Comparison of 3-D multi-lag cross- correlation and speckle brightness aberration correction algorithms on static and moving targets.
Phase correction has the potential to increase the image quality of 3-D ultrasound, especially transcranial ultrasound. We implemented and compared 2 algorithms for aberration correction, multi-lag cross-correlation and speckle brightness, using static and moving targets. We corrected three 75-ns rms electronic aberrators with full-width at half-maximum (FWHM) auto-correlation lengths of 1.35, 2.7, and 5.4 mm. Cross-correlation proved the better algorithm at 2.7 and 5.4 mm correlation lengths (P < 0.05). Static cross-correlation performed better than moving-target cross-correlation at the 2.7 mm correlation length (P < 0.05). Finally, we compared the static and moving-target cross-correlation on a flow phantom with a skull casting aberrator. Using signal from static targets, the correction resulted in an average contrast increase of 22.2%, compared with 13.2% using signal from moving targets. The contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) increased by 20.5% and 12.8% using static and moving targets, respectively. Doppler signal strength increased by 5.6% and 4.9% for the static and moving-targets methods, respectively.
Ivancevich
Nikolas M
NM
Biomed. Eng. Dept., Duke Univ., Durham, NC, USA. nik.ivancevich@gmail.com
Dahl
Jeremy J
JJ
Smith
Stephen W
SW
D000465:Algorithms; D002343:Carotid Artery, Internal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D003198:Computer Simulation; D006801:Humans; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D009068:Movement; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D012815:Signal Processing, Computer-Assisted; D014159:Transducers; D017585:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Transcranial / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*