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US 2024/0402133 A1Published application
Systems and methods for ultrasound imaging and focusing
AssigneeGeorgia Tech Research Corporation
InventorsCostas Arvanitis, Arpit Patel, Scott Joseph Schoen, JR., Zhigen Zhao
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for ultrasound imaging and targeting. The systems and methods can improve targeting and imaging through a heterogenous medium by using the angular spectrum approach (ASA) alone or in combination with passive acoustic mapping (PAM). The systems and methods can improve the ultrasound imaging of vessels using microbubbles. The imaging of the vessels is also aided by the ASA and PAM. A closed loop controller is described that adjusts the ultrasound pressure provided to a region of interest to a desired pressure based at least in part on the harmonic, ultra-harmonic, sub-harmonic, or broadband frequency ranges for the microbubbles.
Claims20
A method comprising:
- providing a first set of ultrasound waves through an arbitrarily heterogenous media and to a region of interest propagating at a first sound speed;
- providing a second set of ultrasound waves through the arbitrarily heterogenous media and to the region of interest propagating at a second sound speed being different than the first sound speed;
- calculating an angular spectrum of signals emanating from the region of interest and through the arbitrarily heterogenous media, the angular spectrum at least in part based on the first sound speed and the second sound speed;
- and
- generating a pixel intensity field with the angular spectrum.
2 more elements
A system comprising:
- a transducing platform comprising at least one transducer, the transducing platform configured to provide ultrasound waves;
- a receiving platform comprising at least one receiver, the receiving platform configured to receive signals emanating from a region of interest resulting from the ultrasound waves interacting with a scatterer;
- a processing platform comprising at least one processor, the processing platform in communication with the transducing platform and the receiving platform;
- and
- a memory in communication with the processing platform and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:
- provide, by the transducing platform, a first set of ultrasound waves through an arbitrarily heterogenous media and to the region of interest, the first set of ultrasound waves being provided through a first section of the arbitrarily heterogenous media, the first set of ultrasound waves propagating through the first section of the arbitrarily heterogenous media at a first sound speed;
- provide, by the transducing platform, a second set of ultrasound waves through the arbitrarily heterogenous media and to the region of interest, the second set of ultrasound waves being provided through a second section of the arbitrarily heterogenous media, the second set of ultrasound waves propagating through the second section of the arbitrarily heterogenous media at a second sound speed, the second sound speed being different than the first sound speed;
- calculate, by the processing platform, an angular spectrum of the signals at least in part based on the first sound speed and the second sound speed;
- and
- generate, by the processing platform, a pixel intensity field with the angular spectrum.
7 more elements
A method comprising:
- introducing microbubbles into a vessel;
- providing a first set of ultrasound waves through an outer surface of the vessel and to at least a portion of the microbubbles;
- receiving a first set of signals corresponding to a first excitation of at least a portion of the microbubbles;
- calculating a first angular spectrum of the first set of signals;
- generating a first pixel intensity field with the first angular spectrum;
- isolating a first set of amplitude peaks via a first morphological reconstruction of the first set of signals;
- identifying a first plurality of peak locations based on the first morphological reconstruction;
- providing a second set of ultrasound waves through the outer surface of the vessel and to at least a portion of the microbubbles;
- receiving a second set of signals corresponding to a second excitation of at least a portion of the microbubbles;
- calculating a second angular spectrum of the second set of signals;
- generating a second pixel intensity field with the second angular spectrum;
- isolating a second set of amplitude peaks via a second morphological reconstruction of the second set of signals;
- identifying a second plurality of peak locations based on the second morphological reconstruction;
- and
- superimposing the first plurality of peak locations with the second plurality of peak locations to create an image of the vessel.
12 more elements
A system comprising:
- a transducing platform comprising at least one transducer, the transducing platform configured to provide the ultrasound waves;
- a receiving platform comprising at least one receiver, the receiving platform configured to receive signals produced by the ultrasound waves interacting with microbubbles;
- a processing platform comprising at least one processor, the processing platform in communication with the transducing platform and the receiving platform;
- and
- a memory in communication with the processing platform and storing instructions that, when executed, cause the system to:
- provide, by the transducing platform, a first set of ultrasound waves through an outer surface of a vessel and to at least a portion of the microbubbles;
- receive, at the receiving platform, a first set of signals corresponding to a first excitation of at least a portion of the microbubbles;
- calculate, with the processing platform, a first angular spectrum of the first set of signals;
- generate, with the processing platform, a first pixel intensity field with the first angular spectrum;
- isolate, with the processing platform, a first set of amplitude peaks via a first morphological reconstruction of the first set of signals;
- identifying a first plurality of peak locations based on the first morphological reconstruction;
- provide, by the transducing platform, a second set of ultrasound waves through the outer surface of the vessel and to at least a portion of the microbubbles;
- receive, at the receiving platform, a second set of signals corresponding to a second excitation of at least a portion of the microbubbles;
- calculate, with the processing platform, a second angular spectrum of the second set of signals;
- generate, with the processing platform, a second pixel intensity field with the second angular spectrum;
- isolate, with the processing platform, a second set of amplitude peaks via a second morphological reconstruction of the second set of signals;
- identifying a second plurality of peak locations based on the second morphological reconstruction;
- and
- superimpose, with the processing platform, the first plurality of peak locations with the second plurality of peak locations to create an image of the vessel.
16 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.