The Resolution Integral – a tool for characterising the performance of diagnostic ultrasound scanners

Abstract

In this paper, we describe how the resolution integral can be used as a tool for characterising the grey-scale imaging of diagnostic ultrasound scanners. The definitions of resolution integral, characteristic resolution and depth of field are discussed in relation to grey-scale imaging performance, together with a method of measuring these parameters using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom. We show how the characteristic resolution and depth of field can be used to quantify the differences between transducers designed for different applications and how they are useful in identifying and quantifying changes in the performance of individual transducers.

Detecting failed elements on phased array ultrasound transducers using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom

“…The plot forms a closed integral with the area under the curve equal to R. The measurement of low contrast penetration (LCP) is the intercept of the curve with the y-axis. A detailed description of the measurement of R using the Edinburgh Pipe Phantom has been given by Moran et al 7 Methods A Siemens P10-4 paediatric phased array transducer was used in this study in conjunction with an Acuson Antares Premium ultrasound system (Siemens Healthcare, Erlangen, Germany). This transducer has 128 elements and active length of 13.1 mm, according to the manufacturer's datasheet, 8 giving an element pitch of approximately 0.1 mm.…”

The acoustical properties of IEC agar-based tissue mimicking material over the frequency range 4.5MHz to 50MHz - a longitudinal study

“…Measurements can be carried out in all transducers, allowing their characteristics and performance to be compared. (Moran et al, 2014)(MacGillivray et al, 2010. Image taken from Moran et al, (2014)(MacGillivray et al, 2010.…”

“…B) also shows the depth of field (LR) and the characteristic resolution DR. In A) the resolution integral is the area under the curve (Moran et al, 2014)(MacGillivray et al, 2010. Image taken from Moran et al, (2014) 1-13.…”

“…In A) the resolution integral is the area under the curve (Moran et al, 2014)(MacGillivray et al, 2010. Image taken from Moran et al, (2014) 1-13. Attenuation versus frequency from those studies published involving brain tissue at 37°C.…”

A precise, reproducible method for measuring ultrasound probe slice thickness using a Gammex 403 phantom

“…The resolution integral method associated with the Edinburgh pipe phantom produces a single metric of ultrasound grey-scale imaging performance based on the visibility or otherwise of several anechoic pipes with depth within a specially created phantom. 7 The single metric produced by the method is dependent on the slice thickness of the ultrasound beam with depth, but the slice thickness obtained is one of a discrete set of values, corresponding to set width of pipes within the phantom.…”