Extended focal depth imaging for medical ultrasound

A new method for achieving extended depth of focus is presented which is shown to possess desirable characteristics in terms of ease of implementation, performance and stability in the presence of tissue related phase aberration and attenuation. Simple coded waveforms are used on individual elements. The performance is analyzed using a simple model for a generic ultrasound system. A major aspect of the new focusing method is the new level of versatility offered to the designer. It is expected that the new method will achieve much of the improved lateral resolution obtained when multiple transmit focus zones are used in a conventional system but without the significant frame rate loss that accompanies multiple transmit zone usage