Ultrasound system for generating a single set of ultrasound pulse firings
AssigneeZonare Medical Systems, Inc.
InventorsTing-Lan Ji, Glen McLaughlin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An ultrasound imaging 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 area 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.
Claims21
An ultrasound system, comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer configured to transmit a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into a media of interest;
- transducer elements configured to receive modified ultrasound pulse firings from the media and generate signals in response to the received modified ultrasound pulse firings;
- a preprocessor configured to parallel process the signals using a plurality of imaging modes;
- and
- an area former configured to generate positional data responsive to the parallel processed signals, the positional data distributed over at least two dimensions.
An ultrasound system comprising:
- means 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;
- means for receiving the modified ultrasound pulse firings and generating signals responsive to the modified ultrasound pulse firings;
- means for preprocessing the signals in parallel using a plurality of imaging modes;
- and
- means for generating positional data responsive to the preprocessed signals, the positional data distributed over at least two dimensions.
An ultrasound system, comprising:
- an ultrasound transducer configured to transmit a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into a media of interest, wherein the ultrasound pulse firings are modified by the media;
- a transducer configured to receive the modified ultrasound pulse firings and generate analog signals in response to the received modified ultrasound pulse firings;
- an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog signals to digital data;
- a preprocessor configured to preprocess the digital data using a plurality of imaging modes;
- and
- an area former configured to generate positional data responsive to the preprocessed signals, the positional data distributed over at least two dimensions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.