Ultrasound imaging system and method using weighted chirp signals

An ultrasound imaging method comprising the steps of:

• converting weighted chirp signals to ultrasound signals;
• transmitting the ultrasound signals to a target object;
• receiving signals reflected from the target object;
• pulse-compressing harmonic frequency components of the ultrasound signals in the reflected signals;
• receive-focusing the pulse-compressed signals;
• and
• producing an ultrasound image on the basis of the receive-focused signals,
• wherein the step of converting further comprises increasing a code length of the weighted chirp signal in proportion to a magnitude of the harmonic frequency components at a predetermined sound pressure.

An ultrasound imaging system comprising:

• a transducer array for converting weighted chirp signals to ultrasound signals, and
• transmitting the ultrasound signals to a target object;
• a receiver for receiving signals reflected from the target object;
• a pulse-compressor for selectively pulse-compressing fundamental frequency components or harmonic frequency components of the ultrasound signals in the reflected signals;
• means for receive-focusing the pulse-compressed signals;
• and
• means for producing an ultrasound image on the basis of the receive-focused signals,
• wherein the transducer array includes means for increasing a code length of the weighted chirp signal in proportion to a magnitude of the harmonic frequency components at a predetermined sound pressure.

The ultrasound imaging system of claim wherein the pulse-compressor further comprises:

• a first correlator for pulse-compressing the fundamental frequency components;
• a second correlator for pulse-compressing the harmonic frequency components;
• and
• a mode selector for selecting the fundamental frequency components or the harmonic frequency components in the reflected signals and for enabling the selected frequency components to be pulse-compressed via one of the first and second correlators.

An ultrasound imaging method comprising the steps of:

• converting weighted chirp signals to ultrasound signals, and transmitting the ultrasound signals to a target object;
• receiving signals reflected from the target object;
• pulse-compressing fundamental frequency components or harmonic frequency components of the ultrasound signals in the reflected signals;
• receive-focusing the pulse-compressed signals;
• and
• producing an ultrasound image on the basis of the receive-focused signals,
• wherein the converting step further comprises increasing a code length of the weighted chirp signal in proportion to a magnitude of the harmonic frequency components at a predetermined sound pressure.