Interpolated Plane Wave Imaging: IPWI

Abstract

This paper offers a solution to the problems caused by sub-Nyquist spatial sampling in ultrasound image generation, which can result in aliasing and grating lobes in Full Matrix Capture (FMC) and Plane Wave Imaging (PWI). Neglecting the spatial sampling requirements can lead to artifacts that compromise the accuracy of ultrasound image interpretation. Although limiting the transducer element pitch to half the wavelength can alleviate grating lobes, it can also cause reduced energy transmission and limit the method's applicability in thick-walled structures. Similarly, using sparse techniques to increase acquisition speed by subsampling the firing elements is also constrained by the sampling criterion. To address these challenges, we introduce an interpolation step to PWI, which overcomes ambiguities imposed by the sampling theorem and improves image quality and acquisition speed.