Dynamic Operation for Subarrays in Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging
AssigneeSiemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.
InventorStephen W. Henderson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
Dynamic operation is provided in sub-array ultrasound imaging. Rather than using fixed or Euclidian distance relative timing, an approximation determines the relative timing. The dynamic timing relationship is approximated with log(x), arctan(x), or 1/x relationships. Adders, registers, counters, comparators, or other simple circuitry is used to calculate the timing relationship. For example, a portion of the circuit featuring a digital comparator and counter produces a reciprocal relationship.
Claims20
A circuit for dynamic operation in a sub-array of ultrasound imaging, the circuit comprising:
- a first adder and first register to generate a second order polynomial as a function of depth;
- a counter and a comparator to generate signals representing a reciprocal of the second order polynomial;
- a second adder to generate a relative timing for an element from the reciprocal;
- and
- a sub-array beamformer to delay or phase ultrasound signals for the element based on the relative timing.
A method for dynamic phase or delay calculation in a sub-array of ultrasound imaging, the method comprising:
- determining dynamic timing relationships between elements of a sub-array with a log(x), arctan(x), or 1/x function, where x is time;
- and
- beamforming signals from the elements of the sub-array as a function of the dynamic timing relationships.
A circuit for dynamic operation in a sub-array of ultrasound imaging, the circuit comprising:
- a comparator to produce a reciprocal of a derivative;
- a sub-array beamformer to delay or phase ultrasound signals for an element based on the reciprocal of the derivative.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.