Human observer sensitivity to temporal noise in ultrasound imaging

The impact of temporal noise on ultrasound image quality can be decreased with use of higher acoustic output. Acoustic output increases amplify receive signal strength relative to the temporal noise floor, improving the temporal signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). When acoustic output has been increased to the point that observers are no longer sensitive to the noise, the noise perceptibility threshold has been reached. In this work, a simulation study was performed to evaluate the effect of motion and imaging frequency on the perceptibility threshold. Motion decreases the temporal SNR at which the perceptibility cutoff is reached, while frequency seems to have minimal impact. Applying one of these noise perceptibility thresholds to fetal imaging data yields acoustic output recommendations within safety limits and lower than scanner default values.