Title :
Ultrasound spatial compound scanner for improved visualization in vascular imaging
Author :
Jespersen, S.K. ; Wilhjelm, J.E. ; Sillesen, H.
Author_Institution :
B-K Med. A/S, Gentofte, Denmark
Abstract :
A new off-line multi-angle ultrasound compound scanner has been built with the aim of improving visualization of vascular tissue. Images are recorded from 3 to 11 insonification angles over a range of 40 to 50 degrees and the individual images are combined (averaged) into a single image (spatial compounding). Compared to conventional B-mode imaging, this multi-angle compound imaging (MACI) method features less angle-dependent images, since more scan lines are nearly perpendicular to the tissue interfaces. Further, the spatial compounding strongly diminishes the speckle pattern. These improvements are illustrated with in vitro images of porcine aorta and human atherosclerotic plaque
Keywords :
acoustic signal processing; biomedical transducers; biomedical ultrasonics; blood vessels; image reconstruction; medical image processing; digital signal processing; dynamic beamforming; human atherosclerotic plaque; improved visualization; in vitro images; linear array transducer; multi-angle compound imaging; off-line multi-angle scanner; point spread function; porcine aorta; reduced speckle pattern; spatial compounding; ultrasound spatial compound scanner; vascular imaging; vascular tissue imaging; Apertures; Biomedical imaging; Control systems; Hardware; In vitro; Speckle; Surgery; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonic transducers; Visualization;
Conference_Titel :
Ultrasonics Symposium, 1998. Proceedings., 1998 IEEE
Conference_Location :
Sendai
Print_ISBN :
0-7803-4095-7
DOI :
10.1109/ULTSYM.1998.765256
