Abstract: A method for producing Doppler ultrasound data at a user-requested pulse repetition frequency (PRF) utilizing undersampled echo signals. Echo signals are created in response to Doppler pulses that are transmitted into the patient at a rate less than a desired PRF. The echo signals are analyzed in the time domain to determine a velocity of scatterers in an area of tissue defined by a range gate. From the velocity, the Doppler shift of the scatterers is determined. The echo signals are interpolated to produce a number of samples equal in number to that which would have been produced had the Doppler pulses been transmitted at the user-requested PRF. The interpolated echo signals are then analyzed in the frequency domain which produces a number of spectra indicative of the velocity and direction of the moving scatterers. From the Doppler shift determined, the correct spectra is selected and displayed for a user.

Abstract: A method for producing interpolated ultrasound images by storing at least two sequential ultrasound images and detecting the movement of objects of interest within two sequential images. A movement vector is then determined that describes the movement of each object within an image. One or more interpolated images are then produced by combining data from two sequential ultrasound images and the movement vectors. In addition, three-dimensional ultrasound images can be compensated for movement of a transducer or object of interest. At least two sequential ultrasound images are obtained and movement vectors are calculated for each object of interest. After determining the movement vectors, the images are compensated for the movement to realign the object of interest. The compensated images are then combined to produce three dimensional images.

Abstract: A 3D field of view ultrasound image volume is derived from correlated frames of ultrasound image data. An operator manually translates an ultrasound probe across a patient target area. Frames of sensed echo signals are processed to detect probe motion using beam data registration and correlation techniques. Motion is detected by correlating the frames for probe translation among as many as 6 degrees of freedom. Image registration then is performed for correlated portions to accumulate a large ultrasound image. Such image encompasses an area larger than a single field of view image frame for the given manually-scanned transducer probe.

Abstract: A method for creating ultrasound images determines if an ultrasound transducer is moving by more than a predetermined amount by obtaining two conventionally focused images D.sub.K-1 and D.sub.K. Each image is divided into a series of sections. An image processor searches the previous frame D.sub.K-1 for data points found in the current frame D.sub.K. Movement vectors are defined for each section that describe how the data points of a section move from the previous frame D.sub.K-1 to the current frame D.sub.K. The movement vectors are then applied to sections of a previously displayed adaptively focused frame I.sub.K-1 in order to create a translated adaptively focused frame I.sub.K-1'. A new adaptively focused frame is created by averaging the current adaptively focused frame A.sub.K with the translated frame I.sub.K-1'.

Abstract: A compounded field of view ultrasound image is derived from correlated frames of ultrasound image data. An operator manually translates an ultrasound probe across a patient target area. Frames of sensed echo signals are processed to detect probe motion without the use of a dedicated position sensor or motion sensor. Motion is detected by correlating the frames for probe translation among as many as 6 degrees of freedom. Image registration then is performed for correlated portions to compound a large ultrasound image. Such image encompasses an area larger than a single field of view image frame for the given manually-scanned transducer probe.