Research Initiation: Development and Analysis of an Ultra- sonic Imaging System for Clutter Reduction

杂波这一基本问题存在于几乎所有的超声成像和检测应用中，不能通过时间平均或滤波等传统降噪技术来消除。然而，最近开发了一种利用频率去相关技术的非线性最小化算法，该算法在一维超声应用中实现了显著的杂波抑制。本研究的目标是利用非线性杂波抑制概念开发一种二维超声成像系统；发展和完善二维最小化算法和分谱处理理论；并通过实验验证该理论，评价该成像系统在临床和材料方面的应用。由于杂波成像的改进在材料和医学成像方面都具有重要意义，因此本研究的成功完成将对超声成像中一个基本问题的解决产生重大影响。

The fundamental problem known as clutter exists in nearly all ultrasound imaging and detection applications and cannot be eliminated by conventional noise reduction techniques such as time averaging or filtering. However, a non-linear minimization algorithm utilizing a frequency decorrelation technique, which achieves significant clutter suppression in one-dimensional ultrasonic applications, was recently developed. The objectives of this research effort are to develop a two-dimensional ultrasonic imaging system utilizing non-linear clutter rejection concepts; to develop and refine the theory for the two-dimensional minimization algorithm and split-spectrum processing; and to experimentally verify the theory and evaluate the imaging system in both clinical and materials applications. Since improved imaging in clutter has significant ramifications in both materials and medical imaging, the successful completion of this research can have significant impact on the solution of a fundamental problem in ultrasonic imaging.