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US 7,255,678 B2Granted
High frequency, high frame-rate ultrasound imaging system
AssigneeVisualSonics Inc.
InventorsJames I. Mehi, Nicholas Christopher Chaggares, Stuart Foster, Robert McConaghy
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Abstract
A system for producing an ultrasound image comprises a scan head having a transducer capable of generating ultrasound energy at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (MHz), and a processor for receiving ultrasound energy and for generating an ultrasound image at a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).
Claims55
A scanhead for use with an ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
- a transducer assembly comprising a single element ultrasonic transducer that is configured to generate ultrasound at a frequency of at least 20 megahertz (20 MHz), to transmit at least a portion of the generated ultrasound into a subject and to receive ultrasound energy from the subject;
- an elongate member having a proximal end, wherein the elongate member is configured to pivot about a pivot axis spaced from the proximal end, and wherein the transducer assembly is non-rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the elongate member;
- a means for oscillating the transducer along a reciprocating convex arcuate path at a frequency of at least 7.5 Hz, wherein a portion of the means for oscillating is fixed relative to the elongate member and moves along a reciprocating arcuate route remote from the reciprocating arcuate path of the transducer such that movement of the portion of the means for oscillating causes a complementary and opposite movement of the transducer, and wherein the reciprocating arcuate path of the transducer is co-planer to the reciprocating arcuate route of the portion of the means for oscillating;
- and
- a means for sensing the spatial position of a proximal end of the portion of the means for oscillating along the reciprocating Arcuate route to determine the position of he transducer along its arcuate path.
2 more elements
A method for producing an ultrasound image, comprising:
- a) providing a scanhead, comprising:
- i) a transducer assembly comprising a single element ultrasonic transducer;
- ii) an elongate member having a proximal end, wherein the elongate member is configured to pivot about a pivot axis spaced from the proximal end, and wherein the transducer assembly is non-rotatably coupled to the proximal end of the elongate member;
- iii) a means for oscillating the transducer along a reciprocating convex arcuate path, wherein a portion of the means for oscillating is fixed relative to the elongate member and moves along a reciprocating arcuate route remote from the reciprocating arcuate path of the transducer such that movement of the portion of the means for oscillating causes a complementary and opposite movement of the transducer, and wherein the reciprocating arcuate path of the transducer is co-planer to the reciprocating arcuate route of the portion of the means for oscillating;
- and
- iv) a means for sensing the spatial position of a proximal end of the portion of the means for oscillating along the reciprocating Arcuate route to determine the position of the transducer along its arcuate path.
- b) generating ultrasound at a frequency of at least about 20 megahertz (20 MHz) using the transducer;
- c) transmitting at least a portion of the generated ultrasound into a subject from a location external to the subject;
- d) receiving ultrasound energy from the subject;
- e) oscillating the transducer along the reciprocating arcuate path at a frequency of at least 7.5 Hz during the generation, transmission and receipt of the ultrasound;
- and
- f) processing the received ultrasound to provide an image having a frame rate of at least 15 frames per second (fps).
9 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.