A Real-time Dual-mode Ultrafast High-frequency Beamformer

This work presents a custom-developed dual-mode ultrafast high-frequency imaging system with real-time hardware-based processing and display. The work builds on a previously designed ultrafast high-frequency hardware-based beamformer capable of performing diverging wave imaging with up to 0.72 kHz frame rates. In this study, the system performs focused and ultrafast imaging. Focused imaging provides high spatial resolution and contrast, while ultrafast imaging provides high temporal resolution. Using a 30 MHz 64 element phased array endoscope, the system transmitted 16 diverging waves/frame at a frame rate of 0.9kHz. This high acquisition rate enabled capturing and processing a single focused B-mode frame and 28 ultrafast frames at a 10 Hz display rate.