Very-High-Frequency Ultrasound Imaging With Coded Signals and Annular Arrays

使用编码信号和环形阵列进行甚高频超声成像

• 批准号: 7136794
• 负责人: JONATHAN MAMOU
• 金额: $ 18.68万
• 依托单位: RIVERSIDE RESEARCH INSTITUTE
• 依托单位国家: 美国
• 财政年份: 2006
• 资助国家: 美国
• 起止时间: 2006-08-01 至 2008-07-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/7136794
• 关键词: eye; glaucoma; lead; neoplasm /cancer; pathology; tissues; ultrasonography; ultrasound

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Ultrasound at very-high-frequency provides non-invasive diagnostic imaging with resolution better than 100 um. Very-high-frequency ultrasound (VHFU) is of great interest for imaging superficial tissues, such as skin, eye, gastrointestinal mucosa, and arterial plaque. The two main limiting factors for VHFU are the small depth of field and the frequency-dependent attenuation. The small depth of field allows fine-resolution images over only a small axial range about the focus, and the frequency-dependent attenuation limits application of VHFU to shallow imaging. We propose to develop signal-processing and VHFU imaging strategies that will mitigate these two limiting factors. Specifically, we will combine coded-excitation algorithms with annular-array technologies. The specific design of coded signals for VHFU will increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), which will permit an increased depth of penetration of VHFU waves. VHFU annular arrays allow dynamic focusing that can significantly increase the depth of field without requiring the large number of elements needed in linear arrays; this greatly simplifies electronics and facilitates implementation for clinical scanning. Coded excitation in ultrasound has never been investigated at very high- frequencies nor has it been combined with state-of-the-art annular arrays. We plan to extend the methodologies to obtain quantitative information about tissue microstructures. This quantitative ultrasound information will lead to a new means of distinguishing diseased from normal tissue and of monitoring disease progression or regression. While the technology and methodology to be developed in this project have general applicability for imaging superficial tissues, this research program will be developed in the context of ophthalmology. The proposed research can lead to significant improvement in evaluation of ophthalmic pathologies such as glaucoma, vitreous membranes, hemorrhage, choroidal tumors, and retinal and choroidal detachment that are challenging to image with conventional high-frequency ultrasound. If successful, the proposed research also will lead to significant improvement of diagnostic ultrasound in other clinical specialties. It will allow obtaining medical images with exquisite resolution, increased depth of field and a greater depth of penetration, and lead to new capabilities for improved diagnostic imaging and disease management.

描述（由申请人提供）： 甚高频超声可提供分辨率优于 100 微米的非侵入性诊断成像。甚高频超声 (VHFU) 对于皮肤、眼睛、胃肠粘膜和动脉斑块等浅表组织成像非常有意义。 VHFU 的两个主要限制因素是小景深和频率相关的衰减。小景深允许仅在焦点周围的小轴向范围内获得高分辨率图像，并且频率相关的衰减限制了 VHFU 在浅层成像中的应用。我们建议开发信号处理和 VHFU 成像策略来减轻这两个限制因素。具体来说，我们将把编码激励算法与环形阵列技术结合起来。 VHFU 编码信号的具体设计将提高信噪比 (SNR)，从而增加 VHFU 波的穿透深度。 VHFU 环形阵列允许动态聚焦，可显着增加景深，而无需线性阵列所需的大量元件；这极大地简化了电子设备并有利于临床扫描的实施。超声波中的编码激励从未在非常高的频率下进行过研究，也没有与最先进的环形阵列相结合。我们计划扩展该方法以获得有关组织微观结构的定量信息。这种定量超声信息将带来一种区分患病组织和正常组织以及监测疾病进展或消退的新方法。虽然该项目要开发的技术和方法对于浅表组织成像具有普遍适用性，但该研究项目将在眼科背景下开发。拟议的研究可以显着改善眼科病理学的评估，例如青光眼、玻璃体膜、出血、脉络膜肿瘤以及视网膜和脉络膜脱离，这些病理学难以用传统的高频超声成像。如果成功，拟议的研究还将导致其他临床专业超声诊断的显着改进。它将能够获得具有精细分辨率、更大景深和更大穿透深度的医学图像，并带来改进诊断成像和疾病管理的新功能。