Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically adjusting a parameter used in the display of a Doppler spectral image comprises acquiring a plurality of spectral lines of Doppler data. A subset of Doppler data is determined from the plurality of spectral lines of Doppler data. A noise characteristic of the subset of Doppler data is calculated, and a signal characteristic of the subset of Doppler data is identified. The noise and signal characteristics are compared, and a system parameter is adjusted based on a result of the comparing step.

Abstract: A method of performing a scanning sequence for an ultrasound scan includes establishing a number of ultrasound beams to be transmitted during an ultrasound scan, establishing a pulse repetition interval to be used for performing the ultrasound scan, and establishing a number of firings of each of the ultrasound beams to be performed during the ultrasound scan. The method further includes performing a scanning sequence based on a processing of one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of the number of ultrasound beams, the pulse repetition interval, and the number of firings of the ultrasound beams, wherein the processing of the one or more parameters is configured to provide a continuous interleaving in the transmitted beams thereby avoiding a generation of beam interleaving discontinuities and a formation of artifacts in a resulting image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for scan sequencing in an ultrasound imaging system are provided. The method includes determining an interleave factor based at least partially on a pulse repletion interval (PRI). The method further includes dividing a total number of colorflow imaging vectors into interleave groups based on the interleave factor. Further, the method includes modifying at least one scan sequencing parameter such that all colorflow imaging vectors are included in a colorflow region of interest (ROI).

Abstract: A method of performing a scanning sequence for an ultrasound scan includes establishing a number of ultrasound beams to be transmitted during an ultrasound scan, establishing a pulse repetition interval to be used for performing the ultrasound scan, and establishing a number of firings of each of the ultrasound beams to be performed during the ultrasound scan. The method further includes performing a scanning sequence based on a processing of one or more parameters selected from the group consisting of the number of ultrasound beams, the pulse repetition interval, and the number of firings of the ultrasound beams, wherein the processing of the one or more parameters is configured to provide a continuous interleaving in the transmitted beams thereby avoiding a generation of beam interleaving discontinuities and a formation of artifacts in a resulting image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for scan sequencing in an ultrasound imaging system are provided. The method includes determining an interleave factor based at least partially on a pulse repletion interval (PRI). The method further includes dividing a total number of colorflow imaging vectors into interleave groups based on the interleave factor. Further, the method includes modifying at least one scan sequencing parameter such that all colorflow imaging vectors are included in a colorflow region of interest (ROI).

Abstract: A system for automatically adjusting color gain of an ultrasound image. Image data passes through a wall filter and is processed into a time-gain compensation curve. Values of the time-gain compensation curve are multiplied with corresponding image data values to compensate for attenuation of image data values with increasing depth in a patient. The values used to generate the time-gain compensation curve may be averaged to reduce localized gain variations and produce an image with smoother intensity transitions. To reduce the effect of a time-gain compensation curve on overall system gain, values of the time-gain compensation curve may be scaled to produce equalized values for the time-gain compensation curve. Values of the time-gain compensation curve may be used to adjust front end gain of an ultrasound system to bring the front end gain within a few decibels of noise floor.

Abstract: A transducer (10) is controlled by a beam former (20) to transmit ultrasound pulses in multiple transmit focal zones (Z1-Z3) along at least two axes (A1 and A2). The beam former (20) causes the transducer (10) to transmit a first transmit pulse along one axis (A1) and to transmit a second transmit pulse along another axis (A2) before the echo pulse from the first transmit pulse is received by the transducer in order to decrease frame rates.