Ultrasonic Signal Saturation Detection Using Odd Harmonic Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, signal saturation occurs when weak reflected wave signals from deep body parts are amplified, leading to reduced image quality due to side lobe artifacts and non-linear components. Existing methods to address this issue may incorrectly identify unsaturated signals as saturated, reducing the effective aperture and impairing image visibility.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus extracts an odd harmonic component from the reflected wave signals and uses it to determine signal saturation. By multiplying the saturated signals with a weight coefficient, the apparatus reduces their contribution, thereby minimizing the impact of saturation on image formation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Illumination intensity
If weak reflected wave signals from deep body parts are amplified to improve image visibility, then signal strength increases, but signal saturation occurs causing side lobe artifacts and non-linear components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the odd harmonic component from the reflected wave signal to create a saturation determination signal. This separates the saturation detection function from the main imaging signal, allowing independent analysis of saturation conditions without affecting the original signal used for image formation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter used for saturation detection from the original reflected wave signal to an extracted odd harmonic component. This parameter transformation enables more accurate saturation identification, as the odd harmonic component exhibits characteristic changes when saturation occurs, allowing the system to distinguish saturated from non-saturated signals more reliably.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If threshold-based saturation detection is used to reduce saturated signals, then side lobe artifacts decrease, but unsaturated signals are erroneously identified as saturated reducing effective aperture
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary process - extracting the odd harmonic component - as a mediator between the original signal and saturation detection. This intermediary transformation provides more reliable saturation information than direct threshold comparison, enabling accurate distinction between saturated and non-saturated signals while reducing false positives that would otherwise reduce effective aperture.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the simple mechanical threshold comparison method with a more sophisticated signal processing approach. Instead of directly comparing the original signal amplitude to a threshold, the system transforms the signal to extract odd harmonic components and uses this transformed information for saturation determination, substituting a more reliable detection mechanism.
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 improves image visibility by maintaining a broader effective aperture and reducing the influence of signal saturation, particularly in imaging techniques like harmonic imaging and bloodstream imaging.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe 101 to transmit ultrasonic waves to a living body P and receive reflected waves
Implementation Method 2
The processing circuitry extracts an odd harmonic component from a reflected wave signal received by each element of the ultrasonic probe
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry extracts an odd harmonic component from a reflected wave signal received by each element of an ultrasonic probe. The processing circuitry determines whether the reflected wave signal is saturated or not using the extracted odd harmonic component. The processing circuitry multiplies the reflected wave signal of an element for which the reflected wave signal is determined to be saturated by a weight coefficient. The processing circuitry generates reflected wave data by performing phasing addition on the reflected wave signal.