Parameter Initialisation for Three-Dimensional Ultrasound Deconvolution

Conventional beamforming used in pulse-echo ultrasound images results in an inherent blurring. This blurring limits the resolution, and hence the utility, of pulse-echo ultrasound in clinical applications. Ng et al. developed an expectationmaximisation algorithm to enhance blurred, two-dimensional RF ultrasound images. It is important that the algorithm is intialised well in order that convergence is rapid. We present here a methodology, with rationale, for estimating the initialisation parameters for the deconvolution algorithm described by Ng et al.