Koninklijke Philips Corporation N.v.

Xiang-Ning Li

Paul Ross Detmer

Mckee Dunn Poland

James Robertson Jago

Vincentius Paulus Buil

William J Ossmann

Olivier Gerard

Jing-Ming Jong

An ultrasonic probe for three dimensional scanning includes a one-dimensional array transducer which is mechanically swept back and forth. As the array transducer is swept in one direction the array scans a volumetric region with image planes which are alternately scanned in opposite beam scanning directions to scan the volumetric region in a zigzag pattern. As the array transducer is swept in the opposite direction the volumetric region is again scanned with image planes of alternating beam scanning directions to again scan the volumetric region in a zigzag pattern. In a preferred embodiment the image planes scanned in one sweep direction intersect the centers of the image planes scanned in the other sweep direction, and the image planes of each sweep are approximately joined at their lateral edges.

Three dimensional ultrasonic imaging using mechanical probes with beam scanning reversal

A method for anatomical imaging includes acquiring image data representative of three-dimensional volume segments of an image volume of interest in a subject. The image data are acquired in synchronism with corresponding physiological cycles of the subject. Each volume segment contains image data distributed in three dimensions. Acquiring image data includes selecting a sequence of scan lines for each respective volume segment configured to minimize an occurrence of motion artifacts throughout the image volume. The image data representative of the volume segments is combined to produce a representation of a three-dimensional anatomical image of the image volume.

Artifact elimination in time-gated anatomical imaging

An ultrasound imaging method and system includes a two-dimensional array transducer scanhead coupled to a beamformer. The beamformer and scanhead obtain signals corresponding to ultrasound echoes reflected from a measurement volume extending across a blood vessel. The signals are processed by a Doppler processor to generate data corresponding to a three-dimensional Doppler image of blood flow velocity in the sample volume. The signals are also processed by a B-mode processor to generate data corresponding to a cross section through the vessel. An image processor transforms the data corresponding to the three-dimensional Doppler image to data corresponding to a projection of the three-dimensional Doppler image onto a plane. The image processor also combines the transformed Doppler data with the B-mode data to create a composite image. Volume flow rate can also be determined by integrating the flow velocity in the projection of the three-dimensional Doppler image.

Method and system for ultrasound blood flow imaging and volume flow calculations

Valvular regurgitation is assessed by identifying a characteristic regurgitation jet in a colorflow image. An M-line is placed over the region of regurgitation and Doppler M-mode information is acquired from the flow convergence region adjacent the regurgitant orifice. The Doppler M-mode information, acquired at a higher acquisition rate than the colorflow frame rate, is used to produce a measure of the regurgitant flow rate and volume through the orifice. The flow rate can be used with velocity data acquired during the regurgitation event to produce a dynamic estimate of the size of the regurgitant valve orifice.

Ultrasonic quantification of valvular regurgitant blood flow

An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for electronically scanning a volumetric region using a two dimensional array of transducer elements coupled to a beamformer. Elements of the array are actuated to transmit ultrasonic energy into the volumetric region. Echo signals are received by elements of the array in response to the transmitted ultrasonic energy. Beams are formed which sample the volumetric region that allows choices of size, location and geometry shapes such as in one of a circular and elliptical beam pattern.

Flexible geometry for real-time ultrasound volume imaging

The present invention is a method of and system for imaging an object with an ultrasound transducer array that transmits ultrasound beams and detects echoes reflected from the object. A plurality of adjacent ultrasound beams are transmitted at the object, each of the beams being separated from an adjacent beam by a first predetermined distance. A plurality of groups of echoes are received from the object, with each of the groups of echoes corresponding to one of the plurality of the ultrasound beams. Each of these echoes are spaced from the corresponding ultrasound beam by a second predetermined distance which is less than the first predetermined distance. The transmitted ultrasound beams are arranged such that one of the received echoes corresponding to an ultrasound beam substantially overlaps with one of the received echoes corresponding to an adjacent ultrasound beam. At least a subset of the received echoes are then processed to obtain B-mode data from each of the processed echoes. In addition, the overlapping pairs of received echoes are processed to obtain B-flow data, typically by determining the difference between the overlapping received echoes. Doppler flow data, Doppler power data, and/or Doppler tissue motion data may also be processed from the received echoes.

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Mill Creek, WA, United States of America

Xiang-Ning Li