Ultrasonic Image Apparatus Adaptive Weight Calculation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic image apparatuses face challenges in maintaining image quality when using adaptive beamforming due to variations in transmission conditions, such as position or angle, which affect the adaptive beamforming coefficient, leading to deteriorated image quality when different ultrasonic wave propagation paths are involved.
Innovation Solution
A control device for an ultrasonic image apparatus that includes a signal synthesizing unit, a signal addition unit, and an adaptive signal processing unit, which calculates adaptive weights for synthesized image signals, reducing matrix calculation complexity and allowing for flexible transmission position or angle adjustments, thereby maintaining high-speed processing and image quality. The device also restricts the number of first image signals per group to prevent resolution reduction, and allows for changing the number of groups to adjust image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If adaptive beamforming is performed individually for each low resolution image, then image quality is maintained, but calculation processing time increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the conversion elements into multiple groups and processes signals in a segmented manner. By grouping elements and processing their outputs separately before final synthesis, the calculation complexity is reduced while maintaining adaptive beamforming performance for each segment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple low resolution images formed from different element groups through synthesis. By merging these segmented results with adaptive weighting, the system achieves high quality imaging with reduced individual calculation burdens compared to processing all elements together.
2Productivity
If a common adaptive beamforming coefficient is used for multiple low resolution signals, then calculation scale is reduced, but image quality deteriorates due to different propagation paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the conversion elements into multiple groups, allowing different adaptive beamforming coefficients to be applied to each group's output. This segmentation enables tailored processing for each group's specific propagation characteristics while maintaining overall calculation efficiency.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by using group-specific adaptive beamforming coefficients rather than a single common coefficient. Each group's output is processed with coefficients optimized for its particular propagation path, improving local image quality while maintaining global calculation efficiency.
3Measurement precision
If the number of first image signals per group is increased, then resolution improves, but calculation complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by selecting a specific number of first image signals per group that balances resolution requirements with calculation complexity. Rather than using all available signals, it processes a optimized subset that provides sufficient resolution while keeping computational load manageable.
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
The solution enables high-speed adaptive weight calculation and maintains favorable image quality by reducing matrix calculation complexity and accommodating variations in transmission conditions, while preventing resolution reduction and ensuring effective adaptive signal processing.
Implementation Method 1
conversion element groups which are arranged in a matrix and convert ultrasonic waves into electric signals
Data Source
AI summary
A signal synthesizing unit performs aperture synthesis of output signals from conversion element groups which are arranged in a matrix and convert ultrasonic waves into electric signals, and sequentially outputs a first image signal, for every transmission of the ultrasonic waves. A signal addition unit adds the first image signals output from the signal synthesizing unit together for each group so as to output a second image signal. An adaptive signal processing unit calculates an adaptive weight on the basis of the second image signal, and synthesizes the second image signals with each other.