Automatic sensitivity control in diagnostic ultrasonics

Difficulties associated with swept-gain (ie, time-varied gain) as a means of controlling sensitivity in ultrasonic scanning are considered. Automatic sensitivity control as a possible technique for determining sensitivity is discussed. A simple automatic sensitivity control in the form of automatic gain control (AGC) was constructed and applied in scanning complex tissue structures. It is concluded that automatic sensitivity control allows acceptable ultrasonic images to be produced and involves the operator in little manipulation of controls.