Siemens Medical Solutions USA, Inc.

Ecton Inc.

Acuson Corporation

Penrith Corporation

Unisys Corporation

Anthony P Lannutti

Joseph A Urbano

Kevin S Randall

Jodi Schwartz Klessel

Raymond F Weymer, Jr

Christopher B Knell

Michael G Cannon

George C Ku

Andrew J Wood

Peter A Ringer

Lawrence A Engle

Jodi Klessel Schwartz

Edward W Beighe

The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy. The analog-to-digital converter may convert the electrical energy into digital data, and the transmitter may transmit the digital data.

Transducer array imaging system

Embodiments contemplate methods and systems for determining an image performance measurement in an ultrasound system. Embodiments contemplate that data may be received from a remote unit of an ultrasound imaging system. One or more determinations of the measure of performance of an image may be made, where the image may be derivable from at least part of the data. The measure of image performance may be displayed on a main unit of the ultrasound imaging system.

Ultrasound image performance determination

The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The method may further transmit the digital data. The transmission may be wireless. The system may include a main unit, a remote unit, a locator module, transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The main unit and the remote unit may be part of an ultrasound imaging system and the remote unit may communicate with the main unit. The locator module may communicate with the remote unit or the main unit. The locator module may identify a location of the remote unit or the main unit.

The embodiments contemplate systems and methods for detecting moving tissue within an object. In one such method, a first and second ultrasound pulse are transmitted at a first sample volume within an object. A first echo signal of the first ultrasound pulse is received from the first sample volume and a second echo signal of the second ultrasound pulse is received from the first sample volume. An estimate of position displacement data of the first sample volume is computed from the first and second echo signals, and the estimate of position displacement data is compared to a predetermined position displacement data threshold indicative of moving tissue. A determination is made, based on the comparison, whether the first sample volume corresponds to moving tissue and, based on the determination, the transmitting, receiving, computing and determining is repeated for a second sample volume.

Automated movement detection with audio and visual information

The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method for constructing a composite ultrasound image. In one preferred embodiment, visual and audio components of an ultrasound image are separately stored so that a composite image including some or all of the components can later be constructed. The audio component can take the form of Doppler audio or voice data, for example. In another preferred embodiment, stored computer-readable program code is selected to perform an operation on a constructed composite ultrasound image.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method for constructing a composite ultrasound image

Methods and systems for providing consistent power and reducing power consumption for an ultrasound system are provided. The ultrasound system is provided with an uninterruptable power supply. Power is provided from an outlet through the uninterruptable power supply to the ultrasound scanner. If the power from the outlet falls below a threshold is of an insufficient quality or is otherwise unavailable, the uninterruptable power supply provides power. For mobility, the uninterruptable power supply provides power, avoiding the need to plug the ultrasound system into an outlet. To reduce the drain on the uninterruptable power supply or other source of power, the ultrasound system includes power reduction systems and methods. One or more electrical components, subsystems or the entire ultrasound system is operated in a reduced power state while not in use. For example, some digital electrical components draw more power in response to clock signal triggers. The clock signal provided to one or more digital electrical components is decreased in frequency or set to steady state, decreasing the amount of power used.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for power control

The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method in which a non-real-time operating system is used to transfer image data. In one preferred embodiment, a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system includes a central processing unit (&ldquo;CPU&rdquo;) located outside of the received signal path to transfer image data. The non-real-time operating system can be used, for example, to transfer image data from a hard disk to system memory for display, to transfer image data from system memory to the hard disk for storage, or to scroll image data to view a loop of image data.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

The preferred embodiments described herein relate to a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system with at least one reprogrammable logic device, such as, for example, a field programmable gate array (&ldquo;FPGA&rdquo;). In one presently preferred embodiment, at least one reprogrammable logic device in the ultrasound system is reconfigured for probe changes (e.g., phased-array, curved array), for operator control changes (such as system mode changes, e.g., B-Mode, color Doppler), and/or dynamically as part of system operation (such as between ultrasonic pulse firings and/or between frames). By utilizing at least one reprogrammable logic device, the preferred embodiments reduce the size and cost of the ultrasound system without compromising the performance characteristics of the system. Further, unlike ultrasound systems that accommodate different sets of requirements by designing hardware modules to the most demanding requirements or by using separate hardware circuits for each alternative, the presently preferred embodiments provide a much less complex and costly solution.

Growing community of inventors

Norristown, PA, United States of America

Anthony P Lannutti