振动声成像系统分辨率研究

本文从振动声成像的基本原理出发，通过引入点扩展函数PSF和定义轴向响应函数ARF，研究了由凹球面聚焦换能器分割而成的一种典型共焦换能器参数对振动声成像系统侧向分辨率和轴向分辨率的影响。计算研究表明：增大凹球面换能器的口径、减小几何焦距和提高中心频率均可以提高系统的侧向分辨率和轴向分辨率；但改变凹球面换能器的分割比例对两种分辨率影响不尽相同。综合考虑超声换能器激励、聚焦性能以及产生的辐射力效果等因素，则换能器应按等辐射面积原则分割为宜。文中还分析了介质的声衰减系数对实际轴向分辨率的影响。     

利用维纳滤波改善声透镜光声成像系统的分辨率

为了克服衍射效应对光声成像系统分辨率的限制,需要采用逆卷积方法进行图像反演.从理论上分析了声透镜成像原理,模拟仿真了声透镜的点扩展函数对声透镜成像系统分辨率的影响和维纳滤波解卷积方法复原光声成像的过程,并利用自搭建的声透镜光声成像系统进行了深入的实验研究,得到了物平面上相距4 mm和3 mm的两个黑胶带点的直接成像光声...     

利用小尺寸电荷耦合器件实现数字全息高分辨成像

为了在降低数字全息显微成像系统成本的同时实现高分辨成像,对像面数字全息显微术的记录与再现过程进行了理论分析,结合系统的点扩散函数,对该系统的横向分辨率进行了分析. 得到了如下结论：像面数字全息显微系统的横向分辨率对电荷耦合器件（CCD）光敏面尺寸变化不敏感;对于常见的CCD 器件,其像元尺寸的变化对该系统的横向分辨率影响甚微. 此外,对像面数字全息显微系统的成像特点进行了分析,结果表明：利用像面数字全息系统可以实现物体信息的完整记录与再现,其成像分辨率及像质优于预放大数字全息系统. 利用搭建的数字全息实验记录系统,从强度及位相两方面对理论分析结果进行了验证,实验结果表明了理论分析的正确性. 关键词： 像面数字全息术 横向分辨率 点扩散函数 小尺寸电荷耦合器件     

曲折阵综合孔径声全息成像

为使声全息成像系统有一个较好的分辨率、场视野和足够的信噪比,同时使系统造价降低,简化工艺,本文提出并分析了一种新的综合孔径成像制式——曲折发射阵综合孔径。它在保持Wells十字交叉线阵综合孔径成像制式扫描速度快、电路造价低等优点的基础上解决了其存在的发射功率与场视野相互制约的缺点。采用此制式工作的成像系统的点扩散函数分布形式已在文中给出。结果表明,适当地控制该系统的参数,可使其主瓣分布与相应的方形孔径的成像系统的点扩散函数的分布基本一样,而沿线接收阵方向的旁瓣得到降低。用计算机模拟了一个64阵元的接收阵和64阵元的曲折发射阵组成的成像系统的成像过程,结果与理论分析一致。     

无衍射光束提高成像系统分辨率

设计了一种在非相干光源下利用轴棱锥产生的无衍射光束成像系统.基于衍射积分理论与点扩散函数推导出成像系统分辨率的表达式,利用光学软件对无衍射光束成像系统的初始结构模型进行仿真,并以蓝光LED作为光源,将条纹状物体、透镜组以及轴棱锥等光学元件组合为成像系统进行实验.结果表明:实验结果与理论分析相符,即非相干光源无衍射Bessel光束成像系统利用无衍射光束的特性能够提高成像分辨率.     

基于压缩感知超分辨鬼成像

分辨率是成像系统的一个重要参数, 获得高分辨率图像一直是鬼成像系统的一个目标. 本文提出了以成像系统点扩散函数作为先验知识, 基于稀疏测量的超分辨压缩感知鬼成像重建模型. 搭建了一套计算鬼成像实验装置, 用于验证该模型对于提高鬼成像系统分辨率的有效性, 并与传统的鬼成像计算模型进行了对比. 实验表明, 利用该模型可突破成像系统衍射极限分辨率的限制, 得到超分辨鬼成像. 关键词： 鬼成像 压缩感知 超分辨 稀疏测量     

光学综合孔径成像技术实验研究

根据光学综合孔径成像系统的成像质量与点扩散函数和光学传递函数的关系,以G o lay-3阵列结构为例,从空间域和频率域对光学综合孔径成像技术进行理论仿真和实验研究。在空间域从理论上分析光学综合孔径成像系统的点扩散函数,对复杂目标的成像通过目标函数与点扩散函数的卷积求得,点扩散函数决定了成像质量。通过数值仿真和模拟实验取得了点扩散函数强度分布图,两者分布规律一致证明理论分析正确。在频率域研究光学综合孔径调制传递函数,理论仿真和实验取得的调制传递函数表明,空间域和频率域内光学综合孔径成像技术的理论分析与实验结果具有较好的一致性。     

谱域光学相干层析系统中基于解卷积方法的像质优化

谱域光学相干层析（spectral domain optical coherence tomography, 简记为SD-OCT）系统的轴向点扩散函数（point spread function, 简记为PSF）并不具备空不变特性,无法直接应用于解卷积运算.为实现SD-OCT系统成像质量基于解卷积算法的优化,本文采用数值校正后的轴向扫描信号和轴向有效PSF来实施基于Lucy-Richardson算法的解卷积运算,进而实现了SD-OCT系统中图像质量尤其是轴向分辨率的改善.本文理论分析了SD-OCT系统中导致轴向有效PSF随成像深度增大而下降和图像模糊的因素,阐述了利用解卷积算法实现图像质量优化的过程,基于建立的SD-OCT系统实施了不同成像深度位置处PSF的标定,并利用离散轴向位置处PSF的峰值拟合了轴向有效PSF的调制函数.利用调制函数对所有轴向扫描信号进行数值校正,然后根据轴向有效PSF进行解卷积算法.典型样品的解卷积图像重建结果表明,提出的解卷积方法能有效提高系统的轴向分辨率,同时有效抑制系统灵敏度随成像深度增大而下降的趋势. 关键词： 谱域光学相干层析 Lucy-Richardson解卷积 有效点扩散函数     

全光纤频域光学相干层析成像系统优化研究

针对频域光学相干层析(SD-OCT)系统特有硬件(线阵CCD及分光光栅)参数对成像质量造成的影响,展开了对基于光纤的频域OCT系统中硬件参量的模拟和优化工作,分析了分光计中CCD线列阵像素数及数字化深度、CCD安装偏差等因素对OCT成像质量的影响,并对光谱像素图定位进行了修正.研究表明:纵向分辨率不受CCD线列阵像素数的影响,CCD线列阵像素数的增多将线性地增大最大测量深度;CCD数字化深度小于6 bit将直接导致系统纵向分辨率的锐减;线阵CCD偏离聚焦透镜焦面将导致点扩展函数的强度减弱、系统分辨率降低;在较小角度内转动CCD,将使纵向分辨率得到提高;采用氖灯光谱进行像素图定位校正之后,可以相应地提高系统分辨率.部分模拟结论得到实验验证.采用此模拟优化结果,可根据OCT成像的具体要求对系统硬件参量进行优化选择.     

预放大数字全息系统的成像分辨率分析

基于菲涅耳衍射理论,详细推导了预放大数字全息系统的点扩散函数表达式,并由此分析了该成像系统的分辨率.通过分别对整个系统、显微物镜以及CCD的点扩散函数幅值的计算机模拟,讨论了显微物镜与CCD分辨率之间的匹配问题.指明了现有文献中一些含糊说法.结果表明:恰当选择记录参量,使MO的成像分辨率接近于其极限分辨率,同时还要使CCD在满足抽样条件与再现像分离条件的情况下,再现像分辨率等于或略高于MO的分辨率.     

Image features in medical vibro-acoustography: in vitro and in vivo results

Vibro-acoustography is an imaging method based on audio-frequency harmonic vibrations induced in the object by the radiation force of focused ultrasound. The purpose of this study is to investigate features of vibro-acoustography images and manifestation of various tissue structures and calcifications in such images. Our motivation for this study is to pave the way for further in vitro and in vivo applications of vibro-acoustography. Here, vibro-acoustography images of excised prostate and in vivo breast are presented and compared with images obtained with other modalities. Resulting vibro-acoustography images obtained with a 3 MHz ultrasound transducer and at a vibration frequency of 50-60 kHz show soft tissue structures, tissue borders, and microcalcifications with high contrast, high resolution, and no speckle. It is concluded that vibro-acoustography offers features that may be valuable for diagnostic purposes.     

Critical issues in breast imaging by vibro-acoustography

Clinically, there are two important issues in breast imaging: detection of microcalcifications and identification of mass lesions. X-ray mammography is the main imaging method used for detection of microcalcification, and ultrasound imaging is normally used for detection of mass lesions in breast. Both these methods have limitations that reduce their clinical usefulness. For this reasons, alternative breast imaging modalities are being sought. vibro-acoustography is an imaging modality that has emerged in recent years. This method is based on low-frequency harmonic vibrations induced in the object by the radiation force of ultrasound. This paper describes potential applications of vibro-acoustography for breast imaging and addresses the critical imaging issues such as detection of microcalcifications and mass lesions in breast. Recently, we have developed a vibro-acoustography system for in vivo breast imaging and have tested it on a number of volunteers. Resulting images show soft tissue structures and calcifications within breast with high contrast, high resolution, and no speckles. The results have been verified using X-ray mammography. The encouraging results from in vitro and in vivo experiments suggest that further development of vibro-acoustography technology may lead to a new clinical tool that can be used to detect microcalcifications as well as mass lesions in breast.     

A new method of spatial compounding imaging

A new method of spatial compound imaging is presented that improves image quality without the usual requirement to decrease the frame rate. The new method of imaging utilizes three transducers for data acquisition. The transducer located at the center of the transducer system is a phased array probe that acts as both transmitter and receiver. The other transducers are unfocused pistons that act only as receivers. Envelope data acquired by each transducer are combined to form a final image with improved quality (speckle contrast, target detectability and lateral resolution). It is shown that the improvement in speckle contrast depends on the correlation between individual images acquired by the transducers. The effective aperture approach is used for analytic estimation of the correlation between images in order to optimize the lateral separation between transducers. Using simulations, several compounding strategies have been performed to find the strategy that maximizes image quality. The central frequency of 2.5 MHz is used in simulations. Quantitative analysis of simulated B-mode images shows that the new method of imaging efficiently improves visibility, detectability, and lateral resolution of low contrast regions. The image frame rate is preserved because multiple scans are not required for the spatial compounding.     

二维圆周光综合孔径阵的优化排列及其成像特性研究

光综合孔径成像的原理是应用干涉原理在空间频率域中进行采样,并通过傅里叶反变换或其他数值变换方法得到空间分辨力远高于单个孔径成像系统的目标图像。由若干个相同的小孔径在二维圆周上优化排列组成的综合孔径成像系统可以在二维空间频率域中实现较为均匀分布的、具有无冗余度的采样点覆盖,为高质量实时成像提供了一个有效的途径。运用模拟退火算法对由7～16个子孔径组成的二维圆周综合孔径阵列进行优化排列。并依据光学衍射成像原理,从空域和频域两个方面详细分析了二维圆周上优化排列与均匀排列光综合孔径阵的成像特性。对7～16个子孔径组成的光综合孔径的仿真结果表明：无论是在空域还是频域上,子孔径直径增大、孔径数目增多以及综合孔径阵的优化排列都是有利于提高成像质量的。但综合后的子孔径的直径的增大,虽然能获得极高的角分辨力,却并不利于成像质量的提高。     

Sound speed correction in ultrasound imaging

A constant sound speed of 1.54 mm/micros is generally used by ultrasound imaging systems for delay and timing. However, the body's sound speed in-homogeneity can lead to defocusing and increased clutter. To provide an improvement using standard transducers, the sound speed used in delay and timing was computed using different sound speeds. We observed improvement in lateral resolution and clutter in phantom, OB, abdominal, and breast imaging. In OB and abdominal imaging using a 4 MHz curved array, 1.48 mm/micros provided higher image quality in many situations. In breast with an 8 MHz linear array, 1.44 mm/micros provided better images in some cases. To provide an automated way to determine and adjust the sound speed used by the imaging system, an algorithm was developed that determines the sound speed that produces the best overall lateral image quality by analyzing the spatial frequency content in a single B-mode frame of channel data using images reconstructed using various trial sound speeds. The metric produced correlates well with the observed best lateral image quality.     

一种新型的液闪阵列成像屏空间分辨特性

针对低强度射线成像,自主研制了一种像元为0.1 mm高探测效率的液闪阵列屏.为此,基于倾斜刀口边缘响应的测量原理,建立了理论模拟方法和实验研究方法,对该液闪阵列屏开展了空间分辨性能研究.通过理论模拟,给出了液闪阵列屏在14 MeV中子和1.25 MeV伽马射线激发下的调制传递函数,并与像元为0.1,0.3和0.5 mm的闪烁纤维阵列屏进行了理论对比.在60Co伽马射线源上,对液闪阵列屏和像元为0.3和0.5 mm的两种国产闪烁纤维阵列屏进行了调制传递函数实测研究.理论模拟和实验结果一致,均表明液闪阵列的空间特性优于闪烁纤维阵列屏,而且具有更好的均匀性,对1.25 MeV伽马,空间分辨接近0.9 lp/mm,而其他两种纤维阵列屏仅达到0.5 lp/mm,对于14 MeV中子,液闪阵列屏的空间分辨可达到1.8 lp/mm.     

Deconvolution of vibroacoustic images using a simulation model based on a three dimensional point spread function

Vibro-acoustography (VA) is a medical imaging method based on the difference-frequency generation produced by the mixture of two focused ultrasound beams. VA has been applied to different problems in medical imaging such as imaging bones, microcalcifications in the breast, mass lesions, and calcified arteries. The obtained images may have a resolution of 0.7–0.8 mm. Current VA systems based on confocal or linear array transducers generate C-scan images at the beam focal plane. Images on the axial plane are also possible, however the system resolution along depth worsens when compared to the lateral one. Typical axial resolution is about 1.0 cm. Furthermore, the elevation resolution of linear array systems is larger than that in lateral direction. This asymmetry degrades C-scan images obtained using linear arrays. The purpose of this article is to study VA image restoration based on a 3D point spread function (PSF) using classical deconvolution algorithms: Wiener, constrained least-squares (CLSs), and geometric mean filters. To assess the filters’ performance on the restored images, we use an image quality index that accounts for correlation loss, luminance and contrast distortion. Results for simulated VA images show that the quality index achieved with the Wiener filter is 0.9 (when the index is 1.0 this indicates perfect restoration). This filter yielded the best result in comparison with the other ones. Moreover, the deconvolution algorithms were applied to an experimental VA image of a phantom composed of three stretched 0.5 mm wires. Experiments were performed using transducer driven at two frequencies, 3075 kHz and 3125 kHz, which resulted in the difference-frequency of 50 kHz. Restorations with the theoretical line spread function (LSF) did not recover sufficient information to identify the wires in the images. However, using an estimated LSF the obtained results displayed enough information to spot the wires in the images. It is demonstrated that the phase of the theoretical and the experimental PSFs are dissimilar. This fact prevents VA image restoration with the current theoretical PSF. This study is a preliminary step towards understanding the restoration of VA images through the application of deconvolution filters.     

Lateral spatial resolution of widened focused transducer array for optoacoustic tomography

Numerical investigation of a point spread function for a optoacoustic transducer array is described. Analysis of the minimal reconstructed dimension for an optoacoustic image of a point source of spherical waves is performed within the proposed approach. The influence of the array geometrical parameters, number of array transducers, and the frequency band of a single transducer on the lateral resolution in the image plane is investigated in detail. It is demonstrated that the lateral resolution obtained with the help of a transducer array in the image plane is determined unambiguously by the frequency band of a transducer, the flare angle of the array, and the transducer width and does not depend on the number of transducers.     

Sheet-beam geometry for in vivo fluorescent x-ray computed tomography: proof-of-concept experiment in molecular imaging

We propose a fluorescent x-ray computed tomography method using an array of detectors with an incident sheet beam, aimed at providing molecular imaging with high sensitivity and good spatial resolution. In this study, we prove the feasibility of this concept and investigate its imaging properties, including spatial and contrast resolutions and quantitativeness, by imaging an acrylic phantom and a normal mouse brain using a preliminary imaging system with monochromatic synchrotron x rays.