Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging of Doppler energy-related parameters is described. An ultrasound imaging system includes a transducer for transmitting an ultrasound signal into a body and receiving a reflected ultrasound signal. The system determines the energy of the reflected signal from tissue within the body. Signal processing circuitry determines a Doppler intensity spectrum of the signal reflected from the tissue. The Doppler spectrum represents energy of the tissue-reflected signal as a function of Doppler frequency and time. Integration circuitry integrates the Doppler spectrum over Doppler frequency to determine the energy of the tissue-reflected signal as a function of time for display in strip mode. The system also determines an energy-velocity product.

Abstract: A method for interactively detecting a maximum velocity from acquired echo signals in an ultrasound system is provided. A processor with maximum velocity code is provided. The code has a variable. A user input provides a value for the variable while the ultrasound system is in a maximum velocity mode. The ultrasound system is operated in a maximum velocity mode. The echo signals are processed to determine said maximum velocity, and the processing is adjusted while remaining in said maximum velocity mode. During CINE playback, delimeters are generated for adjusting the time period of parameter calculation.

Abstract: An ultrasound adapter assembly includes a rectangular zero-insertion-force receptacle, such as the ITT Cannon.RTM. DL-series Zero Insertion Force ("DL-ZIF") receptacle, and a high-density micro-coaxial ("HDMC") connector plug interconnected by micro-coaxial conductors. The adapter assembly includes a frame for supporting the two connectors and a locking mechanism for use in semi-permanently attaching the adapter assembly to an ultrasound imaging system receptacle. The adapter assembly permits old-style ultrasound transducer assemblies having the rectangular zero-insertion-force plug to be used with newer ultrasound imaging systems using the newer HDMC interfacing system. In an alternative embodiment, the two connectors are electrically interconnected using flex-circuit. The HDMC connector plug is formed using a multi-layer printed wiring board having a high density array of electrical contact pads on one surface arranged for compatible mating with the newer system HDMC interfacing receptacle.

Abstract: In an ultrasound imaging system, the mean velocity of a fluid flow, variance of velocity of the fluid flow and energy value of Doppler ultrasound signals from the flow in response to transmitted ultrasound are first estimated from autocorrelation values of the signals to form a set of parameters for a corresponding sampling time or a corresponding sampling location. An averaging process is then performed on two sets of the estimated parameters corresponding to a plurality of different sampling times in temporal filtering or on two sets of the estimated parameters corresponding to a plurality of different locations in spatial filtering. The filtered parameters are then compared to thresholds in a discrimination process to reject noise and clutter.

Abstract: An ultrasound method and system for measuring perfusion of a tissue of interest during an ultrasound examination is provided. Perfusion within a region of a tissue can be accurately quantified by measuring a concentration level of contrast agent in a first region before and after reducing the concentration level of contrast agent in a second region. The position of the second region overlaps the position of the first region such that any dimension of the second region differs from any corresponding dimension of the first region by less than a factor of two. With these concentration measurements, contrast agent flow into the first region can be calculated. A corresponding ultrasound image can be created that qualitatively displays perfusion of the tissue.

Abstract: A digital transmit beamformer system with multiple beam transmit capability has a plurality of multi-channel transmitters, each channel with a source of sampled, complex-valued initial waveform information representative of the ultimate desired waveform to be applied to one or more corresponding transducer elements for each beam. Each multi-channel transmitter applies beamformation delays and apodization to each channel's respective initial waveform information digitally, digitally modulates the information by a carrier frequency, and interpolates the information to the DAC sample rate for conversion to an analog signal and application to the associated transducer element(s). The beamformer transmitters can be programmed per channel and per beam with carrier frequency, delay, apodization and calibration values. For pulsed wave operation, pulse waveform parameters can be specified to the beamformer transmitters on a per firing basis, without degrading the scan frame rate to non-useful diagnostic levels.

Abstract: A phased-array ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a catheter. An end portion is mounted to the catheter around a transducer array, and the end portion defines an acoustic window which is essentially non-focusing to ultrasonic energy passing therethrough. Because the acoustic window is non-focusing, a relatively small radius of curvature can be used on the radially outer surface of this window.

Abstract: Color Doppler data is acquired only over a portion of the cardiac cycle, such as during diastole in order to increase the sensitivity of detection. Ultrasound system parameters such as clutter filter coefficience, temporal and spatial filter coefficients and demodulation frequencies may be altered only for a portion of the cardiac cycle to increase detection sensitivity, to improve myocardial border estimation and to avoid the loss of color Doppler image at end-diastole.

Abstract: A connector system for use with ultrasound imaging probes is fully submersible in liquids and saturated steam at elevated temperatures and pressure, and is durable over many connect/disconnect cycles. 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. The transmitting step includes the step of transmitting a waveform comprising at least a sequence of at least a first and second pulse characterized by first and second pulse durations, respectively, where the second pulse duration is different than the first duration. This arrangement can reduce harmonic energy in the waveform.

Abstract: A method and structure for improving the coupling of an acoustic window or lens to a RFI shield by modifying the surface of the shield to promote adhesion. The surface of the shield can be chemically modified with an epoxy and/or mechanically modified by creating an unsmooth top surface.

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 modular transducer system includes a small, hand held adapter which remains permanently attached to an ultrasound system console and permits the rapid connection and disconnection of individual, sterilizable ultrasound transducers. In a preferred embodiment, the hand held adapter is connected to the system by a retractable cable. In another preferred embodiment, the individual transducers are identifiable by the system using transducer generated binary codes. The individual transducers are submersible in a wide variety of liquids including cleaning solutions and disinfectants. The small transducers are easily stored at the site of the ultrasound examination. Bulky, awkward, time consuming cables and connectors are eliminated.

Abstract: A method of encapsulating an ultrasound transducer assembly probe is disclosed. The encapsulation forms a seamless casing around the entire transducer probe assembly resulting in sealed leak-proof probe conducive to sterilization by immersion in a disinfectant liquid. The encapsulation method of the present invention simplifies the manufacturing process by eliminating several processing steps such as backpotting, welding, backfilling, and strain relief closing of the multiple component prior art construction. The method provides for device that is less expensive to produce, easily repaired and/or upgraded, more reliable, feels more comfortable to the user, and the patient and lends itself readily for mass production.

Abstract: A keyboard assembly incorporating multiple lighting modalities is disclosed herein. In one lighting mode, discrete indicator lights are embedded in the actuator keys to signify the state of an associated function. In a second mode, a plurality of legends, each sufficiently proximate to an associated function actuator key, are illuminated. In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, function indicator lights in the actuator keys provide real-time user feedback such that scrolling through numerous display screen menus to determine availability of a desired function may be eliminated. Further, the backlit actuator legends enhances usability of system in low light clinical environments during ultrasound exams making the function actuator keys easy to locate. In addition, the backlit legends increases the contrast in high ambient light environments for improved readability.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a shaft carried by the support element of the transducer assembly. This shaft supports an array of contacts that extend circumferentially around the shaft and are spaced axially along the length of the shaft. These contacts are electrically connected to conductors which are in turn connected to an ultrasonic transducer array. The shaft of the transducer assembly is received in a receptacle that includes a reciprocating slide that can be opened to insert and remove the transducer assembly from the receptacle. The slide can be closed to lock the transducer assembly in place, and to make electrical contact with the contacts of the shaft.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly includes a conduit that defines a lumen, and the lumen carries a flexible circuit. The flexible circuit can take several forms. In one form the circuit is folded at first and second fold lines, and at least one of the folds is oriented obliquely to the longitudinal axis of conduit. In another form the flexible circuit includes an end portion that defines a plurality of substantially parallel grooves, each groove aligned with and exposing a respective one of the conductors of the circuit. Additional conductors are positioned in respective ones of the grooves and are electrically connected with the respective conductors of the flexible circuit.

Abstract: There is provided a broadband transducer array for use in an acoustic imaging system having a plurality of transducer elements disposed on a preformed support. The support has a non-planar top surface on which are disposed a plurality of elevationally curved transducer elements. Kerfs separate each transducer element from one another. The depth of the kerf with reference to the non-planar top surface of the support may be uniform or non-uniform.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for imaging an object using a transducer array for transmitting one or more beams that are steered and/or translated to transmit scan lines for multiple excitation events so as to scan a field of view of the object, for sensing received signals reflected from the object after each excitation event on one or more receive beams on receive scan lines, and for transducing those sensed received signals into corresponding electrical signals.

Abstract: A method and system for forming an ultrasound image of a tissue while simultaneously ablating the tissue in which the application of therapy current is sequenced with at least the ultrasonic detection phase of the ultrasonic visualization process. In this way, no ultrasonic detection takes place while therapy current passes, and no therapy current passes while ultrasonic detection takes place. The sequencing can take place using a communication protocol between a therapy system controlling the application of therapy current and an ultrasonic imaging system controlling the ultrasonic visualization process. Depending on the communication protocol used, the therapy system and the ultrasonic imaging system can handoff control to one another or one system can have exclusive control over the other.