Three dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic imaging with high density hexagonal acquisition
First Claim
1. A method for ultrasonically scanning a volumetric region by means of a scanhead including a two dimensional array of transducer elements coupled to an ultrasonic imaging system comprising:
- acquiring a plurality of scanlines from the volumetric region comprising at least a portion of a scanline pattern which, when viewed axially along the scanlines, is hexagonal in shape; and
interpolating two or more of the plurality of scanlines to increase the scanline density of the hexagonal pattern.
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Abstract
An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for imaging the coronary arteries of the heart. The vascular system is infused with an ultrasonic contrast agent. A volumetric region of the heart wall including a coronary artery is three dimensionally scanned. A projection image of the volumetric region is produced from the scanning, providing a two dimensional contrast image of the coronary artery with the appearance of an angiogram. Preferably the coronary artery signals are segmented from contrast signals emanating from the myocardium and the heart blood pool so that the coronary arteries are clearly highlighted and distinct in the ultrasonic angiogram.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method for ultrasonically scanning a volumetric region by means of a scanhead including a two dimensional array of transducer elements coupled to an ultrasonic imaging system comprising:
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acquiring a plurality of scanlines from the volumetric region comprising at least a portion of a scanline pattern which, when viewed axially along the scanlines, is hexagonal in shape; and
interpolating two or more of the plurality of scanlines to increase the scanline density of the hexagonal pattern. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system for three dimensional imaging comprising:
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a scanhead including a two dimensional array of transducer elements which transmits beams of ultrasonic energy into a volumetric region and receives ultrasound signals in return;
a beamformer coupled to the elements of the array which acts to form scanlines from the volumetric region in at least part of a hexagonal pattern; and
an interpolator coupled to the beamformer which forms interpolated scanlines in the hexagonal pattern. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification