This report introduces ShadowHDR™, a Samsung Medison ultrasound technology that improves tissue visibility in shadowed regions by compensating for attenuation and enhancing brightness in dark areas.
Ultrasound images often contain shadow areas caused by hard tissues such as ribs, skull, fibroids, or dense breast tissue, which block or attenuate sound waves. These shadows can obscure critical structures, making diagnosis challenging.
ShadowHDR™ uses a combination of frequency compounding and HDR tone mapping to address this problem. By blending low- and high-frequency ultrasound signals, it improves penetration in deeper or shadowed areas without sacrificing resolution in the near field. HDR tone mapping then adjusts brightness levels specifically in shadow regions, revealing hidden tissue details while maintaining overall image quality.
The report illustrates clinical examples—including liver, fetal brain, myoma, and breast imaging—where ShadowHDR™ effectively reduces shadows, making structures behind attenuating tissues more visible. Users can also adjust the Strength Index via a simple UI to control the level of compensation based on clinical needs.
Compared to conventional frequency synthesis, ShadowHDR™ more effectively utilizes low-frequency information and advanced brightness compensation to visualize tissues in challenging shadowed areas, even when dynamic or thin shadows are present.
In conclusion, ShadowHDR™ empowers clinicians to see beyond ultrasound shadows and improves diagnostic confidence by enhancing the visibility of critical tissue structures.
For a detailed guide on using ShadowHDR™, visit the ShadowHDR™ Workflow Guide.
