Diasonics Ultrasound, Inc.

Other

Syed Omar Ishrak

Ha Pham

Alan Chi-Chung Tai

Farhad Towfiq

Mehmet Salahi

Michael J Washburn

William Thomas Hatfield

Mir S Seyed-Bolorforosh

Todd Michael Tillman

Brian Peter Geiser

Gregory R Bashford

A method and an apparatus for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of a needle-like instrument, such as a biopsy needle, inserted in a human body. The instrument is visualized by transmitting ultrasound beams toward the instrument and then detecting the echo signals using a linear array of transducer elements. The problem of ultrasound being reflected from a biopsy needle in a direction away from the transducer array is solved by steering the transmitted ultrasound beams to increase the angle at which the beams impinge upon the biopsy needle. Ideally the ultrasound beams are perpendicular to the biopsy needle. This increases the system's sensitivity to the needle because the reflections from the needle are directed closer to the transducer array. This can be accomplished using either the B mode or the color flow mode of an ultrasound imaging system. The acquired data for multiple two-dimensional image frames is gathered in memory to form a data volume, which is then processed to form a three-dimensional image (by projection) or a two-dimensional slice taken at an angle through the data volume. In particular, a two-dimensional slice which is coplanar with the inserted biopsy needle can be imaged.

Method and apparatus for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging of biopsy

A two-dimensional ultrasonic transducer for forming images. The transducer has a plurality of transducer elements for producing ultrasonic bursts in a predetermined manner, and receiving reflected ultrasound from the subject under examination due to the ultrasonic bursts. The plurality of transducer elements are arranged in an array into columns and rows, the columns of the transducer elements arranged in a scanning plane for scanning the subject under examination in order to form a two-dimensional profile of the subject, and the rows of the transducer elements having groups of symmetrically arranged transducer elements being oriented in a elevational plane. Each of the groups of symmetrically arranged transducer elements are mechanically arranged to have a focus at specified locations distant from the transducer which is within the subject under examination. Each of the groups of symmetrically arranged transducer elements coupled to a conductive channels for activating the group of symmetrically arranged transducer elements simultaneously to focus one of the ultrasonic bursts at the specified location from the transducer, and receive signals from the transducer elements due to received ultrasonic echoes due to the ultrasonic bursts. In certain embodiments, the mechanical arrangement of the groups of transducers comprises a lens affixed to the transducer elements in order to focus the ultrasonic bursts at the specified locations.

Sparse two-dimensional transducer array with compound lens

Sparse two-dimensional transducer array

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Santa Clara, CA, United States of America

Syed Omar Ishrak