.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces frequency characteristic correction filters as intermediary components between the reception signal and final image processing. These filters act as mediators that selectively correct frequency imbalances while maintaining a relatively simple overall system architecture.
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 real-time generation of high-quality ultrasonic images by correcting frequency characteristics and maintaining image quality across varying depths, reducing degradation caused by ultrasonic attenuation.
Implementation Method 1
ultrasonic waves generated by multiple transducers (piezoelectric vibrators) of an ultrasonic probe
Implementation Method 2
generates a reception signal based on a reflected wave
Data Source
AI summary
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiment includes a frequency characteristic analysis circuit, a filter setting circuit, and a filter processing circuit. The frequency characteristic analysis circuit performs a frequency analysis on a first reception signal corresponding to a region of interest of each depth, and acquires a frequency characteristic of each depth. The filter setting circuit sets a reception filter of each depth based on the acquired frequency characteristic of each depth such that the acquired frequency characteristic of each depth shows a predetermined frequency characteristic. The filter processing circuit applies the set reception filter of each depth to a second reception signal corresponding to the region of interest of each depth, the second reception signal being after the first reception signal, and converts the second reception signal into a third reception signal corresponding to the region of interest of each depth.