Corrected high-frame rate anchored ultrasound with software alignment

Area of Science:

• Speech Science
• Biomedical Imaging
• Linguistics

Background:

• Lingual ultrasound imaging is crucial for speech research.
• Existing methods face limitations in frame rate and spatial accuracy.
• The corrected high frame rate anchored ultrasound with software alignment (CHAUSA) method was developed to address these limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance lingual ultrasound imaging using the CHAUSA method.
• To compare CHAUSA with standard ultrasound technology for articulatory-to-acoustic alignment.
• To demonstrate probe stabilization and head movement correction.

Main Methods:

• Utilized a Tri-Modal 3-ms pulse generator for articulatory-to-acoustic alignment.
• Collected simultaneous ultrasound images using dominant ultrasound technology and the CHAUSA method.
• Implemented a probe stabilization and head movement correction paradigm.

Main Results:

• CHAUSA increased frame rate from 29.97 frames per second (fps) to 124 fps using Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) data transfer.
• DICOM transfer minimized spatiotemporal inaccuracies compared to other export techniques.
• Achieved precise alignment of acoustic and articulatory signals within ± 4 ms at 124 fps.

Conclusions:

• CHAUSA yields high frame rate, high spatial quality ultrasound images with 1 mm head correction accuracy.
• The method revealed previously undetectable tongue movements during alveolar click articulation.
• CHAUSA significantly reduces field problems in dynamic consonant studies, advancing speech research.