Which principle is used to enhance image quality by suppressing unwanted echoes?

Harmonic imaging is a technique employed in ultrasound that enhances image quality by capitalizing on higher frequency sound waves generated during the interaction of ultrasound with tissue. When ultrasound waves travel through tissue, they can produce harmonic signals, particularly at even multiples of the fundamental frequency used for imaging. By selectively filtering and amplifying these harmonic frequencies, the ultrasound system can significantly improve the clarity and detail of the image.

This principle reduces artifacts and improves contrast resolution by effectively suppressing unwanted echoes from tissues that scatter sound waves in a manner that creates noise or distortions in the image. As a result, harmonic imaging allows for better delineation of anatomical structures and can improve visualization in challenging imaging scenarios, thus directly contributing to enhanced diagnostic capabilities.

The other concepts, while related to ultrasound imaging, serve different roles. Artifact reduction focuses on minimizing distortions caused by various imaging phenomena, but it does not inherently amplify specific frequencies to enhance image detail. Resolution flexibility pertains to the ability to adjust resolution settings depending on the imaging requirements but does not directly enhance quality through echo suppression. Dynamic range adjustment involves modifying the range of signal amplitudes displayed in an image but is not specifically aimed at suppressing unwanted echoes in the same manner as harmonic imaging.