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.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system includes a beamformer stage operative to generate a frame of acoustic signals on an initial sample grid, and a display characterized by a pixel parameter. Acoustic signals on the initial sample grid are converted to processed acoustic signals on a modified sample grid prior to scan conversion. The modified sample grid is controlled as a function of the pixel parameter of the display to reduce image artifacts and maximize the detail with which the image is displayed.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system user interface is provided. The interface comprises an imaging-parameter-selection domain comprising a plurality of domain locations, each corresponding to a respective plurality of imaging parameter configurations that affect spatial resolution, temporal resolution, and sensitivity. The interface also comprises an input means for progressively selecting a domain location. The domain can be one-or two-dimensional. In a two-dimensional domain, the plurality of imaging parameter configurations can be at least partially a function of distances from a selected domain location to each corner of the domain. In one embodiment, the domain comprises three corners that correspond to parameters that will provide an image with the best spatial resolution, temporal resolution, and sensitivity, respectively. With the ultrasound imaging system user interface, a user can selectively apply a plurality of ultrasound imaging system parameters.

Abstract: There is provided a two-dimensional array for use in an acoustic imaging system which comprises a plurality of transducer segments each having a trace for exciting an electrode on each of the transducer segments, the trace and the electrode being formed of the same material. The two-dimensional array disclosed is capable of imaging deeper in the human body at higher frequencies and provides more reliable lead attachments to the respective segments forming the array. Methods of manufacturing the two-dimensional array are further provided.

Abstract: A phased array transducer and method for the manufacture thereof having a design that allows the array to focus in a near field of interest and a far field of interest. The array includes a plurality of even and odd numbered transducer elements where the even and odd numbered elements have an active region of particular widths. The width of the active region of the odd numbered elements is different than the width of the active region of the even numbered elements so that the odd numbered elements can be used to image in one field of interest while the even numbered elements can be used to image in another field of interest.

Abstract: A connector system of use with ultrasound imaging probes is fully submersible in liquids and saturated steam at elevated temperatures and pressure. The system includes a submersible connector (32) for terminating a probe assembly (26) and a receptacle assembly (74) for mating the submersible connector (32) with an ultrasound imaging system (10). The submersible connector (32) includes a printed wiring board (34) having plated contact pads (48) on one surface and microcoaxial cable terminations (54) on the opposite side. A molded housing (36) encloses the microcoaxial cable terminations (54) and is bonded to the printed wiring board (34). The edges of the printed wiring board (34) are used to align the submersible connector (32) within the receptacle assembly (74). The molded housing (36) is narrowed in one dimension to make available a portion of the printed wiring board (34) for clamping in a locked position.

Abstract: An improvement to the method for harmonic imaging including the steps of (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency and (b) receiving reflected ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency is provided. For the improvement, the transmitting step includes the step of transmitting a uni-polar waveform or a waveform characterized by an amplitude change rate of 8 or fewer times pre carrier cycle, said waveform comprising an envelope shape rising gradually to a respective maximum value and falling gradually from the respective maximum value.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system includes an ultrasonic transducer array having a thinner portion, an intermediate portion, and a thicker portion that extend along an azimuthal direction. This transducer array is used to acquire first and second images of an imaged region. The first and second images differ in ultrasonic imaging bandwidth and/or ultrasonic center frequency such that the intermediate transducer portion is active in both the images while at least one of the thinner and the thicker transducer portions is active in only one of the images. The first and second images are then combined to form a composite display image.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method includes the step of transmitting two ultrasonic transmit pulses into a region. First components of the transmit pulses are inverted with respect to each other while second components of the transmit pulses are not. Received ultrasound pulses associated with the transmit pulses are summed to selectively cancel the harmonic or fundamental components. By properly selecting the inverted and noninverted portions of the transmit pulses, the transmit pulses may be made unipolar, or they may be pre-distorted to further reduce second harmonic energy associated with system or tissue non-linearities.

Abstract: The energy, power or amplitude of Doppler or time shift information signals is compared to a threshold in order to select a large or small weighting factor for temporal persistence. In the event of a "flash" signal or strong arterial flow signal, a small weighting factor is chosen to reduce the extent of temporal persistence via feedback of the averaged value for the prior frames so that the effect of the "flash" or strong flow signal would quickly dissipate in the imaging of subsequent frames and good temporal resolution preserved for the current frames, while low energy flow signals would cause a large weighting factor to be selected to improve the signal-to-noise ratio of low energy signals. Similar effects can be achieved by clipping the signals to not exceed a certain threshold.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system and method acquire fundamental mode and harmonic mode ultrasonic image signals from a subject with a transducer. These image signals are then combined to form a composite image. This composite image includes a nearfield image region modulated primarily as a function of the fundamental mode ultrasonic image signals, and a middlefield or farfield image region modulated primarily as a function of the harmonic mode image signals. In this way, excellent images can be obtained throughout the imaged range.

Abstract: A hand-held transducer probe is overlapped with elastomeric material for improving the friction and softness of the grip of the probe. The elastomeric material comprises a biocompatible material having a tear strength in excess of 110 pounds per inch and a hardness level less than approximately shore A 80. Also disclosed is a method of producing a hand-held transducer probe having an improved grip comprising the steps of assembling an acoustic array and cable assembly; attaching a handle portion over aid acoustic array and cable assembly; and attaching an elastomeric material over at least a portion of said handle portion.

Abstract: There is provided a two-dimensional array for use in an acoustic imaging system which comprises a plurality of transducer segments each having a trace for exciting an electrode on each of the transducer segments, the trace and the electrode being formed of the same material. The two-dimensional array is capable of imaging deeper in the human body at higher frequencies and provides more reliable lead attachments to the respective segments forming the array. Methods of manufacturing the two-dimensional array are further provided.

Abstract: A method for measuring Doppler ultrasound information transmits a transmit beam having a frequency dependent focus in which low-frequency components of the transmit beam are focused at long ranges and progressively higher frequency components of the transmit beam are focused at progressively shorter ranges. Beamformed receive signals are generated in response to receive signals from the transducers, and these beamformed receive signals are applied to Doppler processors. The frequency dependent focus of the transmit beam provides a transmit beam that is more uniform in width and intensity, and the Doppler processors thereby provide an improved Doppler image signal.

Abstract: The present invention includes a fully programmable plurality of multi-channel receivers, each receiver having a digital multi-channel receive processor and a local processor control. Each receive processor includes a first decimator, time delay memory, second decimator, and complex multiplier. The receive beamformer is a computationally efficient system which is programmable to allow processing mode trade-offs among receive frequency, receive spatial range resolution, and number of simultaneous beams received. Each local control receives focusing data from a central control computer and provides final calculation of per-channel dynamic focus delay, phase, apodization, and calibration values for each receiver signal sample. Further, this invention includes a baseband multi-beam processor which has a phase aligner and a baseband filter for making post-beamformation coherent phase adjustments and signal shaping, respectively.

Abstract: A plurality of ultrasound imaging system receptacles are arranged either vertically one above the other or horizontally side-by-side, each receptacle having an insertion slot for receiving the contact pads of an inserted ultrasound transducer connector. All of a number of connectors may be inserted into corresponding receptacles, and the system functions to mutually exclusively engage a single receptacle with its inserted connector. An electrical circuit arrangement is provided for automatically sensing the transducer in use without an operator having to make the selection manually. An interconnect and actuation scheme permits the multiport connector/receptacle arrangement to be manufactured at low cost. The modest size of the connectors and the receptacle assembly allows their placement at convenient locations on the system, and the simple basic design of the connector allows for submersion in liquid disinfectants.

Abstract: An improved Doppler tissue imaging mode combines two Doppler image parameters developed as respective functions of receive signals acquired from a single firing event to generate a combined image parameter for display. In one example, the combined image parameter has a color hue that varies in a piecewise linear way with Doppler tissue velocity or Doppler tissue acceleration and a color value or intensity that varies linearly with Doppler tissue energy. Because the same firing events are used to develop both Doppler image parameters for a given region of tissue, high temporal and/or spatial resolution is made possible.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system generates a legend on a display device. This legend includes at least two axes and an array of display indicia, and the indicia are responsive to a mapping function used to generate a displayed ultrasonic image as a modulated, non-linear, multi-bit function of at least first and second image signals. At least one of the axes of the legend varies as a function of a B-mode value range. Preferably, one axis of the legend varies as a function of a fundamental image signal, and the other axis varies as a function of a harmonic image signal. The imaging system can be controlled such that a B-mode processor automatically alternates between a fundamental mode of operation and a harmonic mode of operation on a line-by-line, group-of-lines by group-of-lines, or frame-by-frame basis.

Abstract: An ultrasonic catheter having at least two ultrasonic arrays is provided which has good near and far field resolution and provides an outline of the heart chamber which assists in understanding and interpreting the images obtained by the catheter. Also the ultrasonic catheter allows three dimensional images to be constructed of the region examined by the catheter in a precise but facile manner.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are provided for improving resolution and operation. The system applies different imaging parameters within and outside a region of interest in an ultrasound image to improve spatial and/or temporal resolution inside a region of interest. The system also increases an apparent frame rate within a region of interest in an ultrasound-image frame by generating a motion-compensated interpolated image based on measured motion. The ultrasound imaging system also performs a method for automatically adjusting ultrasound imaging parameters in at least a portion of an ultrasound image in response to transducer or image motion to improve spatial or temporal resolution. With the measured motion, the system can also alter an operating mode of an ultrasound transducer array in response to an absence of transducer motion. Further, the system corrects distortion in an acquired ultrasound image caused by transducer or image motion.