Improved Image Quality of Focal Liver Lesions Using the Coherence of Ultrasound

描述（由申请人提供）：超声图像质量差是超重和肥胖个体的重要问题。通常，这些人得到的诊断质量差，不确定，从而延误了治疗。此外，这些人可能会被转介到其他成像程序，这可能会增加费用，并使患者暴露于侵入性程序或电离辐射。我们开发了一种新的超声成像方法，称为短滞后空间相干成像（SLSC），它具有降低噪声和大大提高超声图像质量的能力。我们提出的初步数据表明，该技术在人类肝脏中的成功。在这个应用中，我们建议构建一个实时的

DESCRIPTION (provided by applicant): Poor ultrasonic image quality is a significant problem for overweight and obese individuals. Often, these individuals receive poor quality and indeterminate diagnoses, which delay treatment. In addition, these individual may be referred to other imaging procedures that may increase costs and expose the patient to invasive procedures or ionizing radiation. We have developed a new ultrasonic imaging method, called Short-Lag Spatial Coherence (SLSC) imaging that has the ability to reduce acoustical noise and greatly improve the quality of ultrasonic images. We present preliminary data that demonstrates the success of this technique in human livers. In this application, we propose to build a real-time SLSC imaging system and analyze its characteristics with tissue-mimicking phantoms. In addition, we will build a harmonic version of this imaging technique, called Harmonic Spatial Coherence Imaging (HSCI) that improves clutter suppression and resolution of the imaging system. We also propose to develop the theoretical principles that describe this imaging technique, and will use these theoretical models to aid our development of more sophisticated versions of the proposed technique. We propose clinical studies in high BMI individuals undergoing ultrasound-guided percutaneous biopsies of focal liver lesions to evaluate the potential of this technique in improving the detection and characterization of those lesions.