Ultrasonic Imaging Speckle Noise Reduction via Guided Filter
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasonic imaging techniques face challenges in reducing speckle noise while maintaining clear tissue structure, as existing methods either prolong imaging time, cause position shifts due to subject motion, or reduce image resolution, and the application of guided filter processing to ultrasonic images is unclear.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic imaging device that generates a first image with enhanced tissue structure and a second smoother image, using these to calculate filter coefficients for processing one of the images, thereby reducing speckle noise and preserving tissue contour clarity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If spatial compound method is used to reduce speckle noise, then speckle noise is reduced, but imaging time becomes longer
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary smoothing processing to generate a smoothed ultrasonic image before generating the final output image. This preliminary action reduces speckle noise in advance, allowing the final image to have reduced speckle without requiring multiple repeated transmissions/receptions that would extend imaging time.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If spatial compound method is used to reduce speckle noise, then speckle noise is reduced, but tissue structure contour becomes blurred
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different processing characteristics to different regions by using a guided filter approach. The smoothing process is guided by the original ultrasonic image, allowing regions with strong edges (tissue boundaries) to preserve their contours while regions without edges undergo smoothing. This local differentiation maintains tissue structure contours while reducing speckle noise.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a smoothed ultrasonic image as an intermediary between the original ultrasonic image and the final output image. This intermediary image serves as a guide that preserves structural information while reducing speckle, allowing the final image to inherit both the structural clarity and the reduced speckle characteristics.
3Object-affected harmful factors
If smoothing processing is applied to reduce speckle, then speckle noise is reduced, but image resolution is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The guided filter processing applies smoothing selectively based on local image characteristics. Regions with strong gradients (edges) preserve their high-frequency components and resolution, while regions without edges undergo smoothing to reduce speckle. This local quality differentiation maintains image resolution in critical areas while reducing speckle where appropriate.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention is to provide an ultrasonic image with a clear tissue structure while reducing speckle noise of the ultrasonic image. An ultrasonic wave is transmitted from the transducer to the subject, and an echo generated in the subject is received. The first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image are generated using a reception signal. The second ultrasonic image is an image smoother than the first ultrasonic image. The image processing unit calculates filter coefficients using pixel values of corresponding pixels of the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image, and generates an output image by processing one of the first ultrasonic image and the second ultrasonic image using the filter coefficients.