3-D Super-Resolution Ultrasound Imaging With a 2-D Sparse Array

IEEE Trans Ultrason Ferroelectr Freq Control. 2020 Feb;67(2):269-277. doi: 10.1109/TUFFC.2019.2943646. Epub 2019 Sep 25.

Abstract

High-frame-rate 3-D ultrasound imaging technology combined with super-resolution processing method can visualize 3-D microvascular structures by overcoming the diffraction-limited resolution in every spatial direction. However, 3-D super-resolution ultrasound imaging using a full 2-D array requires a system with a large number of independent channels, the design of which might be impractical due to the high cost, complexity, and volume of data produced. In this study, a 2-D sparse array was designed and fabricated with 512 elements chosen from a density-tapered 2-D spiral layout. High-frame-rate volumetric imaging was performed using two synchronized ULA-OP 256 research scanners. Volumetric images were constructed by coherently compounding nine-angle plane waves acquired at a pulse repetition frequency of 4500 Hz. Localization-based 3-D super-resolution images of two touching subwavelength tubes were generated from 6000 volumes acquired in 12 s. Finally, this work demonstrates the feasibility of 3-D super-resolution imaging and super-resolved velocity mapping using a customized 2-D sparse array transducer.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Microbubbles
  • Phantoms, Imaging
  • Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Ultrasonography / methods*