Supercompound imaging with weiner deconvolution

The resolution of ultrasound imaging is restricted primarily by the blurring process of the imaging system embedded in the point spread function (PSF). Supercompounding has been found to be a highly effective way to enhance the resolution of ultrasound imaging. Here we utilize a spatial ultrasound compounding technique using a B-mode array rotated around a target in a range encompassing 180° or greater which we term "supercompounding." For some ultrasound imaging modalities, the PSF is unknown and is space variant, caused by a mono-focus imaging device. To use linear algorithms to enhance the resolution, images must be assumed to have a uniform PSF which is space invariant; otherwise, it is necessary to use complicated non-linear algorithms. Under the above circumstances, an image with a uniform PSF is the key element to more effective resolution enhancement. The supercompounding technique as here can create an image with a uniform PSF from 214 B-scan images thus allowing the use of linear algorithm enhancement. Once a supercompound image with a uniform PSF is constructed, the resolution of the image was further improved with Weiner deconvolution. The processing technique was demonstrated on imaging a dissected porcine aortic root at 5 different critical height levels both with and without inflated pressure into to the sinus. The results can be analyzed to acquire the mechanical properties and geometry of the aortic valve for future use. The resolution as measured by -6dB width of the sinus wall shows a 14% improvement.