Ultrasound system for generating a single set of ultrasound pulse firings

• US 20050131294A1
• Filed: 01/25/2005
• Published: 06/16/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. (Excelsior Union Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Zonare Medical Systems Incorporated (Excelsior Union Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ji, Ting-Lan, McLaughlin, Glen
• Granted Patent: US 7,682,309 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/437
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/017 Doppler techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0228 Aqueous liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02416 Solids in liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02466 Biological material, e.g. blood
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/06 Visualisation of the interior, e.g. acoustic microscopy medical or veterinary diagnosis using sonic waves A61B8/00; representation of acoustic wave distribution G01H3/125, G01H9/002; short-range imaging systems using reflection of acoustic waves G01S15/8906
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/0609 Display arrangements, e.g. colour displays indicating or recording in connection with measuring in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/11 by measuring attenuation of acoustic waves
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/348 with frequency characteristics, e.g. single frequency signals, chirp signals measuring frequency of mechanical vibrations or acoustic waves in general G01H1/06, G01H3/04; measuring frequency or analysing frequency spectra G01R23/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8954 using a broad-band spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52023 Details of receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/06 using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

An ultrasound imaging system configured to simultaneously acquire and process multi-mode and multi-band echo information from a single set of pulse firings is provided. Raw ultrasound signals are digitized and stored in an I/Q data buffer. The stored data are then parallel preprocessed as a function of frequency band or alternative encoding. Parallel preprocessing optionally includes manipulating the data in respect to different imaging modes. Outputs of the parallel preprocessors are coupled to separate area formers used to simultaneously reconstruct various desired echo information to form a multi-mode or multi-band image. The echo formation process is optionally performed in parallel.

Claims

1. An ultrasound system, comprising:

an ultrasound transducer configured to transmit a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into a media of interest;

transducer elements configured to receive modified ultrasound pulse firings from the media and generate signals in response to the received modified ultrasound pulse firings;

a preprocessing module configured to parallel process the signals using a plurality of imaging modes; and

an area-forming module configured to generate positional data responsive to the parallel processed signals.

2. The system of claim 1 further comprising, an image scan converter configured to generate image data.

3. The system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of post-processors to post-process the positional data in parallel.

4. The ultrasound system of claim 1, wherein the transducer elements are a part of the transducer used for transmitting the single set of ultrasound pulse firings into the media of interest.

5. The system of claim 2, wherein the image data is substantially free of visible temporal anomalies.

6. The system of claim 2, wherein the image data is free of visible temporal anomalies.

7. An ultrasound system comprising:

means for transmitting a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into a media of interest such that the media of interest modifies the ultrasound pulse firings;

means for receiving the modified ultrasound pulse firings and generating signals responsive to the modified ultrasound pulse firings;

means for preprocessing the signals in parallel; and

means for generating positional data responsive to the preprocessed signals.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising means for generating image data using the positional data.

9. An ultrasound system, comprising:

an ultrasound transducer configured to transmit a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into a media of interest, wherein the ultrasound pulse firings are modified by the media;

a transducer configured to receive the modified ultrasound pulse firings and generate analog signals in response to the received modified ultrasound pulse firings;

an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the analog signals to digital data;

a preprocessing module configured to preprocess the digital data; and

an area-forming module configured to generate positional data responsive to the preprocessed signals.

10. The system of claim 9, further comprising an image scan converter configured to generate image data.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the ultrasound transducer is configured to transmit a single set of ultrasound pulse firings and the transducer configured to receive the modified ultrasound pulse firings are the same transducer.

12. The system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of post-processors to post-process the positional data in parallel.

13. The system of claim 10, wherein the image data is substantially free of visible temporal anomalies.

14. The system of claim 10, wherein the image data is free of visible temporal anomalies.

15. The system of claim 9, wherein the digital data resulting from an individual member of the single set of ultrasound pulse firings is processed using a plurality of imaging modes.

16. The system of claim 9, wherein the digital data is preprocessed in parallel.

17. The system of claim 16, wherein the preprocessing module comprises a plurality of frequency band preprocessors configured to respond to encoding within the digital data.

18. The system of claim 10, wherein the image data is visibly temporally synchronized.

19. The system of claim 9, wherein the preprocessing module comprises a plurality of frequency band preprocessors configured to preprocess the digital data using a plurality of imaging modes.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of imaging modes comprises Doppler imaging.

21. The system of claim 19, wherein the plurality of imaging modes comprises harmonic frequencies.