Optimized Imaging Scripts Available on the Vantage NXT Research Ultrasound System
The Vantage NXT is the successor to Verasonics’ pioneering and industry-leading Vantage Research Ultrasound System. Continuing Verasonics’ mission to provide state-of-the-art research platforms, the Vantage NXT builds upon the versatility of Vantage with enhanced performance and additional features.
A key area of design included focus on baseline image quality improvements. In an effort to meet customer research needs, the Vantage NXT system provides users with new scripts, called Optimized Imaging Scripts, that allow users to quickly and efficiently acquire their desired image with minimal adjustments to controls. In addition, user controls and image presentation have been updated with a streamlined look and feel.
Optimized Imaging Scripts offer:
- Increased dynamic range
- Improved near field imaging
- Improved contrast resolution
- Better continuity of linear structures
- New user-friendly controls
The Vantage NXT system has introduced Optimized Imaging Scripts for the following transducers:
Linear Transducers:
- L11-5gH
- L11-5v
- GE L3-12-D
- GE 9L-D
- L22-14vX
- L35-16vX
Curved / Phased Array Transducers:
- C5-2gH
- P4-2gH
- GE C1-6-D
High-Frequency Imaging
Vantage NXT customers may also benefit from the new architecture that allows enhanced high-frequency imaging over an operating bandwidth up to 60 MHz without the need for interleaved sampling. Vantage NXT delivers high dynamic range and resolution, which improves performance in applications such as pre-clinical imaging, super-resolution imaging and superficial structures.
Vantage NXT also provides optimized imaging scripts specifically developed for high frequency imaging using the L35-16vX and L22-14vX transducers. These scripts have improved contrast and near field imaging.
Additional script enhancements
Spatial Compounding in B-mode:
Speckle in a B-mode image can reduce image contrast and detail resolution, thus making it difficult to identify normal and abnormal tissue patterns. The benefits of spatial compounding include speckle reduction and improved visualization of contours. Spatial compounding reduces speckle without the loss of detail and contrast resolution, thus improving the B-mode image quality. Vantage NXT offers B-mode Optimized Imaging Spatial Compounding Scripts with 5 angles. By increasing the angles from 3 to 5, more speckle is reduced, allowing for more contiguous contours in the image and better contrast resolution.
Compression Enhancements:
Optimized Imaging Scripts include a new compression algorithm which addresses the strong whites in an image. In conjunction with the new compression algorithm, the digital gain (pgain), now in dB, gives the user more control over the displayed image. With this change and others, the use of digital gain on Vantage NXT behaves in a manner similar to that of commercial medical ultrasound systems.
User Interface enhancements
Updated B-mode User Interface:
The new Optimized Imaging Scripts offer a more efficient user interface. The most common controls are now located on the front of the research user interface.
New User Interface Features:
- Save Image Button
- CineLoop Default
- Retrospective RcvData Loop
The RF Replay/Retrospective cine loop allows the user to change receive display parameters retrospectively. Saved RcvData can also be loaded and replayed with this same ability to retrospectively change receive processing parameters.
After selecting the Rcv Data Loop button, the system will save the loop. When finished the user can then change the display controls such as the time gain compensation (TGC), digital gain, compression factor, persistence, and reject. This allows for retrospective image optimization.
- New Background
A black border has been added to enhance the image display. The black border focuses the eye on the image for better detail visualization. The black frame also enhances appreciation for the levels of gray in the image.
Color Doppler Improvements
Wide Beam Color Doppler scripts have been optimized to provide users with sensitive color flow scripts requiring minimal control changes. Color filters and pulse repetition frequency (PRF) controls have been adjusted to provide a better approximation of Doppler parameters for a particular flow state. Users may need to optimize the PRF, color filter or color gain (TGC2) depending up on the particular flow state they are interrogating. For example:
- A high flow state may need a higher PRF with a high flow color wall filter and an adjustment of color gain.
- A low flow state may need a low PRF with a low flow color wall filter and an adjustment of color gain.
Color-write priority may or may not need to be adjusted to fill a target vessel. Users are encouraged to try increasing the color-write priority if the desired vessel is not displaying color. Decrease the color-write priority if the color display is overwriting the walls of the desired vessel.
L11-5 Transducer
Transverse view of the internal carotid artery (ICA) and external carotid artery (ECA)
Please note: When trying to acquire the best image quality, display monitor performance is a major factor. It is important to ensure that a high-quality display monitor is used when assessing image quality.
Visit Verasonics.com for more information on the Vantage NXT Research Ultrasound System or Verasonics transducer offerings.
Refining the Ultrasound Research Experience: Enhanced QuickScan Feature Available on Vantage NXT Research Ultrasound Systems
Verasonics continues to support the ultrasound research community with the latest iteration of its advanced software, QuickScan, now optimized for Vantage NXT Research Ultrasound Systems.
Background
QuickScan is a complimentary software feature, designed to enhance the Vantage System’s user experience. It had been updated and is available on Vantage NXT Systems. With QuickScan, MATLAB® programming skills are not required by users to operate the software, allowing researchers an easier-to-use environment to rapidly start imaging with the Vantage NXT. The QuickScan graphical user interface (GUI) for real-time B-mode and color Doppler imaging simplifies the data collection process, particularly in interdisciplinary studies or when researchers and clinicians who may have limited programming expertise collaborate on projects.
Updates for Vantage NXT
In addition to improving controls, stability, and performance, QuickScan has been enhanced with the inclusion of optimized imaging scripts for improved image quality on Vantage NXT. These scripts have been optimized by a trained ultrasound imaging expert, working in conjunction with a sonographer, creating sequences and settings to achieve better high-quality image performance.
For more information on QuickScan capabilities available on Vantage NXT Systems, read more here.
For information on these and other Verasonics offerings, contact [email protected].
Disclaimer: The Vantage® NXT System is a laboratory research and/or development platform, and is intended to be used to acquire, store, display and analyze ultrasound data. It is not a diagnostic ultrasound system. It is not intended for use on human subjects.