Ultrasonic Imaging Virtual Source Positioning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional ultrasonic imaging apparatuses lack the ability to automatically optimize the position of a virtual source for improved image quality within a region of interest (ROI), leading to suboptimal resolution and contrast, and require manual adjustment by the user.
Innovation Solution
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus with an inputter for receiving a ROI input, a beamformer for transmission/reception focusing using a synthetic aperture method, and a main controller that determines the virtual source position based on image quality, ensuring at least the resolution or contrast meets a predetermined reference value, and displays the position of the virtual source alongside the ROI.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If manual adjustment of virtual source position is used, then operation simplicity is maintained, but image quality (resolution and contrast) deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The system automatically determines the optimal virtual source position based on the ROI position without requiring manual adjustment by the user. The main controller performs automatic positioning using image quality metrics (resolution and contrast) to evaluate and select the optimal virtual source position, making the system self-adjusting and eliminating the need for manual intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses feedback from image quality evaluation (resolution and contrast measurements) to automatically adjust and determine the optimal virtual source position. By evaluating image quality at different virtual source positions and selecting the position that maximizes these metrics, the system creates a closed-loop control mechanism that continuously optimizes image quality based on actual performance feedback.
2Manufacturing precision
If automatic optimization of virtual source position is implemented, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The main controller performs multiple functions: it manages the synthetic aperture focusing method, determines ROI position, evaluates image quality metrics (resolution and contrast), and automatically positions the virtual source. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single controller, the system achieves automatic optimization without proportionally increasing overall device complexity, as the controller leverages existing hardware resources for multiple purposes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system optimizes image quality by changing the position parameter of the virtual source based on ROI position and image quality metrics. Instead of modifying the physical structure or adding complex hardware, the solution achieves optimization through software-based parameter adjustment, which maintains device simplicity while improving image quality through intelligent control algorithms.
3Adaptability or versatility
If virtual source position is fixed, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different ROIs deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The virtual source position is made dynamic rather than fixed, automatically adjusting based on the ROI position and image quality requirements. The main controller continuously determines the optimal virtual source position according to the current ROI, enabling the system to adapt to different regions of interest dynamically. This dynamic adjustment mechanism provides versatility across different imaging scenarios without requiring fixed, pre-configured positions.
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
Automatically determines and displays the optimal virtual source position within the ROI, enhancing image quality without requiring manual adjustments, thereby improving user convenience and image resolution and contrast.
Implementation Method 1
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus is an apparatus that radiates ultrasonic signals generated by a transducer of a probe toward a specific portion inside a subject from the body surface of the subject and acquires images of internal parts of the subject using information about reflected ultrasonic signals (ultrasonic echo signals)
Implementation Method 2
a beamformer configured to perform transmission/reception focusing with respect to a virtual source to be used for a synthetic aperture focusing method
Data Source
AI summary
Provided is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including: an inputter configured to receive an input of a region of interest (ROI) from a user; a beamformer configured to perform transmission/reception focusing with respect to a virtual source to be used for a synthetic aperture focusing method; a display; and a main controller configured to determine a position of the virtual source on the basis of an image quality in the received ROI and control the display to display the determined position of the virtual source.