公开(公告)号：US5560362A

公开(公告)日：1996-10-01

申请号：US258686

申请日：1994-06-13

申请人： John W. Sliwa, Jr. ,  Michael G. Curley ,  Donald R. Mullen ,  Jay S. Plugge ,  Richard A. Lyon

发明人： John W. Sliwa, Jr. ,  Michael G. Curley ,  Donald R. Mullen ,  Jay S. Plugge ,  Richard A. Lyon

IPC分类号： F28D15/02 ,  G10K11/00 ,  A61B8/00

CPC分类号： A61B8/546 ,  F28D15/0241 ,  G10K11/004

摘要： An ultrasound transducer assembly having a housing, a transducer array mounted in the housing, and active cooling mechanism positioned adjacent to the transducer array for actively removing heat generated by the array by transport of heat energy from the affected site. The active cooling mechanism may comprise a heat exchanger including a closed loop circulating coolant system circulating coolant, or a single-pass flowed coolant, passing through the heat exchanger, a heat pipe, a thermoelectric cooler, an evaporative/condenser system, and/or a phase change material. One or more heat exchangers may be used having gas or liquid coolants flowing therethrough. The heat exchangers and coolant pumps may be located in various components of the transducer assembly, including the array housing, the connector assemblies or the ultrasound console.

摘要翻译： 具有壳体，安装在壳体中的换能器阵列和邻近换能器阵列定位的主动冷却机构的超声换能器组件，用于通过从受影响部位传输热能来主动移除阵列产生的热量。 主动冷却机构可以包括热交换器，其包括循环冷却剂的闭环循环冷却剂系统或通过热交换器的单程流动的冷却剂，热管，热电冷却器，蒸发/冷凝器系统和/或 相变材料。 可以使用一个或多个热交换器，其中气体或液体冷却剂流过其中。 热交换器和冷却剂泵可以位于换能器组件的各种部件中，包括阵列壳体，连接器组件或超声控制台。

公开(公告)号：US5595179A

公开(公告)日：1997-01-21

申请号：US433217

申请日：1995-05-02

申请人： J. Nelson Wright ,  Jay S. Plugge ,  D. Grant Fash, III ,  Donald R. Langdon ,  David J. Finger ,  Brian M. Normand ,  Ismayil M. Guracar

发明人： J. Nelson Wright ,  Jay S. Plugge ,  D. Grant Fash, III ,  Donald R. Langdon ,  David J. Finger ,  Brian M. Normand ,  Ismayil M. Guracar

IPC分类号： G01S7/52 ,  H03H21/00 ,  A61B8/00

CPC分类号： H03H21/0012 ,  G01S7/52026 ,  G01S7/52046 ,  G01S7/52034 ,  H03H2021/0079

摘要： The invention provides a method and system for adaptive persistence processing in an ultrasound imaging system. Acoustic signals are temporally filtered using an adaptive persistence filter, having a recursive stage followed by a nonrecursive stage. A set of filtering coefficients for each stage are supplied by a look-up table in a memory, addressed or indexed in response to a plurality of input or output pixel values. The look-up table may therefore embody any selected function of its input variables. The input variables for the look-up table function are a current input pixel value X.sub.n and a previous intermediate pixel value W.sub.n-1, and the function embodied by the look-up table includes a relative first difference function for selecting a filter coefficient. A recursive filtering coefficient .alpha. is held constant over time, while a nonrecursive filtering coefficient .gamma. is adjusted dynamically in response to the current input pixel value X.sub.n and the previous intermediate pixel value W.sub.n-1. The nonrecursive stage filter has a frequency response that attenuates higher frequency components without attenuating a broad range of lower frequency components, relative to the recursive stage frequency response. The step response or settling time of the nonrecursive stage filter always spans one frame interval, independent of the nonrecursive filtering coefficient, while the step response or settling time for the recursive stage filter is generally longer and is dependent on the recursive filtering coefficient.

摘要翻译： 本发明提供了一种用于超声成像系统中的自适应持久性处理的方法和系统。 使用自适应持续性滤波器对声信号进行时间滤波，具有递归阶段，随后是非递归阶段。 每个级的一组滤波系数由查询表提供在存储器中，响应于多个输入或输出像素值寻址或索引。 因此，查找表可以包含其输入变量的任何所选函数。 用于查找表函数的输入变量是当前输入像素值Xn和先前中间像素值Wn-1，由查找表体现的功能包括用于选择滤波器系数的相对第一差分函数。 递归滤波系数α随时间保持恒定，而响应于当前输入像素值Xn和先前的中间像素值Wn-1，动态地调整非递归滤波系数γ。 非递归级滤波器具有频率响应，其相对于递归级频率响应衰减较高频率分量而不衰减宽范围的较低频率分量。 非递归级滤波器的阶跃响应或建立时间总是跨越一帧间隔，与非递归滤波系数无关，而递归阶段滤波器的阶跃响应或建立时间通常较长，并且取决于递归滤波系数。

公开(公告)号：US06224556B1

公开(公告)日：2001-05-01

申请号：US09200649

申请日：1998-11-25

申请人： Jodi L. Schwartz ,  John I. Jackson ,  Jay S. Plugge

发明人： Jodi L. Schwartz ,  John I. Jackson ,  Jay S. Plugge

IPC分类号： A61B800

CPC分类号： G01S15/895 ,  A61B8/12 ,  A61B8/4488

摘要： A method and system for obtaining ultrasound data with a sparse array of transducer elements is provided. About one wavelength of a highest operating frequency separates the center of each transducer element from any adjacent transducer element. While this spacing may generate grating lobes, the beamformer of the ultrasound system is configured to filter and isolate information at a harmonic of a fundamental transmit frequency. The resultant two-way beam pattern is less effected by the grating lobes. The image generated as a function of the harmonic information has few artifacts created as a function of the sparse spacing of the transducer elements. Given a set number of beamformer transmit channels, the sparse spacing may allow for a larger aperture width with few artifacts as a result of sparse element spacing. The larger aperture width generates a narrower beam in the azimuthal dimension of a one-dimensional transducer. By generating a narrower beam, better azimuthal resolution may be obtained. Alternatively, the number of transmit channels may be reduced to provide a beam width that is the same or similar to a beam generated with a conventional phased array where transducer elements have a one-half of the wavelength spacing of the fundamental frequency. By using fewer transmit channels to obtain the same beam width, the space required by electrical traces connecting the transducer elements to the beamformer is reduced. The reduced required space is beneficially used on catheter or intravascular transducers.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种用于获得具有稀疏阵列的换能器元件的超声数据的方法和系统。 大约一个最高工作频率的波长将每个换能器元件的中心与任何相邻的换能器元件分开。 虽然该间隔可以产生光栅瓣，但是超声系统的波束形成器被配置为在基本发射频率的谐波上滤波和隔离信息。 所得到的双向光束图案较少受到光栅叶片的影响。 作为谐波信息的函数产生的图像具有作为换能器元件的稀疏间隔的函数而产生的少量伪像。 给定一定数量的波束形成器发射信道，由于稀疏元素间隔，稀疏间隔可以允许具有较少孔隙宽度的少量伪像。 较大的孔径宽度在一维换能器的方位角尺寸上产生较窄的波束。 通过产生较窄的光束，可以获得更好的方位分辨率。 或者，可以减少发射信道的数量，以提供与传统相控阵列产生的波束相同或类似的波束宽度，其中换能器元件具有基频的波长间隔的一半。 通过使用更少的发射通道来获得相同的波束宽度，减小了将换能器元件连接到波束成形器的电迹线所需的空间。 减少的所需空间有利地用于导管或血管内换能器。

公开(公告)号：US4163599A

公开(公告)日：1979-08-07

申请号：US883868

申请日：1978-03-06

申请人： Jay S. Plugge ,  Eugene S. Hammer

发明人： Jay S. Plugge ,  Eugene S. Hammer

IPC分类号： H01R13/53 ,  H01R7/06

CPC分类号： H01R13/53 ,  H01R2101/00

摘要： A pair of electrical cables to be interconnected, each have an outer layer of insulation and a central conductor terminating in a cable end. A generally funnel shaped conductor is attached to the conductors of each cable end forming a concave terminal on each cable end. A spherical conductor is interposed between the funnel shaped conductors of the cable ends. The cable ends and the spherical conductor are compressively engaged to provide assured electrical contact through the cables and are enclosed within a tubular dielectric housing. The cable ends extend through apertures in threaded end plugs and into the tubular housing. The housing includes a dielectric grease to displace all air within the housing. A seal and tubular sleeve are interposed between the end plugs and the funnel shaped conductors of the cable ends so that threaded engagement of the end plugs provide axial compressive forces on the funnel shaped conductors and also seal the connection. The connection is readily detachable by the threaded disengagement of the end plugs.

摘要翻译： 要互连的一对电缆各自具有外层绝缘层和终端于电缆端的中心导体。 通常漏斗形导体连接到每个电缆端的导体，在每个电缆端部上形成凹形端子。 球形导体插入电缆端部的漏斗形导体之间。 电缆端部和球形导体被压缩接合，以通过电缆提供可靠的电接触并且封装在管状介电壳体内。 电缆端延伸穿过螺纹端塞中的孔并进入管状外壳。 壳体包括用于置换壳体内的所有空气的介电润滑脂。 密封件和管状套筒插入在端塞和电缆端部的漏斗形导体之间，使得端塞的螺纹接合在漏斗形导体上提供轴向压缩力并且还密封连接。 通过端塞的螺纹脱离可以很容易地拆卸连接。

公开(公告)号：US4096530A

公开(公告)日：1978-06-20

申请号：US696880

申请日：1976-06-17

申请人： Jay S. Plugge ,  William H. Wesbey ,  James E. Blake

发明人： Jay S. Plugge ,  William H. Wesbey ,  James E. Blake

IPC分类号： G03B27/32 ,  A61B6/00 ,  G09G5/00 ,  H04N1/04 ,  H04N1/10 ,  H04N1/195 ,  H04N5/84 ,  H04N7/18 ,  H04N5/04

CPC分类号： H04N1/195 ,  H04N1/19594 ,  H04N1/1004 ,  H04N2201/0408

摘要： Raster lines are obscured in a photograph of an image displayed on a video monitor. A photographic film is used as an integrating mechanism. The TV raster is vertically displaced during the camera shutter open time a total deflection of one horizontal line, thus blending the information between horizontal lines. Vertical raster deflection is accomplished by adding a series of delays to the normal vertical sync and then generating a processed composite sync to drive the external sync input to the monitor. The shutter is open for several video frames, each frame being deflected vertically by an integer amount greater than the previous frame until the total raster deflection equals one horizontal line.

摘要翻译： 影像监视器上显示的图像的照片中遮掩了光栅线。 摄影胶片被用作整合机制。 电视光栅在相机快门打开期间垂直移位，一个水平线的总偏转，从而在水平线之间混合信息。 通过将一系列延迟添加到正常垂直同步，然后生成经处理的复合同步来驱动监视器的外部同步输入来实现垂直光栅偏转。 快门为几个视频帧打开，每个帧垂直偏转大于前一帧的整数，直到总光栅偏转等于一条水平线。

公开(公告)号：US06645147B1

公开(公告)日：2003-11-11

申请号：US09200648

申请日：1998-11-25

申请人： John I. Jackson ,  Jay S. Plugge ,  Edward A. Gardner

发明人： John I. Jackson ,  Jay S. Plugge ,  Edward A. Gardner

IPC分类号： A61B800

CPC分类号： A61B8/12 ,  A61B5/0456 ,  A61B8/06 ,  A61B8/08 ,  A61B8/14 ,  A61B8/445 ,  A61B8/481 ,  A61B8/488 ,  A61B8/543

摘要： A method and system for contrast agent imaging with a catheter transducer is provided. The catheter transducer may comprise an intra-vascular, intra-cardiac or other transducer for insertion into or through a small space. The catheter transducer is inserted within the heart or other portion of a patient. Contrast agents, such as micro-spheres, are injected into the patient. Using the catheter transducer, ultrasonic acoustic energy is transmitted, and reflected energy is received. The reflected energy is responsive to the contrast agents. An image processor generates an image of the tissue and contrast agents as a function of the reflected energy. The image provides an indication of perfusion. Alternatively, the ultrasound system calculates perfusion. By generating intra-vascular images or data, interference from other tissues is avoided. Therefore, the perfusion information obtained may have higher resolution. Images with better resolution better assist doctors in medical diagnosis.

摘要翻译： 提供了一种用导管换能器对比剂成像的方法和系统。 导管换能器可以包括血管内，心脏内或其他换能器，用于插入或通过小空间。 导管换能器插入心脏或患者其他部分内。 对比剂，如微球，注射到患者体内。 使用导管换能器，传输超声波声能，并接收反射能量。 反射能量对造影剂有反应。 图像处理器产生作为反射能量的函数的组织和造影剂的图像。 图像提供灌注指示。 或者，超声系统计算灌注。 通过产生血管内图像或数据，避免了来自其他组织的干扰。 因此，获得的灌注信息可能具有较高的分辨率。 具有更好分辨率的图像更好地帮助医生进行医学诊断。

公开(公告)号：US4567898A

公开(公告)日：1986-02-04

申请号：US754192

申请日：1985-07-10

申请人： Jay S. Plugge ,  Stephen W. Flax

发明人： Jay S. Plugge ,  Stephen W. Flax

IPC分类号： A61B8/06 ,  A61B10/00

CPC分类号： A61B8/06

摘要： Obstructions in a blood vessel are identified and displayed by determining changes in textural patterns based on the ultrasonic waves reflected from the blood vessel. The textural pattern from stationary scatterers, such as found in a clot, remains essentially constant, whereas the texture pattern for moving scatterers such as flowing blood cells is ever changing. By determining and imaging the variations in textural pattern of the reflected ultrasonic waves the identification of obstructions in the vessel is realized.

摘要翻译： 通过基于从血管反射的超声波确定纹理图案的变化来识别和显示血管中的障碍物。 来自固定散射体的纹理图案（例如在凝块中发现）保持基本上恒定，而用于移动散射体（例如流动的血细胞）的纹理图案是不断变化的。 通过确定和成像反射超声波的纹理图案的变化，实现了容器中障碍物的识别。

公开(公告)号：US5743855A

公开(公告)日：1998-04-28

申请号：US662330

申请日：1996-06-12

申请人： Amin M. Hanafy ,  Samuel H. Maslak ,  Jay S. Plugge

发明人： Amin M. Hanafy ,  Samuel H. Maslak ,  Jay S. Plugge

IPC分类号： B06B1/06 ,  A61B8/00

CPC分类号： B06B1/0644 ,  B06B1/0622

摘要： There is provided a transducer array with a plurality of piezoelectric elements having a minimum and maximum thickness. In one embodiment, the maximum thickness is less than or equal to 140 percent of the minimum thickness. In an alternate embodiment, the maximum thickness is greater than 140 percent of the minimum thickness and the transducer array is capable of simulating the excitation of a wider aperture two-dimensional transducer array. One or more matching layers may be used to further increase bandwidth performance. In addition, a two crystal transducer element as well as a composite transducer structure may be formed using the principles of this invention.

公开(公告)号：US5582177A

公开(公告)日：1996-12-10

申请号：US398348

申请日：1995-03-03

申请人： Amin M. Hanafy ,  Samuel H. Maslak ,  Jay S. Plugge

发明人： Amin M. Hanafy ,  Samuel H. Maslak ,  Jay S. Plugge

IPC分类号： B06B1/06 ,  A61B8/00

CPC分类号： B06B1/0622 ,  B06B1/0644

摘要： There is provided a transducer array with a plurality of piezoelectric elements having a minimum and maximum thickness. In one embodiment, the maximum thickness is less than or equal to 140 percent of the minimum thickness. In an alternate embodiment, the maximum thickness is greater than 140 percent of the minimum thickness and the transducer array is capable of simulating the excitation of a wider aperture two-dimensional transducer array. One or more matching layers may be used to further increase bandwidth performance. In addition, a two crystal transducer element as well as a composite transducer structure may be formed using the principles of this invention.

公开(公告)号：US5976090A

公开(公告)日：1999-11-02

申请号：US24819

申请日：1998-02-17

申请人： Amin M. Hanafy ,  Samuel H. Maslak ,  Jay S. Plugge

发明人： Amin M. Hanafy ,  Samuel H. Maslak ,  Jay S. Plugge

IPC分类号： B06B1/06 ,  A61B3/00

CPC分类号： B06B1/0644 ,  B06B1/0622

摘要： There is provided a transducer array with a plurality of piezoelectric elements having a minimum and maximum thickness. In one embodiment, the maximum thickness is less than or equal to 140 percent of the minimum thickness. In an alternate embodiment, the maximum thickness is greater than 140 percent of the minimum thickness and the transducer array is capable of simulating the excitation of a wider aperture two-dimensional transducer array. One or more matching layers may be used to further increase bandwidth performance. In addition, a two crystal transducer element as well as a composite transducer structure may be formed using the principles of this invention.