3-D Correlation-Based Speckle Tracking

• Published in: Ultrasonic imaging Vol. 27; no. 1; pp. 21 - 36
• Main Authors: Chen, X., Xie, H., Erkamp, R., Kim, K., Jia, C., Rubin, J. M., O'Donnell, M.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Los Angeles, CA SAGE Publications 01.01.2005; Dynamedia
• Subjects: Acoustics; Algorithms; Biological and medical sciences; Cardiovascular system; Echocardiography - methods; Elasticity; Exact sciences and technology; Fundamental areas of phenomenology (including applications); Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; Imaging, Three-Dimensional; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Medical sciences; Miscellaneous. Technology; Phantoms, Imaging; Physics; Ultrasonic investigative techniques; Ultrasonics, quantum acoustics, and physical effects of sound; Ventricular Dysfunction, Left - diagnostic imaging; out-of-plane motion; decorrelation; cardiac strain rate imaging; ultrasound elasticity imaging; 3-D speckle tracking; Human; Correlation; Echocardiography; Tracking; Ultrasound imaging; Speckle; Large displacement; Modeling; Optimization; Left ventricle; Tracking(movable target); Medical imagery; Feasibility; Tridimensional image; Acoustic antenna; Decorrelation; Cardiology; Acoustic image; Elastography; Comparative study
• ISSN: 0161-7346; 1096-0910
• DOI: 10.1177/016173460502700102

Widely-used 1-D/2-D speckle tracking techniques in elasticity imaging often experience significant speckle decorrelation in applications involving large elevational motion (i.e., out of plane motion). The problem is more pronounced for cardiac strain rate imaging (SRI) since it is very difficult to confine cardiac motion to a single image plane. Here, we present a 3-D correlation-based speckle tracking algorithm. Conceptually, 3-D speckle tracking is just an extension of 2-D phase-sensitive correlation-based speckle tracking. However, due to its high computational cost, optimization schemes, such as dynamic programming, decimation and two-path processing, are introduced to reduce the computational burden. To evaluate the proposed approach, a 3-D bar phantom under uniaxial compression was simulated for benchmark tests. A more sophisticated 3-D simulation of the left ventricle of the heart was also made to test the applicability of 3-D speckle tracking in cardiac SRI. Results from both simulations clearly demonstrated the feasibility of 3-D correlation-based speckle tracking. With the ability to follow 3-D speckle in 3-D space, 3-D speckle tracking outperforms lower-dimensional speckle tracking by minimizing decorrelation caused by pure elevational translation. In other words, 3-D tracking can push toward solely deformation-limited, decorrelation-optimized speckle tracking. Hardware implementation of the proposed 3-D speckle tracking algorithm using field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) is also discussed.