Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus Doppler Signal Clutter Removal
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses complicate processing by generating Doppler sound through inverse Fourier transform after clutter removal, making it difficult to effectively remove low-frequency clutter from Doppler signals.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus employs separate wall motion filters for image and sound processing, cutting or suppressing low-frequency components in the Doppler signal to generate first and second filtered signals, with the analyzer performing frequency analysis on the first filtered signal and the generator producing sound based on the second filtered signal, thereby simplifying the processing and removing low-frequency clutter.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If inverse Fourier transform is applied after clutter removal to generate Doppler sound, then Doppler sound can be produced, but the processing becomes complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the Doppler signal processing into separate pathways: one for image generation (spectrum display) and one for sound generation (Doppler audio). Each pathway applies appropriate filtering independently, avoiding the complexity of applying inverse Fourier transform after clutter removal while still achieving effective clutter rejection in both output modalities.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of the conventional approach of removing clutter first and then generating Doppler sound through inverse Fourier transform, the patent inverts the processing order by applying wall motion filters to the original Doppler signal before frequency analysis, thereby simplifying the overall processing while maintaining clutter removal effectiveness.
2Device complexity
If a common wall motion filter is applied to both image and sound processing, then processing is simplified, but low-frequency clutter cannot be effectively removed from Doppler sound
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different wall motion filter characteristics to different processing pathways: a first wall motion filter for image processing and a second wall motion filter with different characteristics for sound processing. This allows each pathway to be optimized for its specific requirements, enabling effective low-frequency clutter removal from Doppler sound while maintaining processing simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the filter parameters (cutoff frequency, filter order) of the wall motion filter depending on the intended output modality. By adjusting these parameters, the system achieves optimal clutter removal for both image and sound applications without requiring complex multi-stage processing.
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 the generation of Doppler sound with low-frequency clutter removed without complicating the processing, enhancing the clarity of blood flow measurements by reducing unwanted noise.
Implementation Method 1
a transceiver (transceiver 1) that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave to obtain a reception signal related to an ultrasonic echo
Implementation Method 2
a detector (Doppler signal processor 3 and orthogonal detector 3b) that detects the reception signal and generates a Doppler signal
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transceiver that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave to obtain a reception signal related to an ultrasonic echo; a detector that detects the reception signal and generates a Doppler signal; a filtering part that performs filter processing of cutting or suppressing a low-frequency component included in the Doppler signal and generates a first filtered Doppler signal and a second filtered Doppler signal from the Doppler signal; an analyzer that performs frequency analysis on the first filtered Doppler signal to generate an image signal; and a generator that generates a sound signal based on the second filtered Doppler signal.