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US 2026/0207177 A1Published application
Systems and methods for high resolution ultrasound imaging artifact reduction
AssigneeUlthera, Inc.
InventorsStephen John Hsu, Charles D. Emery, Douglas J. Halbert
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Enhancements of resolution of high speed ultrasound imaging of tissue in association with aesthetic and/or cosmetic treatments of skin and/or tissue near the skin. In one embodiment, high resolution ultrasound imaging uses dynamic focal zone blending to reduce an appearance of acoustic window multipath echo artifacts. In one embodiment, high resolution ultrasound imaging uses an offset between a first imaging frame in a first direction and a second imaging frame in a second direction to reduce a temporal motion artifact. In some embodiments, the imaging system is used with an aesthetic and/or cosmetic skin treatment.
Claims41
An ultrasound imaging system configured for reducing imaging artifacts, comprising:
- an ultrasonic probe comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a housing comprising an acoustic window,
- a dynamic offset distance between the ultrasound imaging transducer and the acoustic window, wherein the dynamic offset distance changes over time, wherein the dynamic offset distance comprises a first offset distance and a second offset distance, wherein the first offset distance is different than the second offset distance,
- an acoustic coupling medium within the housing configured to acoustically couple the ultrasound imaging transducer to the acoustic window,
- a motion mechanism for moving the ultrasound imaging transducer in a first direction and a second direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images with a focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN), where N>2 when travelling in the first direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images with a second focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN) when travelling in the second direction;
- and
- a control module coupled to the ultrasonic probe for controlling the ultrasound imaging transducer,
- wherein the control module is configured to reduce at least one multipath echo artifact via a dynamically set pulse repetition interval.
8 more elements
An ultrasound imaging system configured for reducing imaging artifacts, comprising:
- an ultrasonic probe comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a housing comprising an acoustic window,
- a dynamic offset distance between the ultrasound imaging transducer and the acoustic window, wherein the dynamic offset distance changes over time, wherein the dynamic offset distance comprises a first offset distance and a second offset distance, wherein the first offset distance is different than the second offset distance,
- an acoustic coupling medium within the housing configured to acoustically couple the ultrasound imaging transducer to the acoustic window,
- a motion mechanism for moving the ultrasound imaging transducer in a first direction and a second direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images with a focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN), where N>2 when travelling in the first direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images with a second focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN) when travelling in the second direction;
- and
- a control module coupled to the ultrasonic probe for controlling the ultrasound imaging transducer,
- wherein the control module is configured to reduce at least one multipath echo artifact via a dynamically set one or more focal zone blend points.
8 more elements
The ultrasound imaging system of any of the preceding claims, wherein the dynamic offset distance varies based on a changing pressure of the acoustic coupling medium.
An ultrasound imaging system configured for reducing imaging artifacts, comprising:
- an ultrasonic probe comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a housing comprising an acoustic window,
- a dynamic offset distance between the ultrasound imaging transducer and the acoustic window, wherein the dynamic offset distance changes over time, wherein the dynamic offset distance comprises a first offset distance and a second offset distance, wherein the first offset distance is different than the second offset distance,
- means for moving the ultrasound imaging transducer in a first direction and a second direction, and
- a control module coupled to the ultrasonic probe for controlling the ultrasound imaging transducer,
- wherein the control module is configured to reduce at least one multipath echo artifact via a dynamically set pulse repetition interval.
4 more elements
An ultrasound imaging module configured for reducing imaging artifacts, comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a housing comprising an acoustic window,
- a dynamic offset distance between the ultrasound imaging transducer and the acoustic window, wherein the dynamic offset distance changes over time, wherein the dynamic offset distance comprises a first offset distance and a second offset distance, wherein the first offset distance is different than the second offset distance,
- means for moving the ultrasound imaging transducer in a first direction and a second direction, and
- a control module coupled to the ultrasonic probe for controlling the ultrasound imaging transducer,
- wherein the control module is configured to reduce at least one multipath echo artifact via a dynamically set pulse repetition interval.
3 more elements
An ultrasound imaging device configured for reducing imaging artifacts, comprising:
- an ultrasonic module comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a housing comprising an acoustic window,
- a dynamic offset distance between the ultrasound imaging transducer and the acoustic window, wherein the dynamic offset distance changes over time, wherein the dynamic offset distance comprises a first offset distance and a second offset distance, wherein the first offset distance is different than the second offset distance,
- means for moving the ultrasound imaging transducer in a first direction and a second direction, and
- a control module coupled to the ultrasonic probe for controlling the ultrasound imaging transducer,
- wherein the control module is configured to reduce at least one multipath echo artifact via a dynamically set pulse repetition interval.
4 more elements
A method of reducing multipath echo artifacts from an ultrasound image, comprising:
- providing an ultrasonic probe comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a housing comprising an acoustic window,
- a dynamic offset distance between the ultrasound imaging transducer and the acoustic window, wherein the dynamic offset distance changes over time, wherein the dynamic offset distance comprises a first offset distance and a second offset distance, wherein the first offset distance is different than the second offset distance,
- an acoustic coupling medium within the housing configured to acoustically couple the ultrasound imaging transducer to the acoustic window,
- a motion mechanism for moving the ultrasound imaging transducer in a first direction and a second direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images with a focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN), where N>2 when travelling in the first direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images with a second focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN) when travelling in the second direction;
- and
- measuring a first offset depth;
- calculating a first offset time based on the first offset depth;
- multiplying the first offset time by an integer to determine a presence of the at least one multipath echo artifact;
- and
- selecting a pulse repetition interval configured to position the at least one multipath echo artifact outside of a displayed ultrasound image.
11 more elements
A method of reducing multipath echo artifacts from an ultrasound image, comprising:
- providing an ultrasonic probe comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a housing comprising an acoustic window,
- a dynamic offset distance between the ultrasound imaging transducer and the acoustic window, wherein the dynamic offset distance changes over time, wherein the dynamic offset distance comprises a first offset distance and a second offset distance, wherein the first offset distance is different than the second offset distance,
- an acoustic coupling medium within the housing configured to acoustically couple the ultrasound imaging transducer to the acoustic window,
- a motion mechanism for moving the ultrasound imaging transducer in a first direction and a second direction;
- calculating a first offset time based on the first offset depth;
- multiplying the first offset time by an integer to determine a presence of the at least one multipath echo artifact;
- and
- selecting at least one focal zone blend point configured to position the at least one multipath echo artifact outside of a displayed ultrasound image.
7 more elements
A method of improving ultrasound imaging alignment by reducing spatial and temporal motion artifacts, comprising:
- providing an ultrasonic probe comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a motion mechanism attached to the ultrasound imaging transducer;
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images a first image with a focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN), where N>2 when travelling in the first direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images a second image with a second focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN) when travelling in the second direction;
- acquiring the first imaging frame;
- acquiring the second imaging frame;
- calculating offsets between the first imaging frame and the second imaging frame to determine a lateral misregistration;
- displaying the first imaging frame;
- and
- displaying the second imaging frame with the offsets applied to reduce a temporal motion artifact.
8 more elements
A method of improving ultrasound imaging alignment by reducing spatial and temporal motion artifacts, comprising:
- providing an ultrasonic probe comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a motion mechanism attached to the ultrasound imaging transducer;
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images a first image with a focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN), where N>2 when travelling in the first direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images a second image with a second focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN) when travelling in the second direction;
- acquiring multiple (N>1) imaging frames;
- calculating a temporal average of at least two imaging frames;
- displaying the temporal average of the at least two imaging frames to reduce a temporal motion artifact.
5 more elements
A method of improving ultrasound imaging alignment by reducing spatial and temporal motion artifacts, comprising:
- providing an ultrasonic probe comprising:
- an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging a tissue region,
- a motion mechanism attached to the ultrasound imaging transducer;
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images a first image with a focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN), where N>2 when travelling in the first direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images a second image with a second focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN) when travelling in the second direction;
- acquiring the first imaging frame;
- acquiring the second imaging frame;
- calculating offsets between the first imaging frame and the second imaging frame to determine lateral misregistrations;
- calculating a temporal average to the first imaging frame and the second imaging frame;
- displaying the temporal average of the first imaging frame and the offset to the second imaging frame to reduce a spatial and temporal motion artifact.
7 more elements
An ultrasound imaging system configured for reducing imaging misalignment, comprising:
- an ultrasonic probe comprising an ultrasound therapy transducer adapted to apply ultrasonic therapy to tissue, an ultrasound imaging transducer adapted for imaging the tissue, and a motion mechanism for moving the ultrasound imaging transducer in a first direction and a second direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer is mechanically attached to the motion mechanism,
- wherein the first direction is opposite the second direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images with a focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN), where N>1 when travelling in the first direction,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging transducer images with a second focal zone sequence order (f1, . . . , fN) when travelling in the second direction,
- wherein a spatial registration between the first direction imaging and the second direction imaging is improved by staggering a triggering location,
- wherein the ultrasound imaging system employs a directionally dependent focal zone sequencing (f1, . . . , fN) and (f1, . . . , fN) on consecutive A-lines;
- and
- a control module coupled to the ultrasonic probe for controlling the ultrasound imaging transducer.
6 more elements
An ultrasound imaging system having one or more of the features described in the foregoing description.
A method of reducing imaging misalignment in a moving ultrasound transducer having one or more of the features described in the foregoing description.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.