Empirical correction method for spatial averaging effect in ultrasonic device calibration: Enhancing the...

Area of Science:

• Biomedical Engineering
• Acoustics
• Medical Imaging

Background:

• Ultrasound diagnostic equipment calibration is crucial for safety and effectiveness.
• Hydrophone measurements of acoustic fields are susceptible to the spatial averaging effect.
• Existing International Electrotechnical Commission standards for spatial averaging correction have limitations.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a novel method for correcting the spatial averaging effect in ultrasound calibration.
• To extend the applicability of spatial averaging corrections to lower hydrophone-to-beam size ratios.
• To improve the accuracy and sensitivity balance in hydrophone measurements.

Main Methods:

• Computational simulation was used to develop an empirical correction factor.
• The method addresses the spatial averaging effect for various hydrophone and ultrasonic beam sizes.
• Validation involved comparing results with established standards and experimental data.

Main Results:

• The novel method provides accurate spatial averaging corrections for hydrophone-to-beam width ratios (Rbh) as low as 0.35.
• Achieved correction errors are below 3%, outperforming existing methods at low Rbh values.
• The method demonstrates generalizability across different ultrasonic probe characteristics.

Conclusions:

• The developed computational method offers a significant improvement for spatial averaging correction in ultrasound calibration.
• This approach enhances the precision of acoustic field measurements, particularly with smaller hydrophones.
• The method supports more reliable calibration of ultrasound diagnostic equipment with diverse characteristics.