Ultrasonic Imaging Device Inter-Transmission Weight Adjustment
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultrasound imaging, aperture synthesis techniques face challenges with spatial variation of amplification factors across receive phasing points, leading to image deterioration and false representations due to heterogeneous amplification.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasound imaging apparatus with a receive beamformer that adjusts inter-transmission weights based on phasing ranges to smooth amplification factor variations between adjacent receive phasing points, ensuring consistent image quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If aperture synthesis is performed by adding phasing signals at identical receive phasing points through multiple transmissions, then azimuth resolution is improved and processing gain is increased, but spatial variation of amplification factors occurs causing image deterioration and false representations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different weighting values to different receive phasing points based on their local characteristics. The weighting is determined by calculating the number of times each receive phasing point is included in the phasing range across multiple transmissions, and applying appropriate weights to compensate for spatial variation in amplification factors. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by maintaining high azimuth resolution through aperture synthesis while preventing image deterioration through position-specific weight adjustment.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the weighting parameter dynamically based on the phasing range and receive phasing point position. By adjusting the weight according to how many times each receive phasing point falls within the phasing range across multiple transmissions, the system maintains consistent amplification factors across different spatial locations. This parameter adjustment resolves the contradiction between achieving high resolution through multiple additions and preventing amplification factor variation.
2Productivity
If the number of phasing signal additions varies at different receive phasing points, then aperture synthesis can be performed, but amplification factors become heterogeneous leading to false images and luminance distribution errors
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the system calculates the number of times each receive phasing point is included in the phasing range across multiple transmissions, uses this information to determine appropriate weighting values, and applies these weights to compensate for amplification factor variation. This feedback loop resolves the contradiction by maintaining synthesis efficiency while ensuring image accuracy through adaptive weight adjustment based on actual inclusion counts.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts the weighting parameter based on the actual number of times each receive phasing point is included in the phasing range. By changing the weight parameter according to the specific inclusion count for each position, the system maintains consistent amplification factors across the image. This parameter change strategy resolves the contradiction between efficient aperture synthesis and accurate image representation.
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 reduces spatial variation of amplification factors, resulting in high-quality images with reduced artifacts and improved diagnostic precision.
Implementation Method 1
the inter-transmission weight is adjusted in such a manner that a variation form of the amplification factor is smoothed between the adjacent receive phasing points, thereby reducing a difference in the amplification factor
Implementation Method 2
The ultrasound imaging apparatus transmits ultrasonic waves into the test subject, receives reflected waves generated in the process of propagation within the test subject
Implementation Method 3
The aperture synthesis is a method to add (to perform inter-transmission synthesis of) phasing signals at an identical point (receive phasing point), obtained by multiple transmissions and receptions
Data Source
AI summary
In performing aperture synthesis according to an ultrasound imaging apparatus, the amount of spatial change of amplification factors of phasing signals at respective receive phasing points are reduced, and a high-quality image is obtained. In a receive beamformer that generates an inter-transmission weight in accordance with a phasing range, and performs aperture synthesis processing, the inter-transmission weight being generated is applied to the receive phasing points within the phasing range obtained through transmission and reception, and the inter-transmission synthesis is performed. The inter-transmission weight is generated in such a manner that a variation form of the amplification factor between adjacent receive phasing points is smoothed and a difference of the amplification factor is reduced, as to each receive phasing point after the inter-transmission synthesis is performed.