Dynamic signal arrival correction for vibro-acoustography image formation

This paper presents a method to form images from the acoustic emission measured during vibro-acoustography scans that accounts for acoustic propagation delay from the vibrating object to the hydrophone. We use the shapes of the wavefronts of the acoustic emission data to estimate correction angles and create a time delay image that allows us to adjust the location of the temporal window applied to the RF signal in a dynamic or adaptive fashion. The method correctly chooses the segment of the acoustic emission data to process so that the data are consistent from pixel-to-pixel despite finite differences in propagation time to the hydrophone. Image results are presented from a simulated computer phantom, a urethane breast phantom and in vivo breast data and show that image contrast and overall image quality is improved.