Sound speed optimization based on fuzzy sets using image texture as quality factors

Network & Information Management Center, Chengdu Normal University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China

Abstract

A constant sound speed of 1540 m/s is usually used by ultrasound imaging systems for calculating delay curves in beamforming. A mismatch of this constant system sound speed and the real one in human tissue could result in significant defocusing and degrade the image resolution in the modern ultrasound imaging system. This paper has investigated characteristics and potential relationship of image texture parameters to image focusing quality due to unmatched speed of sound. Algorithms for sound speed optimization (SSO) system based on fuzzy process and image texture parameters are presented. The proposed method has been investigated and verified from phantom imaging including speckle, point targets and cyst images. Test results show that individual texture feature may help to determine appropriate sound speed used for beamforming; however, only the proposed fuzzy process based system can achieve the best sound speed detection with consistent and robust output.