A feasibility study on the development of ultrasonic parametric imaging based on Nakagami statistical model

Nakagami parameter calculated from those received echoes in tissues has been demonstrated to be able to encompass various scattering conditions. To evaluate the feasibility of applying the Nakagami statistical moded to form an ultrasonic parametric image, computer simulations were carried out to design the algorithm and its associated new parameter m_v. Measurements of a tissue-mimicking phantom were performed to evaluate the feasibility of Nakagami image. Simulated and experimental B-mode images of 5 MHz were obtained and processed using the modified algorithm we designed. The simulated results showed that the average of m_v parameters were increased from 0.50 ± 0.0026 to 0.68 ± 0.0204 corresponding to the increase of scatterer concentrations ranged from 2 to 32 scatterers/mm². Furthermore, the parametric image obtained from simulations and measurements is able to localize clearly the fine needle better than that of the B-mode image. Its capabilities for detecting variation of scatterer concentration and strong scatterers make the Nakagami image able to characterize tissues more quantitatively than conventional B-mode imaging.