Automatic ultrasound transmit power setting method and system
AssigneeAcuson, A Siemens Company
InventorsAndrew Li, Kutay F. Ustuner
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Methods and systems for automatic adjustment of the transmit power are provided. Excess transmit power is determined as a function of the difference between a noise level and the lower end of the dynamic range of the system as configured. Based on the excess transmit power, the transmit power is reduced from the regulated maximum default settings to about a minimum while substantially preserving the original display image. This minimizes the acoustic energy delivered to the transducer and the body, thus reducing transducer heating and satisfying the FDA's ALARA principle.
Claims24
A method for automatically determining a transmitter power level, the method comprising:
- (a) determining a noise level;
- (b) determining a lowest value of a display dynamic range;
- and
- (c) setting a transmit power as a function of the noise level and the lowest value.
An ultrasound system for automatically determining a transmitter power level, the system comprising:
- a transmitter responsive to a transmit power level;
- a processor is operative to set the transmit power level as a function of a noise level and a lowest value of a display dynamic range.
A method for automatically determining a transmitter power reduction factor in a medical ultrasound imaging system, the method comprising:
- (a) determining an excess signal-to-noise ratio with a processor;
- and
- (b) determining the transmitter power reduction factor as a function of the excess signal-to-noise ratio.
A method for automatically determining a transmitter power reduction factor in a medical ultrasound imaging system, the method comprising:
- (a) determining an excess power with a processor;
- and
- (b) determining the transmitter power reduction factor as a function of the excess power.
A method for automatically determining a transmitter power reduction factor in a medical ultrasound imaging system, the method comprising:
- (a) iteratively reducing a transmit power;
- (b) determining a difference between a first signal at a default power level and a second signal at a power level responsive to (a);
- (c) selecting the transmit power wherein the difference exceeds a threshold.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.