Enhanced Ultrasound Image Formation with Computationally Efficient Cross-Angular Delay Multiply and Sum Beamforming.

Area of Science:

• Medical Imaging
• Biomedical Engineering
• Signal Processing

Background:

• Ultrasound imaging is a crucial clinical diagnostic tool.
• Conventional delay and sum beamforming algorithms offer computational efficiency but have limitations in resolution and high side lobes.
• Nonlinear processing techniques can improve ultrasound image quality efficiently.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel nonlinear beamforming algorithm, Cross-Angular Delay Multiply and Sum (X-DAMS).
• To enhance image contrast and resolution in ultrasound imaging through nonlinear compounding.
• To demonstrate the clinical applicability of X-DAMS in various imaging settings.

Main Methods:

• Development of the Cross-Angular Delay Multiply and Sum (X-DAMS) beamforming algorithm.
• Mathematical reformulation for optimized image reconstruction and reduced computational cost.
• Testing and validation across diverse *in vitro* and *in vivo* scenarios.

Main Results:

• X-DAMS demonstrated improved image resolution with tighter point spread functions.
• Enhanced contrast was observed in the generated ultrasound images.
• The algorithm proved effective for both conventional B-Mode and amplitude modulation imaging.
• Successful application with two types of ultrasound contrast agents was confirmed.

Conclusions:

• The Cross-Angular Delay Multiply and Sum algorithm offers significant improvements over traditional methods.
• X-DAMS provides enhanced contrast and resolution at a low computational cost.
• This novel beamforming technique shows strong potential for widespread clinical adoption in ultrasound diagnostics.