# US 11,998,395 B2 · Point source transmission and speed-of-sound correction using multi-aperture ultrasound imaging

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- Number: US 11,998,395 B2
- Document ID: US11998395B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/936,420
- Filed: 2022-09-29
- Published: 2023-08-31
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2010-02-18
- Assignees: Maui Imaging, Inc.
- Applicants: Maui Imaging, Inc.
- Inventors: Donald F. Specht; Kenneth D. Brewer
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11998395B2

## CPC

- A61B 8/5246: {combining images from the same or different imaging techniques, e.g. color Doppler and B-mode}
- A61B 8/14: Echotomography
- A61B 8/145: {characterised by scanning multiple planes}
- A61B 8/4444: {related to the probe}
- A61B 8/4455: {Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects}
- A61B 8/4477: {using several separate ultrasound transducers or probes}
- A61B 8/4483: {characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer}
- A61B 8/463: {characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display}
- A61B 8/5207: {involving processing of raw data to produce diagnostic data, e.g. for generating an image}
- A61B 8/5269: {involving detection or reduction of artifacts}
- G01S 7/52049: {using correction of medium-induced phase aberration}
- G01S 15/8913: {using separate transducers for transmission and reception}
- G01S 15/8927: {using simultaneously or sequentially two or more subarrays or subapertures}
- G01S 15/8961: {using pulse compression}
- G01S 15/8977: {using special techniques for image reconstruction, e.g. FFT, geometrical transformations, spatial deconvolution, time deconvolution}
- G01S 15/8993: {Three dimensional imaging systems}
- G01S 15/8997: {using synthetic aperture techniques}
- A61B: DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION (usefulness limited to only animals A61D)
- G01S: RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES

## Abstract

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

An ultrasound probe, comprising:
a probe body housing a transducer array comprising a plurality of transducers arranged in a concave shape, the transducer array being configured to transmit unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound waveforms into tissue;
one or more precision position sensors located in the probe body, the precision position sensors being configured to record position information during transmission of the unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound waveforms;
at least one processor configured to establish a transmit aperture of the transducer array spaced apart from a receive aperture of the transducer array, wherein the transmit aperture and receive aperture are not in a common scan plane, the at least one processor being further configured to generate 3D ultrasound imaging datasets based on the unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound waveforms and the position information.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the 3D ultrasound imaging datasets are produced by rocking the probe body on a patient's skin.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to correct for speed of sound incongruences in the tissue.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the transmit aperture and the receive aperture are separated by a distance of 10 cm or greater.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The ultrasound probe of claim 1, wherein the at least one processor is configured to increase an angle between the transmit aperture and the receive aperture to improve resolution.