Adaptive ultrasound image fusion

Abstract

Elevation fold-in artifact is reduced by combining Doppler and B-mode image signals. The B-mode image signals and Doppler image signals are combined using a modulated, non-linear function. Portions of the B-mode image signal associated with stationary tissue are intact while portions of the B-mode image signal associated with flow are substantially suppressed. The suppression is gradual rather than binary to avoid flash artifacts, such as providing an adaptive modulated, non-linear combination function. Doppler or flow image signals are less sensitive than tissue or B-mode signals to elevation beam width. Suppressing the B-mode image signal where flow exists better identifies small vessels that would otherwise be characterized as tissue. Small vessel or other small structure information associated with moving fluid is inserted within the gray-scale or B-mode image. Clutter within large vessels is more likely mapped to black or removed. The pathology is kept intact by not removing stationary tissue information. The enhanced large vessel presentation and added visibility of small vessels provides more detail about tissue morphology for radiology applications. The resulting gray-scale image appears as if fine or narrow beams had been used in both the azimuth as well as the elevation directions. Unlike a true narrowing of the elevation beam at a focal point, the enhanced imaging is provided over an entire field of view, and is not probe dependent. The enhanced imaging could be a software solution.