公开(公告)号：US20070236374A1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-11

申请号：US11731568

申请日：2007-03-30

申请人： Daniel Brueske ,  D-L Liu ,  Steven Martin ,  Brian Colby

发明人： Daniel Brueske ,  D-L Liu ,  Steven Martin ,  Brian Colby

IPC分类号： H03M3/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/52028 ,  G01S7/5205 ,  G01S7/5208 ,  G01S7/52095 ,  G01S15/8979

摘要： Ultrasound information for B-mode and CW Doppler mode use the same digital beamformer. Due to sigma-delta conversion or over sampling, sufficient dynamic range is provided for the desired bandwidth. By mixing the input ultrasound information to base band before conversion, additional dynamic range may be provided. The electrical impedance may be better matched to elements by connecting a different number of sigma-delta converters to an element. Elements with lower impedance may be connected to a plurality of sigma-delta converters. To increase the aperture size for elements with a higher impedance, the same sigma-delta converters may be used as separate receive beamformer channels without the summation.

摘要翻译： B模式和CW多普勒模式的超声信息使用相同的数字波束形成器。 由于Σ-Δ转换或过采样，为期望的带宽提供足够的动态范围。 通过将输入超声信息与转换之前的基带混合，可以提供额外的动态范围。 通过将不同数量的Σ-Δ转换器连接到元件，电阻抗可以更好地匹配元件。 具有较低阻抗的元件可以连接到多个Σ-Δ转换器。 为了增加具有更高阻抗的元件的孔径尺寸，可以将相同的Σ-Δ转换器用作单独的接收波束形成器通道而不需要求和。

公开(公告)号：US20070161899A1

公开(公告)日：2007-07-12

申请号：US11716371

申请日：2007-03-09

申请人： Stephen Barnes ,  Mirsaid Bolorforosh ,  D-L Liu

发明人： Stephen Barnes ,  Mirsaid Bolorforosh ,  D-L Liu

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： G01S15/8925 ,  A61B8/483 ,  G01S15/8927 ,  G01S15/894 ,  G01S15/8993 ,  G01S15/8997

摘要： Using configurable arrays, synthetic aperture processes may be used along an elevation dimension for increasing resolution. The increased resolution is used for two-dimensional or three-dimensional imaging. Alternatively or additionally, wide band synthetic elevation aperture focusing processes, such as beamformation, are provided along the elevation dimension to increase resolution. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, a transducer is rotated about a center of the transducer within the elevation and azimuth plane. An aperture associated with the transducer is mechanically or electronically rotated, and ultrasound data acquired associated with a plurality of different positions. The ultrasound data is then used for synthetic elevation aperture processing. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, multiple scanning modes are provided. In a survey mode, imaging is provided without synthetic elevation aperture processing. For greater detailed imaging, imaging is responsive to synthetic elevation aperture processes with different elevation focusing and scanning.

摘要翻译： 使用可配置阵列，可以沿着高度维度使用合成孔径过程以提高分辨率。 增加的分辨率用于二维或三维成像。 或者或另外，沿着高度尺寸提供宽带合成高程孔径聚焦过程，例如波束形成，以增加分辨率。 在另一替代或另外的实施例中，换能器绕升降和方位平面内的换能器的中心旋转。 与换能器相关联的孔机械地或电子地旋转，并且获取与多个不同位置相关联的超声数据。 然后将超声数据用于合成高程孔径处理。 在又一替代或附加实施例中，提供了多种扫描模式。 在调查模式中，无需合成高程孔径处理即可提供成像。 为了更详细的成像，成像对具有不同高程聚焦和扫描的合成高程孔径过程有反应。

公开(公告)号：US20070083109A1

公开(公告)日：2007-04-12

申请号：US11238889

申请日：2005-09-28

申请人： Kutay Ustuner ,  D-L Liu ,  Lewis Thomas ,  Charles Bradley ,  Anming Cai ,  Robert Phelps ,  John Lazenby

发明人： Kutay Ustuner ,  D-L Liu ,  Lewis Thomas ,  Charles Bradley ,  Anming Cai ,  Robert Phelps ,  John Lazenby

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/52046 ,  G01S7/5209 ,  G01S7/52095 ,  G01S15/8959

摘要： Adaptive line synthesis is provided. Line synthesis of collinear receive beams responsive to spatially distinct transmit beams is a function of many parameters, such as spatial or temporal frequency response of one or more of the receive beams, synthesis function, number of receive beams synthesized, or acquisition sequence. One or more of these parameters is set or adapts as a function of processor estimated or user provided information. By adapting the line synthesis, the performance and image quality is optimized as appropriate for the received data or desired imaging, such as detail resolution, contrast resolution, temporal resolution, shift-invariance and penetration.

摘要翻译： 提供自适应线合成。 响应于空间不同的发射波束的共线接收波束的线路合成是许多参数的函数，例如接收波束中的一个或多个的合成函数，合成函数，接收波束的数量或采集序列的空间或时间频率响应。 这些参数中的一个或多个被设置或根据处理器估计或用户提供的信息进行调整。 通过适应线路合成，根据接收到的数据或所需的成像（如细节分辨率，对比度分辨率，时间分辨率，偏移不变性和穿透），性能和图像质量得到优化。

公开(公告)号：US20060241429A1

公开(公告)日：2006-10-26

申请号：US11099802

申请日：2005-04-05

申请人： Kutay Ustuner ,  Lewis Thomas ,  D-L Liu

发明人： Kutay Ustuner ,  Lewis Thomas ,  D-L Liu

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/52049 ,  G01S7/52046 ,  G01S7/52085 ,  G01S7/5209 ,  G01S15/8915 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8959 ,  G01S15/8993 ,  G01S15/8997 ,  G10K11/346

摘要： Aberration estimation uses cross correlation of receive-focused transmit element data. A set of sequentially fired broad transmit beams insonify an object from different steering angles. Each transmit beam emanates from an actual or a virtual transmit element. For every firing, a receive beamformer forms a transmit element image of the insonified region by focusing the received signals. An estimator estimates aberration by cross correlating or comparing the transmit element images. Where a virtual transmit element is used, the virtual transmit element images are back propagated to an actual transmit element position before aberration estimation. The estimations are used to form corrected transmit element images which are then summed pre-detection to form a high-resolution synthetic transmit aperture. Alternatively, the estimations are used to improve conventional focused-transmit imaging.

摘要翻译： 畸变估计使用接收发射单元数据的互相关。 一组顺序发射的宽发射光束使不同转向角的物体失真。 每个发射波束从实际或虚拟发射元件发出。 对于每次触发，接收波束形成器通过聚焦接收到的信号来形成声音区域的发射元件图像。 估计器通过交叉相关或比较发射元件图像来估计像差。 在使用虚拟发射元件的情况下，虚拟发射元件图像在像差估计之前被反向传播到实际发射元件位置。 这些估计用于形成经校正的发射元素图像，然后将它们相加预检测以形成高分辨率合成发射孔径。 或者，估计用于改进传统的聚焦传输成像。

公开(公告)号：US20060106309A1

公开(公告)日：2006-05-18

申请号：US10989592

申请日：2004-11-16

申请人： D-L Liu

发明人： D-L Liu

IPC分类号： A61B8/06

CPC分类号： G01S15/8925 ,  G01S7/52049 ,  G01S7/52085 ,  G01S7/52095 ,  G01S15/8918

摘要： For imaging, broad transmit beams are used to increase frame rate. Two or more receive beams are formed in response to each of the broad beam transmit operations. For aberration correction, narrow transmit beams are used, such as a beam associated with receiving along a single scan line. By altering a pulse shape or delay profile, the broad and narrow beam patterns are generated. The wavefront coherence of a narrow beam allows for accurate determination of relative time delay differences or other aberration corrections. The narrowly focused transmit beams are directed automatically towards special targets, such as isolated point targets, to further enhance backscattering coherence. The wide transmit beams and associated wavefront allow for more rapid scanning of a two-dimensional area or a three-dimensional volume. Interleaving the two different types of transmit beams allows for use of aberration correction to increase resolution and reduced clutter levels while more quickly scanning a region.

摘要翻译： 对于成像，使用宽发射波束来增加帧速率。 响应于每个宽波束发射操作形成两个或更多个接收波束。 对于像差校正，使用窄的发射波束，例如沿着单个扫描线接收的波束。 通过改变脉冲形状或延迟分布，产生宽而窄的波束图案。 窄波束的波前相干性允许精确确定相对时间延迟差异或其他像差校正。 狭窄聚焦的发射光束被自动导向特殊目标，例如孤立点目标，以进一步增强后向散射相干性。 宽的发射光束和相关的波前允许更快速地扫描二维区域或三维体积。 交错两种不同类型的发射光束允许使用像差校正来增加分辨率和降低杂波电平，同时更快地扫描区域。

公开(公告)号：US20050215893A1

公开(公告)日：2005-09-29

申请号：US10807681

申请日：2004-03-24

申请人： Stephen Barnes ,  Mirsaid Bolorforosh ,  D-L Liu

发明人： Stephen Barnes ,  Mirsaid Bolorforosh ,  D-L Liu

IPC分类号： A61B8/00 ,  A61B8/12 ,  A61B8/14 ,  G01S15/89

CPC分类号： G01S15/8925 ,  A61B8/483 ,  G01S15/8927 ,  G01S15/894 ,  G01S15/8993 ,  G01S15/8997

摘要： Using configurable arrays, synthetic aperture processes may be used along an elevation dimension for increasing resolution. The increased resolution is used for two-dimensional or three-dimensional imaging. Alternatively or additionally, wide band synthetic elevation aperture focusing processes, such as beamformation, are provided along the elevation dimension to increase resolution. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, a transducer is rotated about a center of the transducer within the elevation and azimuth plane. An aperture associated with the transducer is mechanically or electronically rotated, and ultrasound data acquired associated with a plurality of different positions. The ultrasound data is then used for synthetic elevation aperture processing. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, multiple scanning modes are provided. In a survey mode, imaging is provided without synthetic elevation aperture processing. For greater detailed imaging, imaging is responsive to synthetic elevation aperture processes with different elevation focusing and scanning.

摘要翻译： 使用可配置阵列，可以沿着高度维度使用合成孔径过程以提高分辨率。 增加的分辨率用于二维或三维成像。 或者或另外，沿着高度尺寸提供宽带合成高程孔径聚焦过程，例如波束形成，以增加分辨率。 在另一替代或附加实施例中，换能器围绕换能器的中心在高程和方位平面内旋转。 与换能器相关联的孔机械地或电子地旋转，并且获取与多个不同位置相关联的超声数据。 然后将超声数据用于合成高程孔径处理。 在又一替代或附加实施例中，提供了多种扫描模式。 在调查模式中，无需合成高程孔径处理即可提供成像。 为了更详细的成像，成像对具有不同高程聚焦和扫描的合成高程孔径过程有反应。

公开(公告)号：US20070242567A1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-18

申请号：US11788614

申请日：2007-04-20

申请人： Christopher Daft ,  D-L Liu ,  Paul Wagner ,  Igal Ladabaum

发明人： Christopher Daft ,  D-L Liu ,  Paul Wagner ,  Igal Ladabaum

IPC分类号： H04R1/00

CPC分类号： G01S15/8997 ,  A61B8/12 ,  A61B8/4472 ,  A61B8/4483 ,  A61B8/4488 ,  A61B8/483 ,  G01S7/52046 ,  G01S7/5208 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8927 ,  G01S15/8977 ,  G10K11/346

摘要： To generate information representing a volume, co-arrays or synthetic transmit aperture process is performed in one dimension and beamforming is performed in another dimension. For example, a transmit aperture focuses in azimuth, but is unfocused or divergent in elevation. A multi-dimensional array receives reflected echoes. The echoes are beamformed for sub-arrays for focus in azimuth. The resulting partial beamformed information is provided to an imaging system from the probe housing for completion of beamforming at least in elevation.

摘要翻译： 为了产生表示音量的信息，在一个维度中执行共阵列或合成发射孔径处理，并且在另一维度上执行波束成形。 例如，发射光圈聚焦在方位角，但是在高度上没有聚焦或发散。 多维阵列接收反射回波。 回波被波束形成用于方位角焦点的子阵列。 所得到的部分波束形成信息被提供给来自探针外壳的成像系统，用于至少在高度上完成波束形成。

公开(公告)号：US20070229336A1

公开(公告)日：2007-10-04

申请号：US11731567

申请日：2007-03-30

申请人： D-L Liu ,  Daniel Brueske ,  Brian Colby

发明人： D-L Liu ,  Daniel Brueske ,  Brian Colby

IPC分类号： H03M3/00

CPC分类号： G10K11/346 ,  G01S7/52025 ,  G01S7/52034 ,  G01S7/5208 ,  G01S7/52095

摘要： Receive beamformers for receive beamforming ultrasound information include a plurality of channels. The received signals for each channel are oversampled for conversion to digital form, such as sampling with a sigma-delta converter. The reconstruction of the samples into data at the Nyquist or other rate is performed in stages. Partial reconstruction to a rate less than the oversampling rate, but greater than the Nyquist rate, occurs prior to summation across channels. Delays are implemented by selecting data from the sample stream. After summation, the samples are reconstructed at a Nyquist or other rate.

摘要翻译： 用于接收波束形成超声信息的接收波束形成器包括多个信道。 每个通道的接收信号被过采样以便转换成数字形式，例如用Σ-Δ转换器进行采样。 以奈奎斯特或其他速率将样本重建为数据分阶段进行。 部分重建的速率小于过采样率，但大于奈奎斯特速率，则发生在跨通道求和之前。 通过从样本流中选择数据来实现延迟。 在求和之后，以奈奎斯特或其他速率重建样本。

公开(公告)号：US20070156050A1

公开(公告)日：2007-07-05

申请号：US11716368

申请日：2007-03-09

申请人： Stephen Barnes ,  Mirsaid Bolorforosh ,  D-L Liu

发明人： Stephen Barnes ,  Mirsaid Bolorforosh ,  D-L Liu

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： G01S15/8925 ,  A61B8/483 ,  G01S15/8927 ,  G01S15/894 ,  G01S15/8993 ,  G01S15/8997

摘要： Using configurable arrays, synthetic aperture processes may be used along an elevation dimension for increasing resolution. The increased resolution is used for two-dimensional or three-dimensional imaging. Alternatively or additionally, wide band synthetic elevation aperture focusing processes, such as beamformation, are provided along the elevation dimension to increase resolution. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, a transducer is rotated about a center of the transducer within the elevation and azimuth plane. An aperture associated with the transducer is mechanically or electronically rotated, and ultrasound data acquired associated with a plurality of different positions. The ultrasound data is then used for synthetic elevation aperture processing. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, multiple scanning modes are provided. In a survey mode, imaging is provided without synthetic elevation aperture processing. For greater detailed imaging, imaging is responsive to synthetic elevation aperture processes with different elevation focusing and scanning.

公开(公告)号：US20060173313A1

公开(公告)日：2006-08-03

申请号：US11046347

申请日：2005-01-27

申请人： D-L Liu ,  Lewis Thomas ,  Kutay Ustuner ,  Charles Bradley ,  John Lazenby

发明人： D-L Liu ,  Lewis Thomas ,  Kutay Ustuner ,  Charles Bradley ,  John Lazenby

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/52046 ,  G01S15/8993

摘要： A set of N×M signals are acquired from an object, where N is the number of array elements and M corresponds to variations in data acquisition and/or processing parameters. The parameters include transmit aperture functions, transmit waveforms, receive aperture functions, and receive filtering functions in space and/or time. A coherence factor is computed as a ratio of the energy of the coherent sum to the energy of the at-least-partially incoherent sum of channel or image signals acquired with at least one different parameter. Partial beamformed data may be used for channel coherence calculation. For image domain coherence, a component image is formed for each different transmit beam or receive aperture function, and a coherence factor image is computed using the set of component images. The coherence factor image is displayed or used to modify or blend other images formed of the same region.

摘要翻译： 从对象获取一组NxM信号，其中N是数组元素的数量，M对应于数据采集和/或处理参数中的变化。 这些参数包括发射孔径功能，发射波形，接收孔径功能，以及在空间和/或时间中接收滤波功能。 相干因子被计算为用至少一个不同参数获取的信道或图像信号的至少部分非相干和的相干和的能量与能量的比率。 部分波束形成数据可用于通道相干计算。 对于图像域相干性，为每个不同的发射波束或接收孔径函数形成分量图像，并且使用该组分量图像来计算相干因子图像。 相干因子图像被显示或用于修改或混合由相同区域形成的其他图像。