3-dimensional ultrasonic imaging
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A 3-dimensional imaging system comprising:
- a probe including;
at least one ultrasonic transducer; and
at least one inertial sensor; and
electronic circuitry connected to said probe for causing said at least one ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic energy into a region and to receive reflected ultrasonic energy therefrom, creating a plurality of generally two-dimensional images whose geometrical relationship is indicated by outputs from said at least one inertial sensor, said electronic circuitry comprising image combining circuitry operative to combine information relating to said individual two-dimensional images into at least one three-dimensional image based on information from said at least one inertial sensor.
4 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An ultrasonic imaging system including a probe containing at least one ultrasonic transducer and at least one inertial sensor as well as electronic circuitry connected to the probe for causing the at least one ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic energy into a region and to receive reflected ultrasonic energy therefrom, creating a plurality of generally two-dimensional images whose geometrical relationship is indicated by outputs from the at least one inertial sensor.
34 Citations
35 Claims
-
1. A 3-dimensional imaging system comprising:
-
a probe including;
at least one ultrasonic transducer; and
at least one inertial sensor; and
electronic circuitry connected to said probe for causing said at least one ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic energy into a region and to receive reflected ultrasonic energy therefrom, creating a plurality of generally two-dimensional images whose geometrical relationship is indicated by outputs from said at least one inertial sensor, said electronic circuitry comprising image combining circuitry operative to combine information relating to said individual two-dimensional images into at least one three-dimensional image based on information from said at least one inertial sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 32)
-
-
21. A method for providing 3-dimensional ultrasonic imaging comprising:
-
providing a probe including an ultrasonic transducer and at least one inertial sensor;
causing said ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic energy into a region and to receive reflected ultrasonic radiation therefrom, creating a plurality of generally two-dimensional images;
determining a spatial relationship between the plurality of two-dimensional images using outputs from said at least one inertial sensor; and
combining information relating to said individual two-dimensional images into at least one three-dimensional image based on information from said at least one inertial sensor. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
-
-
27. A retro-fitted 2-dimensional imaging system having 3-dimensional imaging functionality comprising:
-
a 2-dimensional imaging probe including at least one ultrasonic transducer; and
at least one inertial sensor retro-fitted to said 2-dimensional imaging probe; and
electronic circuitry connected to said probe for causing said at least one ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic energy into a region and to receive reflected ultrasonic energy therefrom, creating at least one three-dimensional image. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31)
-
-
33. A method for providing 3-dimensional ultrasonic imaging comprising:
-
providing a 2-dimensional ultrasonic imaging probe including an ultrasonic transducer;
retrofitting said 2-dimensional ultrasonic imaging probe with at least one inertial sensor;
causing said ultrasonic transducer to transmit ultrasonic energy into a region and to receive reflected ultrasonic radiation therefrom, creating a plurality of generally two-dimensional images;
determining a spatial relationship between the plurality of two-dimensional images using outputs from said at least one inertial sensor; and
combining information relating to said individual two-dimensional images into at least one three-dimensional image based on information from said at least one inertial sensor. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35)
-
Specification