摘要:
An ultrasonic transducer assembly (10) for diagnostic imaging is provided. The ultrasonic transducer includes an elongated housing (12) that is configured and dimensioned to accommodate applicable anatomical constraints. The assembly includes a sensor assembly (20) that includes a two-dimensional matrix array of transducer elements (22) and a translation mechanism (32) to physically translate the two-dimensional matrix array of transducer elements (22) through a field of view of approximately 140 degrees by 80 degrees. An articulation control mechanism (38) allows a clinician to move the tip (14) of the ultrasonic transducer (10) into a desired imaging position, e.g., for fetal imaging.
摘要:
A digital multiline beamformer is provided which produces multiple receive beams in response to a single transmit event. An embodiment of the present invention includes a bulk delay which provides a common steering delay applicable to all of the beams received at one time. The bulk delay is succeeded by parallel filter processing paths which produce finely focused multiple beams simultaneously. In one embodiment a multiphase filter produces the samples for multiple beams, which is advantageous when the number of simultaneously produced beams is greater than the number of phases produced by the fine focus filter.
摘要:
An ultrasound system which performs two dimensional imaging is upgradeable to a system which also performs three dimensional ultrasonic imaging. The ultrasound system contains space in which an optional 3D beamformer may be installed to provide the ultrasound system with three dimensional imaging capability. When the 3D beamformer is installed a scanhead select module connects one of a plurality of scanhead connectors to the proper beamformer for the imaging procedure commanded by the user.
摘要:
An ultrasonic 2D array has elements extending in two dimensions which can be individually controlled and operated to form a 2D array for scanning a volumetric region in three dimensions. Individual ones of the elements can also be selected and operated together to form a 1D array for scanning a planar region in two dimensions. The array transmits scanlines to scan the volumetric region and the planar region in a time interleaved manner with the frame rate of the planar region be higher than that of the volumetric region. A spectral display may also be produced of a sample volume located in the planar region.
摘要:
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is provided which aid in the diagnosis of patient conditions by providing access from the ultrasound system to a library of reference ultrasonic images. The image library is cataloged in accordance with an image characteristic such as the type of examination, the part of the body or the type of pathology shown in the image, and the images of the library are accessed in accordance with these characteristics. The image library may be remotely located and accessible by a number of ultrasound systems over a network, or it may be located on the ultrasound system itself such as on a system disk drive. In a preferred embodiment reference images are concurrently displayed with patient images to aid in discerning the patient's condition.
摘要:
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are described which produce tissue harmonic images containing both fundamental and harmonic frequency components. Such a blended image takes advantage of the performance possible with the two types of ultrasonic echo information and can advantageously reduce near field clutter while improving signal to noise performance in the far field of the image.
摘要:
An ultrasound system and method that identify flow regions within a volume. The system comprises: a survey system for collecting motion data from a target image; a segmentation system for mapping a region of flow within the image based on the motion data; and a flow acquisition system that automatically limits the collection of flow image data within the image to the region of flow.
摘要:
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system processes echo information signals by means of a dynamic range map for displayed signals which is varied automatically throughout the image to control the displayed dynamic range and noise rejection level in regions of the image. In a preferred embodiment the displayed dynamic range and noise rejection level varied with both the range (depth) and lateral (scanline to scanline) dimensions of an ultrasonic image.
摘要:
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is provided which is capable of accessing images and information from internal or external databases by means of a browser. Access to such images or information may be over a local network or over a worldwide network such as the Internet. The browser may be used to pull in system preset data or reference images from a reference image library, for instance.
摘要:
An ultrasonic diagnostic system is provided which automatically sets up the TGC characteristic to be used for a given ultrasound examination. Upon user selection of a particular ultrasound application, a setup controller accesses a predetermined TGC characteristic for the selected application. The predetermined TGC characteristic is used to control the gain of a TGC amplifier and is also displayed to the user. By adjustment of a series of TGC controls the user can vary the TGC characteristic from the predetermined characteristic.