Simultaneous multi-mode and multi-band ultrasonic imaging

• US 6,896,658 B2
• Filed: 10/20/2001
• Issued: 05/24/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Shenzhen Mindray Bio-Medical Electronics Co., Ltd. (Excelsior Union Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Zonare Medical Systems Incorporated (Excelsior Union Ltd.)
• Inventors: Ji, Ting-Lan, McLaughlin, Glen
• Primary Examiner(s): Jaworski, Francis J.
• Application Number:
  US10/039,862
• Publication Number:
  US 20030078497A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,312 Days
• Field of Search: 600/443, 600/447, 600454-459, 600/458, 600440-441, 600/437, 128/916, 736/02, 73625-626
• US Class Current: 600/440
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/017 Doppler techniques
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/0228 Aqueous liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02416 Solids in liquids
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 2291/02466 Biological material, e.g. blood
• 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 29/0609 Display arrangements, e.g. colour displays indicating or recording in connection with measuring in general G01D
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 29/11 by measuring attenuation of acoustic waves
• 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: G01S 15/8954 using a broad-band spectrum
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 7/52023 Details of receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 42/06 using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves

Abstract

An ultrasound imaging method and system configured to simultaneously acquire and process multi-mode and multi-band echo information from a single set of pulse firings is provided. Raw ultrasound signals are digitized and stored in an I/Q data buffer. The stored data are then parallel preprocessed as a function of frequency band or alternative encoding. Parallel preprocessing optionally includes manipulating the data in respect to different imaging modes. Outputs of the parallel preprocessors are coupled to separate echo formers used to simultaneously reconstruct various desired echo information to form a multi-mode or multi-band image. The echo formation process is optionally performed in parallel.

Claims

1. A method of using ultrasound to analyze a media of interest, comprising:

transmitting a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into the media of interest, the ultrasound pulse firings being modified by the media of interest;

receiving at a transducer the modified ultrasound pulse firings;

generating signals in response to the received modified ultrasound pulse firings;

parallel processing the signals using a plurality of imaging modes;

generating positional data responsive to the parallel processed signals; and

generating image data using the positional data, the image data having no visible temporal anomalies.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein generating positional data includes area-forming.

3. A method of using ultrasound to analyze a media of interest, comprising:

transmitting a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into the media of interest, the ultrasound pulse firings being modified by the media of interest;

receiving at one or more transducers the modified ultrasound pulse firings;

generating analog signals in response to the received modified ultrasound pulse firings;

converting the analog signals to digital data using an A/D converter;

preprocessing the digital data using a plurality of frequency band pre-processors;

generating positional data responsive to the preprocessed digital data; and

generating image data using the positional data, the image data having no visible temporal anomalies.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein digital data resulting from an individual member of the single set of ultrasound pulse firings is processed using a plurality of imaging modes.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein preprocessing the digital data is preprocessed in parallel.

6. The method of claim 3, wherein the positional data is generated using echo-forming.

7. The method of claim 3, wherein the positional data is generated using echo-forming and the echo-forming uses an area-forming module that includes a plurality of area-formers.

8. The method of claim 3, further comprising providing preprocessed digital data to one or more members of a plurality of area-formers from one or more members of the plurality of frequency band pre-processors.

9. The method of claim 3, further comprising providing the positional data to an image scan converter, wherein the positional data is generated using a plurality of imaging modes.

10. The method of claim 9, further comprising generating image data using the image scan converter and the positional data.

11. The method of claim 9, further comprising generating image data using the image scan converter and the positional data, wherein the image data is visibly temporally synchronized.

12. The method of claim 3, wherein preprocessing the digital data is performed using a plurality of imaging modes.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of imaging modes includes Doppler imaging.

14. The method of claim 12, wherein the plurality of imaging modes includes imaging using harmonic frequencies.

15. The method of claim 3, wherein preprocessing the digital data is done in parallel, and

the plurality of frequency band preprocessors are responsive to encoding within the digital data.

16. The method of claim 3, further comprising post-processing the positional data in parallel using a plurality of post-processors.

17. An ultrasonic analysis system comprising:

an ultrasound transducer for transmitting a single set of ultrasound pulse firings into a media of interest such that the media of interest modifies the ultrasound pulse firings;

a transducer for receiving the modified ultrasound pulse firings and generating signals responsive to the modified ultrasound pulse firings;

a plurality of frequency band preprocessors for preprocessing the signals in parallel;

an echo-forming system for generating positional data responsive to the pre-processed signals; and

an image converter system for generating image data using the positional data, the image data having no visible temporal anomalies.

18. The system of claim 17, wherein the echo-forming system includes a plurality of beamformers configured to receive signals preprocessed using a plurality of imaging modes.

19. The system of claim 17, wherein the echo-forming system includes an area-forming module.