Simultaneous multi-mode and multi-band ultrasonic imaging
AssigneeZonare Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsTing-Lan Ji, Glen McLaughlin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ultrasound imaging method and system configured to simultaneously acquire and process multi-mode and multi-band echo information from a single set of pulse firings is provided. Raw ultrasound signals are digitized and stored in an I/Q data buffer. The stored data are then parallel preprocessed as a function of frequency band or alternative encoding. Parallel preprocessing optionally includes manipulating the data in respect to different imaging modes. Outputs of the parallel preprocessors are coupled to separate echo formers used to simultaneously reconstruct various desired echo information to form a multi-mode or multi-band image. The echo formation process is optionally performed in parallel.
Claims19
A method of using ultrasound to analyze a media of interest, comprising:
- transmitting a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into the media of interest, the ultrasound pulse firings being modified by the media of interest;
- receiving at a transducer the modified ultrasound pulse firings;
- generating signals in response to the received modified ultrasound pulse firings;
- parallel processing the signals using a plurality of imaging modes;
- generating positional data responsive to the parallel processed signals;
- and
- generating image data using the positional data, the image data having no visible temporal anomalies.
A method of using ultrasound to analyze a media of interest, comprising:
- transmitting a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into the media of interest, the ultrasound pulse firings being modified by the media of interest;
- receiving at one or more transducers the modified ultrasound pulse firings;
- generating analog signals in response to the received modified ultrasound pulse firings;
- converting the analog signals to digital data using an A/D converter;
- preprocessing the digital data using a plurality of frequency band pre-processors;
- generating positional data responsive to the preprocessed digital data;
- and
- generating image data using the positional data, the image data having no visible temporal anomalies.
An ultrasonic analysis system comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer for transmitting a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into a media of interest such that the media of interest modifies the ultrasound pulse firings;
- a transducer for receiving the modified ultrasound pulse firings and generating signals responsive to the modified ultrasound pulse firings;
- a plurality of frequency band preprocessors for preprocessing the signals in parallel;
- an echo-forming system for generating positional data responsive to the pre-processed signals;
- and
- an image converter system for generating image data using the positional data, the image data having no visible temporal anomalies.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.