Depth-dependent apodization window based on Chebyshev polynomial for ultrasound imaging.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Signal Processing
• Ultrasound Technology

Background:

• Improving image resolution is crucial for portable real-time ultrasound devices.
• Traditional beamformers face limitations in controlling sidelobe levels and mainlobe width.
• Enhanced image quality requires advanced signal processing techniques in ultrasound systems.

Purpose of the Study:

• To propose a novel beamformer utilizing composite apodization windows based on Chebyshev polynomial for enhanced ultrasound image resolution.
• To demonstrate the flexible control of sidelobe levels and mainlobe width using the Chebyshev window.
• To achieve superior image resolution compared to traditional beamformers in portable ultrasound imaging.

Main Methods:

• Implementation of a beamformer with composite apodization windows incorporating Chebyshev polynomial.
• Dynamic adjustment of weighting values based on detection depth and ultrasound attenuation.
• Simulation and experimental validation of the proposed beamforming technique.

Main Results:

• The Chebyshev window allows for flexible control over sidelobe levels, suppressing artifacts effectively.
• The proposed method achieved a narrower full width at half-maximum (FWHM) compared to traditional apodization methods.
• FWHM reductions of 14.1%-27.8% in simulations and 4.2%-25.0% in experiments were observed.

Conclusions:

• The proposed Chebyshev polynomial-based beamformer significantly improves image resolution in portable ultrasound devices.
• This technique offers flexible control over beamforming parameters, leading to better artifact suppression and narrower mainlobe width.
• The method presents a viable advancement for enhancing the diagnostic capabilities of real-time ultrasound imaging.