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:
Oct. 11, 2005
Filed:
Sep. 24, 2002
Xiaohui Hao, Waukesha, WI (US);
Satchi Panda, Greenfield, WI (US);
Steven C. Miller, Pewaukee, WI (US);
Richard Y. Chiao, Menomonee Falls, WI (US);
Xiaohui Hao, Waukesha, WI (US);
Satchi Panda, Greenfield, WI (US);
Steven C. Miller, Pewaukee, WI (US);
Richard Y. Chiao, Menomonee Falls, WI (US);
GE Medical Systems Global Technology Company, LLC, Waukesha, WI (US);
Abstract
A method and apparatus in an ultrasound imaging system is disclosed that enhances the contrast-to-tissue ratio and signal-to-noise ratio of contrast imaging using stepped-chirp waveforms. The first waveform component is employed with a first frequency optimized to initiate the bubble dynamics and the second waveform component is employed with a second frequency optimized to produce an enhanced bubble nonlinear response. The first waveform component and the at least a second waveform component are transmitted as a single stepped-chirp transmit pulse. At least one of a center frequency, an amplitude, a starting phase, and a bandwidth of the waveform components are adjusted to generate the single stepped-chirp transmit pulse. A relative phase, a switch time, and a time delay between the waveform components are also adjusted for maximal enhancement of bubble nonlinear response.