Optimization of 3D ultrasound scan spacing using speckle statistics

Wendy Lani Smith; Aaron Fenster

doi:10.1117/12.382258

12 April 2000 Optimization of 3D ultrasound scan spacing using speckle statistics

Wendy Lani Smith, Aaron Fenster

Proceedings Volume 3982, Medical Imaging 2000: Ultrasonic Imaging and Signal Processing; (2000) https://doi.org/10.1117/12.382258
Event: Medical Imaging 2000, 2000, San Diego, CA, United States

Abstract

A technique is introduced which determines the spacing between acquired 2D planes necessary to maintain resolution in the scan direction while maximizing scan speed for 3D ultrasound imaging. A significant limit on resolution in ultrasound systems is the granular interference pattern called speckle. We perform a statistical analysis of the speckle in a series of 3D scans of agar blocks with different image spacings. Speckle size was approximately constant at small 2D image- plane spacings, but increased once the scan spacing surpassed a critical point. This point is the optimum scan spacing, minimizing the detrimental effects of speckle, while maximizing scan speed. Optimum spacing values range from .075 to .4 mm increasing with the axial depth and the number of focal zones. This dependence on the number of focal zones is a result of successive sampling by the US machine and the digitizer at unequal rates, as demonstrated through an analysis of the noise power spectra. Such sampling is commonly used in 3D ultrasound and inflates the speckle size. Our analysis predicted that speckle size may be significantly reduced by using a transducer sampling rate that is twice the digitization rate.

Citation Download Citation

Wendy Lani Smith and Aaron Fenster "Optimization of 3D ultrasound scan spacing using speckle statistics", Proc. SPIE 3982, Medical Imaging 2000: Ultrasonic Imaging and Signal Processing, (12 April 2000); https://doi.org/10.1117/12.382258

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