Circular ultrasound compounding by designed matrix weighting

Abstract

Abstract-Spatial compounding is an imaging technique that aims to improve image contrast by combining partially decorrelated images acquired at different angles or positions. In conventional spatial compounding, data sets are combined with equal weighting. Here, we describe an alternative method of reconstruction using algorithms which weight the data based on a "quality" matrix. The quality matrix is derived from beamforming characteristics. For each data set, the reliability of the data is assumed to vary spatially. By compounding the data based on the quality matrix, a complete image is formed. Here, we describe the construction of a rotational translation stage and tissue-mimicking phantoms that are used in conjunction with a commercial medical ultrasound machine to test our reconstruction algorithms. The new algorithms were found to increase the contrast-to-speckle ratio of simulated cysts and tumors by 61% from raw data, and to significantly increase edge definition of small embedded targets. The new method shows promise as a computationally efficient method of improving contrast and resolution in ultrasound images. The method should be particularly useful in breast imaging, where images from multiple angles can be acquired without interference from bone or air.Index Terms-Breast imaging, cancer screening, medical imaging, spatial compounding, ultrasound.

Compressed sensing in synthetic aperture photoacoustic tomography based on a linear-array ultrasound transducer

“…The limited-view problem could be compensated if the synthetic aperture detection configuration is established to encircle the target. The original incomplete detection geometry of the single-array transducer would be effectively extended based on the spatial compounding method [21,22] . However, the synthetic aperture setup would inevitably increase the burden of DAQ hardware.…”