**Preface XI**


Preface

information not possible with light.

sound images.

ing technologies exclusive to those applications.

Ultrasonic imaging is a powerful diagnostic tool available to medical practitioners, engineers and researchers today. Due to the relative safety, and the non-invasive nature, ultrasonic imaging has become one of the most rapidly advancing technologies. These rapid advances are directly related to the parallel advancements in electronics, computing, and transducer technology together with sophisticated signal processing techniques. This book focuses on state of the art developments in ultrasonic imaging applications and underlying technologies

Applications of ultrasound imaging in medicine, industry and research are extensive and wide-ranging. In medical diagnostics, ultrasonic imaging of anatomical structures and mov‐ ing tissue in real-time is routine. Ultrasonic imaging is also now widely used in image guid‐ ed medical intervention procedures and in aiding therapeutic applications. Industrial applications of ultrasound imaging are also wide spread and growing, e.g. in Non-destruc‐ tive-evaluation (NDE) and underwater acoustics (Sonar). Acoustic microscopy at GHz fre‐ quencies can be used to visualise sub-surface microscopic structures that can yield

It is important to note that imaging as applied to the application domains mentioned above; namely, medical diagnostics, NDE and Sonar have fundamental similarities and differences. Similarities in imaging modalities have greatly helped researchers working in different do‐ mains to benefit from each other, while the differences have led to the evolution of intrigu‐

The 10 chapters in this book are organised in such a way that Chapters 1 – 5 are focused on state-of-the-art applications and developments in ultrasound imaging systems for medical diagnostics and image guided interventional and therapeutic procedures. Chapter 6 presents research developments in the use of Functional Transcranial Doppler Spectroscopy for evaluating Neurocognitive functions and their differences between genders. Chapter 7 focuses on the detection of follicles and ovarian classification using ultrasound images. Chapter 8 presents a study on the use of various algorithms to reduce speckle noise in ultra‐

Chapter 9 presents techniques and strategies for hardware reduction at the design stage of portable ultrasound systems. Chapter 10, entitled "Breaking through the Speed Barrier" in‐ vestigates primary performance bottlenecks of conventional ultrasonic imaging technology and presents work done in developing an unconventional imaging system that has the po‐

tential to reach the maximum theoretical limits of speed of imaging and resolution.

presented by leading practitioners and researchers from many parts of the world.

Chapter 10 **Breaking Through the Speed Barrier — Advancements in High-Speed Imaging 269** G. P. P. Gunarathne
