Real-time ultrasonic b-scan imaging and doppler profile display system

Abstract

Pulsed real-time B-scan ultrasonic method and apparatus are disclosed together with pulsed Doppler Ulrasonic method and apparatus. The B-scan apparatus includes a pulse operated transmitter and receiver operating at a first frequency, and the Doppler apparatus includes a pulse operated transmitter and receiver operating at a second frequency sufficiently far removed from the B-scan frequency to avoid interference therebetween. A synchronous pulse operation of the B-scan and Doppler systems is provided. The sysem includes a visual display means to which the receiver outputs are connected through a multiplexer operated to pass the B-scan receiver output to the visual display means whenever such B-scan output is present. The Doppler apparatus includes means for temporarily storing the Doppler receiver output, which stored Doppler signals subsequently are read out through the multiplexer to the visual display means between select lines of B-scan display. A simultaneous display of the B-scan image and a Doppler profile is provided when desired. A control stick unit, under one-hand control of the operator, is used to select the position of the line along which the Doppler profile is obtained and displayed. A cursor generator, under control stick control, is used to generate a cursor signal for display of a cursor along which the Doppler profile is displayed. The B-scan apparatus is operable with a normal or magnified display of a section of the object under investigation. Also, a reticle signal generator is included for t