Beamforming using spatial matched filtering with annular arrays (L).
A linear array beamforming method for ultrasonic B-mode imaging using spatial matched filtering (SMF) and a rectangular aperture geometry was recently proposed Kim et al., [J. Acoust. Soc. Am. 120, 852-861 (2006)]. This letter extends those results to include circularly symmetric apertures. SMF applied to annular arrays can improve the lateral resolution and echo signal-to-noise ratio as compared with conventional dynamic-receive delay-sum beamforming. At high frequencies, where delay and sum beamforming is problematic, SMF showed greatly improved target contrast over an extended field of view.
Kim
Kang-Sik
KS
Department of Bioengineering and Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign 61801, USA.
Liu
Jie
J
Insana
Michael F
MF
D006801:Humans; D015233:Models, Statistical; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*