A study of motion artifacts of fourier-based image construction

Abstract

Based on the high frame rate imaging method developed in our lab, a Fourier-based imaging method with a variable frame rate was developed recently. In this method, multiple steered plane waves or limited diffraction beams are transmitted to obtain ultrasound echo signals. Images are constructed with Fourier transformations. Because multiple transmissions may be used to obtain a frame of image to increase image resolution, field of view, and to reduce sidelobe, it is important to study the effects of motion on the method for fast moving objects such as the mitral valve of the heart, and compare the results with those obtained with the conventional delay-and- sum method. In this paper, in vitro experiments with a point scatterer and a tissue-mimicking phantom are performed. Image resolution, sidelobe, and contrast are obtained for both moving and stationary objects. Results show that the Fourier-based imaging method is not sensitive to the motion except when the number of transmissions is large (lower frame rate) and the depth is small.