US 5,976,088 A · Ultrasound imaging systems and methods of increasing the effective acquisition frame rate

Abstract

Ultrasound imaging data obtained from anatomic structures which have periodic physiologic motion that define successive physiologic cycles is packaged into image loops. Each image loop includes frame data representing a plurality of image frames acquired at spaced time intervals within a physiologic cycle. The image loops may be transmitted to a remote location for playback in real-time or pseudo real-time. Also provided is a scheme for increasing the effective acquisition frame rate in a medical ultrasound imaging system which acquires imaging data of an anatomic structure having periodic physiologic motion that defines successive physiologic cycles.

Claims9

Dependent claims

An image frame memory for storing ultrasound image frame data obtained from an anatomic structure having periodic physiological motion, the motion defining successive physiologic cycles, the memory storing the image frame data as a plurality of image loops, each image loop including frame data representing a plurality of image frames acquired at spaced time intervals within a physiologic cycle.

A method of communicating ultrasound imaging data acquired by medical ultrasound imaging equipment from a first location to a second location, the imaging data being acquired from an anatomic structure having periodic physiological motion, the motion defining successive physiologic cycles, the method comprising:

(a) formatting the imaging data as a plurality of image loops, each image loop including image frame data representing a plurality of image frames acquired at spaced time intervals within a physiologic cycle;
and
(b) communicating the image loops from the first location to the second location via a transmission medium.

A method of increasing the effective acquisition frame rate in a medical ultrasound imaging system which acquires imaging data of an anatomic structure having periodic physiological motion, the motion defining successive physiologic cycles, the method comprising:

(a) monitoring a cyclical physiological parameter associated with the physiologic cycle, and obtaining a signal upon the occurrence of a predetermined event in the physiologic cycle;
(b) using an image frame acquisition device to acquire imaging data at a fixed acquisition frame rate, the acquisition device processing echoes produced from transmission of ultrasound energy into a subject's body, the acquisition device producing at least a first and a second series of image frames for each physiologic cycle, each image frame comprising data representing an image of a portion of the subject's body taken at a known time with respect to the predetermined event;
(c) acquiring the second series of image frames at times between the acquisition of the first series of image frames in an alternating manner by using the signal obtained upon the occurrence of a predetermined event in the physiologic cycle to time the image data acquisition;
and
(d) filtering successive image frames obtained at the same point in time within each physiologic cycle using a filter, the filter being applied to each image frame within the current physiologic cycle, thereby deriving full motion image data, wherein the filter treats the second series of image frames as being located at the same points in time as their respective adjacent first series of image frames, the resultant full motion image data having a higher effective acquisition frame rate than the fixed acquisition frame rate of the acquisition device.

2 more elements

An apparatus for increasing the effective acquisition frame rate in a medical ultrasound imaging system which acquires imaging data of an anatomic structure having periodic physiological motion, the motion defining successive physiologic cycles, the apparatus comprising:

(a) a physiological monitor for monitoring a cyclical physiological parameter associated with the physiologic cycle, and for outputting a signal upon the occurrence of a predetermined event in the physiologic cycle;
(b) an image frame acquisition device which acquires imaging data at a fixed acquisition frame rate, the acquisition device having a processor for processing echoes produced from transmission of ultrasound energy into a subject's body, the acquisition device producing at least a first and a second series of image frames for each physiologic cycle, each image frame comprising data representing an image of a portion of the subject's body taken at a known time with respect to the predetermined event;
(c) a controller for the image frame acquisition device connected to the physiological monitor for causing the second series of image frames to be acquired at times between the acquisition of the first series of image frames in an alternating manner;
and
(d) a filter for filtering successive image frames obtained at the same point in time within each physiologic cycle, the filter being applied to each image frame within the current physiologic cycle, thereby deriving full motion image data, wherein the filter treats the second series of image frames as being located at the same points in time as their respective adjacent first series of image frames, the resultant full motion image data having a higher effective acquisition frame rate than the fixed acquisition frame rate of the acquisition device.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Ultrasound imaging systems and methods of increasing the effective acquisition frame rate

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Ultrasound imaging systems and methods of increasing the effective acquisition frame rate

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Abstract

Claims9