Method and Apparatus using Weighted Nonlinear Beamformer for Ultrasound Imaging

Technology: Weighted Nonlinear Beamformer for Ultrasound Imaging ;

Industry: Healthcare, Medical ultrasound imaging; Applications: Medical & surgical device;

Market: The global medical ultrasound imaging equipment market size is projected at a CAGR of 4.5% during period of 2022-2030.

Generally, Ultrasound(US) imaging techniques are popularly used in a wide range of clinical applications. And the beamformer is one of the most critical unit in the US imaging systems which can affect the overall reconstructed image quality. Also Delay & Sum beamformer is having limitations of lower image resolution outside the focal region & less off-axis interference rejection.
The adaptive beamformer based systems require complex computational factors which limits its use in the US systems. Further, a few prior arts method/techniques have discussed to enhance resolution, image quality including other features, however unable to provide solutions.
Hence, there is a need to mitigate above challenges by discussing present apparatus & method for Ultrasound (US) imaging.

Present invention describes a method for ultrasound imaging using weighted non-linear beamformer, shown in Fig.1.
The coefficient of window function can be a raised to the power of Euclidian distance computed between the combinations of delayed raw echo RF data inorder to obtain weighted data (FDewMAS beamformer). Said method follows a few steps depicted in the smart chart hereinbelow:

Present Invention also describes an ultrasound imaging apparatus with weighted non-linear beamformer.
Said apparatus comprises a beam former module operatively configured with the US machine wherein the processed data with improved image quality is displayed at the display unit, depicted in Fig 2.
The beam former module comprises a delay profile to excite at least one element of the transducer to transmit the US beam in order to receive the echoes using the transducer elements and store it as Raw echo RF data.
The weighted data is obtained by multiplying the delayed Raw echo RF data with at least one coefficient of window function (either F-DwMAS or F-DewMAS) which is combinatorially coupled, multiplied & summed using the multiply and sum modules of the beamformer module.

Technical Perspective:

Facilitates a cost-effective apparatus which includes beamformer module, performs sign preservation and dimensionality reduction steps on the data using a square root operation.
A bandpass filter used to filter unintended high frequency & DC noise present in the multiplied data and the multiplied data is processed using envelop detection and log compression unit in order to further display high quality ultrasound image on the display unit.
Experimental Results show an improved UltraSound imaging for both medical (1-15 MHz) and pre-clinical/ high-frequency (>=15MHz) applications.

Industrial Perspective:

Increased efficiency in term of obtaining high quality ultrasound imaging by using the claimed Apparatus and method in cost-effective manner.
Highly demanding apparatus in the field of Biomedical Engineering, used as Medical device for identification of lifestyle- related diseases.

Prof. Arun K. Thittai

Department. of Applied Mechanics & Biomedical Engineering

TRL-4/5

Proof of Concept, Tested & Validated

Technology Transfer