Speckle reduction in two easy steps

Abstract

A somewhat unorthodox technique for speckle reduction in medical ultrasound pulse-echo images is discussed. Two basic difficulties must be overcome. Recognition of the artifact is based upon an analysis of the instantaneous (temporal) frequency of the individual RF A-line. Correction of the speckle artifact at the local regions indicated by the recognition procedure is performed via techniques derived from the frequency-diversity approach. The hybrid temporal-Fourier processing algorithm has the merit of ultimate applicability on a real-time basis.<>