Ultrasound apparatus and method for amplifying transmit signals
AssigneeAcuson Corporation
InventorsChristopher R. Cole, Laurence J. Newell
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A method and system for amplifying an ultrasonic transmit signal is provided. A first amplifier stage has a first supply voltage input and receives transmit signals. A second amplifier stage has a second supply voltage input and receives transmit signals in parallel with the first amplifier stage. Amplified transmit signals are output from one of the first and second amplifier stages. The supply voltage inputs are supplied with fixed voltages. The first amplifier stage is associated with PW operation and a higher supply voltage than the second amplifier stage. The second amplifier stage is associated with CW operation.
Claims27
An apparatus for amplifying an ultrasonic transmit signal, the apparatus comprising:
- an ultrasonic transmit signal input;
- a first amplifier stage comprising a first supply voltage input, the first amplifier stage operatively connected to the ultrasonic transmit signal input;
- a second amplifier stage comprising a second supply voltage input, the second amplifier stage operatively connected to the ultrasonic transmit signal input in parallel with the first amplifier stage;
- an amplified ultrasonic transmit signal output operatively connected to the first and second amplifier stages, and
- a transducer element operatively connected with the amplified ultrasonic transmit signal output.
A method for amplifying an ultrasonic transmit signal, the method comprising the steps of:
- (a) supplying a first voltage to a first voltage amplifier;
- (b) supplying a second voltage to a second voltage amplifier, the second voltage greater than the first voltage;
- (c) performing one of two steps, the two steps comprising:
- (i) amplifying pulse wave ultrasonic transmit signals with the second voltage amplifier;
- and
- (ii) amplifying continuous wave ultrasonic transmit signals with the first voltage amplifier;
- and
- (d) providing output signals responsive to step (c) to a transducer element.
An apparatus for amplifying an ultrasonic transmit signal, the apparatus comprising:
- an amplified transmit signal output;
- an ultrasonic transmit pulse wave voltage amplifier operatively connected to the output;
- and
- an ultrasonic transmit continuous wave voltage amplifier operatively connected to the output in parallel with the pulse wave voltage amplifier.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.