Ultrasound Flow Imaging Coded Excitation Correction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Coded excitation pulses in ultrasound diagnostic flow imaging lead to spatial misregistration and estimate errors, limiting the resolution and sensitivity of flow information, especially in color flow imaging.
Innovation Solution
The method involves transmitting a plurality of coded excitation pulses, estimating flow parameters, and compensating for spatial position shifts relative to tissue images, as well as correcting for depth-dependent frequency shifts, to improve resolution and sensitivity by using wide bandwidth information for anti-aliasing across multiple frequency bands.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If coded excitation pulses are used in color flow imaging, then sensitivity is improved, but spatial misregistration and estimate errors occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by adjusting the spatial position of flow data based on the coded pulse characteristics. Specifically, it modifies the display position parameter to compensate for the spatial shift introduced by coded excitation, thereby maintaining measurement precision while preserving the sensitivity benefits of coded pulses
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical alignment approach with a computational correction method. Instead of physically adjusting the imaging system, it uses signal processing techniques to calculate and apply the appropriate spatial offset to flow data, eliminating misregistration errors caused by coded excitation
2Measurement precision
If uncoded wide bandwidth pulses are used for high-resolution flow imaging, then resolution is improved, but sensitivity is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the advantages of both coded and uncoded pulses by combining the wide bandwidth of uncoded pulses with the enhanced sensitivity of coded pulses. It processes coded excitation signals through deconvolution and spatial correction algorithms to achieve high resolution while maintaining the sensitivity benefits of coded excitation
3Loss of information
If coded excitation pulses are used, then wide bandwidth information is available for anti-aliasing, but spatial position shift occurs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the flow data correction process into distinct steps: first extracting wide bandwidth information from coded pulses, then separately calculating and applying spatial position corrections. This segmentation allows full utilization of the wide bandwidth information for anti-aliasing while independently correcting spatial position shifts
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 resolution and accuracy of flow imaging by correcting for spatial misregistration and frequency shifts, allowing for improved detail and sensitivity in ultrasound diagnostic flow imaging, particularly in color flow imaging.
Implementation Method 1
A flow parameter is estimated as a function of the coded excitation pulses
Implementation Method 2
color flow imaging
Data Source
AI summary
Diagnostic ultrasound flow imaging is performed with coded excitation pulses. Due to the use of frequency coded excitation pulses, flow information may suffer from spatial misregistration and estimate errors. Spatial position shift in flow data is offset for alignment with B-mode or other imaging. The flow estimates are compensated for the imaging center frequency variation with depth. The wide bandwidth information available due to coded excitation may allow anti-aliasing by estimating velocities from two frequency bands.