Filtering and apodization combination for ultrasound image generation and associated systems, methods, and devices

An ultrasound imaging system, comprising:

• an array of acoustic elements configured to transmit ultrasound energy and receive echoes associated with the ultrasound energy;
• and
• a processor circuit in communication with the array of acoustic elements and configured to:
• receive, from the array of acoustic elements, ultrasound signals associated with the received echoes, wherein the ultrasound signals correspond to at least one aperture of the array of acoustic elements;
• process the same ultrasound signals in different signal processing pathways to generate an individual ultrasound image;
• and
• output the individual ultrasound image to a display in communication with the processor circuit,
• wherein, to process the same ultrasound signals in the different signal processing pathways, the processor circuit is configured to:
• generate, in a first signal processing pathway, first image data based on applying a first filter to the same ultrasound signals and performing a first apodization on the same ultrasound signals, wherein the first filter is configured to emphasize a first set of frequencies of the same ultrasound signals, wherein the first filter is distinct from the first apodization, wherein the first apodization is configured to emphasize a first portion of the same ultrasound signals corresponding to one or more acoustic elements comprising a first physical location within the at least one aperture;
• generate, in a different, second signal processing pathway, different, second image data based on applying a second filter to the same ultrasound signals and performing a second apodization on the same ultrasound signals, wherein the second filter is configured to emphasize a different, second set of frequencies of the same ultrasound signals, wherein the second filter is distinct from the second apodization, wherein the second apodization is configured to emphasize a second portion of the same ultrasound signals corresponding to one or more acoustic elements comprising a different, second physical location within the at least one aperture;
• generate the individual ultrasound image based on a combination of the first image data and the second image data.