Method and apparatus for composition of ultrasound images with integration of "thick-slice" 3-dimensional ultrasound imaging zone(s) and 2-dimensional ultrasound zone(s) utilizing a multi-zone, multi-frequency ultrasound image reconstruction scheme with sub-zone blending

A method of generating a 3-dimensional (3D) image of a target area that includes multiple depth zones for acquiring data using a handheld ultrasound device, the method comprising:

• imaging, using an ultrasonic array of an ultrasound device, a first zone by transmitting into the first zone and receiving ultrasound signals from the first zone using a first imaging scheme, the first zone having a depth dimension that extends from a surface of an object being imaged to a first depth into the object;
• imaging, using the ultrasonic array, a second zone by transmitting into the second zone and receiving ultrasound signals from the second zone using a second imaging scheme, the second zone extending from the first depth to a second depth into the object, the second depth being farther from the surface of the object than the first depth, the first zone being between the second zone and the ultrasonic array;
• imaging, using the ultrasonic array, a third zone by transmitting into the third zone and receiving ultrasound signals from the third zone using a third imaging scheme, the third zone extending from the second depth to a third depth farther from the surface of the object than the second depth, the second zone being between the first zone and the third zone;
• forming a 3D image based on received signals from the first zone, the second zone, and the third zone;
• extending at least one first patch of the 3D image such that the at least one first patch overlaps with at least one first horizontally adjacent patch to form a first overlapping area;
• blending the at least one first patch with the at least one first horizontally adjacent patch in the first overlapping area;
• extending at least one second patch of the 3D image such that the at least one second patch overlaps with at least one vertically adjacent patch to form a second overlapping area;
• and
• blending the at least one second patch with the at least one vertically adjacent patch in the second overlapping area.

A handheld ultrasound device, comprising:

• a plurality of rows of ultrasonic elements, the rows arranged in parallel to form an array, the ultrasonic elements of the array characterized by an elevation pitch between ultrasonic elements in adjacent rows and an azimuth pitch between ultrasonic elements within a same row;
• a plurality of multiplexers, each multiplexor coupled to at least one element in each row;
• and
• a plurality of pulsers configured to provide high voltage pulses to the ultrasonic elements and the plurality of multiplexers;
• a plurality of analog front-end receivers coupled to the multiplexers and configured to amplify and digitize received ultrasonic signals;
• and
• a control system coupled to the plurality of multiplexers, the plurality of pulsers, and the plurality of analog front-end receivers, the controls system operable for imaging, using the array, a first zone by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals using a first imaging scheme, the first zone having a depth dimension that extends from a surface of an object being imaged to a first depth into the object;
• imaging, using the array, a second zone by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals using a second imaging scheme, the second zone extending from the first depth to a second depth into the object, the second depth being farther from the surface of the object than the first depth, the first zone being between the second zone and the array, wherein
• imaging at least one of the first zone or the second zone includes forming a thick slice image of at least one of the first zone or the second zone;
• imaging, using the array, a third zone by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals in the third zone using a third imaging scheme, the third zone extending from the second depth to a third depth farther from the surface of the object than the second depth, the second zone being between the first zone and the third zone;
• forming a 3D image based on received signals from the first zone, the second zone, and the third zone;
• extending at least one first patch of the 3D image such that the at least one first patch overlaps with at least one first horizontally adjacent patch to form a first overlapping area;
• blending the at least one first patch with the at least one first horizontally adjacent patch in the first overlapping area;
• extending at least one second patch of the 3D image such that the at least one second patch overlaps with at least one vertically adjacent patch to form a second overlapping area;
• and
• blending the at least one second patch with the at least one vertically adjacent patch in the second overlapping area.