Reflectivity function reconstruction using the frequency deconvolution technique

Deconvolution of ultrasonic echo signals improves resolution and quality of ultrasonic images. A frequency deconvolution algorithm depends on the Fast Fourier transform is proposed for ultrasonic data. The stability of the algorithm and the influence of the truncation effect on the deconvoluted results were investigated with respect to the duration time of reflectivity function reconstruction and the signal to noise ratio. Reliability of the separation of reconstructing the reflectivity of a biological tissue is estimated by frequency deconvolution of the echo ultrasound signals.     

基于变分模态分解与多尺度排列熵的生物组织变性识别

根据高强度聚焦超声(HIFU)治疗中超声散射回波信号的特点,本文利用变分模态分解(VMD)与多尺度排列熵(MPE)对生物组织变性识别进行了研究.首先对生物组织中的超声散射回波信号进行变分模态分解,根据各阶模态的功率谱信息熵值分离出噪声分量和有用分量;对分离出的有用信号进行重构并提取其多尺度排列熵;然后通过Gustafson-Kessel (GK)模糊聚类确定聚类中心,采用欧氏贴近度与择近原则对生物组织进行变性识别.将所提方法应用于HIFU治疗中超声散射回波信号实验数据,用遗传算法对多尺度排列熵的参数优化后,对293例未变性组织和变性组织的超声散射回波信号数据进行了多尺度排列熵分析,发现变性组织的超声散射回波信号的多尺度排列熵值要高于未变性组织;多尺度排列熵可以较好地识别生物组织是否变性.相对于EMD-MPE-GK模糊聚类以及VMD-小波熵(WE)-GK模糊聚类变性识别方法,本文所提方法中变性与未变性组织特征交叠区域数据点更少,聚类效果和分类性能更好;本实验环境下生物组织变性识别结果表明,该方法的识别率更高,高达93.81%.     

互相关自适应加权的医学超声成像算法研究

根据超声成像系统的超声回波信号互相关性,提出互相关自适应加权超声成像算法.该算法根据散射点回波信号之间的空间相关性设置加权系数,对不同位置的散射点进行自适应加权成像,从而降低了成像系统的旁瓣,抑制了相关性较差的噪声.通过Field II仿真的点目标和吸声斑目标处理结果表明该方法成像的横向和纵向分辨率高,成像速度快.相对于延时叠加(DAS)算法,该算法对散射点成像可提高对比度16 dB,对于吸声斑成像可提高对比度0.85 dB.最后采用完备数据集进行实验,结果表明该算法成像分辨率优于DAS算法,对比度提高了17 dB.     

Effect of sparse basis selection on ultrasonic signal representation

Recently, adaptive sparse representations of ultrasonic signals have been utilized to improve the performance of scanning acoustic microscopy (SAM), a common nondestructive tool for failure analysis of microelectronic packages. The adaptive sparse representation of an ultrasonic signal is generated by decomposing it in a learned overcomplete dictionary using a sparse basis selection algorithm. Detection and location of ultrasonic echoes are then performed on the basis of the resulting redundant representation. This paper investigates the effect of sparse basis selection algorithms on ultrasonic signal representation. The overcomplete independent component analysis, focal underdetermined system solver (FOCUSS), and sparse Bayesian learning algorithms are examined. Numerical simulations are performed to quantitatively analyze the efficiency of ultrasonic signal representations. Experiments with ultrasonic A-scans acquired from flip-chip packages are also carried out in the study. The efficiency of ultrasonic signal representations are evaluated in terms of the different criteria that can be used to measure its performance for different SAM applications, such as waveform estimation, echo detection, echo location and C-scan imaging. The results show that the FOCUSS algorithm performs best overall.     

In vivo dark-field reflection-mode photoacoustic microscopy

Reflection-mode photoacoustic microscopy with dark-field laser pulse illumination and high-numerical-aperture ultrasonic detection is designed and implemented in noninvasively imaged blood vessels in the skin in vivo. Dark-field optical illumination minimizes the interference caused by strong photoacoustic signals from superficial structures. A high-numerical-aperture acoustic lens provides high lateral resolution, 45-120 microm in this system. A broadband ultrasonic detection system provides high axial resolution, estimated to be approximately 15 microm. The optical illumination and ultrasonic detection are in a coaxial confocal configuration for optimal image quality. The system is capable of imaging optical-absorption contrast as deep as 3 mm in biological tissue.     

两阶段复数谱卷积循环网络立体声回声消除

提出了一种两阶段复数谱卷积循环网络(CRN)的立体声回声消除(SAEC)算法,该算法无需对立体声信号进行去相关,因而能够在保证立体声音质和空间感的同时,解决自适应滤波SAEC算法非唯一解问题。所提算法采用两个阶段进行回声消除,第一阶段根据传声器接收信号和参考信号估计回声信号,第二阶段将估计回声信号作为先验信息,联合传声器接收信号作为输入特征,估计近端语音。相对于单阶段CRN算法,该方法能够提高网络对回声和近端语音的区分度,有助于近端语音的提取。另外,网络的输入特征和训练目标均采用复数谱,降低了近端语音的相位估计误差,因而可以进一步提升算法性能。实验表明,基于两阶段复数谱CRN的SAEC算法在单端讲话时的回声抑制量和双端讲话时的语音质量都明显优于传统算法以及单阶段CRN算法。      

特征空间最小方差波束形成与相关系数特征值加权相融合的超声成像算法

为了进一步提高超声成像的质量,提出一种信号特征空间的最小方差波束形成与相关系数特征值加权相融合的超声成像算法。利用超声回波信号具有一定的相关性,而相关系数空间最大特征值可以反映回波信号相关性较强的性质,将该特征值作为自适应加权系数对信号特征空间最小方差波束形成(EIBMV)的结果进行加权成像,得到高质量的成像结果。通过对散射点目标和斑目标的Field II仿真,结果表明该算法相对于EIBMV算法,亮斑对比度提高了4.22 dB,暗斑对比度提高了1.88 dB,并且进一步提高了横向分辨率。      

A novel clutter rejection scheme in color flow imaging

In ultrasound color flow imaging systems, it is important to suppress the clutter signals originated from stationary and slowly moving tissue sufficiently. Without sufficient clutter rejection, the estimation of the blood flow velocity will be inaccurate, and the imaging quality will be poor. In this paper we present a new clutter rejection scheme involving first down-mixing the clutter signals to zero frequency and then cancelling the stationary echo by subtracting the signals from two consecutive pulses. This stationary echo cancelling scheme is easy to be realized with small computational power, and is adaptive to the clutter signals. Theoretical analysis and simulation using RF data prove that it's an efficient and practical clutter rejection scheme for color flow imaging.     

基于深度学习的材料超声回波衰减预测方法

材料超声回波衰减是评价材料均匀一致性的常用方法, 针对具有复杂结构的航空发动机盘件难以进行材料底面超声回波衰减评价的问题, 本文提出了利用超声背散射波信号直接预测底面回波衰减的方法。采用10MHz聚焦探头进行超声背散射波数据的采集, 利用深度学习技术构建和训练模型,建立了基于深度学习的材料底面回波衰减预测方法, 同时讨论了采用不同信号形式的超声波信号分类识别模型的准确率差异。研究发现：基于深度学习技术可实现通过超声背散射波预测材料的底面回波衰减, 预测结果和实际底面回波衰减试验结果具有良好的一致性。     

Physical and technological aspects of ultrasonic imaging of brain structures through thick skull bones: 1. Theoretical and model studies

The basic effects that restrict the potentialities of the ultrasonic imaging of brain structures by echo sounding through thick skull bones are considered. It is demonstrated that the main interfering factors are the echo signals from multiple reflections in the bone, its unknown inhomogeneity in depth, and the strong attenuation. To eliminate these effects, the use of a matched spatial processing and complex wideband signals with their subsequent correlation compression is proposed. A simulation of the proposed signal processing techniques confirmed the possibility of brain structure imaging with a spatial resolution of about 1 mm by ultrasonic echo sounding with acceptable intensities through bones up to 20 mm thick at frequencies of 1–2 MHz.     

基于Gabor时频滤波的电磁超声螺栓轴力测量*

高强度螺栓轴向预紧力(轴力)的测量在工程应用中具有重要意义。使用电磁超声波对螺栓轴力检测时对超声回波声时测量精度要求较高,传统互相关估计法对超声回波声时估计易因噪声干扰发生估计错误,无法满足轴力测量精度要求。本文针对互相关法对电磁超声测量信号声时估计存在不准确的问题,提出了Gabor时频滤波法。通过螺栓轴力测量实验采集测量信号,对测量信号进行Gabor变换,在时频域中进行滤波,再对去噪后的信号进行互相关估计测得信号的声时,进而计算出螺栓轴力。实验表明：Gabor时频滤波法能有效地滤除电磁超声信号中的噪声,改善互相关估计的稳定性,提高螺栓轴力测量的准确率。     

基于超声的单螺杆挤出机聚合物混合状态表征方法研究*

超声检测单螺杆挤出机中聚合物共混状态时,螺杆结构对回波信号幅值的衰减有很大影响,从而难以判别共混状态。本文分析了螺杆结构对超声回波信号的影响,以超声传播时间为依据,建立螺杆结构模型,根据螺棱位置的回波幅度,计算出低密度聚乙烯（LDPE）的衰减系数和不同螺杆位置的反射系数比,通过拟合建立反射系数比与螺杆结构关系模型;将上述模型应用到混合物中,计算不同位置的传感器采集信号的衰减系数方差并以此表征聚合物混合状态的均匀性。实验结果利用样本的电镜扫描图验证：上述建立模型及混合状态的表征方法可以较好地判别聚合物的共混状态。     

Sparse signal representation and its applications in ultrasonic NDE

Many sparse signal representation (SSR) algorithms have been developed in the past decade. The advantages of SSR such as compact representations and super resolution lead to the state of the art performance of SSR for processing ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation (NDE) signals. Choosing a suitable SSR algorithm and designing an appropriate overcomplete dictionary is a key for success. After a brief review of sparse signal representation methods and the design of overcomplete dictionaries, this paper addresses the recent accomplishments of SSR for processing ultrasonic NDE signals. The advantages and limitations of SSR algorithms and various overcomplete dictionaries widely-used in ultrasonic NDE applications are explored in depth. Their performance improvement compared to conventional signal processing methods in many applications such as ultrasonic flaw detection and noise suppression, echo separation and echo estimation, and ultrasonic imaging is investigated. The challenging issues met in practical ultrasonic NDE applications for example the design of a good dictionary are discussed. Representative experimental results are presented for demonstration.     

An experimental study of the fluctuations of acoustic signals reflected from ships

Results of an experimental study of amplitude fluctuations in echo signals received from ships and their wakes are presented for the cases of vertical and horizontal sounding in a wide range of high sonic and ultrasonic frequencies. Dependences of the amplitude variation coefficients of echo signals on the speed of ship motion, the sounding frequency, the duration of sounding pulses, and the height of wind waves on the sea surface are analyzed. The probability characteristics of echo signals reflected from ship hulls and from wakes at different depths are discussed.     

基于双高斯衰减模型的超声回波处理方法

信号降噪与特征提取是超声检测数据处理的关键技术.基于超声信号有特定结构而噪声和超声信号的结构无关,本文提出一种旨在解决强噪声背景下超声回波的参数估计和降噪问题的方法.该方法将超声回波的参数估计和降噪问题转换为函数优化问题,首先根据工程经验建立超声信号的双高斯衰减数学模型,然后根据观测回波和建立的超声信号模型确定目标函数,接着选择人工蜂群算法对目标函数进行优化从而得到参数的最优估计值,最后由估计出的参数根据建立的超声信号数学模型重构出无噪的超声估计信号.通过仿真和实验表明本文方法可以准确估计出信噪比大于-10 dB的含噪超声回波中的无噪信号,且效果优于基于自适应阈值的小波降噪方法和经验模态分解方法;此外相比常用的指数模型和高斯模型,本文提出的双高斯衰减超声信号模型与实测超声信号更接近,其均方误差为9.4×10~(-5),波形相似系数为0.98.     

A quadrature demodulation method based on tracking the ultrasound echo frequency

The ultrasound echo attenuation depends on frequency, propagating depth and tissue characteristics. Thus, the attenuation dependent on frequency results in a larger attenuation of high frequencies than lower when the wave propagates through the tissue. As a result, the central frequency of the echo generates the increasing downshift with the increasing of depth. In the traditional I/Q demodulation method, it is assumed that the central frequency of the echo is the same as the transmitting frequency and unchanged all time. The assumption directly causes that the acquired I/Q signals are not perfect baseband ones but biased due to the echo attenuation. In addition, the unreasonable assumption will keep the echo from getting better signal-to-noise ratio. A quadrature demodulation method based on tracking the ultrasound echo frequency is proposed in this paper. The method consists of the traditional I/Q demodulator, the frequency tracking module, the phase compensation module and the dynamic filtering module. The outputs of I/Q demodulator are biased. Autocorrelation technique is utilized in the frequency tracking unit to estimate the frequency bias according to the outputs of I/Q demodulator. The estimated bias feeds to the phase compensation unit which can eliminate the frequency bias by simple trigonometric function transform. The compensated signals feed to the dynamic filter and are further processed. The bandwidth of the dynamic filter decreases with the increasing of the depth, which makes the echo acquire better SNR in different depth. The efficiency of the proposed method is testified by both simulations and experiments.     

An efficient sound speed estimation method to enhance image resolution in ultrasound imaging

Most of clinical ultrasound imaging systems use a pre-determined sound speed, mostly 1540 m/s, in transmit- and receive-beamforming while actual sound speed varies depending on tissue composition and temperature. Sound speed errors, particularly in receive-beamforming, lead to resolution degradation and sensitivity loss in ultrasound imaging. In this paper, we propose a sound speed estimation method in which an optimal sound speed, the speed that makes the echo signal delays at the transducer elements be best matched to the theoretical delays, is estimated by maximizing the beamformed echo signal amplitude with respect to the sound speed and the reflector displacement from the central axis of the ultrasound beam. Since the sound speed can be estimated from the echo signals on several scan lines, the proposed method does not require excessive computation. Experimental imaging studies of phantoms and porcine tissue with a 6 MHz 128-element linear probe and a 3 MHz 128-element convex probe have shown that spatial resolution, particularly in the lateral direction, can be improved by the proposed method.     

Time domain attenuation estimation method from ultrasonic backscattered signals

Ultrasonic attenuation is important not only as a parameter for characterizing tissue but also for compensating other parameters that are used to classify tissues. Several techniques have been explored for estimating ultrasonic attenuation from backscattered signals. In the present study, a technique is developed to estimate the local ultrasonic attenuation coefficient by analyzing the time domain backscattered signal. The proposed method incorporates an objective function that combines the diffraction pattern of the source/receiver with the attenuation slope in an integral equation. The technique was assessed through simulations and validated through experiments with a tissue mimicking phantom and fresh rabbit liver samples. The attenuation values estimated using the proposed technique were compared with the attenuation estimated using insertion loss measurements. For a data block size of 15 pulse lengths axially and 15 beamwidths laterally, the mean attenuation estimates from the tissue mimicking phantoms were within 10% of the estimates using insertion loss measurements. With a data block size of 20 pulse lengths axially and 20 beamwidths laterally, the error in the attenuation values estimated from the liver samples were within 10% of the attenuation values estimated from the insertion loss measurements.     

Efficient array beam forming by spatial filtering for ultrasound B-mode imaging

This paper proposes an efficient array beam-forming method using spatial matched filtering (SMF) for ultrasonic imaging. In the proposed method, ultrasonic waves are transmitted from an array subaperture with fixed transmit focus as in conventional array imaging. At receive, radio frequency echo signals from each receive channel are passed through a spatial matched filter that is constructed based on the system transmit-receive spatial impulse response. The filtered echo signals are then summed without time delays. The filter concentrates and spatially registers the echo energy from each element so that the pulse-echo impulse response of the summed output is focused with acceptably low side lobes. Analytical beam pattern analysis and simulation results using a linear array show that this spatial filtering method can improve lateral resolution and contrast-to-noise ratio as compared with conventional dynamic receive focusing (DRF) methods. Experimental results with a linear array are consistent but point out the need to address additional practical issues. Spatial filtering is equivalent to synthetic aperture methods that dynamically focus on both transmit and receive throughout the field of view. In one common example of phase aberrations, the SMF method was degraded to a degree comparable to conventional DRF methods.     

Fundamental study on subharmonic imaging by irradiation of amplitude-modulated ultrasound waves

The second harmonic and subharmonic components, the frequencies of which are twice and one half the fundamental frequency, are included in echoes from contrast agents. An imaging method, which employs a second harmonic (second harmonic imaging), is widely used in medical diagnoses. On the other hand, subharmonic is expected to provide a higher contrast between biological tissues and blood flow because echo signals are generated only from blood containing the contrast agents. However, the subharmonic component echo signal power from contrast agents is relatively low. This has resulted in little progress in the field of subharmonic imaging. In this study, a new imaging method is proposed using amplitude-modulated waves as transmitted waves combined with the pulse inversion method to enhance subharmonic echo signals. Two optimal frequencies are set, including the modulated waves, F(1) and F(2), so that the subharmonic frequency of F(1) and the second harmonic frequency of F(2) may result in the same value. This allows a more powerful signal at the frequency band because the second harmonic and subharmonic components are integrated. Furthermore, a B-mode ultrasound image of an agar phantom that imitated biological tissue and showed the effectiveness of our method was reconstructed. As a result, the echo power of the subharmonic component was enhanced by approximately 11.8 dB more than the conventional method and the signal to noise ratio showed an improvement of 7.6 dB.