Doppler ultrasound automatic spectrum optimization

In an ultrasound system comprising a display unit having a plurality of brightness levels for displaying a Doppler image, apparatus for improving the appearance of the image comprising in combination:

• a Doppler unit connected to generate a Doppler signal based on an ultrasound signal backscattered from a subject being studied;
• a logic unit connected to generate first signals having first values representing the magnitudes of at least some of the component frequencies of the Doppler signal, connected to generate second signals having second values altered from the first values according to a predetermined curve for defining the dynamic range of the second values and connected to generate a third signal having a third value related to one or more of the peak second values;
• a memory connected to store fourth signals having fourth values altered from the second values based at least in part on the third value for defining the gray scale of the Doppler display;
• and
• a display processor connected to display the Doppler image responsive at least in part to the fourth signals so that the Doppler image is enhanced.

In an ultrasound system comprising a display unit having a plurality of brightness levels connected to display a Doppler image, a method for improving the appearance of the image comprising the steps of:

• generating a Doppler signal in response to an ultrasound signal backscattered from a subject being studied;
• generating first signals having first values representing the magnitudes of at least some of the component frequencies of the Doppler signal;
• generating a second signal having a second value related to a video noise signal level present in the system;
• storing third signals having third values altered from the first values according to a predetermined curve adjusted in accordance with the second value for defining the dynamic range of the third values;
• and
• displaying the Doppler image based at least in part on the third signals.

In an ultrasound system comprising a display unit having a plurality of brightness levels for displaying a Doppler image, a method for improving the appearance of the image comprising the steps of:

• generating a Doppler signal based on an ultrasound signal backscattered from a subject being studied;
• generating first signals having first values representing the magnitudes of at least some of the component frequencies of the Doppler signal;
• storing second signals with second values altered from the first values according to a predetermined curve for defining the dynamic range of the second values;
• generating a third signal having a third value related to one or more of the peak second values;
• storing fourth signals having fourth values altered from the second values based on the third value for defining the gray scale of the Doppler display;
• and
• displaying the Doppler image responsive at least in part to the fourth signals so that the Doppler image is enhanced.