Compressive Imaging with Spatial Coding Masks on Low Number of Elements: An Emulation Study

We intend to develop an ultrasound compressive imaging device to perform carotid artery (CA) function and flow monitoring/imaging by using just a few single element transducers equipped with spatial coding masks. The spatially unique impulse responses can be exploited in compressive reconstructions. To explore the potential of different configurations, in this study we emulated such a device using a linear array system. We combined its elements with individual digital delays into a small number of groups. The results suggest our spatial coding mask approach based on reconstructions regularized with a least squares method has potential for CA monitoring with only 10 to 12 sensors.