Ultrasonic Probe Phase Correction for Doppler Interpolation
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Solution Overview
Problem
In color Doppler imaging, the trade-off between frame rates and spatial resolutions limits the number of ultrasonic rasters that can be obtained, leading to degradation in time resolution and the appearance of artifacts like vertical streaks due to interpolation inaccuracies.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that performs phase correction and complex interpolation on ensemble data, shifting phases to align data between adjacent rasters and interpolating velocity information to improve spatial resolution while maintaining time resolution, reducing artifacts.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If ultrasonic transmission/reception is repeated multiple times in the same raster direction to generate color Doppler imaging, then spatial resolution is improved, but frame rate deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by repeating ultrasonic transmission/reception multiple times (N times) for each raster position before generating the final image. This preliminary data collection enables both high spatial resolution through multiple measurements and maintains frame rate by efficiently processing the collected data using parallel signal processing techniques.
2Manufacturing precision
If raster interpolation is performed to increase the number of rasters, then spatial resolution is improved, but interpolation accuracy deteriorates due to velocity changes causing vertical streak artifacts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameter being interpolated from simple average velocity to complex data (quadrature detection results). By interpolating complex data that includes both magnitude and phase information, the system maintains interpolation accuracy even when velocity changes occur between rasters, preventing vertical streak artifacts while achieving higher spatial resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/physical constraint of direct velocity averaging with a signal processing approach using complex data and phase correction. Instead of directly averaging velocity values (which fails when velocities differ in direction), the system uses complex data representation and phase alignment to achieve accurate interpolation.
3Ease of manufacture
If direct averaging of velocity information from adjacent rasters is performed, then processing simplicity is maintained, but interpolation accuracy deteriorates when velocity directions differ
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces complex data as an intermediary between the raw ultrasonic signals and the final velocity calculation. This complex data (from quadrature detection) serves as a mediator that preserves directional information through phase, allowing accurate interpolation even when velocity directions differ, while still enabling relatively simple processing through standardized signal processing algorithms.
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
Enhances interpolation accuracy, reduces vertical streak artifacts, and increases the number of rasters, thereby improving spatial resolution without compromising time resolution.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic transmission/reception unit configured to repeatedly transmit/receive an ultrasonic wave N times for each of a plurality of ultrasonic rasters via the ultrasonic probe and generate a plurality of echo signals
Implementation Method 2
a phase shifting unit configured to shift a phase of each ensemble data constituted by N complex data associated with the same depth on the same ultrasonic raster in accordance with a reference phase
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe, an ultrasonic transmission/reception unit, an echo processing unit configured to generate complex data based on the echo signals, a phase shifting unit configured to shift a phase of each ensemble data constituted by N complex data associated with the same depth on the same ultrasonic raster in accordance with a reference phase, an interpolation processing unit configured to interpolate ensemble data associated with an interpolated raster between adjacent ultrasonic rasters based on the phase-shifted ensemble data, and an image data generation unit configured to generate image data based on the phase-shifted ensemble data and the interpolated ensemble data.