A new time-gain correction method for standard B-mode ultrasound imaging

A method used to provide gain variation with received echo range to compensate for tissue attenuation in standard B-mode ultrasound imaging systems achieves signal multiplication by first logarithmically compressing the complete dynamic range of the received echo. The time-gain correction method described here is a modification of this method. It performs the time-gain correction operation digitally between the digital scan converter and the display. The overall system transfer function can be specified by means of a software interface without changing the characteristics of the analog front end. This interface can be automated to almost any degree, and it can include preset settings for typical imaging requirements. This method also allows the gain function to be changed even when new images are not being generated