Sub-aperture ultrafast volumetric ultrasound imaging for fully sampled dual-mode matrix array

Fully sampled dual-mode matrix array ultrasound transducer is capable of performing imaging and therapeutic ultrasound in three dimensions (3D). It is a promising tool for many clinical applications because of its precise multi-focus therapy with imaging guidance by itself. Our team previously designed a 256-element fully sampled dual-mode matrix array transducer, while its imaging quality needs to be further improved. In this work, we propose a high-contrast sub-aperture volumetric imaging strategy to improve the imaging quality of the dual-mode matrix array. We first analyzed the effect of various parameters of sub-aperture imaging on the imaging quality by Field II. Based on the optimized parameters, we compared the resolution and signal to noise ratio (SNR) of sub-aperture imaging with those of full aperture imaging on phantoms and rabbit brain. The experimental results showed the proposed sub-aperture imaging method could obtain a comparable resolution to full aperture imaging. Moreover, the average intensity of noise signal near the wire phantom decreased by about 5 dB and the SNR of tissue phantom image increased by 8 %. The proposed sub-aperture imaging method also enabled clearer and more accurate imaging of the rabbit brain. The obtained results indicate the proposed sub-aperture imaging is a promising method for practical use of a fully sampled dual-mode matrix array for volumetric ultrasound imaging.

A theranostic 3D ultrasound imaging system for high resolution image-guided therapy

Microbubble contrast agents are a diagnostic tool with broad clinical impact and an increasing number of indications. Many therapeutic applications have also been identified. Yet, technologies for ultrasound guidance of microbubble-mediated therapy are limited. In particular, arrays that are capable of implementing and imaging microbubble-based therapy in three dimensions in real-time are lacking. We propose a system to perform and monitor microbubble-based therapy, capable of volumetric imaging over a large field-of-view. To propel the promise of the theranostic treatment strategies forward, we have designed and tested a unique array and system for 3D ultrasound guidance of microbubble-based therapeutic protocols based on the frequency, temporal and spatial requirements. Methods: Four 256-channel plane wave scanners (Verasonics, Inc, WA, USA) were combined to control a 1024-element planar array with 1.3 and 2.5 MHz therapeutic and imaging transmissions, respectively. A transducer aperture of ~40×15 mm was selected and Field II was applied to evaluate the point spread function. In vitro experiments were performed on commercial and custom phantoms to assess the spatial resolution, image contrast and microbubble-enhanced imaging capabilities. Results: We found that a 2D array configuration with 64 elements separated by λ-pitch in azimuth and 16 elements separated by 1.5λ-pitch in elevation ensured the required flexibility. This design, of 41.6 mm × 16 mm, thus provided both an extended field-of-view, up to 11 cm x 6 cm at 10 cm depth and steering of ±18° in azimuth and ±12° in elevation. At a depth of 16 cm, we achieved a volume imaging rate of 60 Hz, with a contrast ratio and resolution, respectively, of 19 dB, 0.8 mm at 3 cm and 20 dB and 2.1 mm at 12.5 cm. Conclusion: A single 2D array for both imaging and therapeutics, integrated with a 1024 channel scanner can guide microbubble-based therapy in volumetric regions of interest.

Fast Volumetric Imaging Using a Matrix Transesophageal Echocardiography Probe with Partitioned Transmit-Receive Array

We describe a 3-D multiline parallel beamforming scheme for real-time volumetric ultrasound imaging using a prototype matrix transesophageal echocardiography probe with diagonally diced elements and separated transmit and receive arrays. The elements in the smaller rectangular transmit array are directly wired to the ultrasound system. The elements of the larger square receive aperture are grouped in 4 × 4-element sub-arrays by micro-beamforming in an application-specific integrated circuit. We propose a beamforming sequence with 85 transmit-receive events that exhibits good performance for a volume sector of 60° × 60°. The beamforming is validated using Field II simulations, phantom measurements and in vivo imaging. The proposed parallel beamforming achieves volume rates up to 59 Hz and produces good-quality images by angle-weighted combination of overlapping sub-volumes. Point spread function, contrast ratio and contrast-to-noise ratio in the phantom experiment closely match those of the simulation. In vivo 3-D imaging at 22-Hz volume rate in a healthy adult pig clearly visualized the cardiac structures, including valve motion.