Objective measurements of ultrasound image quality to enhance the commercial development cycle of clinical ultrasound scanners.

超声（US）成像是仅次于X射线的医院最常用的成像方式，提供有价值的成像信息，以帮助临床诊断。确保US扫描仪的性能符合预定义的标准并适合用途，这在临床决策过程中至关重要1。然而，评估US扫描仪性能是耗时的，可以测量的参数范围很广，并且每个参数对图像质量的影响通常不清楚。为了帮助完善这一过程，我们以前已经开发了一个单一的数量的概念，分辨率积分，这是一个指标的成像性能的US扫描仪2。我们已经制造了一个测试对象（Burburhg Pipe Phantom）来测量该单个量，并使用该单个量来客观测量NHS Lothian 3中350台US临床和临床前扫描仪的成像性能。通过之前的资助（Censis），我们与英国兽医超声扫描仪制造商IMV Imaging合作，评估在兽医超声扫描仪的制造开发周期内使用相同的测试对象作为关键计量工具。由于成像性能通常是一个相当主观的问题;能够客观地测量图像质量消除了不同用户意见的主观性和查看临床图像时发生的“视觉过滤”。这之前6个月的合作导致了对测试对象的几个建议修改，到目前为止，这些修改尚未实施，也没有评估其影响。2022年，监督人员受邀向国际电工委员会（IEC）87：超声WG 9（脉冲回波设备）介绍了涉及测试对象的工作内容，以进行初步评估和讨论，使其成为评估超声扫描仪性能的国际标准。国际委员会提出了一些关键的技术建议，以提高通用性的测试object.Aims这个博士的建议，旨在评估的影响，关键的建议，并提出修改的测试对象，并评估这些变化的影响，在临床，临床前和兽医超声扫描仪的分辨率积分的评价。为此，我们将与IMV Imaging合作，重新设计我们的测试对象，以评估以下影响：（1）在测试对象中包括一系列超声对比度值的对象，而不是一个固定对比度值的对象。(2)使用人工智能技术而不是传统的信号处理算法来评估从测试对象获取的图像。(3)对测试对象进行测量所需的时间和技能。学生将：- 设计、开发和构建经过修改的测试对象，以支持临床、兽医和临床前扫描仪的评估（3D打印、组织模拟材料制造技能、车间技能、与临床医生和超声扫描仪合作）-使用新设计的体模与已建立的体模相比，量化测量差异（超声扫描技能，图像处理技能，统计分析，在商业公司团队工作的经验）-熟悉用于评价超声成像的当前AI技术，并开发进一步的AI技术，以评价从修改后的测试对象获取的图像，并量化AI的影响与主观评估相比，技术在时间和精确度上有显著差异。(AI和机器学习技能，统计分析）-将结果口头和科学写作（科学会议，公众参与以及国家和国际会议）传达给非专业观众和专业观众

Ultrasound (US) imaging is second only to X-ray as the most commonly used imaging modality in hospitals providing valuable imaging information to aid clinical diagnosis. Ensuring that US scanners are performing to a pre-defined standard and are fit-for-purpose is crucial in the clinical decisionmaking pathway1 . However assessing US scanner performance is time-consuming with a wide range of parameters that could be measured and the impact of each of them on the image quality is often unclear. To help refine this process, we have previously developed the concept of a single quantity, the resolution integral, which is an indicator of the imaging performance of US scanners2 . We have manufactured a test-object (Edinburhg Pipe Phantom) to measure this single quantity and used this to objectively measure the imaging performance of 350 US clinical and preclinical scanners in NHS Lothian3 . With previous funding (Censis) we have collaborated with IMV Imaging, a UK veterinary ultrasound scanner manufacturer, to assess the use of the same test-object as a key metrology tool within the manufacturing development cycle of veterinary ultrasound scanners. Since imaging performance is normally quite a subjective matter; being able to objectively measure the image quality removes the subjectivity of different users' opinions and 'visual filtering' that occurs when viewing a clinical Page 4 of 10 image. This previoius 6-month collaboration resulted in several suggested modifications to the testobject which to date, have not been implemented nor their impact assessed. In 2022, the supervisors were invited to present the body of work involving the test-object to the International Electrotechnical Committee (IEC) 87: Ultrasonic WG 9 (Pulse Echo Equipment) for initial evaluation and discussion of it becoming an international standard for evaluating the performance of ultrasound scanners. The international committee made some critical suggestions on techniques to improve the versatility of the test-object.Aims This PhD proposal aims to evaluate the impact of the critical suggestions and proposed modifications to the test-object and to assess the impact of these changes in the evaluation of the resolution integral for clinical, preclinical and veterinary ultrasound scanners. To do this, in collaboration with IMV Imaging, we will redesign our test-object to evaluate the impact of : (1) Including objects of a range of ultrasound contrast values within the test-object rather than objects of one fixed contrast value. (2) Using artificial intelligence techniques rather than traditional signal processing algorithms to assess the acquired images from the test object. (3) The time and skill required to make measurements with the test-object.The student will:- Design, develop and build a modified test-object to support evaluation of clinical, veterinary and preclinical scanners (3D printing, tissue mimicking material manufacturing skills, workshop skills, working with clinicians and ultrasound scanners)- Quantify the difference in measurements using the newly designed phantom compared to the established one (ultrasound scanning skills, image processing skills, statistical analysis, experience of working in a commercial company team)- Become familiar with current AI techniques applied to evaluate ultrasound imaging and develop further AI techniques for evaluation of image acquired from the modified test object and quantify the impact of AI techniques on time and precision compared to subjective assessement. (AI and machine learning skills, statistical analysis )- Communicate results to both a lay audience and a specialised audience orally and in scientific writing (scientific meetings, public engagement and national and international meetings