Ultrasound Echo Reconstruction With Angle-Weighted Wavefield Correlation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional seismic wave interferometry struggles to ensure a high signal-to-noise ratio (S/N ratio) while effectively suppressing unnecessary wave components in ultrasonic diagnostic apparatuses, particularly when imaging shallow or deep tissue points, due to uniform weighting of signals from various directions.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus employs a processing circuit that applies a weight function based on wavefront incident angles to selectively propagate and reconstruct ultrasonic waves, using forward and backward propagation simulations to enhance image quality and S/N ratio by adjusting the weighting based on depth and signal intensity.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If conventional seismic wave interferometry uses equivalent weights for signals from various directions, then the imaging process is simple, but the signal-to-noise ratio cannot be ensured while suppressing unnecessary wave components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different weighting functions to different spatial regions and depth levels. For shallow regions, a first weighting function suppresses off-axis signals; for deep regions, a second weighting function maintains all signals. This local differentiation resolves the contradiction by adapting the imaging process to local requirements rather than using uniform weights throughout.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent dynamically adjusts weighting functions based on the depth of the imaged region. The weighting parameters are not fixed but vary according to the spatial position being processed, allowing the system to adapt between suppressing noise at shallow depths and maintaining signal integrity at deep depths.
2Object-generated harmful factors
If image reconstruction uses only components directed to the sensor for shallow points, then unnecessary artifacts are suppressed, but the amplitude of ultrasonic waves becomes insufficient for deep points
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements depth-dependent weighting where shallow regions receive suppression of off-axis signals to reduce artifacts, while deep regions receive preservation of all signal components to maintain amplitude. This local quality differentiation allows the system to optimize for the specific requirements of each depth region independently.
3Reliability
If all received signals are used for image reconstruction to ensure S/N ratio at deep points, then signal integrity is maintained, but unnecessary wave components from outside the tumor are not suppressed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies selective weighting based on depth: at shallow depths, off-axis signals are suppressed to remove unnecessary components; at deep depths, all signals are weighted equally to preserve S/N ratio. This local quality approach allows the system to address the specific needs of different depth regions without compromising either artifact suppression or signal integrity.
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 improves image quality at shallow depths by suppressing unnecessary signals and maintains a high S/N ratio at deep depths, resulting in reliable ultrasonic imaging with enhanced clarity.
Implementation Method 1
A reception sensor of the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus generally includes a plurality of piezoelectric elements
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a transmitter circuit and receiver circuit, and a processing circuit. The transmitter circuit and receiver circuit transmits an ultrasonic wave into a subject, based on a transmission condition, and receives an echo from inside the subject. The processing circuit causes the ultrasonic wave transmitted based on the transmission condition to propagate forward to obtain a transmission wave field, causes a signal based on the echo to propagate backward to obtain a reception wave field by applying a weight function depending on a wavefront incident angle, and performs correlation analysis between the transmission wave field and the reception wave field to generate an echo component.