Point source transmission and speed-of-sound correction using multi-aperature ultrasound imaging
First Claim
1. A method of constructing an ultrasound image, comprising:
- transmitting an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform from a transmit aperture comprising at least one transducer element and approximating a first point source within the transmit aperture on a first array through a target region;
receiving ultrasound echoes from the target region with first and second receiving elements disposed on a first receive aperture on a second array, the first array being physically separated from the second array;
retrieving position data describing a mechanical and acoustic position of each of the first receiving element, the second receiving element, and the at least one transducer element of the transmit aperture relative to a common reference point;
determining, using the position data, a first time for the waveform to propagate from the first point source to a first pixel location in the target region to the first receiving element, and determining a second time for the waveform to propagate from the first point source to the first pixel location in the target region to the second receiving element; and
forming a first ultrasound image of the first pixel location by combining a first echo received by the first receiving element at the first time with a second echo received by the second receiving element at the second time.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.
451 Citations
41 Claims
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1. A method of constructing an ultrasound image, comprising:
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transmitting an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform from a transmit aperture comprising at least one transducer element and approximating a first point source within the transmit aperture on a first array through a target region; receiving ultrasound echoes from the target region with first and second receiving elements disposed on a first receive aperture on a second array, the first array being physically separated from the second array; retrieving position data describing a mechanical and acoustic position of each of the first receiving element, the second receiving element, and the at least one transducer element of the transmit aperture relative to a common reference point; determining, using the position data, a first time for the waveform to propagate from the first point source to a first pixel location in the target region to the first receiving element, and determining a second time for the waveform to propagate from the first point source to the first pixel location in the target region to the second receiving element; and forming a first ultrasound image of the first pixel location by combining a first echo received by the first receiving element at the first time with a second echo received by the second receiving element at the second time. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33)
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34. A multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system, comprising:
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a transmit aperture comprising at least one transducer element on a first array configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region; a first receive aperture on a second array having first and second receiving elements, the second array being physically separated from the first array, wherein the first and second receiving elements are configured to receive ultrasound echoes from the target region; a position memory containing position data describing a mechanical and acoustic position of each of the first receiving element, the second receiving element, and the at least one transducer element of the transmit aperture relative to a common reference point; a control system coupled to the transmit aperture and the first receive aperture, the control system configured to retrieve the position data from the position memory, determine, using the position data, a first time for the waveform to propagate from the first point source to a first pixel location in the target region to the first receiving element, and is configured to determine a second time for the waveform to propagate from the first point source to the first pixel location in the target region to the second receiving element, the control system also being configured to form a first ultrasound image of the first pixel location by combining a first echo received by the first receiving element at the first time with a second echo received by the second receiving element at the second time. - View Dependent Claims (35, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41)
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Specification