Detecting Breast Microcalcification Using Time Reversal Ultrasound Imaging: A Simulation Study

To study the effectiveness of time reversal ultrasound imaging for detecting breast microcalcification, field Ⅱ ultrasound simulation software was used to analyze the influence of relevant parameters on the resolution of time reversal ultrasound imaging. Point scatterers were set to simulate breast microcalcification. The effectiveness of multiple time reversal ultrasound imaging algorithms for detecting breast microcalcification under ideal conditions and different levels of noise was investigated. Either under ideal conditions or under different noise conditions, time reversal ultrasound imaging breaks through the resolution limit of traditional B-mode ultrasound imaging. It can distinguish point scatterers with close distance, effectively suppress noise, while traditional B-mode ultrasound imaging is more sensitive to noise. Time reversal ultrasound imaging can improve the imaging resolution and anti-noise ability of traditional B-mode ultrasound imaging in detecting breast microcalcification. Time reversal with multiple signal classification (TR-MUSIC) imaging can accurately locate point scatterers; however, its axial resolution is low. Phase-coherent with multiple signal classification (PC-MUSIC) improves the axial resolution of TR-MUSIC; however, it cannot accurately locate point scatterers. To achieve super resolution and target localization, phase compensation must be considered in this algorithm.