Optimization of ultrasound scanner characteristics: a preliminary study.
It is generally accepted that different transducer characteristics are optimal for different examinations, but it is not always obvious which other scanner/transducer parameters, e.g. signal processing should be selected for a given examination. We have examined noise and grey-level parameters for two specific anatomical sections (one showing the liver and right kidney and one showing the uterus) using a combination of subjective and objective assessment. The results confirm that the images chosen for this study have different requirements in terms of noise and grey-scale processing. The uterus image requires a large range of greys assigned to the lower level echoes and requires low noise levels. The liver/kidney image was not affected by noise levels in the systems used and required the lower amplitude grey-levels to be compressed, liberating a greater range of greys for the higher amplitude echoes.
Department of Medical Physics, Leeds General Infirmary, UK.
S C
SC
Metcalfe
J A
JA
Evans
D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007668:Kidney / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D008099:Liver / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009622:Noise; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods* / Q000592:standards; D014599:Uterus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging