Ultrasound imaging system using multi-stage pulse compression
AssigneeMedison Co., Ltd.
InventorMoo Ho Bae
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Disclosed is an ultrasound imaging system based on a multi-stage pulse compression and multi-stage time delaying scheme. In the ultrasound imaging system, a transducer array is grouped into a predetermined number of transducer groups, and the grouped ultrasound signals are processed hierarchically via multi-stage pulse compression and multi-stage time delaying operations so that a finely receive-focused ultrasound signal can be obtained.
Claims12
An ultrasound imaging system for forming an ultrasound image comprising:
- a transducer array for converting incoming ultrasound signals into electric signals, wherein said transducer array is divided into a number, N, of transducer groups each including a number, M, of transducers wherein M and N are integers greater than 1;
- A number, N, of first delay groups, including a number, M, of first delay elements for delaying the electric signals from the transducers by a first time delay, wherein the first delay elements are connected to the respective transducers;
- A number, N, of first adders for adding the number, M, of delayed signals from the first delay group;
- A number, N, of pulse compressors connected to the number, N, of first adders for pulse-compressing the added signals from the first adders;
- A number, N, of second delay elements connected to the number, N, of pulse compressors for delaying the pulse-compressed signals by a second time delay;
- and
- at least one second adder for adding the delayed signals from the second delay elements.
An ultrasound imaging system for forming an ultrasound image, comprising:
- means for grouping incoming ultrasound signals into a predetermined number of groups;
- and
- means for processing the grouped ultrasound signals via multi-stage pulse-compression and multi-stage time delaying processes so as to generate focused ultrasound signals.
An ultrasound imaging method for forming an ultrasound image, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting ultrasound signals towards a target object using a transducer array, wherein said transmitted ultrasound signals are reflected from the target object;
- receiving the reflected ultrasound signals;
- dividing the received ultrasound signals into a number, N, of groups, in which N is an integer more than 1;
- and
- time-delaying and pulse-compressing the signals from the number, N, of groups.
An ultrasound imaging system for forming an ultrasound image, comprising:
- a transducer array for converting incoming ultrasound signals into electric signals, wherein said transducer array is divided into a plurality of transducer groups each including a plurality of transducers;
- a plurality of first delay groups including a plurality of first delay elements for delaying the electric signals from the transducers by a first time delay, wherein said first delay elements are connected to the transducers;
- a plurality of first adders for adding the delayed signals from the respective first delay group;
- a plurality of pulse compressors connected to the plurality of first adders for pulse-compressing the added signals from the first adders;
- a plurality of second delay elements connected to the plurality of pulse compressors for delaying the pulse-compressed signals by a second time delay;
- and
- at least one second adder for adding the delayed signals from the second delay elements.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.