Fujifilm Sonosite, Inc.

Michael R Hansen

Justin M Coughlin

Mitchell S Kaplan

William R Ogle

Methods and apparatuses for dynamic power reduction in ultrasound systems are described. Subsystems including a first subsystem to be placed in a reduced power consumption state are determined. The first subsystem includes a receive path having a receiver to receive acoustic signals representing echoes. A control subsystem to control clocking of the receive path in response to at least one of a plurality of real-time signals is determined. The control subsystem is configured to provide one or more clocks to the receive path to turn on the receiver while valid echo signals are expected to arrive at the receiver At least one of the plurality of real-time signals indicates a state of imaging operations. The control subsystem is configured to provide one or more clocks to the receive path during a first mode based on the state of the imaging operations.

Dynamic power reduction technique for ultrasound systems

In one embodiment, a method is provided. The method includes transmitting a set of ultrasound waves to towards a target area. The set of ultrasound waves are transmitted by a set of ultrasound elements. The set of ultrasound elements are positioned at different locations in a transducer assembly. The method also includes receiving a set of reflections of the set of ultrasound waves. The set of reflections of the set of ultrasound waves are received by the set of ultrasound elements. The method further includes determining a set of correction values for the set of ultrasound elements. Each correction value of the set of correction values represents a refraction of one reflection of the set of reflections as the one reflection passes through a respective ultrasound element of the set of ultrasound elements. The method further includes generating imaging data based on the set of reflections of the set of ultrasound waves and the set of correction values for the set of ultrasound elements.

Beamforming in ultrasound imaging systems to correct for refraction of ultrasound by transducer elements

A dynamic power reduction method and apparatus for use in an ultrasound system are described. In one embodiment, the ultrasound system comprises: a transducer assembly and imaging subsystem having a transmit data path having a transmitter to transmit acoustic signals and a receive data path having including signal acquisition circuitry with a receiver to receive acoustic signals representing echoes; a plurality of real-time signals indicative of status of imaging operations being performed by the transmit and receive paths; a clock generator to generate one or more clocks for use by the transmit and receive data paths; clock gating circuitry coupled to the clock generator and the transmit and receive paths and having circuits to gate clocks to at least one of the transmit and receive paths; and a clock gating controller coupled to the clock gating circuitry to control the circuits to gate or pass clock signals to at least one of the transmit and receive paths automatically in response to receipt of one or more signals from the plurality of real-time signals.

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Bothell, WA, United States of America

Michael R Hansen