Real-time contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging using pulse inversion spectral deconvolution

Mawia Khairalseed, Kenneth Hoyt

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) involves the use of a microbubbles (MB) contrast agent and specialized ultrasound (US) imaging techniques. Any progress that can improve image quality and contrast, could positively impact patient management. Herein we introduce the concept of nonlinear filtering of backscattered US data for separating the tissue and MB signal components. Termed pulse inversion spectral deconvolution (PISD), this method does not require multiple pulse transmissions, which is typical for many nonlinear US imaging modes. Our new PISD-based CEUS approach uses two Gaussian-weighted Hermite polynomials (GH) to form two inverted pulse sequences. The two inverted pulses are then used to filter US backscattered data and discrimination of the linear and nonlinear signal components. A programmable US scanner (Vantage 256, Verasonics Inc) equipped with a linear array transducer was implemented with real-time PISD-based CEUS imaging. The receive data from all channels were shaped using plane wave imaging beamforming with angular compounding (1 to 9 angles). In vitro data was collected using a tissue-mimicking flow phantom perfused with a MB contrast agent (Definity, Lantheus Medical Imaging) using both PISD and traditional nonlinear US imaging as comparison. Contrast enhancement was quantified by computing the contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR). Preliminary in vivo data was collected in the hindlimb of a healthy mouse. These in vitro and in vivo results collectively show that PISD-based CEUS imaging yields improved image contrast compared to the more traditional nonlinear US imaging approach.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publication2019 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS 2019
PublisherIEEE Computer Society
Pages2291-2294
Number of pages4
ISBN (Electronic)9781728145969
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2019
Externally publishedYes
Event2019 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS 2019 - Glasgow, United Kingdom
Duration: Oct 6 2019Oct 9 2019

Publication series

NameIEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS
Volume2019-October
ISSN (Print)1948-5719
ISSN (Electronic)1948-5727

Conference

Conference2019 IEEE International Ultrasonics Symposium, IUS 2019
Country/TerritoryUnited Kingdom
CityGlasgow
Period10/6/1910/9/19

Keywords

  • Angular compounding
  • microbubbles
  • plane waves
  • pulse-inversion spectral deconvolution
  • ultrasound imaging.

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Acoustics and Ultrasonics

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