A tracking method for soft nonlinear moving objects using correlation method with confidence

We propose a new tracking method for soft nonlinear moving objects by ultrasonic radiofrequency (2.5 MHz) echo signals to trace points in the heart muscle precisely. The method is based on a hierarchical correlation method with wide and narrow search areas in signal processing. We believe that the correlation coefficient corresponds with the degree of confidence of the determined position. If the correlation coefficient of the point of interest is low, then the tracking position is determined using the weighted summation of the movements at the neighboring points. We evaluate the accuracy of this method using ultrasonic echo signals for both normal and abnormal hearts.