Ultrasound is a widely used medical imaging methodology because it is safe and relatively inexpensive. However, the
quality of the images is affected by the point spread function of the system and coherent wave interference or speckle.
The present research studies the averaging of images that have been displaced laterally and displays them using an
interlaced grid. The main goals are to reduce speckle and improve contrast and resolution. The point spread function of
the ultrasound scanner was estimated using a thin nylon thread within a water bath. Then, a set of eight images of a
breast phantom (having lateral displacements smaller than the width of the point spread function) were averaged and
interlaced. The results show a total improvement of 4% in signal to noise ratio and 7% in contrast to noise ratio.
The resolution of ultrasound imaging is restricted primarily by the blurring process of the imaging system embedded in
the point spread function (PSF). Supercompounding has been found to be a highly effective way to enhance the
resolution of ultrasound imaging. Here we utilize a spatial ultrasound compounding technique using a B-mode array
rotated around a target in a range encompassing 180° or greater which we term "supercompounding." For some
ultrasound imaging modalities, the PSF is unknown and is space variant, caused by a mono-focus imaging device. To
use linear algorithms to enhance the resolution, images must be assumed to have a uniform PSF which is space invariant;
otherwise, it is necessary to use complicated non-linear algorithms. Under the above circumstances, an image with a
uniform PSF is the key element to more effective resolution enhancement. The supercompounding technique as here can
create an image with a uniform PSF from 214 B-scan images thus allowing the use of linear algorithm enhancement.
Once a supercompound image with a uniform PSF is constructed, the resolution of the image was further improved with
Weiner deconvolution. The processing technique was demonstrated on imaging a dissected porcine aortic root at 5
different critical height levels both with and without inflated pressure into to the sinus. The results can be analyzed to
acquire the mechanical properties and geometry of the aortic valve for future use. The resolution as measured by -6dB
width of the sinus wall shows a 14% improvement.
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