Kalman filter motion detection for vibro-acoustography using pulse echo ultrasound

A method using the pulse echo ultrasound and the discrete Kalman filter is developed for detecting the harmonic motion of vibro-acoustography. The method estimates the amplitude and phase of the motion at a desired location within a tissue region with a high sensitivity for medical applications. The harmonic motion generated by the ultrasound radiation force of vibro-acoustography is represented in repetitive ultrasound pulse echoes. Kalman filter estimates of the amplitude and phase of the motion from received ultrasound echoes are obtained by minimizing the mean square estimation error. Experiments have been conducted to evaluate the method. The results indicate that the pulse echo ultrasound and Kalman filter provide excellent estimation for very small harmonic vibration and they may improve vibro-acoustography for medical applications.