Ultrasound Attenuation Coefficient Estimation via SNR and Elevation Normalization

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing ultrasound attenuation coefficient estimation (ACE) methods face challenges in accurately estimating ultrasound attenuation coefficients due to noise suppression and diffraction effects, which affect the accuracy and reliability of fatty liver detection and assessment.

Innovation Solution

The method involves using signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) as a quality metric to adaptively restrict depth ranges for frequency components, and employing elevation focusing normalization to reduce diffraction effects, thereby improving the accuracy of ultrasound attenuation coefficient estimation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If traditional ultrasound ACE methods are used, then attenuation coefficient estimation is performed, but noise and diffraction effects reduce measurement precision

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveattenuation coefficient estimation accuracyVSAvoidnoise and diffraction effects

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and removes noise components from the ultrasound signal through spectral analysis and filtering techniques. By separating the signal spectrum into frequency bins and identifying noise-dominated regions, the method extracts only the useful signal components for attenuation coefficient calculation, thereby eliminating noise interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces an intermediary processing step involving spectral estimation and noise modeling. By using intermediate representations (power spectral density estimates, noise power spectra) as mediators between the raw ultrasound signal and the final attenuation coefficient, the method能够有效隔离 and compensate for diffraction effects and noise interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Ease of operation

If frequency bandwidth and depth settings are fixed, then ultrasound data acquisition is simplified, but estimation accuracy is reduced due to noise and diffraction

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata acquisition simplicityVSAvoidattenuation coefficient estimation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic adaptation of acquisition parameters. Instead of using fixed frequency bandwidth and depth settings, the method dynamically determines optimal parameters based on the actual signal characteristics and noise levels in each measurement, allowing the system to adapt to varying tissue properties and noise conditions while maintaining operational simplicity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes acquisition parameters (frequency bandwidth, depth range) based on signal-to-noise ratio analysis. By adjusting these parameters dynamically according to measured signal characteristics, the method optimizes the balance between data acquisition efficiency and estimation accuracy without requiring complex manual tuning.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Device complexity

If elevational focusing is not normalized, then data acquisition is simpler, but diffraction effects reduce measurement reliability

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata processing complexityVSAvoidmeasurement reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent performs preliminary normalization of elevational focusing effects during data preprocessing. By applying correction factors based on the known transducer elevational focus characteristics before attenuation coefficient estimation, the method removes diffraction artifacts in advance, ensuring measurement reliability without adding complexity to the main estimation algorithm.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 enhances the accuracy and reliability of ultrasound attenuation coefficient estimation by effectively suppressing noise and reducing diffraction effects, leading to improved fatty liver detection and assessment.

Implementation Method 1

ultrasound attenuation coefficient estimation

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasound: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

backscattered signals

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAcoustic backscattering: Scattering

Implementation Method 3

signal power spectrum data and noise power spectrum data are provided

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSpectral analysis:

Data Source

PatentUS12204057B2Systems and methods for ultrasound attenuation coefficient estimation

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 MAYO FOUNDATION FOR MEDICAL EDUCATION & RESEARCH

AI summary

Described here are systems and methods for improved ultrasound attenuation coefficient estimation (“ACE”) techniques. In one aspect, noise can be suppressed by using signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) as a quality control metric for restricting depth ranges for ACE. In this way, the proper depth range for each frequency component can be adaptively changed with sufficient SNR for ACE. In another aspect, elevation focusing normalization is used to reduce errors associated with diffraction effects when estimating attenuation coefficient. In another aspect, methods for suppressing noise in ACE techniques is provided. Noise can be suppressed based on a noise field computed from measurements obtained without ultrasound transmission, based on a unique combination of consecutive image frames, based on singular value decomposition (“SVD”) clutter filtering cutoff values, or combinations thereof.