Method and system for transcranial ultrasound imaging (tui)

A method for transcranial ultrasound imaging, comprising:

• sending, by an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound wave to a target imaging area through a superficial area and a first element, wherein the ultrasound wave travels through the target imaging area, the superficial area and the first element at different ultrasound wave speeds;
• detecting, by the ultrasound probe, ultrasound waves reflected or backscattered from the target imaging area through the first element and the superficial area, and detecting, by the ultrasound probe, ultrasound waves reflected or backscattered from the first element through the superficial area;
• processing the detected ultrasound waves by:
• using estimates of the wave speed in the superficial area, in the first element and in the target imaging area;
• and
• using the detected ultrasound waves reflected or backscattered from the first element through the superficial area for forming the ultrasound image of the superficial area until the near surface of the first element;
• and
• determining the position and geometry of the near surface of the first element;
• and
• applying a phase aberration correction to the detected ultrasound waves reflected or backscattered from the first element by defining intermediate points on the near surface of the first element to test different ultrasound ray paths, for forming the ultrasound image of the first element until the far surface of the first element, using the estimates of wave speed, and the position and geometry of the near surface of the first element;
• and
• determining the position and geometry of the far surface of the first element;
• and
• applying a phase aberration correction to the detected ultrasound waves reflected or backscattered from the target imaging area by defining intermediate points on the far surface of the first element to test different ultrasound ray paths, for forming the ultrasound image of the target imaging area using the estimates of wave speed, and the position and geometry of the near and far surfaces of the first element;
• wherein the phase aberration correction includes the evaluation of the travel times for multiple ultrasound ray paths passing through the intermediate points defined on the near and far surfaces of the first element, and determines the correct ultrasound ray path by selecting the ultrasound ray path with the shortest travel time.