Gated ultrasound imaging apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for transmitting pulses to acquire multiple frames of data representing a body at different times, the system comprising:
- a source of a periodic signal;
a triggering device responsive to the source of the periodic signal for providing trigger signals;
a controller responsive to the trigger signals and operable to automatically vary intervals by a pre-determined amount between transmission of pulses, at least one interval being greater than or equal to a period of the periodic signal; and
a transmit beamformer responsive to the controller for transmitting pulses in response to the automatically varied intervals.
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Abstract
An ultrasound imaging system is programmed to acquire first ultrasonic image frames intermittently. These first frames, typically triggered frames synchronized with a selected portion of an ECG cycle, are optimized for high image quality of a contrast agent included in the tissue. The imaging system automatically acquires second ultrasonic image frames between at least some of the first frames. The second image frames are typically locator frames which are optimized for reduced degradation of the contrast agent. More of the second frames are acquired per unit time than first frames, and both the first and second frames are displayed, either superimposed over one another or in side-by-side relationship. In this way the user is provided with substantially continuous transducer locating information, yet contrast agent destruction between acquisitions of the first, triggered frames is reduced or eliminated.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system for transmitting pulses to acquire multiple frames of data representing a body at different times, the system comprising:
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a source of a periodic signal;
a triggering device responsive to the source of the periodic signal for providing trigger signals;
a controller responsive to the trigger signals and operable to automatically vary intervals by a pre-determined amount between transmission of pulses, at least one interval being greater than or equal to a period of the periodic signal; and
a transmit beamformer responsive to the controller for transmitting pulses in response to the automatically varied intervals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 26, 27, 28, 32, 33, 34, 35)
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11. A method for transmitting pulses to acquire multiple frames of data representing a body at different times with a medical diagnostic ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of:
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(a) intermittently acquiring a plurality of ultrasonic image frames; and
(b) providing a source of periodic signals; and
(c) automatically varying intervals between transmission of pulses for step (a) by a pre-determined amount as function of the periodic signals. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 29, 30, 31, 36, 37, 38)
(d) programming the automatically variable intervals.
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16. The method of claim 15 further comprising:
(e) selecting the automatically variable intervals with a user interface.
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17. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
(d) receiving echo signals in response to the transmitted pulses.
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18. The method of claim 11 wherein the automatically variable intervals comprises at least first and second different number of periods of the source.
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19. The method of claim 18 wherein the periods of the source comprise heart cycles.
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20. The method of claim 18 wherein the automatically varied intervals comprise the first and second different number of periods of the source and respective first and second delays.
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29. The method of claim 11 wherein step (a) comprises intermittently acquiring first ultrasonic image frames adapted to provide high image quality of contrast agent;
- and further comprising;
(d) automatically acquiring second ultrasonic image frames adapted to provide reduced degradation of the contrast agent between at least some of the first frames.
- and further comprising;
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30. The method of claim 29 further comprising:
(e) displaying each first frame for a selectable persistence period.
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31. The method of claim 29 further comprising:
(e) displaying one of the first frames in a spatially distinct area from and at the same time as one of the second frames.
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36. The method of claim 11 further comprising:
(d) automatically acquiring locator image frames adapted to provide reduced degradation of contrast agents between at least some of the ultrasonic image frames of (a).
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37. The method of claim 36 wherein transmit power is greater for acquiring the ultrasonic image frames than for acquiring the locator image frames.
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38. The method of claim 36 wherein transmit line spacing is closer for acquiring the ultrasonic image frames than for acquiring the locator image frames.
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21. In an ultrasound imaging system comprising:
- a programmable transmit/receive beamformer system operative to generate transmit waveforms and responsive to ultrasonic signals radiated by a region of a body, the improvement comprising;
a trigger signal source; and
a beamformer controller coupled with the trigger signal source and the beamformer system, said controller operative to cause the beamformer system to acquire multiple triggered frames at different intervals, a first of the triggered frames acquired after a first count of signal periods from the trigger signal source and a second of the triggered frames acquired after a second count of signal periods from the trigger signal source, the second count being started after the first count. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 39, 40, 41, 42)
- a programmable transmit/receive beamformer system operative to generate transmit waveforms and responsive to ultrasonic signals radiated by a region of a body, the improvement comprising;
Specification