Output display for B-scan ultrasonoscope
AssigneeHigh Stoy Technological Corporation
InventorsNorman C. Pickering, Nathaniel R. Bronson, II
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A B-scan ultrasonoscope which can be used for scanning tissue, for example the human eye, and displays the shape and character of the tissue. The echo pulses received are converted into digital signals whose amplitudes represent the reflectivity of the tissue. The digital signals are then displayed on a color display in accordance with a desired color scale, with individual digital increments respectively representing preselected colors. Alternate increments are maintained as black, whereby the active colors are interleaved with bands of black. In this manner, tissue interfaces are more easily seen and visual acuity is improved.
Claims13
A B-scan ultrasonoscope for displaying a medium comprising:
- ultrasonic transmitter means for radiating ultrasonic signals into a medium;
- ultrasonic receiving means for receiving the echo-pulses reflected from portions of the medium, and for providing electrical signals corresponding to the echo pulses, the amplitude of the electrical signas corresponding respectively to the intensity of the echo pulses;
- conversion means for converting the amplitude of each electrical signal into a digital value, the digital values extending over a range of values corresponding to the intensity range of the echo pulses;
- color display means capable of displaying colors ranging over a color scale;
- decoding means for dividing said range of digital values into continuous incremental steps, and identifying the corresponding step of each digital value;
- and
- coupling means for coupling alternate ones of said incremental steps to said color display means for causing each of said alternate steps to display a respective incremental discrete color from said color scale, with the remaining ones of the incremental steps providing a black output on the color display means, whereby the medium is displayed in colors outlined in bands of black to enhance visual acuity and identify surface interfaces within the medium.
A method of color displaying a medium using a B-scan ultrasonoscope with a color display means, comprising the steps of:
- (a) scanning the medium with ultrasonic signals;
- (b) receiving the echo pulses reflected from portions of the medium;
- (c) forming electrical signals corresponding to the echo pulses with the amplitude of the electrical signals corresponding respectively to the intensity of the echo pulses;
- (d) converting the amplitude of each electrical signal into a digital value with the digital value expanding over a range corresponding to the intensity range of the echo pulses;
- (e) dividing range of digital values into continuous incremental steps;
- (f) assigning alternate ones of said incremental steps to display respective incremental discrete colors from a color range which can be displayed on the color display means;
- (g) maintaining the remaining ones of the incremental steps to provide a black output on the color display means;
- and
- (h) identifying the incremental steps for each digital value and displaying it in accordance with the assigned and maintained colors, whereby the medium is displayed in colors outlined in bands of black to enhance visual acuity and identify surface interfaces within the medium.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.