A Fuzzy Ultrasonic Imaging Method for Healthy Seminiferous Tubules

This paper proposes a fuzzy ultrasonic imaging method for healthy seminiferous tubules. In our study, we employ thick or thin nylon lines as healthy or unhealthy seminiferous tubules. We make cross-section images that consist of multiplying fuzzy degrees depending on amplitude and frequency of line echoes. The images are healthy or unhealthy seminiferous tubules images (HSI or USI) that indicate distribution of healthy or unhealthy seminiferous tubules. For a performance test, we make a measurement object consisting of the nylon lines. For a phantom test, we make a phantom of a testicle. The phantom consists of a water filled rubber tube including the nylon lines. We scan and acquire ultrasonic reflection wave data of them. Next, we derive fuzzy IF-THEN rules, and make HSI and USI. In performance test, the images indicated distribution of the lines. In phantom test, HSI successfully extracted thick line echoes.