Ultrasonic Signal Processing for High Reflector Detection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic imaging techniques face challenges in detecting high reflectors, especially those with small sizes or irregular shapes, due to difficulties in generating acoustic shadows and distinguishing them from surrounding tissue interfaces, leading to potential loss of information and difficulty in precise localization.
Innovation Solution
A signal processing apparatus and method that calculates correlation values between adjacent scan lines to identify positions where the correlation value decreases, indicating the presence of a high reflector, and applies transformation processing to estimate the position and size of the unique region, enhancing detection sensitivity and precision.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If conventional ultrasonic imaging techniques are used to detect high reflectors, then the detection process is simple, but the detection precision is insufficient for small or irregularly shaped targets
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by calculating correlation values between adjacent scan lines before final image formation. This pre-processing step identifies potential high reflector positions by detecting correlation changes, enabling more precise detection while maintaining manageable processing complexity through systematic organization of the analysis
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces correlation values as an intermediary parameter between the raw ultrasonic signals and the final image data. By using correlation values to represent the relationship between adjacent scan lines, the system can indirectly detect high reflectors without directly analyzing complex reflected wave patterns, thus improving precision while controlling complexity
2Adaptability or versatility
If acoustic shadow detection is used to identify high reflectors, then the method is straightforward, but it fails when high reflectors are small or irregularly shaped
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the detection parameter from acoustic shadow presence to correlation value between adjacent scan lines. This parameter transformation allows the system to detect high reflectors regardless of their size or shape, as correlation changes occur at the boundaries of any high reflector structure, improving both adaptability and localization precision
Solution Approach 2:
The patent transitions from one-dimensional acoustic shadow detection along a single scan line to two-dimensional correlation analysis between adjacent scan lines. This dimensional expansion enables detection of high reflectors in various orientations and shapes by capturing spatial relationships across multiple scan lines, thereby improving versatility and precision
3Measurement precision
If focal position is moved to thin received beams at all depths, then image resolution is improved, but acoustic shadow generation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses feedback by calculating correlation values between adjacent scan lines to identify positions where high reflectors may exist. This feedback mechanism allows the system to maintain thin received beams for high resolution while compensating for the reduced acoustic shadow generation by actively detecting correlation changes that indicate high reflector presence
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces correlation value analysis as an intermediary detection method that bridges the gap between thin beam reception and high reflector detection. By using correlation values as a mediator, the system can maintain high resolution with thin beams while still reliably detecting high reflectors through the intermediary correlation analysis rather than relying solely on acoustic shadows
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
Enables the precise detection of high reflectors and estimation of their physical properties, even for small or irregularly shaped targets, by analyzing changes in correlation values and applying correlation filtering techniques, thereby improving the accuracy of ultrasonic diagnostics.
Implementation Method 1
scans a beam of elastic waves into an object to be examined
Implementation Method 2
acquires received waveform data of a plurality of scan lines
Data Source
AI summary
A signal processing apparatus scans a beam of elastic waves into an object to be examined, acquires received waveform data of a plurality of scan lines, and performs signal processing to form a tomographic image of said object to be examined from the received waveform data of the plurality of scan lines. The signal processing apparatus includes a scan line correlation calculation part (009) that calculates a correlation value of received waveform data between a first scan line and a second scan line that has a prescribed correlation with the first scan line, for a plurality of positions on the scan lines, and a correlation change position extraction part (010) that extracts, from among the plurality of positions on said scan lines, a position at which the correlation value becomes a value different from a prescribed value as a position at which a unique region can exist.