The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 02, 2003
Filed:
Dec. 19, 2001
Seth E. Jensen, Bothell, WA (US);
Michalakis Averkiou, Kirkland, WA (US);
Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V., Eindhoven, NL;
Abstract
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method are described for imaging nonlinear response objects such as contrast agents at greater depths. Transmit pulses include two fundamental frequency components, one of which is to produce harmonic components at the fundamental frequency of the other component. In the presence of a contrast agent these harmonic components are used for imaging the contrast agent. When the contrast agent is not present imaging is performed using the fundamental echoes of the other echo frequency. Preferably the harmonic frequency of the first fundamental component is aligned with the second fundamental frequency. The technique is especially useful when imaging contrast agents at low MI and at significant depths in the body.