Spatially compounded three dimensional ultrasonic images
AssigneeATL Ultrasound, Inc.
InventorsRobert R. Entrekin, James R. Jago
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ultrasonic probe is moved to scan a volumetric region of the body. As it is moved, targets within the region are interrogated from multiple look directions. The echo data from the multiple look directions are compounded to form spatially compounded image data, which is processed for display in a three dimensional display format.
Claims41
A method of acquiring spatially compounded image data of a volumetric region of the body comprising:
- moving an array transducer along a path to scan a volumetric region of a body;
- acquiring image data from respective targets in the volumetric region at multiple look directions while said transducer traverses said path;
- and
- processing said image data to form a spatially compounded three dimensional presentation of said volumetric region.
A method of acquiring spatially compounded image data of a volumetric region of the body comprising:
- moving an array transducer along a path from a starting point to an ending point to scan a volumetric region of a body;
- acquiring image data when said array transducer is substantially at a first point on said path by two or more beam scanning sequences which scan a portion of said region along different look directions;
- acquiring image data when said array transducer is substantially at a second point on said path by two or more beam scanning sequences which scan a portion of said region along different look directions
- wherein said image data includes data from individual targets in said region which has been acquired by beams steered to said targets from different look directions;
- compounding said image data which has been acquired from a common target from different look directions to produce spatially compounded image data;
- and
- processing said spatially compounded image data to form a spatially compounded three dimensional presentation of said volumetric region.
A method of acquiring spatially compounded image data of a volumetric region of the body comprising:
- moving an array transducer along a path from a starting point to an ending point to scan a volumetric region of a body;
- acquiring component frames of image data exhibiting spatially different look directions of said volumetric region as said array transducer is moved from said starting point to said ending point;
- and
- processing said image data to form a spatially compounded three dimensional presentation of said volumetric region.
A method of acquiring spatially compounded image data of a volumetric region of the body comprising:
- moving an array transducer along a path from a starting point to an ending point to scan a volumetric region of a body;
- acquiring spatially compounded image data of said volumetric region as said array transducer is moved from said starting point to said ending point;
- and
- processing said spatially compounded image data to form a spatially compounded three dimensional presentation of said volumetric region.
A method of acquiring spatially compounded image data of a volumetric region of the body comprising:
- moving an array transducer along a path to scan a volumetric region of a body;
- acquiring image data from respective targets in the volumetric region by electronically steering beams in multiple look directions while said transducer traverses said path;
- and
- processing said image data to form a spatially compounded three dimensional presentation of said volumetric region.
A method of acquiring spatially compounded image data of a volumetric region of the body comprising:
- moving an array transducer in a first direction relative to a volumetric region of a body;
- acquiring image data from respective targets in the volumetric region in multiple look directions while said transducer moves in said first direction;
- and
- processing said image data to form a spatially compounded three dimensional presentation of said volumetric region.
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system which produces spatially compounded images of a volumetric region of the body comprising:
- a movable array transducer which can be moved along a path to scan a volumetric region of the body and acquire ultrasonic image data;
- a beam steering circuit, coupled to said array transducer, which steers beams in multiple intersecting look directions during scanning of said volumetric region;
- a compound image processor, responsive to said acquired ultrasonic image data, which compounds said image data on a spatial basis;
- and
- an image display, responsive to said compound image processor, which displays a spatially compounded image of said volumetric region.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.