Title :
Experimental results with a real-time adaptive ultrasonic imaging system for viewing through distorting media
Author :
Trahey, Gregg ; Zhao, Danhua ; Miglin, John A. ; Smith, Stephen W.
Author_Institution :
Dept. of Biomed. Eng., Duke Univ., Durham, NC, USA
Abstract :
An online adaptive phased-array ultrasonic imaging system capable of markedly improving the detectability of targets viewed through inhomogeneous media is described. An online adaptive phase correction technique implemented on a research phased-array scanner is described. The theoretical basis for this technique is presented by describing the relationship between the magnitude of phase aberrations and the regional brightness of speckle and pointlike targets. The system currently generates a corrected image in approximately 0.1 s and utilizes no prior knowledge of the aberrating media or the target. The adaptive imaging algorithm uses regional target brightness as a quality factor. The results of in vitro tests with this system using electronic and physical aberrators for both diffuse and pointlike targets are presented.<>
Keywords :
acoustic imaging; real-time systems; ultrasonic applications; adaptive imaging algorithm; corrected image; diffuse targets; distorting media; electronic aberrators; in vitro tests; inhomogeneous media; online adaptive phase correction technique; online adaptive phased-array ultrasonic imaging system; phase aberrations; phased-array scanner; physical aberrators; pointlike targets; quality factor; real-time adaptive ultrasonic imaging system; regional target brightness; speckle targets; target detectability; Brightness; Electronic equipment testing; Image generation; In vitro; Nonhomogeneous media; Phase detection; Q factor; Speckle; System testing; Ultrasonic imaging;
Journal_Title :
Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, IEEE Transactions on
