Ultrasound Imaging through Aberrating Layers using a Virtual Array

Abstract

Ultrasound images are typically generated using the Delay-And-Sum (DAS) method, which assumes a homogeneous propagation medium. When an aberrating layer is situated between the sensor array and the imaging target, this assumption does not hold, and DAS is replaced with model-based methods. These methods are computationally expensive and require to accurately model the aberrations caused by the layer. This thesis investigates novel methods for image formation and aberration estimation. The effect of the layer is described using a set of transfer functions from the sensor array to a virtual array placed after the layer. In the first part, we assume the transfer functions are known, and we propose a new method for image formation. The transfer functions allow to map the signal from the sensor array to the virtual array, and the DAS method is used on the virtual array signal. This technique is equivalent to model-based matched filtering in terms of image quality, without requiring expensive matrix computations. In the second part, the transfer functions are unknown, and a novel technique is introduced for their estimation. Using pulse-echo data, a focus-quality metric is computed to quantify the accuracy of the transfer function estimate. The transfer functions are modeled using a dictionary and the dictionary coefficients are iteratively updated to increase the defined metric. The optimization leads to improved focus quality and sharper images. In the case the layer model requires a limited dictionary, the proposed algorithm generates an accurate estimate of the transfer functions.