Ultrasonic diagnostic imaging with harmonic contrast agents

• US 5,706,819 A
• Filed: 10/09/1996
• Issued: 01/13/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 10/10/1995
• Status: Expired

• Current Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc. (Entegris Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Advanced Technology Laboratories Inc (Koninklijke Philips N.V.)
• Inventors: Hwang, Juin-Jet, Simpson, David Hope
• Primary Examiner(s): JAWORSKI, FRANCIS J
• Application Number:
  US08/728,318
• Time in Patent Office: 461 Days
• Field of Search: 128/660.01, 128/662.02, 424/9.5, 424/9.51, 424/9.52, 367/7
• US Class Current: 600/458
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/06 Measuring blood flow measuring volume flow in general G01F, e.g. G01F1/66, G01F1/72; measuring speed of fluids in general G01P5/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/08 Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings A61B8/02 - A61B8/06 take precedence
• 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 8/481 involving the use of contrast agent, e.g. microbubbles introduced into the bloodstream analysis of echo signal exploiting properties of a contrast enhancer in devices for short-range imaging with acoustic waves G01S7/52039
• CPC Class Codes: A61B 8/488 involving Doppler signals
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8959 using coded signals for correlation purposes
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8963 using pulse inversion
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52026 Extracting wanted echo signals Doppler systems G01S15/50; Doppler short range imaging systems G01S15/8979
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52038 involving non-linear properties of the propagation medium or of the reflective target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52039 exploiting the non-linear response of a contrast enhancer, e.g. a contrast agent diagnostic techniques involving the use of contrast agents A61B8/481
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52041 detecting modification of a contrast enhancer, e.g. detecting the destruction of a contrast agent by an acoustic wave, e.g. loss of correlation diagnostic techniques involving the use of contrast agents A61B8/481

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for the detection and imaging of ultrasonic harmonic contrast agents. The harmonic echo effect is detected through alternate polarity acquisition of harmonic contrast agent effects, which provides the benefits of suppressing the harmonic components of the transmitted signal while eliminating clutter.

Claims

1. A method of ultrasonically detecting the ultrasonic response of an ultrasonic contrast agent comprising the steps of:

transmitting a first ultrasonic pulse to said ultrasonic contrast agent to cause a first harmonic response;

transmitting a second ultrasonic pulse of a different polarity than said first ultrasonic pulse to said harmonic contrast agent to cause a second harmonic response;

detecting said first and second harmonic responses; and

combining said first and second harmonic responses.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of combining comprises summing said first and second harmonic responses.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein said step of combining comprises integrating said first and second harmonic responses.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein said transmitting step comprises transmitting pulses which exhibit a pulse energy which is within a range which causes microbubbles of said ultrasonic contrast agent to oscillate without substantial microbubble destruction.