Patents Assigned to ACUSON
  • Extended bandwidth ultrasonic transducer
    Patent number: 5957851
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer that allows transmission of pressure waves at a first frequency and reception of pressure waves at a second frequency. Each transducer element is formed by multiple layers of transducer material. A transceiver provides an excitation signal to the transducer and receives energy from the transducer. All of the layers are coupled to the transceiver during transmission so that all of the layers are activated. Some of the layers are decoupled from the transceiver during reception so that not all of the layers contribute to the received signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventor: John Hossack
  • Multi-array pencil-sized ultrasound transducer and method of imaging and manufacture
    Patent number: 5957850
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer having a field of view greater than 180.degree., and having a physical shape which permits it to be employed in the investigation and observation of the anatomy, or other body, object or region of interest, having limited access. A plurality of ultrasound transducer arrays are provided, each having a field of view defining an image plane, wherein the axis of each transducer array lies within its corresponding defined image plane. Preferably, the plurality of transducer arrays are positioned end-to-end and nonaxially aligned with the image planes of all transducer arrays coincident, and with each transducer array having a field of view of about 90.degree., whereby a resulting combined field of view greater than 90.degree. is produced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: Vaughn R. Marian, Jr., Richard Demartini
  • Ultrasonic harmonic imaging system and method
    Patent number: 5957852
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Hossack, Samuel H. Maslak, Christopher R. Cole
  • Gated ultrasound imaging apparatus and method
    Patent number: 5957845
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system is programmed to acquire first ultrasonic image frames intermittently. These first frames, typically triggered frames synchronized with a selected portion of an ECG cycle, are optimized for high image quality of a contrast agent included in the tissue. The imaging system automatically acquires second ultrasonic image frames between at least some of the first frames. The second image frames are typically locator frames which are optimized for reduced degradation of the contrast agent. More of the second frames are acquired per unit time than first frames, and both the first and second frames are displayed, either superimposed over one another or in side-by-side relationship. In this way the user is provided with substantially continuous transducer locating information, yet contrast agent destruction between acquisitions of the first, triggered frames is reduced or eliminated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: Gregory L. Holley, Richard M. Bennett, Edward A. Gardner, Samuel H. Maslak
  • Steering mechanism and steering line for a catheter-mounted ultrasonic transducer
    Patent number: 5954654
    Abstract: A steering mechanism for an ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a housing having a longitudinal axis that extends generally parallel to the proximal end of a catheter. An annular steering ring is mounted to the housing for rotation about the longitudinal axis, and a steering hub is mounted for rotation in the housing and coupled to the steering ring such that rotation of the steering ring with respect to the housing causes rotation of the steering hub. A steering line is secured adjacent the steering hub and extends to the distal end of the catheter such that rotation of the steering hub alters the effective length of the steering line to steer the distal end. The steering line is preferably formed of a stranded polymer such as a gel spun polyethylene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 21, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Eaton, David J. Rosa, Vaughn Marian, Jay Plugge
  • Ultrasonic method and system for imaging blood flow including disruption or activation of a contrast agent
    Patent number: 5947904
    Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system uses first and second perpendicular arrays. The first array is operated at high power to selectively destroy contrast agent suspended in flowing blood in discrete regions. The second array is used to image the alternating bands of contrast agent depleted blood and contrast image containing blood in order to allow blood flow characteristics to be assessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 7, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Hossack, Paul E. Chandler
  • Multilayer ultrasound transducer and the method of manufacture thereof
    Patent number: 5945770
    Abstract: A three crystal ultrasound transducer in which each crystal has a thickness that is measured in the z-range direction that varies as a function of its position along the x-elevation direction. The impedance of the transducer is reduced compared with uniform thickness transducers thereby providing a better electrical match between the ultrasound transducer and the ultrasound system to which it is coupled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventor: Amin M. Hanafy
  • Ultrasonic method for imaging blood flow including disruption or activation of contrast agent
    Patent number: 5944666
    Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system uses first and second perpendicular arrays. The first array is operated at high power to selectively destroy contrast agent suspended in flowing blood in discrete regions. The second array is used to image the alternating bands of contrast agent depleted blood and contrast image containing blood in order to allow blood flow characteristics to be assessed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 31, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Hossack, Paul E. Chandler
  • Method and apparatus for determining a workpiece's surface position
    Patent number: 5941151
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for determining a workpiece's surface position. One embodiment of the invention includes two conductive bodies that are insulated from each other. During a surface position determining operation, one of these bodies has a first potential, while the other body has a second potential. These bodies are then moved towards a conductive surface of the workpiece, until both of these bodies are electrically detected to contact the surface. Finally, the distance that one of these bodies traverses is used to identify the position of the surface of the workpiece.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 24, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson, Corporation
    Inventors: Anthony A. Amon, Anthony M. Rogers, Michael A. Morasci
  • Steering mechanism and steering line for a catheter-mounted ultrasonic transducer
    Patent number: 5938616
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes an elongated catheter that carries a phased linear array of ultrasonic transducer elements at a distal end. This array is aligned with the azimuthal axis of the array oriented substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the catheter near the distal end. Two sets of steering lines are carried by the catheter and coupled to the catheter near the distal end. The first set of steering lines is effective to steer the distal end in a first plane, and the second set of steering lines is effective to steer the distal end in a second plane, transverse to the first plane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 17, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John W. Eaton, David J. Rosa, Vaughn Marian, Jay Plugge
  • Ultrasound system and method for variable transmission of ultrasonic signals
    Patent number: 5935069
    Abstract: An ultrasound system and method for variable transmission of ultrasonic signals are presented. With this method and system, ultrasonic beams can be transmitted into a region in response to a selected event in a reference signal by predicting a future occurrence of a selected event in a reference signal, transmitting a first set of ultrasonic beams into the region at the predicted future occurrence, and transmitting a second set of ultrasonic beams into the region at a selected time interval preceding the predicted future occurrence. Additional applications of the method and system are presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 10, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Chandler, David J. Block
  • Ultrasonic imaging system and method
    Patent number: 5933389
    Abstract: A transmit beamformer includes multiple transducers, each responsive to a respective transmit waveform to produce a respective transducer waveform. A transmit waveform generator generates the transmit waveforms, and the transmit waveforms each include multiple frequency components. Progressively higher frequency components of the transmit waveforms are timed to cause corresponding progressively higher frequency components of the transducer waveforms to focus along a line at progressively shorter ranges. In this way, a frequency dependent line focus is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: August 3, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Hossack, Jian-Hua Mo, Christopher R. Cole
  • Method and apparatus for a baseband processor of a receive beamformer system
    Patent number: 5928152
    Abstract: This invention presents a multi-beam baseband processor for making post-beamformation adjustments to the complex (in-phase/quadrature) pre-detection scan line samples acquired from a receive beamformer of an ultrasound imaging system. Specifically, the invention includes a programmable finite impulse response (FIR) filter and a programmable complex multiplier. The programmable filter performs signal shaping and sample-rate conversion. The signal shaping capability may be used to compensate for transducer and analog signal path responses, to increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by rejecting out-of-band noise frequencies, to operate as a matched filter to the transmitted waveform shape, and to act as both a smoothing and anti-aliasing filter during rate-conversion operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: J. Nelson Wright, Christopher R. Cole, Albert Gee
  • Ultrasonic system and method for harmonic imaging in three dimensions
    Patent number: 5928151
    Abstract: An ultrasound method and system are provided for producing three dimensional images. During an imaging session, a transducer, in response to a transmit beamformer, transmits ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject. The subject may be kept free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session. A receive beamformer receives ultrasonic echo information associated with the transmitted ultrasonic energy. Information signals associated with a second frequency band, such as a harmonic frequency band, are obtained from the echo information. A three-dimensional reconstruction is formed or a volume quantity is calculated in response to the information signals. The transmission of ultrasonic energy may also include energy focused along an elongated high power region or a line focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 27, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Hossack, Samuel H. Maslak
  • Semi-compliant needle guide for use with ultrasound transducers
    Patent number: 5924992
    Abstract: A needle guide having a semi-compliant shell design and locating means for attachment to an ultrasound transducer. The needle guide improves over the prior art in its reduced complexity, its low-profile formed fit to the transducer, a positive guide locking feature when the needle holding pin is in the closed position, and its ease of attachment over a sterile cover. The improved design is conducive to low-cost manufacturing methods which employ materials that can be autoclaved, gas-sterilized, or liquid disinfected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: William J. Park, Randal J. Bertuccelli, Robert Mesaros, Brian S. MacInnes, Richard W. Henderson, Kathleen A. Ruvolo, Richard Lyon, Nancy A. Cheadle, John William Sliwa, Jr.
  • Ultrasonic system and method for harmonic imaging in three dimensions
    Patent number: 5924991
    Abstract: An ultrasound method and system are provided for producing three dimensional images. During an imaging session, a transducer, in response to a transmit beamformer, transmits ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject. The subject may be kept free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session. A receive beamformer receives ultrasonic echo information associated with the transmitted ultrasonic energy. Information signals associated with a second frequency band, such as a harmonic frequency band, are obtained from the echo information. A three-dimensional reconstruction is formed or a volume quantity is calculated in response to the information signals. The transmission of ultrasonic energy may also include energy focused along an elongated high power region or a line focus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John A. Hossack, Samuel H. Maslak
  • Method and system for coherent ultrasound imaging of induced, distributed source, bulk acoustic emissions
    Patent number: 5924986
    Abstract: A method and system for coherent ultrasound imaging of induced, distributed source, bulk acoustic emissions. First, bulk acoustic emissions are induced from distributed sources within an object from a single transmit event of non-acoustic energy. Next, coherent signals are stored for each of a selected number of transducer elements of a transducer array receiving the induced bulk acoustic emissions. The stored coherent signals can then be focused to form an ultrasound image. Additionally, motion of an imaged object can be detected using induced, distributed source, bulk acoustic emissions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: Paul E. Chandler, John W. Sliwa, Jr., Sevig Ayter
  • Ultrasound system display device
    Patent number: 5924988
    Abstract: A diagnostic medical imaging ultrasound system comprises a flat panel display device to provide ultrasound images to an operator. The flat panel display device produces an image with sufficient contrast ratio, response time, and angular fidelity to display high-quality ultrasound images. The display device is secured to an ultrasound system cart and can be positioned away from the cart. The display device can also be secured to a structure that is physically independent from an ultrasound image generator and can be ergonomically positioned with respect to a patient and operator for superior ergonomics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 11, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: David E. Burris, Richard W. Henderson, John R. Dovala, Thomas J. Markiewicz, Anastasia M. Mikula-Curtis, Joseph J. Molinari
  • Method and apparatus for a baseband processor of a receive beamformer system
    Patent number: 5921932
    Abstract: This invention presents, a multi-beam baseband processor for making post-beamformation adjustments to the complex (in-phase/quadrature) pre-detection scan line samples acquired from a receive beamformer of an ultrasound imaging system. Specifically, the invention includes a programmable finite impulse response (FIR) filter and a programmable complex multiplier. The programmable filter performs signal shaping and sample-rate conversion. The signal shaping capability may be used to compensate for transducer and analog signal path responses, to increase signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) by rejecting out-of-band noise frequencies, to operate as a matched filter to the transmitted waveform shape, and to act as both a smoothing and anti-aliasing filter during rate-conversion operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: J. Nelson Wright, Christopher R. Cole, Albert Gee
  • Low mass in the acoustic path flexible circuit interconnect and method of manufacture thereof
    Patent number: 5923115
    Abstract: A low mass in the acoustic path flex circuit that has a thin metal layer in the acoustic path area and thicker electrical traces. The low mass flex circuit allows for mass termination of the signal and ground traces with the electrodes of the piezoelectric piezoelements. Regions that are to be diced are reduced in thickness to decrease the loading on the dicing blade during fabrication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1996
    Date of Patent: July 13, 1999
    Assignee: Acuson Corporation
    Inventors: John P. Mohr, III, John William Sliwa, Jr., Vaughn R. Marian