Ultrasonic Diagnostic Apparatus Uniform Depth of Field
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Solution Overview
Problem
In ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, increasing the viewing width by adjusting the angle of scan lines at the edge of the field of view leads to degraded sensitivity due to varying echo signal magnitudes influenced by oscillation angles and contact with the body surface, making it difficult to determine optimal transmission amplitudes.
Innovation Solution
The apparatus computes corrected transmission voltages to make scan line depths uniform, adjusts the pulse repetition frequency based on these voltages, and controls the ultrasonic beam transmission to maintain high signal-to-noise ratios across the field of view.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If the angle of scan lines at the edge of the field of view is increased to acquire an ultrasonic image at a wide viewing angle, then the viewing width is increased, but the sensitivity is degraded due to restriction of an element factor and increased angle of incidence
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by computing corrected transmission voltages specifically for scan lines at the edge of the field of view based on their depth of field characteristics. Instead of uniform transmission across all scan lines, the system adjusts transmission voltage locally for each scan line to compensate for the degraded sensitivity at wide angles, thereby maintaining image quality across the entire viewing width.
2Reliability
If the transmission amplitude is adjusted to improve sensitivity at wide angles, then the sensitivity may be improved, but it is difficult to uniquely determine the optimal setting due to variations in echo signal magnitude caused by oscillation angle, contact manner, and attenuation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements feedback by computing the depth of field for each scan line from the actual ultrasonic image data and using this information to determine the corrected transmission voltage. The system measures the actual imaging characteristics (depth of field variations) and feeds this information back to adjust the transmission voltage, creating a closed-loop system that automatically compensates for sensitivity degradation without requiring manual calibration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-service by automatically computing corrected transmission voltages based on the measured depth of field characteristics of each scan line. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus independently determines the optimal transmission amplitude for each scan line without external intervention, using its own imaging data to guide the correction process.
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 maintains high sensitivity and image quality by ensuring uniform depth of field and signal strength across the ultrasonic image, improving diagnostic accuracy even at wide viewing angles.
Implementation Method 1
The processing circuitry executes control to transmit an ultrasonic beam based on the corrected transmission voltage
Implementation Method 2
the magnitude of an echo signal varies according to not only an oscillation angle of an ultrasonic beam but also a manner of contact between an ultrasonic probe and a body surface, attenuation in a living body
Data Source
AI summary
According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry computes depths of field of each of scan lines based on an ultrasonic image. The processing circuitry computes a corrected transmission voltage that makes the depths of field of the scan lines substantially uniform. The processing circuitry executes control to transmit an ultrasonic beam based on the corrected transmission voltage.