Optimal number of averaged frames for noise reduction of ultrasound images

Data averaging is a common noise reduction practice in several data processing procedure. We have used this approach in order to minimize the noise of the ultrasounds signals employed in the backscatter analysis of the heart. This paper is devoted to asses the optimum number of frames to be used in the averaging routine in order to obtain, in the search of maximum noise reduction, a good compromise between the two opposite criteria indicating one the use of the greatest number of frames and the other the smallest. Results obtained show that 10 frames averaging allows 50% noise reduction equivalent to the 90% of the noise reduction obtained averaging a 4 times greater number of frames.