Vitreous image enhancement in an ophthalmic sonographic imaging system using golay coded excitation

Objective. The purpose of this study was to enhance the weak echoes of low reflective vitreous opacities on ophthalmic sonography. Methods. A simulation study on a vitreous enhancement algorithm based on coded excitation was performed, with the analysis of the transmit efficiency and motion effects. On the basis of the simulation results, we have implemented a 10-MHz B-mode experimental sonographic platform with coded excitation. In the experimental platform, a field programmable gated array is used to apply a real-time signal-processing and imaging algorithm. Results. A highfrequency ophthalmic sonographic imaging system based on Golay complementary sequence coded excitation is presented. The images of human eyes show appreciable improvement of the contrast resolution of low reflective vitreous opacities while suppressing the noise level. Conclusions. The images show the effectiveness of the vitreous enhancement algorithm and its potential clinical application.