Patent ID: 10330782

Abstract:
A method for ultrasonic imaging a volume behind a barrier includes placing an array of elements of a probe adjacent the barrier. The local thickness and the sound speed in the barrier are estimated. A plurality of sub-apertures are defined in the array of elements, each sub-aperture defined by a different sub-set of adjacent ones of the array of elements. Ultrasonic waveforms are collected from each of the sub-apertures by focusing each sub-aperture approximately at the inner surface of the barrier. The ultrasonic waveforms through each of the sub-aperture elements are combined to generate a combined A-mode waveform. A profile of an inner surface of the barrier adjacent the probe is extracted based upon the combined A-mode waveforms. A correction is calculated based upon the profile of the inner surface. The volume behind the barrier is scanned using beamforming based upon the correction to generate an image of the volume.