Ultrasonic imaging aberration correction system and method

• US 6,401,539 B1
• Filed: 06/21/2000
• Issued: 06/11/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Acuson Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Original Assignee: Acuson Corporation (Siemens AG)
• Inventors: Langdon, Donald R., Li, Pai-Chi, Holley, Gregory L., Hossack, John A.
• Primary Examiner(s): MOLLER, RICHARD ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/598,357
• Time in Patent Office: 720 Days
• Field of Search: 735/96, 736/09, 736/10, 736/11, 736/17, 736/27
• US Class Current: 73/609
• 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 29/348 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: G01N 29/42 by frequency filtering or by tuning to resonant frequency
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/895 characterised by the transmitted frequency spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 15/8963 using pulse inversion
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52038 involving non-linear properties of the propagation medium or of the reflective target
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52049 using correction of medium-induced phase aberration
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52066 Time-position or time-motion displays
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52071 Multicolour displays; using colour coding; Optimising colour or information content in displays, e.g. parametric imaging
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52095 using multiline receive beamforming

Abstract

An ultrasonic imaging system including an aberration correction system uses a harmonic component of the fundamental transmitted frequency for imaging, or for aberration correction, or both. By properly selecting the frequency pass bands of filters used in the image signal path and in the aberration correction signal path operating advantages are provided. The aberration correction values may be calculated concurrently with image formation.

Claims

1. An ultrasonic imaging method comprising the following steps:

(a) transmitting an ultrasound signal;

(b) receiving a wide band ultrasound echo signal;

(c) filtering the echo signal to form a first low frequency component and a second high frequency component;

(d) forming at least part of an image at least in part in response to the second high frequency component;

(e) determining aberration correction values at least in part in response to the first low frequency component.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of maintaining the target free of additional contrast agent throughout an ultrasound imaging examination session that includes steps (a)-(e).

3. An ultrasonic signal processing method comprising the steps:

(a) transmitting ultrasonic energy into a target in first and second transmit events, said ultrasonic energy comprising at least a fundamental component that differs in phase in the first and second transmit events by a selected phase angle;

(b) forming first and second receive signals associated with the first and second transmit events, respectively;

(c) combining the first and second receive signals to form a combined signal; and

(d) applying the combined signal to an aberration correction value estimator;

wherein step (c) comprises the step of summing the first and second receive signals with opposite summing polarities to cancel components of the combined signal in a frequency band including a second harmonic of the fundamental component.