3D-image reconstruction algorithm based on subaperture processing for medical ultrasonic imaging

Abstract

This paper deals with three-dimensional (3D) image reconstruction algorithm based on two-dimensional (2D) subaperture processing. For real-time volumetric imaging, high frame rate and high beam density are required. Herein, we suggest a new subaperture processing technique where the small number of array elements is fired at the array centre and the returned echo signals are acquired from the consecutive receiving subapertures. The number of beam lines to scan a sector image was chosen according to the Nyquist sampling criterion of a single transmit-receive subaperture. The beam number is increased to the required synthesized array by digital interpolation.