Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus Scanning Condition Determination
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a lack of techniques for determining an optimal scanning condition for executing transmit aperture synthesis together with step-alternating scan in ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus determines a scanning condition by calculating the number of transmit directions, groups, and compounded beams based on input parameters such as the region of interest, flow speed range, and instructions for transmit aperture synthesis, allowing for the execution of transmit aperture synthesis together with step-alternating scan.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If transmit aperture synthesis is executed together with step-alternating scan, then image quality and uniformity of acoustic field are improved, but scanning condition determination becomes complex and lacks established techniques
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by dynamically adjusting scanning conditions (number of transmit directions, groups, and compounded beams) based on input parameters such as region of interest, flow speed range, and frame rate requirements. This allows the system to optimize the combination of step-alternating scan and transmit aperture synthesis for different imaging scenarios, resolving the contradiction between improving acoustic field uniformity and managing scanning condition complexity.
2Measurement precision
If multiple beam positions are combined into one set for step-alternating scan, then sampling period is lengthened and low-speed blood flow measurement is supported, but the number of transmit directions and groups must be precisely determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by using the specified flow speed range and frame rate requirements to determine the appropriate number of transmit directions and groups. This feedback mechanism ensures that the scanning conditions are optimized to support low-speed blood flow measurement while maintaining the required frame rate, resolving the contradiction between measurement precision and the complexity of determining scanning parameters.
3Manufacturing precision
If transmit aperture synthesis is used to form high-accuracy transmit beam width, then space resolution and contrast resolution are improved, but the combination with step-alternating scan lacks established scanning conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a scanning condition determination method that works for both step-alternating scan and transmit aperture synthesis, and their combination. The system can adaptively determine the number of transmit directions, groups, and compounded beams based on the selected imaging mode, making the system versatile enough to handle different imaging requirements while maintaining high space resolution and contrast resolution.
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 enables the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to determine an optimal scanning condition, improving image quality by visualizing displacement amount and velocity of living tissue from a more uniform acoustic field, while maintaining flexibility in settings for step-alternating scan and transmit aperture synthesis.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe 101 that executes ultrasound scanning in a scan area of a living body P
Implementation Method 2
receives reflected wave signals Pb that are reflected from the living body P when the ultrasonic waves Pa are radiated into the living body P
Implementation Method 3
a beamformer configured to perform transmission/reception focusing with respect to a virtual source
Data Source
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AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires a parameter relating to a predetermined imaging mode, the parameter including at least information on an instruction for executing transmit aperture synthesis, and determines a scanning condition for executing the transmit aperture synthesis together with step-alternating scan based on the parameter.