Interpolation Scan Conversion in Pulse-Echo Ultrasound

Abstract

Some disadvantages of current digital scan conversion techniques are reviewed. An improved system is described which uses linear interpolation between available sampled data points to provide an estimate of the echo reflectivity at each grid point in the image. This approach avoids the problems of “missed pixels” inherent in the current approach, and the need to provide some smoothing or blurring function to remove them. The interpolated scan conversion allows data line spacing to be increased, leading to a reduced scan time for static scans and increased frame-rate for real-time, while retaining all the resolution available from the ultrasound system.