Ultrasound Computed Tomography Reflection Imaging with Coherence-Factor Beamforming for Breast Tumor Early Detection

Zuoxun Hou, Ruichen Yuan, Zihao Wang, Xiaorui Wei, Chujian Ren, Jiale Zhou and Xiaolei Qu ()
Additional contact information
Zuoxun Hou: Beijing Institute of Mechanics & Electricity, Beijing 100190, China
Ruichen Yuan: Beijing Institute of Mechanics & Electricity, Beijing 100190, China
Zihao Wang: School of Instrumentation Science and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Xiaorui Wei: School of Instrumentation Science and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Chujian Ren: School of Instrumentation Science and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Jiale Zhou: School of Instrumentation Science and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China
Xiaolei Qu: School of Instrumentation Science and Optoelectronic Engineering, Beihang University, Beijing 100191, China

Mathematics, 2024, vol. 12, issue 7, 1-16

Abstract: Breast cancer is a global health concern, emphasizing the need for early detection. However, current mammography struggles to effectively image dense breasts. Breast ultrasound can be an adjunctive method, but it is highly dependent on operator skill. Ultrasound computed tomography (USCT) reflection imaging provides high-quality 3D images, but often uses delay-and-sum (DAS) beamforming, which limits its image quality. This article proposes the integration of coherence-factor (CF) beamforming into ultrasound computed tomography (USCT) reflection imaging to enhance image quality. CF assesses the focus quality of beamforming by analyzing the signal coherence across different channels, assigning higher weights to high-quality focus points and thereby improving overall image quality. Numerical simulations and phantom experiments using our built USCT prototype were conducted to optimize the imaging parameters and assess and compare the image quality of CF and DAS beamforming. Numerical simulations demonstrated that CF beamforming can significantly enhance image quality. Phantom experiments with our prototype revealed that CF beamforming significantly improves image resolution (from 0.35 mm to 0.14 mm) and increases contrast ratio (from 24.54 dB to 63.28 dB). The integration of CF beamforming into USCT reflection imaging represents a substantial improvement in image quality, offering promise for enhanced breast cancer detection and imaging capabilities.

Keywords: ultrasound computed tomography; reflection imaging; coherence factor; breast ultrasound imaging (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: C (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations:

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/12/7/1106/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/2227-7390/12/7/1106/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jmathe:v:12:y:2024:i:7:p:1106-:d:1371347

Access Statistics for this article

Mathematics is currently edited by Ms. Emma He

More articles in Mathematics from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().