Ultrasound Probe Multiline Processing for Resolution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing ultrasound inspection technologies face challenges in maintaining high frame rates and spatial resolution due to the need for multiple transmission beam positions and variations in sound velocity within living tissues, which degrade image quality and precision.
Innovation Solution
The ultrasound inspection apparatus performs multiline processing by superimposing element data from multiple transmission elements, incorporating sound velocity correction to optimize beam transmission and reception, thereby reducing beam broadening effects and enhancing signal-to-noise ratio and resolution without requiring a wide beam probe, while maintaining frame rate.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If multiple transmission beam positions are used to improve spatial resolution, then image quality improves, but frame rate decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines element data from multiple transmission beam positions through superimposition processing. By merging the data from different beam positions and performing phasing addition, the system achieves high spatial resolution while maintaining a single frame rate, resolving the contradiction between resolution and productivity
Solution Approach 2:
The patent performs preliminary processing of element data by storing data from multiple transmission beam positions and then superimposing them during image generation. This preliminary accumulation of data from multiple positions allows the system to maintain high frame rates while achieving the resolution benefits of multiple beam positions
2Measurement precision
If sound velocity correction is applied to improve measurement precision, then image quality improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements sound velocity correction by using the determined sound velocity to calculate transmission times and apply phase corrections to element data. This feedback mechanism adjusts the processing based on the measured sound velocity, improving image quality while keeping the complexity manageable through systematic correction algorithms
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the sound velocity parameter from a fixed assumed value to a dynamically determined value based on the inspection object. By determining and applying the actual sound velocity, the system improves measurement precision while the complexity is managed through parameter optimization rather than structural complexity
3Measurement precision
If beam width is reduced to improve spatial resolution, then resolution improves, but signal-to-noise ratio decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges element data from multiple transmission beam positions through superimposition. This combining process maintains a narrow effective beam width for high spatial resolution while accumulating signal energy from multiple positions, thereby preserving an adequate signal-to-noise ratio
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs preliminary data accumulation by storing element data from multiple transmission beam positions before final image generation. This preliminary action allows the system to maintain narrow beam widths during individual transmissions for high resolution while building up sufficient signal strength through cumulative data processing
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 results in high-quality ultrasound images with improved spatial resolution and reduced sound velocity variation effects, independent of transmission beam width, without using a dedicated wide beam probe and with unchanged frame rate.
Implementation Method 1
transmitting ultrasonic beams toward an inspection object (subject) from the plurality of elements of the ultrasound probe, receiving ultrasonic echoes from the subject with the ultrasound probe
Implementation Method 2
the piece of element data is subjected to delay correction to match the phase of the element data
Implementation Method 3
to phasing addition to generate sound ray signals
Data Source
AI summary
An ultrasound inspection apparatus of the present invention includes: a probe provided with a plurality of elements; a transmitter configured to transmit the ultrasonic beam to an inspection object using the probe; a receiver configured to receive an ultrasonic echo signal from the inspection object; a sound velocity determiner configured to determine a sound velocity value inside the inspection object; and an element data processing section configured to generate a piece of second element data from at least two pieces of first element data using the sound velocity value, the piece of second element data corresponding to any of the at least two pieces of first element data, the sound velocity determiner being configured to obtain an optimum sound velocity value by optimizing the sound velocity value which is used when the piece of second element data is created in the element data processing section.