Portable ultrasound imaging data

• US 20090112091A1
• Filed: 10/31/2007
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 06/29/1995
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Teratech Corporation
• Original Assignee: Teratech Corporation
• Inventors: Chiang, Alice M., Broadstone, Steven R.
• Granted Patent: US 8,241,217 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 600/447
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 2560/045 with a separable interface unit, e.g. for communication
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 7/04 Electric stethoscopes microphones, acoustic transducers therefor H04R
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/00 Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves imaging of objects using sonar G01S15/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/12 in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters catheters per se A61M25/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4209 by using holders, e.g. positioning frames
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4236 characterised by adhesive patches
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4455 Features of the external shape of the probe, e.g. ergonomic aspects
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4472 Wireless probes
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/4488 the transducer being a phased array
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/463 characterised by displaying multiple images or images and diagnostic data on one display composite display in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52074
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/546 involving monitoring or regulation of device temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/56 Details of data transmission or power supply
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8915 using a transducer array
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8934 using a dynamic transducer configuration
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8979 Combined Doppler and pulse-echo imaging systems
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/003 Transmission of data between radar, sonar or lidar systems and remote stations
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52017 particularly adapted to short-range imaging G01S7/53 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52023 Details of receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52053 Display arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52063 Sector scan display
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52073 : Production of cursor lines, markers or indicia by electronic means
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/5208 : with integration of processing functions inside probe or scanhead

Abstract

A portable ultrasound imaging system includes a scan head coupled by a cable to a portable battery-powered data processor and display unit. The scan head enclosure houses an array of ultrasonic transducers and the circuitry associated therewith, including pulse synchronizer circuitry used in the transmit mode for transmission of ultrasonic pulses and beam forming circuitry used in the receive mode to dynamically focus reflected ultrasonic signals returning from the region of interest being imaged.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging system comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer array connected to an imaging system having a processor that receives beamformed image data from a first programmable beamforming integrated circuit including a plurality of channels and connected to a control circuit that controls a variable delay setting for the plurality of channels of the beamforming integrated circuit.

2. The system of claim 1 wherein the integrated circuit further comprises the control circuit.

3. The system of claim 1 wherein the transducer array comprises at least a 64 element array.

4. The system of claim 1 wherein the transducer array comprises at least a 128 element array.

5. The system of claim 1 wherein the transducer array comprises a 256 element array.

6. The system of claim 1 further comprising a second beamforming integrated circuit such that the first beamforming integrated circuit processes a first plurality of channels of the transducer array and the second beamforming integrated circuit processes a second plurality of channels of the transducer array.

7. The system of claim 6 further comprising a first circuit board for the first beamforming integrated circuit and a second circuit board for the second beamforming integrated circuit.

8. The system of claim 1 further comprising a pulse synchronizer.

9. The system of claim 1 further comprising a plurality of beamforming integrated circuits, each circuit having a plurality of programmable delay channels.

10. The system of claim 1 wherein the beamforming integrated circuit has at least 10 channels.

11. The system of claim 1 wherein the beamforming integrated circuit has at least 64 channels.

12. The system of claim 1 further comprising a memory formed in the integrated circuit.

13. The system of claim 8 wherein the pulse synchronizer comprises an integrated circuit.

14. The system of claim 1 further comprising a gain control circuit, a driver circuit and an amplifier circuit.

15. A method for ultrasonic imaging comprising:

providing an ultrasonic transducer array connected to an imaging system having a processor that receives beamformed image data from a first programmable beamforming integrated circuit that includes a plurality of channels; and

controlling a variable delay setting with a control circuit for each of the plurality of channels of the beamforming integrated circuit.

16. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing the integrated circuit that includes the control circuit.

19. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a pulse synchronizer.

20. The method of claim 15 further comprising providing a plurality of beamforming integrated circuits, each circuit having a plurality of programmable delay channels.

17. The method of claim 17 further comprising providing a second beamforming integrated circuit such that the first beamforming integrated circuit processes a first plurality of channels of the transducer array and the second beamforming integrated circuit processes a second plurality of channels of the transducer array.

18. The method of claim 17 further comprising providing a first circuit board for the first beamforming integrated circuit and a second circuit board for the second beamforming integrated circuit.

21. An ultrasound imaging system comprising:

a transducer array having a two-dimensional array of transducers;

an integrated circuit beamforming device that receives image data from the transducer array, the integrated circuit beamformer device having a plurality of programmable delay channels that performs beamforming of the received image data;

a processing system in communication with the integrated circuit beamforming device, the processing system receiving the beamformed data from the integrated circuit beamforming device.

22. The system of claim 21 wherein the transducer array has a plurality of rows of transducer elements.

23. The system of claim 21 wherein the transducer array has at least 128 elements in a row.

24. The system of claim 22 wherein the transducer array has two or more rows.

25. The system of claim 22 wherein the transducer array has three rows.

26. The system of claim 22 wherein a first row has a different length than a second row.

27. The system of claim 22 wherein a spacing between transducers in a row is greater than a spacing between transducers in another row.

28. The system of claim 21 wherein the transducer array is within a hand-held housing.

29. The system of claim 28 wherein the housing contains the integrated circuit beamforming device.

30. The system of claim 21 further comprising a plurality of circuit boards, each circuit board having an integrated circuit beamforming device.

31. The system of claim 21 wherein the transducer array, the integrated circuit beamformer device and the processing system have a weight of 10 pounds or less.

32. The system of claim 21 further comprising a flex cable that connects the two-dimensional array of transducers to a circuit board.

33. The system of claim 21 wherein the integrated circuit beamforming device has at least 10 delay channels.

34. The system of claim 21 further comprising a memory connected to the integrated circuit beamforming device, the memory storing delay data.

35. The system of claim 21 further comprising a software program stored in the processing system that performs scan conversation or Doppler processing.

36. A method for ultrasound imaging comprising:

actuating an ultrasound scan with a transducer array having a two-dimensional array of transducers;

forming beamformed data with an integrated circuit beamforming device that receives image data from the transducer array, the integrated circuit beamformer device having a plurality of programmable delay channels that performs beamforming of the received image data;

processing beamformed data with an processing system in communication with the integrated circuit beamforming device, the processing system receiving the beamformed data from the integrated circuit beamforming device.

37. The method of claim 36 further comprising providing a transducer array having a plurality of rows of transducer elements.

38. The method of claim 36 further comprising collecting image data with the transducer array having at least 128 elements in a row.

39. The method of claim 36 further comprising providing a transducer array has two or more rows.

40. The method of claim 36 further comprising providing a transducer array has three rows.

41. The method of claim 37 further comprising providing an array having a first row has a different length than a second row.

42. The method of claim 37 further comprising providing a spacing between transducers in a row is greater than a spacing between transducers in another row.

43. The method of claim 36 further comprising providing a transducer array is within a hand-held housing.

44. The method of claim 43 further comprising providing the housing with the integrated circuit beamforming device.

45. The method of claim 36 further comprising performing scan conversion of beamformed data.

46. A transducer pulse transmission circuit device for an ultrasound system comprising:

an ultrasound probe housing including a transducer array; and

a programmable integrated circuit device having a plurality of delay channels, the device being connected to the transducer array to control ultrasonic pulse signals generated by the transducer array.

47. The system of claim 46 wherein the device comprises a pulse synchronizer.

48. The system of claim 46 wherein the integrated circuit device further comprises a preamplifying circuit.

49. The system of claim 46 wherein the integrated circuit device further comprises a gain control circuit.

50. The system of claim 46 further comprising a memory connected to delay channel.

51. The system of claim 46 further comprising a high voltage driver circuit connected to a delay circuit.

52. The system of claim 46 further comprising a processor connected to the transmission circuit device.

53. The system of claim 52 wherein the processor controls a plurality of transmission focal zones.

54. The system of claim 52 wherein the processor is controlled by a graphical user interface.

55. The system of claim 54 wherein the graphical user interface selects from a plurality of transmission focal zones.

56. The system of claim 53 wherein the transmission circuit has from one to light variable depth zones.

57. The system of claim 46 further comprising a memory in the probe housing.

58. The system of claim 57 wherein the integrated circuit comprises a pulse synchronizer and a memory.

59. The system of claim 46 wherein the system comprises an image processor and a display for displaying ultrasound images and a battery providing power to the system.

60. The system of claim 59 wherein the system including the probe housing connected to a processor housing with a cable has a weight by less than 10 pounds.

61. The system of claim 46 wherein the integrated circuit further comprises a control circuit.

62. The system of claim 46 further comprising a beamforming integrated circuit that forms an ultrasound image of region of interest.

63. The system of claim 46 further comprising an integrated circuit having at least 10 delay channels.

64. The system of claim 46 wherein the transducer array can be selected from the group consisting of linear array, a curved linear array or a phased array.

65. The system of claim 46 wherein the system further comprising an interface housing connected to the probe housing with a first cable, the interface housing probe control circuiting.

66. The system of claim 46 further comprising a wireless connection to transmit ultrasound image data.

67. The system of claim 59 wherein the user interface is programmed to select a display mode from the group comprising a B-mode display, a C-mode display and an M-mode display.

68. A method for transmitting pulses for an ultrasound system comprising:

programming an integrated circuit delay device to control the transmission of pulses from an ultrasound transducer array; and

actuating a transducer array to deliver a focused ultrasound signal to a region of interest.

69. The method of claim 68 further comprising selecting from a plurality of depth zones to focus the ultrasound signal at the selected depth within the region of interest.

70. The method of claim 68 further comprising providing a pulse synchronizer delay device.

71. An ultrasonic imaging system comprising:

an ultrasonic transducer array in communication with an imaging system, the imaging system having a processor that receives image data from the transducer array within an array housing, the housing including a memory that stores data and a display coupled to said processor for display of an ultrasonic image.

72. The system of claim 71 wherein the memory is mounted on a circuit board assembly in the array housing.

73. The system of claim 71 wherein the housing includes a cable that transmits image data to the processor.

74. The system of claim 71 wherein the memory comprises a first memory that stores data for controlling an ultrasound image beamforming circuit.

75. The system of claim 71 wherein the memory further comprises a second memory that stores data for controlling a pulse synchronizing circuit.

76. The system of claim 71 wherein the memory comprises an integrated circuit device including a programmable delay device having a plurality of channels.

77. The system of claim 71 wherein the system further comprises an interface circuit connected to the array housing with a first cable and connected to the processor with a second cable.

78. The system of claim 71 wherein the housing has a first circuit board assembly and a second circuit board assembly.

79. The system of claim 71 further comprising a control circuit within the housing.

80. The system of claim 71 further comprising a gain control circuit within the housing.

81. The system of claim 71 wherein the array housing and the imaging system has a weight less than ten pounds.

82. The system of claim 71 further comprising a delay device having a plurality of delay channels.

83. The system of claim 82 wherein the delay device comprises an integrated circuit beamforming device that receives sampled data from the transducer array.

84. The system of claim 82 wherein the delay device comprises a pulse synchronizer.

85. The system of claim 71 further comprising a multiplexer.

86. A method for ultrasonic imaging comprising:

performing a scan with an ultrasonic transducer array in communication with an imaging system, the imaging system having a processor that receives image data from the transducer array within an array housing;

storing data in a memory in the array housing; and

displacing an image on a display coupled to said processor.

87. The method of claim 86 further comprising providing the memory mounted on a circuit board assembly in the array housing.

88. The method of claim 86 further comprising providing a housing that includes a cable that transmits image data to the processor.

89. The method of claim 86 further comprising providing a first memory that stores data for controlling an ultrasound image beamforming circuit.

90. The method of claim 86 further comprising providing a second memory that stores data for controlling a pulse synchronizing circuit.

91. A portable ultrasound imaging system comprising:

a ultrasound probe having a transducer array; and

a handheld display device communicating with the ultrasound probe, the display device having an ultrasound image flat panel display, a user interface and a processing system that processes beamformed image data and a memory that stores image data in the device.

92. The system of claim 91 wherein the handheld display device comprises a personal digital assistant.

93. The system of claim 91 further comprising display processing software operating on the processing system.

94. The system of claim 91 further comprising a second memory in the handheld display device for storing beamformer control data.

95. The system of claim 91 wherein the system generates audio information.

96. The system of claim 95 wherein the system comprises stethoscope.

97. The system of claim 91 wherein the user interface comprises a keypad.

98. The system of claim 91 wherein the user interface comprises a mouse control.

99. The system of claim 91 further comprising a graphic user interface.

100. The system of claim 91 wherein the system weighs less than 10 pounds.

101. The system of claim 91 wherein the handheld display device has a volume of less than 1000 cm³.

102. The system of claim 91 further comprising a scan conversion circuit.

103. The system of claim 91 further comprising a Doppler processor.

104. The system of claim 91 further comprising scan conversion computer program.

105. The system of claim 91 further comprising a battery in the handheld device providing power.

106. The system of claim 91 further comprising an integrated circuit delay device having a plurality of channels.

107. The system of claim 91 further comprising a plurality of beamforming integrated circuits each having a plurality of delay channels.

108. The system of claim 97 wherein the transducer array has 64, 128 or 256 elements.

109. The system of claim 91 further comprising a virtual control panel.

110. The system of claim 91 wherein the display has a plurality of display windows.

111. A method of ultrasound imaging comprising:

providing an ultrasound probe having a transducer array connected to handheld display device communicating with the ultrasound probe, the display device having an ultrasound image flat panel display, a user interface and a processing system that processes beamformed image data and a memory that stores image data in the device; and

performing an ultrasound scan with the device to image a region of interest within a body.

112. The method of claim 111 further comprising providing the handheld display device that is a personal digital assistant.

113. The method of claim 111 further comprising storing beamformer control data in a second memory in the handheld display device.

114. The method of claim 111 further comprising providing a system that weighs less than 10 pounds.

115. The method of claim 111 further comprising pulse synchronizing pulses emitted by the array.

116. An ultrasonic catheter system comprising:

a flexible catheter body having an ultrasound transducer array at a distal end of the catheter body;

an integrated circuit beamforming device that receives data from the transducer array and provides beamformed data; and

a processing system that processes the beamformed data to provide an image.

117. The system of claim 116 wherein the catheter body comprises a sealed outer wall for insertion within a body cavity.

118. The system of claim 116 wherein the transducer array transmits in a distal direction along a catheter axis.

119. The system of claim 116 wherein the transducer array transmits in a radial direction relative to a catheter axis.

120. The system of claim 116 further comprising a lumen extending within the catheter body.

121. The system of claim 120 further comprising a fiber optic system.

122. The system of claim 120 further comprising a guidewire 2.

123. The system of claim 116 wherein the catheter comprises a treatment device.

124. The system of claim 116 wherein the transducer array is connected to a pulse synchronizer.

125. The system of claim 116 wherein the transducer array to connected to a beamformer device within a housing at a proximal end of the catheter.

126. A method of using an ultrasound catheter device comprising:

inserting a flexible catheter body having an ultrasound transducer array at a distal end of the catheter body into a body cavity or lumen;

collecting data with the array and beamforming the collected data with an integrated circuit beamforming device that receives data from the transducer array and provides beamformed data; and

processing with beamformed data with a processing system to provide an image.

127. The method of claim 126 further comprising providing a catheter body having a sealed outer wall for insertion within a body cavity.

128. The method of claim 126 further comprising transmitting a signal in a distal direction along a catheter axis.

129. The method of claim 126 further comprising transmitting a signal in a radial direction relative to a catheter axis.

130. The method of claim 126 further comprising providing a lumen extending within the catheter body.

131. The method of claim 126 further comprising viewing an image on a fiber optic system within the catheter body.

132. The method of claim 126 further comprising performing a treatment with a catheter.

133. The method of claim 126 further comprising transmitting a pulse with a pulse synchronizer.

134. An ultrasound probe system comprising:

a probe body having an ultrasound transducer array at a distal end of the probe body for insertion in a body cavity;

a handle attached to the probe body;

an integrated circuit beamforming device that receives data from the transducer array and provides beamformed data; and

a processing system that processes the beamformed data to provide an image.

135. The system of claim 134 wherein the probe body comprises an elongate plastic housing for insertion within a body cavity.

136. The system of claim 134 wherein the transducer array has at least 128 elements.

137. The system of claim 134 wherein the handle includes circuitry that operates the array.

138. The system of claim 134 wherein the transducer array is connected to a pulse synchronizer.

139. The system of claim 134 wherein the transducer array to connected to a beamformer device in the handle.

140. The system of claim 134 further comprising a cable connector in the handle.

141. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system comprising:

an ultrasonic array probe connected to an imaging system having a processor that receives beamformed image data from a programmable beamforming integrated circuit; and

a Doppler processor.

142. The system of claim 141 wherein the processor generates in-phase and quadrature components.

143. The system of claim 141 further comprising a Doppler filter.

144. The system of claim 141 further comprising an FIR filter.

145. The system of claim 141 further comprising multiplexers

146. The system of claim 141 further comprising an M-mode display.

147. The system of claim 141 further comprising a blood flow imaging system.

148. The system of claim 141 wherein the system weighs 10 pounds or less.

149. The system of claim 143 wherein the filter comprises a discrete Fourier transform.

150. The system of claim 141 further comprising a pulsed Doppler processor.