From computer-assisted echography to a multielement linear curtain ultrasonic system

This paper describes research within the CNR’s Progetto Finalizzato ‘Tecnologie Biomediche e Sanitarie’, subproject ‘ultrasounds’. The aims of this study were as follows: (1) in the field of digital processing of B-scan images, aimed at tissue characterization by means of texture analysis; and (2) in the design and implementation of an echographic unit for ophthalmology, with advanced technical features. The prototype of the electronic interface between a 64-element linear curtain transducer, at 10 MHz, and the videofrequency section of the last unit is working actually, included in a commercial echograph produced by ESAOTE-Biomedica. In this paper, experimental results obtained with the developed hardware are shown. The integration of hardware and software modules within a single advanced unit is currently in progress. It will be based on a personal computer, supported by a video interface and by the hardware modules now under test.