UltraSim
Open-source acoustic simulation tools for ultrasound research. From phantom generation and wave propagation modeling to full synthetic-aperture and plane-wave imaging pipelines.
Simulation Toolbox
Three open-source tools covering the ultrasound simulation pipeline: phantom image generation, transmit-sequence simulation with beamforming, and acoustic pressure-field estimation for arbitrary array geometries.
SA/PW Dataset Generator
Simulates synthetic aperture and plane wave ultrasound acquisitions from grayscale phantom images. Produces delay-and-sum beamformed, log-compressed B-mode images saved in HDF5 format for downstream training or evaluation.
View on GitHubBeampattern Estimator
Estimates and visualizes acoustic pressure patterns for linear, phased, and convex array configurations using full-wave k-Wave simulations. Generates 2D and 3D maps of pressure fields for analyzing main lobe width, side lobes, and focal zones.
View on GitHubBackground Phantom Generator
Generates synthetic grayscale background images for ultrasound simulation. Creates non-overlapping pins, cysts, contrast regions, texture clusters, and horizontal bone/vessel-like interfaces with reproducible random generation.
View on GitHubLung Simulation Models
Three k-Wave lung models replicating the normal, edematous, and sub-pleural consolidation states of the lung. Each model defines speed-of-sound, density, and attenuation maps that mimic the physical ultrasound acquisition setup.
The simulations use a Verasonics L11-5v transducer model (128 channels, 4.8 MHz center frequency) on a 1200 x 1200 grid (4.1 cm x 4.1 cm) with plane wave transmissions for high frame rate imaging.
A novel pixel intensity vector field (PIVF) derived from the simulations maps the acoustic intensity from each pixel to the transducer, characterizing the drift from specular to diffuse reflections as pathology severity increases.
- Toolboxk-Wave US Toolbox
- TransducerL11-5v, 128 elements, 1-D probe
- Frequency4.8 MHz center, 4.2 – 10 MHz bandwidth
- Grid1200 × 1200 points, λ/2 spacing
- ConditionsNormal, edematous, consolidated
- OutputPIVF maps, B-mode images
Projects Using These Tools
Simulations underpin algorithm development across our research portfolio. Each project below uses k-Wave, Field II, or custom phantom generators for validation, training data, or system characterization.
Structural beamforming and adaptive apodization validated on k-Wave simulated phantoms with specular and diffuse reflectors.
View project → Signal ProcessingNeedle echo physics modeled through k-Wave simulations of specular reflectors at varying insertion angles and transmit geometries.
View project → Deep LearningSimulated channel data from SA/PW pipelines used as training sets for neural networks that reproduce adaptive beamforming.
View project → ClinicalVector flow estimation algorithms developed and benchmarked on simulated flow phantoms with known velocity profiles.
View project → SystemsVolumetric reconstruction algorithms tested on simulated multi-perspective data before hardware validation.
View project → Signal ProcessingPhase aberration models simulated with layered tissue phantoms to develop and evaluate correction algorithms.
View project →