Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging

Web Published:
10/19/2015
Description:

Princeton Docket # 15-3096-1

 

Researchers at Princeton University, Department of Electrical Engineering, have proposed a method to improve ultrasound image quality.

 

Ultrasound operates like radar, with a probe beam sent to the object and an echo recorded. 2D and 3D images are then built up point-by-point in a scanning fashion. In many cases, however, the resulting image has poor quality. This is especially true in biomedical ultrasound, as inhomogeneity in tissue causes a variety of problems. These problems become worse with increasing probe frequency and increasing sample depth.

 

Currently, there are many ways of improving ultrasound image quality. For instance, Tissue Harmonic Imaging records a nonlinear signal a different frequency than that of the probe,  Contrast-enhanced Ultrasound uses contrast agents (such as microbubbles) to create a nonlinear amplification, and Spatial Compounding averages signals taken at different angles. These images are taken as the final result, without regard to the basic probe-echo response of simple ultrasound. This is unfortunate, as the fundamental image contains information that the other signals do not.

 

The innovation consists of two parts. First, it creates an improved final image by using the fundamental signal in conjunction with the more advanced images. The method identifies relevant features and leverages the mutual information between images. Second, it uses this information as a starting point for wavefront shaping and new probe/transducer designs. Both approaches result in higher contrast, less noise, improved resolution, fewer artifacts, and more tissue-specific response.

 

The innovation is compatible with all existing ultrasound devices, and can improve all types of ultrasound imaging in real time.

 

Applications        

•       Ultrasound imaging

  1.       Image acquisition

  2.       Image processing

•       Medical diagnosis

•       Material testing

 

Advantages        

•       Higher contrast

•       Lower noise

•       Improved resolution

•       Fewer artifacts

•       More tissue-specific, material-specific response

 

The Faculty Inventor

Jason Fleischer is Associate Professor of Electric Engineering at Princeton University.  His research focuses on nonlinear optics and computational imaging. The emphasis is on propagation problems that are universal to wave systems, taking advantage of the fact that optical systems allow easy control of the input and direct imaging of the output.  Among the numerous awards and honors Professor Fleischer has received are Fellowship in the Optical Society of America (2011), a Department of Energy Plasma Physics Junior Faculty Award (2008), and the Emerson Electric Company Lawrence Keys '51 Faculty Advancement Award (2007).

       

Intellectual Property & Development status

Patent protection is pending.

Princeton is currently seeking commercial partners for the further development and commercialization of this opportunity.

 

Contact:

 

Michael R. Tyerech

Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-6762• tyerech@princeton.edu

Xin (Shane) Peng

Princeton University Office of Technology Licensing • (609) 258-5579• xinp@princeton.edu

 

 

Patent Information:
For Information, Contact:
John Ritter
Director
Princeton University
609-258-1570
jritter@Princeton.EDU
Inventors:
Jason Fleischer
Jen-Tang Lu
Keywords:
Imaging
signal processing