A CMUT-based real-time volumetric ultrasound imaging system with row-column addressing

Chen, Albert I. H.; Wong, Lawrence L. P.; Logan, Andrew S.; Yeow, John T. W.

doi:10.1109/ultsym.2011.0438

Cited by 14 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 4 publications

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“…These works are concerned with designing a combined transmit/receive effective aperture mostly for 3D imaging, whereas we propose methods that can be applied in both active and passive settings. Another approach is 2D row-column-addressed arrays for 3D imaging [46]- [50], in which every row and column in the array acts as one large element. However, this work is limited to 3D imaging and the use of large elements leads to a considerable increase in edge effects that limit image quality [47].…”

Section: A Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sparse Convolutional Beamforming for Ultrasound Imaging

Cohen

Eldar

2018

IEEE Trans. Ultrason., Ferroelect., Freq. Contr.

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The standard technique used by commercial medical ultrasound systems to form B-mode images is delay and sum (DAS) beamforming. However, DAS often results in limited image resolution and contrast, which are governed by the center frequency and the aperture size of the ultrasound transducer. A large number of elements leads to improved resolution but at the same time increases the data size and the system cost due to the receive electronics required for each element. Therefore, reducing the number of receiving channels while producing high quality images is of great importance. In this paper, we introduce a nonlinear beamformer called COnvolutional Beamforming Algorithm (COBA), which achieves significant improvement of lateral resolution and contrast. In addition, it can be implemented efficiently using the fast Fourier transform. Based on the COBA concept, we next present two sparse beamformers with closed form expressions for the sensor locations, which result in the same beam pattern as DAS and COBA while using far fewer array elements. Optimization of the number of elements shows that they require a minimal number of elements which is on the order of the square root of the number used by DAS. The performance of the proposed methods is tested and validated using simulated data, phantom scans and in vivo cardiac data. The results demonstrate that COBA outperforms DAS in terms of resolution and contrast and that the suggested beamformers offer a sizable element reduction while generating images with an equivalent or improved quality in comparison to DAS.Index Terms-Medical ultrasound, array processing, beamforming, contrast resolution, sparse arrays, beam pattern.

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Section: A Related Workmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sparse Convolutional Beamforming for Ultrasound Imaging

Cohen

Eldar

2018

IEEE Trans. Ultrason., Ferroelect., Freq. Contr.

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“…We are currently working on replacing these single channel amplifiers with four-channel amplifiers (OPA4354, Texas Instruments) to reduce foot-print such that all front-end components can be placed around the finger for a more compact form-factor. More information regarding backend system can be found in [8] B-mode images showing wire-targets were reconstructed via both simulation and actual acquisition. The imaged wires ran in the azimuth direction parallel to the aperture.…”

Section: B Prototypementioning

confidence: 99%

A CMUT-based finger-mounted 3D ultrasound probe

Chen

Wong

Yeow

2014

2014 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium

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Developing 2D array-based systems for 3D imaging is overall more challenging due to the complexity in addressing the transducer elements. The Row-Column (RC) scheme results in a significant reduction in electrical leads at a reasonable cost in imaging quality. This paper presents imaging analysis on RC beamforming and provides evidence on why an RC-based Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer (RC CMUT) array is suitable for mounting on the finger-tip for close-up imaging. The prototype can be fitted over a finger and be used for scanning a small targeted volume. The front-end electronics are also designed so that the device can be hands-free and be attached to the back of the hand. The simulation and experiment shows that the calculated scanning volume is highly limited by natural focusing. For a 4.8mm by 4.8mm, 5.9MHz, 32x32 elements RC CMUT array, the calculated -6dB lateral resolution ranges from 0.3mm to 1mm within a 10mm depth. The effective scanning volume, given a 1mm resolution threshold, is approximately 4.5mm by 4.5mm by 10mm.

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“…Several versions and layouts of 2-D RC arrays have been presented for imaging purposes, for both piezoelectric arrays [25], [26] and Capacitive Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducers (CMUTs) [27]- [29]. However, the potential of estimating blood flow with RC arrays has only recently been reported in the literature [30].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

3-D Vector Flow Estimation With Row–Column-Addressed Arrays

Holbek

Christiansen

Stuart

et al. 2016

IEEE Trans. Ultrason., Ferroelect., Freq. Contr.

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Abstract-Simulation and experimental results from 3-D vector flow estimations for a 62+62 2-D row-column (RC) array with integrated apodization are presented. A method for implementing a 3-D transverse oscillation (TO) velocity estimator on a 3.0 MHz RC array is developed and validated. First, a parametric simulation study is conducted where flow direction, ensemble length, number of pulse cycles, steering angles, transmit/receive apodization, and TO apodization profiles and spacing are varied, to find the optimal parameter configuration. The performance of the estimator is evaluated with respect to relative mean biasB and mean standard deviationσ. Second, the optimal parameter configuration is implemented on the prototype RC probe connected to the experimental ultrasound scanner SARUS. Results from measurements conducted in a flow-rig system containing a constant laminar flow and a straight-vessel phantom with a pulsating flow are presented. Both an M-mode and a steered transmit sequence are applied. Three-dimensional vector flow is estimated in the flow-rig for four representative flow directions. In the setup with 90• beam-to-flow angle, the relative mean bias across the entire velocity profile is (-4.7, -0.9, 0.4)% with a relative standard deviation of (8.7, 5.1, 0.8)% for (vx, vy, vz). The estimated peak velocity is 48.5 cm/s ± 3.0 cm/s giving a -3% bias. The out-of-plane velocity component perpendicular to the cross section is used to estimate volumetric flow rates in the flow-rig at a 90• beam-to-flow angle. The estimated mean flow rate in this setup is 91.2 L/h ± 3.1 L/h corresponding to a bias of -11.1%. In a pulsating flow setup, flow rate measured during five cycles is 2.3 mL/stroke ± 0.1 mL/stroke giving a negative 9.7% bias. It is concluded that accurate 3-D vector flow estimation can be obtained using a 2-D RC addressed array.

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A CMUT-based real-time volumetric ultrasound imaging system with row-column addressing

Cited by 14 publications

References 4 publications

Sparse Convolutional Beamforming for Ultrasound Imaging

Sparse Convolutional Beamforming for Ultrasound Imaging

A CMUT-based finger-mounted 3D ultrasound probe

3-D Vector Flow Estimation With Row–Column-Addressed Arrays

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