Ultrasonic Signal Processing for Contrast Medium Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses face challenges in accurately imaging signals from contrast medium and biological tissues due to harmonic component interference, leading to poor image quality and difficulty in visual recognition.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that includes signal processing means to detect signal intensity and temporal variation for each frequency band, allowing for discrimination between contrast medium and biological tissue signals, and image processing means to enhance and display these signals effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If harmonic imaging method is used to detect harmonic components from contrast medium, then contrast effect imaging is improved, but harmonic components from biological tissues are displayed as blind noise superimposed on contrast medium signals
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the frequency spectrum into multiple bands and applies different processing methods to each band. By dividing the frequency range and processing each segment separately, the system can distinguish between harmonic components from contrast medium and those from biological tissues, eliminating blind noise while preserving contrast medium signals.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different filter characteristics and processing parameters to different frequency bands. Each frequency band is processed with tailored local quality parameters, allowing optimal enhancement of contrast medium signals in specific bands while suppressing biological tissue harmonics in other bands.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If local filter is used for eliminating second harmonic components, then harmonic interference is reduced, but necessary contrast echo signals are also eliminated
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of using a single local filter that may over-aggressively remove harmonics, the patent segments the frequency spectrum and applies selective processing to each segment. This allows preservation of contrast echo signals in certain frequency bands while removing harmful harmonics in other bands.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts processing parameters for different frequency bands. By changing parameters such as filter coefficients, gain factors, and threshold values according to the specific characteristics of each frequency band, the system optimizes harmonic elimination while preserving contrast echo signals.
3Loss of information
If harmonic components from biological tissues are detected and imaged, then tissue information is obtained, but contrast condition of contrast medium cannot be grasped due to superimposed blind noise
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the imaging process into separate channels for different frequency bands. By processing and displaying different frequency segments separately, the system can preserve tissue information from biological tissue harmonics while simultaneously enhancing contrast medium visibility by removing superimposed blind noise in the contrast medium frequency bands.
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 apparatus achieves sharper imaging of contrast medium and biological tissue signals, improving diagnostic accuracy by effectively separating and enhancing the signals based on intensity and temporal variation parameters.
Implementation Method 1
an ultrasonic probe for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an object to be examined
Implementation Method 2
When ultrasonic waves are irradiated to the dispersed contrast medium, harmonic components originating from nonlinearity of the medium contrast are generated
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus preferable for creating a sharper image from the signal originating from contrast medium and the signal originating from biological tissues and an ultrasonic image display method are provided.The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe 10 for transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from an object to be examined, transmission means 12 for providing drive signals to ultrasonic probe 10, reception means for receiving the received signals outputted from ultrasonic probe 10, signal processing means 16 for processing the received signals outputted from the receiving means 14, image processing means 18 for constructing an ultrasonic image from the signals outputted from signal processing means 16, and display means for displaying the ultrasonic image.Signal processing means 16 has means for detecting the signal intensity and the amount of variation with time of the received signal outputted from reception means 14 for each frequency band.Image processing means 18 has means for distinguishing the signal of the ultrasonic image originating from the contrast medium and the signal originating from the biological tissues.The signal intensity and the amount of variation with time of the received signal obtained by transmitting/receiving ultrasonic waves to/from the object are detected for each frequency band, the signals originating from the contrast medium and the biological tissues are distinguished on the basis of the signal intensity and the quantity of variation of time for each frequency band, and an ultrasonic image is displayed.