Ultrasonic Beamforming via Sub-Beam Subtraction for Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses using the delay-and-sum method fail to form a beam with high directionality, resulting in low image resolution and poor signal-to-noise ratio due to noise interference from non-target regions.
Innovation Solution
A beamforming method that forms a narrow beam by subtracting sub-beams from a main beam, where the sub-beams are synthesized using seed beams generated from selective combinations of receiving elements, enhancing directivity and suppressing noise from non-target regions.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the delay-and-sum method is used for beamforming, then the beam width is sufficient to cover the target region, but the beam cannot be made steep enough to achieve high directionality and resolution
Solution Approach 1:
The invention divides the beamforming process into multiple stages: first forming a preliminary beam using delay-and-sum method, then performing additional processing to sharpen the beam. This segmentation allows the system to achieve high directionality without completely redesigning the basic beamforming approach, maintaining ease of operation while improving resolution.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention performs preliminary beamforming using the conventional delay-and-sum method to create an initial beam pattern, then applies further processing steps to sharpen the beam. This preliminary action provides a foundation that simplifies subsequent processing while achieving the desired steep beam characteristics for high resolution.
2Reliability
If the delay-and-sum method is used for beamforming, then all receiving elements are utilized, but noise signals from non-target regions are mixed into the beam, lowering S/N ratio
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and separates the target region signal from noise signals by forming a steep, narrow beam that selectively focuses on the target region. The additional processing steps effectively extract the desired signal while rejecting noise from non-target regions, improving S/N ratio without requiring complex hardware modifications.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention converts the conventional delay-and-sum method, which normally produces broad beams that include noise, into a beneficial process by adding processing steps that sharpen the beam. The same basic structure that previously caused noise contamination is now used as a foundation for achieving both noise rejection and high resolution through additional processing.
3Measurement precision
If a narrow beam is formed to improve resolution, then directionality is enhanced, but the beam may not cover the entire target region
Solution Approach 1:
The invention creates a dynamic beamforming system where the beam characteristics can be adjusted through processing parameters. The additional processing steps allow the system to optimize beam sharpness while maintaining appropriate coverage of the target region, achieving high resolution without sacrificing necessary field of view.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention changes processing parameters in the additional beamforming steps to control the beam width and directionality. By adjusting these parameters, the system can achieve steep beams for high resolution while ensuring the beam adequately covers the target region, resolving the contradiction between narrow beam width and sufficient coverage.
Data Source
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AI summary
A beamforming method according to the present invention is a method of processing echo signals of a target region which are obtained from a probe including a plurality of receiving elements arrayed on a predetermined line. The beamforming method includes the following steps (S1 to S3). At S1, seed beams are formed from echo signals received by at least two receiving elements from among the plurality of receiving elements. At S2, a main beam and sub beams are formed by synthesizing at least one of the seed beams. At S3, a narrow beam for the target region is formed by multiplying the sub beams by respective predetermined coefficients and subtracting the multiplied sub beams from the main beam. Here, an signal intensity for the target region regarding the main beam is higher than a signal intensity for the target region regarding each of the sub beams