Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Hewlett-packard Company

Richard Allen Snyder

Robert H Banta, Jr

Lars Jonas Olsson

Emil George Radulescu

William J Ossmann

Jean-luc Robert

Sanghamithra Korukonda

Timothy Savord

Richard F Dillman

Stephen M Grenon

Sharon A Gadonniex

Lynette May Ward

Vinodkumar Elangovan

Thomas L Szabo

Chicheong Stephen So

Angel Ramon Martinez

Martin James Moynihan

Martin J Moynihan

The present invention relates to a method for providing three-dimensional ultrasound images of a volume () and an ultrasound imaging system (). In particular, the current invention applies to live three-dimensional imaging. To maintain a steady frame rate of the displayed images even if a user changes a region of interest and, therewith, the size of the volume () to be scanned, it is contemplated to adjust a density of the scanning lines within the volume () as a function of a size of the volume while maintaining a total number of scanning lines across the volume ().

Steady frame rate volumetric ultrasound imaging

Depiction, within a single imaging modality, of an intervention device and body tissue surrounding the device, is improved by interrogating a subject that includes the intervention device and the tissue. An image is created using, for a parameter, a value, of the parameter (), better suited to one or the other of a device region depicting the intervention device and a tissue region depicting the tissue. The value is used to yield respectively either a first image () or a second image (). Respective presets may correspondingly have different values for the parameter. From jointly the first image and the second image which are both of the single modality, a combination is formed that is an image of the intervention device depicted as surrounded by the tissue. The combinations may be formed dynamically and ongoingly. An apparatus for the improved depiction may be configured for the use of the parameter in a stage prior to image processing conducted on a scan-converted image () if such image processing is employed.

Single-modality-based visual distinguishing of medical intervention device from tissue

The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system and a method for the measurement of a distance () between two points () within a volume of a three-dimensional image (). To avoid the commonly known fore-shortening effect, according to which a distance measured by the system is shorter than an actual distance () between the two points (), an in-depth control of a cursor () shown in the image () on the display as provided to the user. Further, an indication () may be given to the user that the cursor () collides with a structure () within the volume to allow the user to assess the movement of the cursor out of the plane shown on the display more conveniently. By this, occurrence of the fore-shortening effect may be avoided.

System and method for 3D ultrasound volume measurements

Systems and methods for improving transducer response sensitivity in an ultrasound-imaging system are disclosed. One method includes selecting a desired transmit spectrum, quantifying the transmit channel impulse response, calculating a drive signal that when applied to the transmit channel will produce the desired transmit spectrum and applying the drive signal to the transducer. The method may be applied in principle to the receive channels. An improved ultrasound-imaging system in accordance with the invention includes a transducer and a switch controlled to apply an excitation signal to the transducer in a transmit mode of the ultrasound-imaging system. A signal shaper is configured to generate an excitation signal in response to the impulse response of the transmit channel such that a desired ultrasound energy waveform is generated by the transducer. An adaptable filter responsive to a desired echo spectrum and the impulse response of the receive channel of the system may be included.

System and method for improved harmonic imaging

An ultrasound imaging system includes an array of transducer elements, a predetermined number of transducer and receiver channels less than the number of transducer elements in the array, and an electronic switch for selecting transducer elements for connection to the transmitter and receiver channels. A method using the imaging system for ultrasound imaging with a sector scan pattern includes determining, from a sector aperture size and a sector aperture location on the array, a mapping of the transducer elements to the transmitter and receiver channels. Focusing delays are determined from a sector angle and a focus for the sector scan pattern, and the focusing delays are converted to mapped focusing delays using the mapping. Ultrasound energy is transmitted and received along sector scan lines of the sector scan pattern in response to the mapped focusing delays, and signals representative of an image along the sector scan lines are provided.

Methods and apparatus for ultrasound imaging using combined scan patterns

The method of the invention employs pulsed Doppler ultrasound signals to color image blood and tissue movement velocities in a body. The method initially images a movement with a transmitted ultrasound signal that manifests a current signal transmission frequency value and a current pulse repetition frequency (PRF) value. Those values exhibit a determined ratio R to each other. Thereafter, in response to an indication by the user that movement is to be imaged at a new depth, the method alters the current transmission frequency to a new frequency to provide improved signal back-scatter from movement at the new depth. Then, the current PRF is adjusted, automatically, to a new PRF value which, when compared to the new transmission frequency, manifests substantially the same determined ratio R that was present between the current transmission frequency and current PRF. The latter step assures that the mapping of movement velocity values to colors is maintained, notwithstanding use of a new transmission frequency.

Method for maintaining a constant velocity to color map in an ultrasound

A composite scan pattern for ultrasound imaging includes a linear or curved linear scan pattern and one or more sector scan patterns. The sector scan patterns abut the linear or curved linear scan pattern along its boundaries to form the composite scan pattern. The linear or curved linear scan pattern can be steered to a desired angle .theta. for obtaining a high quality image. The sector apertures can be reduced in width and the linear scan pattern can be increased in width for imaging at shallow depths. The composite scan pattern provides a wide field of view for both shallow imaging and deep imaging.

This invention relates to a method and apparatus for automatically controlling scan line direction in a linear array ultrasonic Doppler scanning system. More particularly, this system determines an ideal scan line angle and point of origin for a given sample volume having fluid flow in a given direction. The system then determines left and right limiting angles for the given sample volume taking into account the geometry of the viewing area relative to the sample volume and the maximum steering angle of the transducers of the transducer array being utilized. Where, because of pulse repetition rate considerations, a maximum depth from the sampling aperture of the linear array to the sample volume exists, this maximum depth is also taken into account in determining the limiting angles. The system then uses the ideal angle as a scan angle is such ideal angle is between the limiting angles and utilizes a selected one of the limiting angles determined in accordance with predetermined criteria, if the ideal angle is outside the limiting angles. Once the scan angle has been determined, this angle may be utilized to identify the aperture to be utilized for the given scan.

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Chester, NH, United States of America

Richard Allen Snyder