Coherence-Based Fetal Ultrasonic Imaging

摘要 超声成像被广泛用于监测胎儿生长和发育期间的第一次和第二次 多项研究记录了对胎儿和母亲的积极影响。 结果。然而，当前的方法在许多情况下不能提供关键结构的充分可视化。 患者，并且替代成像模式很少可用于这些患者。我们已经开发 利用后向散射回波的空间相干性的新颖的超声波束形成方法。 这些方法，在模拟，幻影，和盲目的观察者临床研究，显示出显着 图像质量优于传统超声图像，尤其是在难以成像的患者中。 我们建议扩展我们的相干成像理论，以1.5D和2D阵列和非常大的阵列。 使用这种先进的阵列，我们建议临床研究，以评估相干成像在 妊娠早期和妊娠中期扫描的关键胎儿诊断任务。定量图像质量 指标和观察员的研究提出了比较B模式和相干图像与一个 重点放在目前成像方法失败的难以成像的患者上。相关研究将 测量胎儿扫描中各种图像退化源的贡献。如果成功， 拟议的研究可能会导致一类新的超声波波束形成方法， 成像环境中，目前的方法失败。

Abstract Ultrasonic imaging is widely used to monitor fetal growth and development during the first and second trimester, and multiple studies document the resultant positive impacts on fetal and maternal outcomes. However, current methods fail to provide adequate visualization of key structures in many patients, and alternative imaging modes are rarely available to these patients. We have developed novel ultrasonic beamforming methods that utilize the spatial coherence of backscattered echoes. These methods, in simulation, phantom, and blinded-observer clinical studies, show markedly improved image quality over conventional ultrasonic images, especially in difficult-to-image patients. We propose extend our theory of coherence imaging to 1.5D and 2D arrays and to very large arrays. Using such advanced arrays, we propose clinical studies to assess the role of coherence imaging in key fetal diagnostic tasks in first trimester and second trimester scans. Quantitative image quality metrics and observer studies are proposed to compare B-mode and coherence images with an emphasis on difficult-to-image patients for whom current imaging methods fail. Related studies will measure the contribution of various sources of image degradation in fetal scans. If successful, the proposed research could lead to a new class of ultrasonic beamforming methods that operate in imaging environments in which current methods fail.