成像深度对光声层析成像的影响

为了研究不同成像深度对光声层析成像质量的影响,利用多元线性阵列探测器在有限方位进行探测成像。由仿真和实验结果表明,吸收体离探测器越近,其成像效果较好,当多元线性阵列探测器的尺寸与成像深度比小于1时,重建图像畸变明显。在这种情况下,采用旋转扫描探测,其成像效果明显提高。该研究结果对光声层析成像扫描轨迹的设计、成像效果评估具有较好的参考价值。     

基于不同频率成份衰减矫正的光声成像方法

根据超声衰减理论,研究了光声信号不同频率成份随距离的衰减差异,及其对光声图像重建的影响;提出了对光声信号不同频率成份进行衰减矫正的成像方法,此方法增强了光声信号的高频成份,突出了吸收体的边界变化和细微的结构特征,提高了成像系统分辨率,实验结果显示系统分辨率由0.3 mm提高到0.2 mm.实验所用的光源为YAG激光器,波长为1064 nm,重复频率为20 Hz,脉宽为6 ns,探测器为针状的PVDF膜水听器,接收面积的直径为1 mm.     

二次谐波共焦成像的分辨率

通过与双光子荧光共焦成像过程比较,研究了非线性二次谐波的强度脉冲响应函数并对它进行频域分析,获得了横向、纵向截止频率和通频带.研究结果表明：二次谐波共焦成像具有更高的分辨率.     

有限方位扫描的光声断层成像分辨率研究

通过有限元仿真实验,定量地研究了有限方位扫描对反投影光声断层成像分辨率的影响,并且给出了有限方位扫描角与分辨率之间关系的经验公式.本文的研究结果对光声成像扫描轨迹设计、成像效果评估等具有参考价值. 关键词： 光声成像 有限方位扫描 分辨率 断层成像     

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...     

高分辨率快速数字化光声CT乳腺肿瘤成像

提出了一种基于聚焦线性阵列探测器的快速光声计算机断层成像技术（光声CT）.在光声二维图像重建中,根据阵列探测器机械扫描和电子扫描相结合的组合扫描模式,提出了改进的有限场滤波反投影重建算法.一方面该算法适合多元探测器旋转扫描模式,另一方面探测器的指向性函数作为反投影的权重因子提高了系统的横向分辨率.同时,该成像系统还利用柱面声透镜实现Z轴方向上的聚焦扫描以实现三维层析成像.实验中,这套成像系统空间分辨率达到0.2mm,Z轴方向分辨率为1.5mm,扫描一幅二维图像仅需150s,得到 关键词： 光声CT 有限场滤波反投影算法 声透镜聚焦 乳腺肿瘤检测     

多元相控聚焦探测器的方向特性

研究了多元线性阵列探测器的主频、阵元个数和阵元间距对探测器方向性的影响.实验结果表明,采用主频为2～5 MHz,阵元数为5～15,阵元间距为0.3～0.9 mm的多元线性阵列探测器,其方向性好,将有利于光声信号的探测与成像.     

基于Laplace变换法的光电探测器频率响应研究

从光电探测器的基本方程出发，采用Laplace变换方法，分析了一种与CMOS标准工艺兼容的N-well/P-sub结构光电探测器的频率响应特性，780 nm和650 nm波长下的截止频率分别为14.4 MHz和43 MHz.该分析方法克服了频率特性测量中存在负载影响和采用渡越时间分析截止频率所存在的近似与作用不确定的问题，适用于各种PN以及PIN结构的光电探测器的频率特性研究.     

考虑超声探测器脉冲响应和方向性的光声图像重建方法

在光声成像中,假设超声探测器为具有全向响应的理想点探测器通常会导致图像分辨率下降。为了解决探测器效应引起的图像质量下降问题,提出一种考虑探测器特性的光声图像重建方法,建立包含探测器方向性和脉冲响应的前向成像模型,通过迭代求解前向模型的逆问题,实现光吸收能量分布图的高质量重建。仿真和仿体实验结果表明,与未考虑或未充分考虑探测器特性的传统重建方法和其他重建增强方法相比,所提方法可以显著提高图像分辨率和对比度,改善图像质量。     

探测器采样频率与光学系统衍射截止频率比值对航空图像质量的影响

以Q值作为参照指标,考虑光学系统分辨率和探测器分辨率,通过图像仿真效果的对比讨论了不同Q值成像系统的成像质量.结果表明:成像系统设计过程中需在光学系统分辨率和探测器分辨率之间进行权衡,Q=2时成像系统的成像质量最好,但实际设计过程中考虑到其他因素(系统信噪比、场景大小、运动模糊等),往往取Q＜2可获得高品质图像.因此,Q值可作为参考指标为光电成像系统设计提供一定指导.     

面向水下应用的电容式微机械超声换能器*

电容式微机械超声换能器具有宽频带和易于制造二维阵列等优势,已经成为一种重要的新型超声换能器。该文针对图像声呐系统对新型超声换能器的迫切需求,提出了一种电容式微机械超声换能器结构和参数,并利用硅微加工技术制备出了该换能器,最后对其主要性能参数进行了测试和分析。测试结果表明该换能器具有发射和接收超声波的功能,中心工作频率为1.965 MHz,6 dB相对带宽达到109.4%,在1 MHz、2 MHz和3 MHz频率时的接收灵敏度分别为-218.29 d B、-219.39 dB和-218.11 dB。该文研制的电容式微机械超声换能器显示出了优秀的宽频带特性,且工作频率和接收灵敏度性能均基本满足了高频图像声呐系统的需求。     

Calibration of ultrasonic hydrophone probes up to 100 MHz using time gating frequency analysis and finite amplitude waves

A number of ultrasound imaging systems employs harmonic imaging to optimize the trade off between resolution and penetration depth and center frequencies as high as 15 MHz are now used in clinical practice. However, currently available measurement tools are not fully adequate to characterize the acoustic output of such nonlinear systems primarily due to the limited knowledge of the frequency responses beyond 20 MHz of the available piezoelectric hydrophone probes. In addition, ultrasound hydrophone probes need to be calibrated to eight times the center frequency of the imaging transducer. Time delay spectrometry (TDS) is capable of providing transduction factor of the probes beyond 20 MHz, however its use is in practice limited to 40 MHz. This paper describes a novel approach termed time gating frequency analysis (TGFA) that provides the transduction factor of the hydrophone probes in the frequency domain and significantly extends the quasi-continuous calibration of the probes up to 60 MHz. The verification of the TGFA data was performed using TDS calibration technique (up to 40 MHz) and a nonlinear calibration method (up to 100 MHz). The nonlinear technique was based on a novel wave propagation model capable of predicting the true pressure-time waveforms at virtually any point in the field. The spatial averaging effects introduced by the finite aperture hydrophones were also accounted for. TGFA calibration results were obtained for different PVDF probes, including needle and membrane designs with nominal diameters from 50 to 500 micro m. The results were compared with discrete calibration data obtained from an independent national laboratory and the overall uncertainty was determined to be +/-1.5 dB in the frequency range 40-60 MHz and less than +/-1 dB below 40 MHz.     

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.     

Pulse compression technique for simultaneous HIFU surgery and ultrasonic imaging: a preliminary study

In an ultrasound image-guided High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) surgery, reflected HIFU waves received by an imaging transducer should be suppressed for real-time simultaneous imaging and therapy. In this paper, we investigate the feasibility of pulse compression scheme combined with notch filtering in order to minimize these HIFU interference signals. A chirp signal modulated by the Dolph-Chebyshev window with 3-9 MHz frequency sweep range is used for B-mode imaging and 4 MHz continuous wave is used for HIFU. The second order infinite impulse response notch filters are employed to suppress reflected HIFU waves whose center frequencies are 4 MHz and 8 MHz. The prototype integrated HIFU/imaging transducer that composed of three rectangular elements with a spherically con-focused aperture was fabricated. The center element has the ability to transmit and receive 6 MHz imaging signals and two outer elements are only used for transmitting 4 MHz continuous HIFU wave. When the chirp signal and 4 MHz HIFU wave are simultaneously transmitted to the target, the reflected chirp signals mixed with 4 MHz and 8 MHz HIFU waves are detected by the imaging transducer. After the application of notch filtering with pulse compression process, HIFU interference waves in this mixed signal are significantly reduced while maintaining original imaging signal. In the single scanline test using a strong reflector, the amplitude of the reflected HIFU wave is reduced to −45 dB. In vitro test, with a sliced porcine muscle shows that the speckle pattern of the restored B-mode image is close to that of the original image. These preliminary results demonstrate the potential for the pulse compression scheme with notch filtering to achieve real-time ultrasound image-guided HIFU surgery.     

Lorentz force electrical impedance tomography using pulse compression technique

Lorentz force electrical impedance tomography(LFEIT) combines ultrasound stimulation and electromagnetic field detection with the goal of creating a high contrast and high resolution hybrid imaging modality. In this study, pulse compression working together with a linearly frequency modulated ultrasound pulse was investigated in LFEIT. Experiments were done on agar phantoms having the same level of electrical conductivity as soft biological tissues. The results showed that:(i) LFEIT using pulse compression could detect the location of the electrical conductivity variations precisely;(ii)LFEIT using pulse compression could get the same performance of detecting electrical conductivity variations as the traditional LFEIT using high voltage narrow pulse but reduce the peak stimulating power to the transducer by 25.5 dB;(iii)axial resolution of 1 mm could be obtained using modulation frequency bandwidth 2 MHz.     

Transfer functions of US transducers for harmonic imaging and bubble responses

Current medical diagnostic echo systems are mostly using harmonic imaging. This means that a fundamental frequency (e.g., 2 MHz) is transmitted and the reflected and scattered higher harmonics (e.g., 4 and 6 MHz), produced by nonlinear propagation, are recorded. The signal level of these harmonics is usually low and a well-defined transfer function of the receiving transducer is required. Studying the acoustic response of a single contrast bubble, which has an amplitude in the order of a few Pascal, is another area where an optimal receive transfer function is important.

We have developed three methods to determine the absolute transfer function of a transducer. The first is based on a well-defined wave generated by a calibrated source in the far field. The receiving transducer receives the calibrated wave and from this the transfer functions can be calculated. The second and third methods are based on the reciprocity of the transducer. The second utilizes a calibrated hydrophone to measure the transmitted field. In the third method, a pulse is transmitted by the transducer, which impinges on a reflector and is received again by the same transducer. In both methods, the response combined with the transducer impedance and beam profiles enables the calculation of the transfer function.

The proposed methods are useful to select the optimal piezoelectric material (PZT, single crystal) for transducers used in reception only, such as in certain 3D scanning designs and superharmonic imaging, and for selected experiments like single bubble behavior.

We tested and compared these methods on two unfocused single element transducers, one commercially available (radius 6.35 mm, centre frequency 2.25 MHz) the other custom built (radius 0.75 mm, centre frequency 4.3 MHz). The methods were accurate to within 15%.     

Ultrasonic imaging using air-coupled P(VDF/TrFE) transducers at 2 MHz

A reflection non-contact ultrasonic microscope system working both in amplitude and phase difference modes at 2 MHz has been developed using an air-coupled concave transducer made of piezoelectric polymer films of poly(vinylidene fluoride/trifluoroethylene) [P(VDF/TrFE)]. The transducer is composed of three 95 μm-thick P(VDF/TrFE) films stacked together, each of which is activated electrically in parallel by a driving source. The transducer has a wide aperture angle of 140° and a focal length of 10 mm. The measured two-way transducer insertion loss is 80 dB at 1.83 MHz. Despite 20 dB higher insertion loss than that estimated from Mason’s equivalent circuit, we have obtained clear amplitude acoustic images of a coin with transverse resolution of 150 μm, and clear phase difference acoustic images of the rough surface of a paper currency bill with depth resolution of sub-micrometer. Using two planar transducers of P(VDF/TrFE), we have also successfully measured in through-transmission mode the sound velocity and absorption of a 3 mm-thick silicone-rubber plate. The present study proves that, owing to its low acoustic impedance and flexibility, P(VDF/TrFE) piezoelectric film is very useful for high frequency acoustic imaging in air in the MHz range.     

Investigation of dental samples using a 35MHz focussed ultrasound piezocomposite transducer

Dental erosion and decay are increasingly prevalent but as yet there is no quantitative monitoring tool. Such a tool would allow earlier diagnosis and treatment and ultimately the prevention of more serious disease and pain. Despite ultrasound having been demonstrated as a method of probing the internal structures of teeth more than 40 years ago, development of a clinical tool has been slow. The aim of the study reported here was to investigate the use of a novel high frequency ultrasound transducer and validate it using a known dental technique.A tooth extracted for clinical reasons was sectioned to provide a sample that contained an enamel and dentine layer such that the enamel-dentine junction (EDJ) was of a varying depth. The sample was then submerged in water and a B-scan recorded using a custom-designed piezocomposite ultrasound transducer with a centre frequency of 35 MHz and a −6 dB bandwidth of 24 MHz.The transducer has an axial resolution of 180 μm and a spatial resolution of 110 μm, a significant advance on previous work using lower frequencies. The depth of the EDJ was measured from the resulting data set and compared to measurements from the sequential grinding and imaging (SGI) method.The B-scan showed that the EDJ was of varying depth. Subsequently, the EDJ measurements were found to have a correlation of 0.89 (p < 0.01) against the SGI measurements. The results indicate that high frequency ultrasound is capable of measuring enamel thickness to an accuracy of within 10% of the total enamel thickness, whereas currently there is no clinical tool available to measure enamel thickness.     

Acoustic microscopy system: design and preliminary results

An acoustic microscopy system was designed to perform 2D imaging in the C-plane with a single-element transducer. The ultrasound transducer was fabricated by polishing bulk lithium niobate (LiNbO(3)) to the required thickness (approximately 60 or 45 micro) for the desired operating frequency (55 or 75 MHz). The polished LiNbO(3) was attached to acoustic backing and matching layers. Finally, an epoxy lens was applied and the transducer mounted in a housing. The transducer was mounted in a 3D motorized positioning stage and operated by a high-frequency pulser/receiver. Received echoes were sampled with a 2 GHz ADC card and displayed on a PC using software developed in the Matlab environment. Transducer frequency and bandwidth were measured off a steel plate positioned at the focal length. A penny was scanned initially to confirm expected performance before acquiring data from liver (n=3) and spleen (n=3) specimens. For the first probe, the peak frequency was 54.05 MHz with a -6 dB bandwidth of 6.76 MHz. The axial and lateral resolutions were estimated to be 114 and 188 microm, respectively. For the second probe, the peak frequency was measured to 82 MHz with a -6 dB bandwidth of approximately 23 MHz. The axial and lateral resolutions were estimated to be around 33 and 81 microm, respectively. C-scans of the penny clearly showed detailed structures on front and back, while the capsule and the trabecular structures of the splenic tissues could easily be separated in different layers. In conclusion, an acoustic microscopy system operating at 55-75 MHz has been constructed and the feasibility of obtaining high-resolution images of tissue specimens demonstrated.     

Ultrasonic imaging of solid surfaces using a focussed air-coupled capacitance transducer

A variety of small solid objects have been imaged in atmospheric air using a focussed, micromachined air-coupled capacitance transducer. The transducer, which was capable of generating and receiving ultrasound in air over a large frequency bandwidth (< 100 kHz 1.5 MHz) was employed in a pulse-echo arrangement such that generated waves reflected off the surface of the object before returning to the same transducer for detection. By raster scanning the transducer in a plane and recording the detected ultrasonic echo amplitude as a function of transducer position, images of object surfaces were obtained. As the transducer had been fitted with a micromachined Fresnel zone-plate, the ultrasonic waves could be focussed to a spot-size of 680 μm so as to provide images of high lateral resolution. One of the key factors in making the Fresnel zone-plate function effectively in these imaging applications involved the inclusion of a second aperture in front of the zone-plate. This additional aperture blocked the zone-plate's side-lobes and reduced the appearance of multiple (diffracted) images.