Abstract: A method and system for registration of multiple ultrasound images or frames of data are provided. The images are registered as a function of relative movement of the transducer. A feature or feature pattern, such as one or more structural edges, are identified in one image. The feature or feature pattern is represented by fewer than all of the data points within a frame of data. Based on the identification of a particular feature or feature pattern, relative motion is estimated by correlating the feature pattern with another image in various relative positions. The best correlation is selected. The motion is estimated by selecting a translation and rotation of the position associated with the best correlation. The frames of data are registered and compounded to generate the panoramic field of view image as a function of the estimated motion. The panoramic field of view image comprises a B-mode image, or a color Doppler image, or an image that is a combination of both. The imaging may be static or dynamic.

Abstract: A passenger detection system including a single antenna electrode mounted on a surface of a passenger seat in an automobile. An oscillator generates an AC current having a predetermined voltage amplitude that is transmitted to the antenna electrode to produce a minute electric field around the antenna electrode. An amplitude control circuit is used to control the voltage amplitude of the output signal from the oscillator. The electrical characteristics of an object on the passenger seat alter the current and phase of the signal in the antenna electrode. A current detection circuit detects the amount of current flowing from the oscillator to the antenna electrode. In addition, a phase differential detection circuit detects a phase differential between the output signal from the oscillator and the signal on the antenna electrode.

Abstract: Coherent data representing a plurality of two-dimensional regions that overlap as a function of the elevational beam width are obtained. The coherent data, such as in-phase and quadrature data, is filtered along an elevational dimension. The filtering adjusts the phase of the coherent data in the elevation dimension. Filtering effectively generates a Fourier transform of the coherent data along the elevational dimension, and adjusts the phase by multiplying by a spectral focusing function. Multiplying by the spectral focusing function results in a constant phase. The coherent data is then inversed Fourier transformed. This filtering narrows the elevation beam width associated with portions of each two-dimensional set of data. The filter varies as a function of the axial position of the coherent data.

Abstract: A method and system for generating three-dimensional representations using opacity modulation are provided. The opacity level associated with each datum in a 3D volume data set is controlled as a function of at least one Doppler parameter, such as variance. Areas of high variance are assigned a higher level of opacity than areas of low variance. For a Doppler velocity image, velocities associated with high variance are displayed more opaquely than velocities associated with low variance, thereby emphasizing the more opaque regions. The more transparent velocities (i.e., those associated with low variance) still contribute to the image and are displayed. Other Doppler parameters may be used for the image, such as energy, tissue motion or variance. Furthermore, other Doppler parameters may be used to control the opacity, such as velocity, energy or tissue motion.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and system for ultrasonically imaging a target with energy spreading transmissions is provided. Simultaneous and sequential compound point, line and combination point and line focusing is used with harmonic receive processing. Ultrasonic energy focused at multiple depths is transmitted at the target. The target may or may not include contrast agents. In either case, echoes of the transmissions at one or more fundamental center frequencies are received at harmonics of the fundamental frequencies.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring data in an ultrasound system are provided. A transducer is operatively connected to a transmit beamformer and a receive beamformer. The receive beamformer is configured to obtain a first value associated with a fundamental frequency interleaved with a second value associated with a harmonic frequency. A first transmit signal is transmitted at a first frequency. A first echo signal is received in response to the first transmit signal. At least the first value associated with the first frequency is obtained from the first echo signal. An interleaved second transmit signal is transmitted at the first frequency or a second frequency. A second echo signal is received in response to the second transmit signal. At least the second value associated with a third frequency is obtained from the second echo signal. Images are generated and displayed based on the at least one first value and the at least one second value.

Abstract: The preferred embodiment includes a method and system for processing ultrasound data during or after compression. Various compression algorithms, such as JPEG compression, are used to transfer ultrasound data. The ultrasound data may include image (i.e. video data) or data obtained prior to scan conversion, such as detected acoustic line data or data complex in form. Compression algorithms typically include a plurality of steps to transform and quantize the ultrasound data. Various processes in addition to compression may be performed as part of one or more of the compression steps. Furthermore, various ultrasound system processes typically performed on uncompressed ultrasound data may be performed using compressed or partially compressed ultrasound data. Operation on compressed or partially compressed data may more efficiently provide processed data for generation of an image.

Abstract: A method and system for acquiring data in an ultrasound system are provided. A transducer is operatively connected to a transmit beamformer and a receive beamformer. The receive beamformer is configured to obtain a first value associated with a fundamental frequency interleaved with a second value associated with a harmonic frequency. A first transmit signal is transmitted at a first frequency. A first echo signal is received in response to the first transmit signal. At least the first value associated with the first frequency is obtained from the first echo signal. An interleaved second transmit signal is transmitted at the first frequency or a second frequency. A second echo signal is received in response to the second transmit signal. At least the second value associated with a third frequency is obtained from the second echo signal. Images are generated and displayed based on the at least one first value and the at least one second value.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A method and system for amplifying an ultrasonic transmit signal is provided. A first amplifier stage has a first supply voltage input and receives transmit signals. A second amplifier stage has a second supply voltage input and receives transmit signals in parallel with the first amplifier stage. Amplified transmit signals are output from one of the first and second amplifier stages. The supply voltage inputs are supplied with fixed voltages. The first amplifier stage is associated with PW operation and a higher supply voltage than the second amplifier stage. The second amplifier stage is associated with CW operation.

Abstract: A method of imaging to aid tissue viability determinations is provided. Tissue motion is detected for at least region of tissue. Perfusion is estimated as a function of intensity data and time for the region of tissue. An image responsive to the detected tissue motion and the estimated perfusion is displayed. A combination of tissue motion imaging and perfusion estimation provides an assessment of tissue viability. If tissue exhibits perfusion and motion, then the tissue is likely normal. Any other perfusion and motion characteristic combination indicates abnormal tissue viability.

Abstract: In an ultrasound system and method, a transducer connects to an estimator for obtaining first and second blood flow parameters associated with first and second scan line directions, respectively, in a first scan plane. One beam substantially covering a cross-sectional area of a tubular structure (uniform insonification) or a plurality of beams may be used. A first area associated with the cross-section of the tubular structure is also estimated from the blood flow parameters. The process is repeated for a plurality of scan planes. A processor determines the cross-sectional area of the tubular structure perpendicular to its axis (a second area), the average velocity of flow parallel to the axis, and the volume flow as a function of the first area and the first and second blood flow parameters of all the scan planes. For real-time volume flow, the orientation of the tubular structure is determined using the second area and the first and second blood flow parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing ultrasound data is provided. The apparatus includes an interface operatively connected to a memory, a programmable single instruction multiple data processor (or two symmetric processors), a source of acoustic data (such as a data bus) and a system bus. The memory stores data from the processor, ultrasound data from the source, and data from the system bus. The processor has direct access to the memory. Alternatively, the system bus has direct access to the memory. The interface device translates logically addressed ultrasound data to physically addressed ultrasound data for storage in a memory. The translation is the same for data from both the processor and the source for at least a portion of a range of addresses. The memory stores both ultrasound data and various of: beamformer control data, instruction data for the processor, display text plane information, control plane data, and a table of memory addresses. One peripheral connects to the ultrasound apparatus.

Abstract: A patient is first injected with a contrast agent. A complete scan along a plurality of scan lines is then performed, resulting in the destruction of some contrast agent. While some of the contrast agent is destroyed, non-scanned portions of the target, and possibly the scan region, still include at least some contrast agent. A second scan is then sequentially performed sufficiently close in time to the first scan such that reflections from the anatomy remain unchanged. The second frame of data from the second scan will differ from the first frame of data from the first scan by only contrast agent effects. The second frame of data is subtracted from the first frame of data. The resulting data is used to image the contrast agent. By varying the time between each pair of scans, differences in the speed of the contrast agent motion within the body may be assessed. The collateral damage of contrast agents from ultrasound acoustic energy is minimized while the degradation due to various changes is also minimized.

Abstract: A method and system for an ultrasound beamformer with an integrated circuit is provided. Both digital transmit and digital receive beam formation are processed on a single integrated circuit receiver is provided. The transmit beamformer includes transmit logic and a digital to analog converter. The receive beamformer includes receive logic and an analog to digital converter. In one preferred embodiment, the integrated circuit includes a generic gate array with a designed logic metal layer for implementing the transmit and receive logic. The converters allow analog inputs and outputs, reducing the pin count. Reduction in pin count may permit cost reductions as process geometries become smaller. By placing both logic functions on one IC, fewer ICs are required in each system and the volume for that particular IC may increase, reducing the cost.

Abstract: In an ultrasound system and method, a transducer connects to an estimator for obtaining first and second blood flow parameters associated with first and second scan line directions, respectively, in a first scan plane. One beam substantially covering a cross-sectional area of a tubular structure (uniform insonification) or a plurality of beams may be used. A first area associated with the cross-section of the tubular structure is also estimated from the blood flow parameters. The process is repeated for a plurality of scan planes. A processor determines the cross-sectional area of the tubular structure perpendicular to its axis (a second area), the average velocity of flow parallel to the axis, and the volume flow as a function of the first area and the first and second blood flow parameters of all the scan planes. For real-time volume flow, the orientation of the tubular structure is determined using the second area and the first and second blood flow parameters.

Abstract: The system described ultrasonically images a target with energy spreading transmissions. Generally, ultrasonic energy corresponding to a line focus is transmitted into a target at a fundamental center frequency. The target may or may not include contrast agents. In either case, echoes are received at a harmonic of the fundamental center frequency. Echoes are also received at the fundamental center frequency. The echoes received at the harmonic center frequency are efficiently compounding with the echoes received at the fundamental center frequency.