Seismic Imaging Method for Medical Ultrasound Systems

Medical ultrasound usually implements ray-based imaging algorithms, in which the most severe limitation involves the implicit assumption of constant-velocity media. When there are tissues with different velocities---typical for the human body---, the image of the underlying targets is strongly degraded in placement and resolution, due to $p\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}h\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}s\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e$ $a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}b\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}e\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}r\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}a\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}t\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}i\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}o\phantom{\rule{0}{0ex}}n$. To address this problem, the authors look to concepts developed in the context of seismic prospecting, relying upon an undulatory description of the physical process. Laboratory assessment of this imaging strategy, even in the presence of an aberrant layer, reveals remarkable spatial resolution and highly accurate target placement.