A new extrapolation technique for resolution enhancement of pulse-echo imaging systems

Author

Carotenuto, Riccardo ; Loi, Giovanna ; Pappalardo, Massimo

Author_Institution

Dipt. di Ingegneria Elettronica, Universita degli Studi Roma Tre, Rome, Italy

Volume

49

Issue

3

fYear

2002

fDate

3/1/2002 12:00:00 AM

Firstpage

374

Lastpage

382

Abstract

A new, simple extrapolation technique to enhance the lateral resolution of pulse-echo imaging systems is presented. The method attempts to build an image that could be obtained with a transducer aperture larger than that physically available, extrapolating the information contained in the image to be enhanced. The extrapolation process requires small hardware modifications of the standard echographic systems. The computational cost is very low compared with Fourier-based deconvolution approaches. The obtained computer simulations give very interesting and promising results.

Keywords

Gaussian distribution; acoustic convolution; biomedical ultrasonics; deconvolution; extrapolation; image enhancement; image resolution; image restoration; medical image processing; Gaussian distribution; computer simulations; convolution operator; degraded echographic image; echographic systems; extrapolation technique; image blurring effect; image enhancement; large transducer aperture; lateral resolution enhancement; low computational cost; nonlinear processing; pixel luminance estimation; pulse-echo imaging systems; small hardware modifications; Apertures; Bandwidth; Computer simulation; Deconvolution; Extrapolation; Frequency; Humans; Image resolution; Ultrasonic transducer arrays; Ultrasonic transducers; Algorithms; Computer Simulation; Cysts; Image Enhancement; Models, Statistical; Nonlinear Dynamics; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ultrasonography;

fLanguage

English

Journal_Title

Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, IEEE Transactions on

Publisher

ieee

ISSN

0885-3010

Type

jour

DOI

10.1109/58.990957

Filename

990957