公开(公告)号：US06599245B1

公开(公告)日：2003-07-29

申请号：US09604568

申请日：2000-06-27

申请人： Qinglin Ma ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Lin Xin Yao ,  Bruce A. McDermott ,  David A. Petersen

发明人： Qinglin Ma ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Lin Xin Yao ,  Bruce A. McDermott ,  David A. Petersen

IPC分类号： A61B800

CPC分类号： G10K11/346 ,  G01S7/52046

摘要： A system for controlling the point spread function of an ultrasound signal transmitted into a patient. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, only a selected number of the transducer elements transmit a transmit pulse. The elements which do not transmit the pulse are selected in accordance with an apodization probability density function. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each transducer element transmits a variable portion of a transmit pulse in order to control the acoustic power of the signal transmitted from each element.

摘要翻译： 一种用于控制发送到患者体内的超声信号的点扩散功能的系统。 根据本发明的一个实施例，只有选定数量的换能器元件发送发射脉冲。 根据变迹概率密度函数选择不发送脉冲的元件。 根据本发明的另一方面，每个换能器元件发送发射脉冲的可变部分，以便控制从每个元件发送的信号的声功率。

公开(公告)号：US20090007414A1

公开(公告)日：2009-01-08

申请号：US12234470

申请日：2008-09-19

申请人： Robert N. Phelps ,  David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby

发明人： Robert N. Phelps ,  David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby

IPC分类号： H04R31/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/52023 ,  A61B8/4427 ,  G01S7/52046 ,  G01S7/5208 ,  G01S7/52096 ,  G10K11/341 ,  Y10T29/49005 ,  Y10T29/4902 ,  Y10T29/4908 ,  Y10T29/49172 ,  Y10T29/49194

摘要： A plurality of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips with different functions is provided. Each of the ASICs performs one or more functions along an ultrasound data path. The chips include communications protocols or processes for allowing scaling. For example, ASICs for backend processing include data exchange ports for communicating between other ASICs of the same type. As another example, receive beamformer ASICs cascade for beamformation. By providing ASICs implementing many or most of the ultrasound data path functions, with scalability, the same ASICs may be used for different system designs. A family of systems from high end to low-end using the same types of ASICs, but in different configurations, is provided.

摘要翻译： 提供了具有不同功能的多个专用集成电路（ASIC）芯片。 每个ASIC沿着超声数据路径执行一个或多个功能。 这些芯片包括用于允许缩放的通信协议或过程。 例如，用于后端处理的ASIC包括用于在相同类型的其它ASIC之间进行通信的数据交换端口。 作为另一示例，接收波束形成器ASIC级联用于波束形成。 通过提供实现多个或大多数超声数据路径功能的ASIC，具有可扩展性，相同的ASIC可用于不同的系统设计。 提供了使用相同类型的ASIC，但在不同配置中的从高端到低端的系统系列。

公开(公告)号：US06806623B2

公开(公告)日：2004-10-19

申请号：US10185404

申请日：2002-06-27

申请人： David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Robert P. Hunt ,  Robert N. Phelps

发明人： David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Robert P. Hunt ,  Robert N. Phelps

IPC分类号： H01L4108

CPC分类号： G01S7/5208 ,  A61B8/483 ,  B06B1/0622 ,  G01S7/003 ,  G01S7/52019 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8961 ,  G10K11/346

摘要： Methods and systems for isolating transmit and receive circuitry at an ultrasound transducer element are provided. Separate electrodes or electrodes on opposite sides of a transducer element are connected to the separate transmit and receive paths or channels. Instead of high voltage transmit and receive switching, the transducer element isolates the transmit channel from the receive channel. The transmit channel includes circuitry for limiting the voltage at one electrode during receive processing, such as a switch operable to connect the electrode to ground. The receive channel includes circuitry for limiting the voltage at an electrode during transmit processing, such as a diode clamp preventing voltage swings greater than diode voltage at the electrode. Limiting the voltage provides virtual grounding or a direct current for either of the transmit or receive operation. Using a transmit channel discussed above or other transmit channels, a unipolar pulse may be generated starting at one voltage and ending at a different voltage. For example, a unipolar pulse is generated starting at a zero voltage value and ending on a positive voltage value. A subsequent unipolar pulse is transmitted by starting at the positive voltage value and ending on the zero voltage value. These mirrored unipolar transmit waveforms may be used for phase inversion imaging, such as adding responsive received signals for isolating harmonic information.

公开(公告)号：US07304415B2

公开(公告)日：2007-12-04

申请号：US10917579

申请日：2004-08-13

申请人： David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby

发明人： David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby

IPC分类号： H01L41/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/52079

摘要： Interconnection from a multidimensional transducer array to electronics is provided. Circuit board modules are used in combination with z-axis interconnections of a transducer array to provide active electronics within a volume adjacent to the multidimensional transducer array. By using multiple modules to connect to different regions of z-axis interconnects, conductor paths from the transducer to the electronics are more likely of similar lengths. By including a thin or thinner region on each of the modules for active electronics, a greater volume of the space adjacent to the transducer array may include active electronics. Thicker regions route conductors from the 2D array regions, and thinner regions provide space for active electronics. Using multiple modules with z-axis interconnects may reduce cross-talk and space requirements for implementing some or all of the transmit and/or receive beamformation adjacent to the multidimensional transducer array. Additionally or alternatively, other electronics than beamformation components are provided on the modules.

摘要翻译： 提供了从多维传感器阵列到电子设备的互连。 电路板模块与换能器阵列的z轴互连结合使用，以在与多维换能器阵列相邻的体积内提供有源电子元件。 通过使用多个模块连接到z轴互连的不同区域，从换能器到电子设备的导体路径更可能具有相似的长度。 通过在用于有源电子器件的每个模块上包括薄的或较薄的区域，与换能器阵列相邻的更大的空间体积可以包括有源电子器件。 较高的区域将导线从2D阵列区域引出，较薄的区域为有源电子设备提供空间。 使用具有z轴互连的多个模块可以减少用于实现与多维换能器阵列相邻的发射和/或接收波束形成中的一些或全部的串扰和空间要求。 附加地或替代地，在模块上提供了比波束形成部件的其它电子装置。

公开(公告)号：US06875178B2

公开(公告)日：2005-04-05

申请号：US10184461

申请日：2002-06-27

申请人： Robert N. Phelps ,  David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Robert P. Hunt

发明人： Robert N. Phelps ,  David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Robert P. Hunt

IPC分类号： B06B1/06 ,  G01S7/00 ,  G01S7/524 ,  G01S15/89 ,  G10K11/34 ,  A61B8/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/5208 ,  A61B8/483 ,  B06B1/0622 ,  G01S7/003 ,  G01S7/5202 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8961 ,  G10K11/346

摘要： Methods and systems for receiving different types of signal formats from different ultrasound transducers are provided. A base unit of an ultrasound system includes a connector and receiver circuit for connecting with one of multiple different types of transducers. For example, a conventional transducer providing analog information associated with a single element on one receive channel is connected with the connector and receiver circuit. Alternatively, a transducer outputting time division multiplex or other multiplex information representing multiple transducer elements is connected with the connector and receiver circuit. The receiver circuit processes the received information differently depending on the data format. For example, the preamplifier impedance or gain is different for single element signals versus time division multiplex signals. As another example, a low pass filter bandwidth is larger for time division multiplex signals than for signals representing a single element. Receive circuits with an analog-to-digital converter positioned prior to a digital demultiplexer are also included for use with multiplexed data formats. Time division multiplex or other multiplex signals from a transducer array are converted to a digital format prior to demultiplexing. Methods and systems for adapting multiplexing or processing of multiplexed signals are also provided. A test signal or ultrasound signals are transmitted from a transducer to the receiver circuit and analyzed. The multiplexer of the transducer is synchronized with an analog digital converter with selectable delays responsive to the analysis. Coefficients or other filter characteristics of a digital equalizer are selected as a function of the analysis.

摘要翻译： 提供了用于从不同超声换能器接收不同类型的信号格式的方法和系统。 超声系统的基本单元包括用于与多种不同类型的换能器之一连接的连接器和接收器电路。 例如，提供与一个接收通道上的单个元件相关联的模拟信息的常规换能器与连接器和接收器电路连接。 或者，输出时分复用的换能器或表示多个换能器元件的其他多路复用信息与连接器和接收器电路连接。 接收机电路根据数据格式不同地处理接收到的信息。 例如，对于单个元件信号与时分复用信号，前置放大器的阻抗或增益是不同的。 作为另一示例，时分多路复用信号的低通滤波器带宽比表示单个元件的信号更大。 数字多路复用器之前的模数转换器的接收电路也包括在复用数据格式中。 来自换能器阵列的时分复用或其它多路复用信号在解复用之前被转换为数字格式。 还提供了用于适配多路复用信号的复用或处理的方法和系统。 测试信号或超声信号从换能器传输到接收器电路并进行分析。 传感器的多路复用器与模拟数字转换器同步，具有响应分析的可选延迟。 作为分析的函数选择数字均衡器的系数或其他滤波器特性。

公开(公告)号：US07941908B2

公开(公告)日：2011-05-17

申请号：US12234470

申请日：2008-09-19

申请人： Robert N. Phelps ,  David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby

发明人： Robert N. Phelps ,  David A. Petersen ,  John C. Lazenby

IPC分类号： H04R31/00

CPC分类号： G01S7/52023 ,  A61B8/4427 ,  G01S7/52046 ,  G01S7/5208 ,  G01S7/52096 ,  G10K11/341 ,  Y10T29/49005 ,  Y10T29/4902 ,  Y10T29/4908 ,  Y10T29/49172 ,  Y10T29/49194

摘要： A plurality of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) chips with different functions is provided. Each of the ASICs performs one or more functions along an ultrasound data path. The chips include communications protocols or processes for allowing scaling. For example, ASICs for backend processing include data exchange ports for communicating between other ASICs of the same type. As another example, receive beamformer ASICs cascade for beamformation. By providing ASICs implementing many or most of the ultrasound data path functions, with scalability, the same ASICs may be used for different system designs. A family of systems from high end to low-end using the same types of ASICs, but in different configurations, is provided.

摘要翻译： 提供了具有不同功能的多个专用集成电路（ASIC）芯片。 每个ASIC沿着超声数据路径执行一个或多个功能。 这些芯片包括用于允许缩放的通信协议或过程。 例如，用于后端处理的ASIC包括用于在相同类型的其它ASIC之间进行通信的数据交换端口。 作为另一示例，接收波束形成器ASIC级联用于波束形成。 通过提供实现多个或大多数超声数据路径功能的ASIC，具有可扩展性，相同的ASIC可用于不同的系统设计。 提供了使用相同类型的ASIC，但在不同配置中的从高端到低端的系统系列。

公开(公告)号：US08257262B2

公开(公告)日：2012-09-04

申请号：US10741538

申请日：2003-12-19

申请人： David A. Petersen ,  Robert N. Phelps ,  John C. Lazenby

发明人： David A. Petersen ,  Robert N. Phelps ,  John C. Lazenby

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： A61B8/4438 ,  A61B8/4472 ,  G01S7/52034 ,  G01S7/5208 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8927 ,  G01S15/8993

摘要： Methods and systems are provided for adapting signals from an ultrasound transducer for an ultrasound system. Where the signal processing in a transducer assembly outputs data incompatible with the ultrasound system, circuitry provided within the transducer assembly converts the data to be compatible with the ultrasound systems. For example, sub-array mixing is provided to partially beamform signals from a plurality of transducer elements. The resulting output signals from a plurality sub-arrays are provided through a cable to a connector housing of the transducer probe assembly. Since the mixers alter the data, such as shifting the data to an intermediate frequency, the output data may be at a frequency different than the frequencies for operation of the receive beamformer. Additional mixers are then provided to convert the intermediate frequency signals to radio frequency signals that may be processed by the ultrasound systems received beamformer. As another example, signals from a plurality of transducer elements are multiplexed together. Where the receive beamformer is not operable to de-multiplex such signals, circuitry within the transducer probe assembly converts the signals by de-multiplexing the data for beamforming. Ultrasound systems have a limited number of received beamformer channels. By providing signal processing, conversion, and/or partial beamforming within the transducer probe assembly, the number of elements used may be different than the number of received beamformer channels provided by the system.

摘要翻译： 提供了用于适应来自用于超声系统的超声换能器的信号的方法和系统。 在传感器组件中的信号处理输出与超声系统不兼容的数据的情况下，提供在换能器组件内的电路将数据转换为与超声系统兼容。 例如，提供子阵列混合以部分地波束来自多个换能器元件的信号。 来自多个子阵列的所得到的输出信号通过电缆提供到换能器探头组件的连接器壳体。 由于混频器将数据改变为中频，所以输出数据可能处于与接收波束形成器的操作频率不同的频率。 然后提供额外的混频器以将中频信号转换成可由超声系统接收波束形成器处理的射频信号。 作为另一示例，来自多个换能器元件的信号被多路复用在一起。 在接收波束形成器不可操作以解复用这种信号的地方，换能器探头组件内的电路通过对波束成形的数据进行解复用来转换信号。 超声系统具有有限数量的接收波束形成器通道。 通过在换能器探头组件内提供信号处理，转换和/或部分波束成形，所使用的元件的数量可以不同于由系统提供的接收波束形成器通道的数量。

公开(公告)号：US07998072B2

公开(公告)日：2011-08-16

申请号：US10741827

申请日：2003-12-19

申请人： Robert N. Phelps ,  John C. Lazenby ,  David A. Petersen

发明人： Robert N. Phelps ,  John C. Lazenby ,  David A. Petersen

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： G01S15/8925 ,  A61B8/44 ,  A61B8/546 ,  G01S7/5208 ,  G01S15/8927

摘要： Methods, systems and probes communicate signals from a transducer for imaging or connection with an imaging system. Beamforming-related electronics are positioned in the connector housing of the transducer probe assembly. For example, analog-to-digital converters are positioned in the connector housing. Power is provided through connection with the ultrasound imaging system. Fans or other heat-dissipating structures are also positioned within the connector housing. Other beamformer electronics, such as delays and sums, are positioned in the imaging system, partly in the connector housing or entirely in the connector housing. Since the analog-to-digital converters are provided in the connector housing, partial digital beam forming may be provided in the transducer probe assembly. The length of the transducer cables is held constant to avoid interference and transmission line effects due to line-length variation. The number of cables and other interconnections from the transducer array to the analog-to-digital converters is unconstrained by the number of connectors or channels provided by the imaging system. Data compression provided by the electronics of the transducer probe assembly provides independence of the number of system channels from transducer channels.

摘要翻译： 方法，系统和探针传送来自传感器的信号，以便与成像系统进行成像或连接。 波束形成相关电子器件位于换能器探头组件的连接器壳体中。 例如，模拟 - 数字转换器位于连接器外壳中。 通过与超声成像系统的连接来提供功率。 风扇或其他散热结构也位于连接器壳体内。 诸如延迟和总和的其它波束形成器电子器件位于成像系统中，部分位于连接器壳体中或完全位于连接器壳体中。 由于模数转换器设置在连接器壳体中，部分数字波束形成可以设置在换能器探头组件中。 传感器电缆的长度保持恒定，以避免由于线长变化引起的干扰和传输线影响。 通过由成像系统提供的连接器或通道的数量，从传感器阵列到模拟 - 数字转换器的电缆和其它互连的数量是不受约束的。 由换能器探头组件的电子设备提供的数据压缩提供了与换能器通道的系统通道数量的独立性。

公开(公告)号：US07517317B2

公开(公告)日：2009-04-14

申请号：US10788103

申请日：2004-02-26

申请人： John C. Lazenby ,  David A. Petersen

发明人： John C. Lazenby ,  David A. Petersen

IPC分类号： A61B8/00

CPC分类号： G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8927

摘要： Different subarray combinations are provided for ultrasound imaging. A basic building block component supports different subarray sizes. Rather than providing a switching network for all possible combinations, a transducer array is divided into super arrays. Each super array is associated with a plurality of possible subarrays. For example, a 3×12 block of elements is divisible into four 3×3 or three 3×4 subarrays. As another example, a 4×12 block of elements is divisible into four 4×3 and three 4×4 subarrays. For each super array, the block of elements is divided into slices, such as three slices along one dimension for 3×12 block or four slices along that dimension for the 4×12 block. The number of elements along one division in each slice represents a least common multiple of the varying extent of the subarray sizes. Twelve is the least common multiple of three and four. By using small building blocks, the slice inputs are combined into partial subarrays. By summing combined outputs from different slices or other subdivisions of the super array, subarray signals are provided regardless of a selected possible subarray size.

摘要翻译： 提供不同的子阵列组合用于超声成像。 基本构件块组件支持不同的子阵列大小。 换能器阵列不是为所有可能的组合提供切换网络，而是分为超级阵列。 每个超级阵列与多个可能的子阵列相关联。 例如，3×12个元素块可以分为四个3x3或三个3x4子阵列。 作为另一个例子，4×12块元素可以分为四个4x3和三个4x4子阵列。 对于每个超级阵列，元素块被划分成切片，例如沿着一个维度的三个切片，用于3×12块，或者对于4×12块，沿着该维度的四个切片。 每个切片中沿着一个划分的元素的数量表示子阵列大小的变化范围的最小公倍数。 十二是三和四的最不常见的倍数。 通过使用小的构建块，切片输入被组合成部分子阵列。 通过对来自超级阵列的不同切片或其他细分的组合输出相加，提供子阵列信号，而不管选择的可能的子阵列大小。

公开(公告)号：US06780154B2

公开(公告)日：2004-08-24

申请号：US10341816

申请日：2003-01-14

申请人： Robert P. Hunt ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Robert N. Phelps ,  David A. Petersen ,  Stephen B. Hooper ,  Heike Seck ,  Jerry D. Hopple ,  Bhavani Duggirala

发明人： Robert P. Hunt ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Robert N. Phelps ,  David A. Petersen ,  Stephen B. Hooper ,  Heike Seck ,  Jerry D. Hopple ,  Bhavani Duggirala

IPC分类号： A61B806

CPC分类号： A61B8/467 ,  A61B8/00 ,  A61B8/4427 ,  A61B8/4472 ,  A61B8/462 ,  A61B8/565 ,  G01S7/003 ,  G01S7/52023 ,  G01S7/52079 ,  G01S7/52082 ,  G01S7/52084 ,  G01S15/899

摘要： A segmented ultrasound system is provided. Ultrasound data, such as image data in a video format, is wirelessly transmitted to a multi-use display device from a handheld ultrasound device. Any of various multi-use display devices may be used, such as personal digital assistants (PDA), tablet computers, lap top computers, or personal computers.

摘要翻译： 提供分段超声系统。 诸如视频格式的图像数据的超声数据从手持式超声装置无线传输到多用途显示装置。 可以使用各种多用途显示设备中的任何一种，诸如个人数字助理（PDA），平板计算机，膝上型计算机或个人计算机。