Ultrasound Array Sub-aperture Segmentation for High Frame Rate Imaging
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Current ultrasound imaging technologies are limited by low frame rates, which are inadequate for studying electromechanical coupling events in the heart, as they require sampling at rates of 500 Hz or greater, while conventional echocardiography is restricted by the speed of sound in tissue, leading to reduced image resolution and field of view.
Innovation Solution
The use of a system that emits multiple ultrasonic signals with negatively focused wavefronts from sub-apertures of an ultrasonic array, allowing for high-speed imaging by increasing the number of look directions and using parallel receive processing to achieve frame rates of up to 1000 frames per second, enabling real-time visualization of cardiac motion and blood flow.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If conventional pulse-echo B-mode imaging is used, then image resolution and field of view are maintained, but frame rate is limited to 30-60 frames per second
Solution Approach 1:
The ultrasonic array is divided into multiple sub-apertures, with each sub-aperture independently emitting ultrasonic signals in different directions. This segmentation allows parallel acquisition of multiple look directions simultaneously, increasing the frame rate from 30-60 fps to up to 1000 fps while maintaining spatial coverage and image resolution.
2Area of stationary object
If the field of view or number of image lines is increased, then better cardiac coverage is achieved, but frame rate decreases due to more transmit-receive operations required
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple sub-apertures are combined to cover the entire field of view simultaneously, with each sub-aperture acquiring data from a different angular sector. This merging of parallel acquisitions achieves complete cardiac coverage while maintaining high frame rates, avoiding the sequential scanning required in conventional single-aperture systems.
3Measurement precision
If image resolution is maintained at high frame rates, then diagnostic quality is preserved, but the number of transmit-receive operations must be reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The system transitions from sequential angular scanning in a single plane to simultaneous multi-directional acquisition using multiple sub-apertures arranged spatially. This dimensional approach allows all necessary look directions to be acquired in parallel, maintaining high resolution across the entire field of view at frame rates up to 1000 fps.
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 significantly enhances scanning speeds, allowing for accurate quantitation of cardiac ventricular motion and visualization of blood flow, overcoming the limitations of conventional ultrasound imaging by achieving higher temporal resolution and maintaining image quality.
Implementation Method 1
emitting, by multiple ultrasonic elements of an array, multiple respective ultrasonic signals into a subject
Implementation Method 2
receiving, by the multiple ultrasonic elements, multiple respective ultrasonic echo signals
Data Source
AI summary
A method of generating an image of a scanned subject includes: emitting, by multiple ultrasonic elements of an array, multiple respective ultrasonic signals into a subject, the multiple respective ultrasonic signals defining at least two beam portions traveling in different directions; receiving, by the multiple ultrasonic elements, multiple respective ultrasonic echo signals; and generating at least one image of a portion of the subject from the received multiple ultrasonic echo signals. A negatively focused wavefront including the at least two beam portions traveling in the different directions may be emitted. Multiple negatively focused wavefronts may be generated and emitted.