Ultrasound Beam Forming Sampling Data Noise Reduction

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Solution Overview

Problem

The pixel-oriented beam forming technique in ultrasound systems introduces noise patterns that affect the resolution of ultrasound images, despite being computationally efficient and easy to implement.

Innovation Solution

The ultrasound system performs beam forming processing based on sampling data by selecting and cumulatively assigning sampling data to pixels based on transducer elements' locations and orientations, and optionally applying weights to these pixels to enhance image formation.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If pixel-oriented beam forming technique is used, then computational efficiency is improved and implementation is easier, but noise patterns are introduced that affect image resolution

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomputational efficiencyVSAvoidimage resolution

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional pixel-oriented beam forming approach by implementing sampling data-oriented beam forming. Instead of extracting sampling data for each pixel and performing beam forming on pixel basis, the invention performs beam forming on sampling data first to create focused data, then assigns this focused data to pixels. This inversion eliminates the noise patterns inherent in pixel-oriented methods while maintaining computational efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the fundamental parameter of beam forming operation from pixel-coordinate-based to sampling-data-based. By altering the basis of beam forming from spatial pixel locations to actual sampling data elements, the method achieves both computational efficiency and improved image resolution without noise patterns.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Measurement precision

If sampling data-oriented beam forming is implemented, then image resolution is improved by reducing noise patterns, but computational complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage resolutionVSAvoidcomputational complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by performing beam forming on sampling data before assigning to pixels. The receive-focused data is computed in advance through sampling data-oriented beam forming, which organizes and processes the data in an optimal sequence, reducing the overall computational complexity compared to pixel-oriented methods.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges the beam forming operation with the data assignment process. By performing beam forming on sampling data and directly assigning the resulting focused data to pixels, the method combines multiple operations into a streamlined process, reducing computational overhead while improving image resolution.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Ease of manufacture

If pixel-oriented beam forming is used, then implementation is easier with straightforward pixel extraction, but noise patterns degrade image quality

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation easeVSAvoidnoise patterns

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent converts the potential harm of noise patterns into a benefit by fundamentally changing the beam forming approach. The sampling data-oriented method uses the raw sampling data structure to its advantage, performing beam forming in a way that naturally eliminates noise patterns while maintaining implementation simplicity through direct data assignment to pixels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

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 the resolution of ultrasound images by effectively utilizing sampling data to form receive-focused data, reducing noise patterns and enhancing image quality.

Implementation Method 1

transmitting a plurality of ultrasonic waves into an imaged region and acquiring a set of raw data by an array of transducers in response to each ultrasonic wave

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectUltrasonic wave transmission and reception: Ultrasound

Implementation Method 2

perform an analog-to-digital conversion upon the receive signal to form sampling data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAnalog-to-digital conversion:

Implementation Method 3

perform beam forming processing upon the sampling data to thereby form receive-focused data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectBeam forming:

Data Source

PatentEP2466330B1Ultrasound system and method for processing beam-forming based on sampling data

Publication Date: 2019.07.24 SAMSUNG MEDISON CO LTD

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AI summary

Embodiments of performing beam forming processing based on sampling data in an ultrasound system are disclosed. The ultrasound system includes an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to form a receive signal based on an ultrasound signal reflected from a target object, perform an analog-to-digital conversion on the receive signal to form sampling data, select pixels, which the respective sampling data are used as pixel values thereof among the plurality of pixels, cumulatively assign the corresponding sampling data to the selected pixels and perform beam forming upon the cumulatively assigned sampling data for the respective pixels to form receive-focused data.