Ultrasound attenuation measurement in the presence of scatterer variation for reduction of shadowing and enhancement

The influence of scatter type on two existing attenuation estimation algorithms is analyzed and a novel technique for handling large statistical variations based on combined assumptions of monotonicity and smoothness is presented. Visible differences in attenuation estimates from each technique were revealed, which are supported by the theoretical analysis suggesting that the novel technique for reducing statistical variations is sufficient to allow some degree of correction of shadowing and enhancement.