Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system that reduces image flashes by selectively replacing imaging parameters with corresponding imaging parameters from prior time sequences. Imaging parameters include filtered energy, unfiltered energy, variance, acceleration, velocity, and detected echo magnitude. Imaging parameters in several consecutive time sequences can be replaced with the same prior imaging parameter value until the flash is no longer detected. Spatial averaging can be used to improve detection and suppression of image flashes.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a method and system for configuring a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system. In one preferred embodiment, an ultrasound system analyzes patient information from a hospital information system to determine what ultrasound settings are appropriate. The ultrasound system can then automatically configure itself with these settings or can present a plurality of suggested settings to a sonographer for selection. In another preferred embodiment, the ultrasound system uses patient information received from the hospital information system to automatically configure and/or populate a patient demographic worksheet.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system and method form first and second transmit beams characterized by a complex phase separation angle (e.g. 90°) that differs from an integer multiple of 180° along the same steering angle. First and second backscattered signals are received in response to these transmit beams, and the first and second backscattered signals are combined in a weighted sum. By properly selecting the weighting factors and the separation angle, the resulting combined signal can be provided with various advantageous features, such as a selective reduction in negative frequency components, a selective enhancement of fundamental frequency components, or a selective enhancement of harmonic frequency components.

Abstract: A multifocus ultrasonic imaging system transmits two or more successive multifocus beams in order to increase the number of separate focal zones along a given scan line. The operating conditions for different transmit foci are controlled in a multifocus transmit event in order to optimize the operating conditions for each transmit focus and to reduce the unwanted transmit foci interference. In one example, two consecutive multifocus transmit events are transmitted and the transmit focal zones of the first and second transmit events are interleaved in range, thereby increasing the separation between transmit focal zones within a single transmit event.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe for diagnostic medical ultrasound imaging, including an ultrasound transducer and a circuit having a plurality of states to limit the use of the ultrasound probe. Ultrasound probe use can be limited based on a unique identification number (e.g., selected by means of electrically programmable fuses) assigned to each ultrasound probe. Alternatively, the ultrasound system software monitors and updates the number of times that the ultrasound probe has been used. Another aspect of the invention is directed to an ultrasound system, including an ultrasound probe with multiple states, a circuit to program and to receive state data from the ultrasound probe and interpret the state data, and a cable to communicate state data between the ultrasound probe and the processor.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for processing ultrasound data is provided. The apparatus includes an interface operatively connected to a memory, a programmable single instruction multiple data processor (or two symmetric processors), a source of acoustic data (such as a data bus) and a system bus. The memory stores data from the processor, ultrasound data from the source, and data from the system bus. The processor has direct access to the memory. Alternatively, the system bus has direct access to the memory. The interface device translates logically addressed ultrasound data to physically addressed ultrasound data for storage in a memory. The translation is the same for data from both the processor and the source for at least a portion of a range of addresses. The memory stores both ultrasound data and various of: beamformer control data, instruction data for the processor, display text plane information, control plane data, and a table of memory addresses. One peripheral connects to the ultrasound apparatus.

Abstract: An apparatus and method using a backing block having a variable acoustic impedance as a function of elevation or azimuth, to achieve a desirable apodization of the aperture of an ultrasound transducer stacked with the backing block. The backing block has a gradient profile in acoustic impedance that changes from a minimum value to a maximum value along the elevation direction and/or azimuthal direction of the stacked ultrasound transducer. Typically, the backing block has an elevation gradient profile in acoustic impedance that increases from a minimum value of acoustic impedance near the center of the backing block to a maximum value of acoustic impedance at opposing lateral faces of the backing block. The backing block can be discretely segmented in acoustic impedance, with as many segments as are practically manufacturable. An individual segment can have a uniform or variable acoustic impedance.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: A 3-D medical diagnostic ultrasonic imaging system corrects the elevational position of individual pixels based on the elevational motion of the transducer probe and the azimuthal position of individual pixels. In this way, the correct spatial position and orientation of multi-frame, sequentially required images is obtained, and 3-D volume reconstruction is made more accurate. Optionally, the acquired images and the measure of transducer in-plane translation and rotation are also corrected for azimuthal motion of the transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasound image information archiving system is provided for storing a reference copy of ultrasound image information. The system comprises a primary storage device, a secondary storage device, and control means for retrieving ultrasound image information, creating a reference copy of the ultrasound image information, and storing the reference copy in the secondary storage device. The system can be used in a method for storing a reference copy of ultrasound image information in which ultrasound image information is retrieved from a primary storage device and a reference copy of ultrasound image information is created and then stored in a secondary storage device. The system can also be used with a more general ultrasound image information archiving method.

Abstract: A diagnostic medical ultrasound system with wireless communication device is provided. With these preferred embodiments, an ultrasound system can be made more portable by offloading ultrasound peripherals into a host network without the disadvantages concomitant with a wire connection to a network or modem jack. By using a wireless connection, the location of the ultrasound system is not limited to areas near a network jack, thereby increasing portability. The wireless connection also avoids the inconvenience of interrupting an ultrasound examination to plug the ultrasound system into the network jack. Further, by eliminating wire connections to a network jack, injury caused by an electrical short from a network line is also eliminated. Lastly, wireless communication between the ultrasound imaging system and the host network eliminates the need to retrofit old or existing buildings with cabling to connect the ultrasound imaging system with the host network.

Abstract: A medical ultrasonic diagnostic imaging method and apparatus uses a phased array transducer probe to transmit a fundamental coded ultrasonic pulse into a tissue. This pulse has a time-bandwidth product that is greater than 1 but less than 100. A receiver is coupled to the probe to receive an Nth harmonic echo signal from the tissue, and a compression filter compresses the harmonic echo signal with a compression function having a phase that varies about N times as fast as the fundamental coded ultrasonic pulse. In this way, the SNR of the resulting image is increased. The disclosed method and apparatus are particularly well adapted for use with tissue harmonic imaging, because of the typically low SNR characteristic of such imaging. Other aspects are well-suited for imaging with non-linear contrast agents.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for quantifying and displaying ultrasound signals in an ultrasonic system are provided. A first signal value for each of at least one spatial location in a region of interest is acquired at a first time, and the signal values are summed to obtain a first surface integral value. A second signal value for each of said at least one spatial location in said region of interest is acquired at a second time, and the second signal values are summed to obtain a second surface integral value. The first surface integral value is summed with the second surface integral value to obtain a time based integral. The time based integral is displayed. Other quantities based on any of various ultrasound parameters, such as Doppler energy, Doppler velocity and B-mode intensity, are calculated and displayed as quantities or as waveforms as a function of time. Furthermore, various comparisons of quantities and waveforms are provided. Image plane data or other ultrasound data are used in the calculations.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system with a wirelessly-controlled peripheral. In one preferred embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system transmits a peripheral command to an ultrasound peripheral via a first wireless communication device, and the peripheral receives the command via a second wireless communication device. The peripheral performs an operation in response to the receipt of the command. Data is communicated between the ultrasound system and the peripheral via a data transmission medium that physically couples the ultrasound system and peripheral. With this preferred embodiment, an ultrasound system can control a peripheral without the disadvantages associated with current ultrasound system-peripheral configurations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to collect a 3-D volume of data using a generic 1-D ultrasound transducer, without using special fixtures, such as position tracking hardware. A 3-D volume is generated by performing two data collecting sweeps, or alternatively, by collecting data from a plurality of locator planes (non-coplanar intersecting planes) and performing one data collecting sweep or rotation. Lines of intersection are determined from intersecting planes of 2-D data sets collected from the 1-D ultrasound transducer. The 2-D data sets are assembled into a 3-D data set and scan converted in a 3-D grid for display.

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.

Abstract: A method and system for obtaining ultrasound data with a sparse array of transducer elements is provided. About one wavelength of a highest operating frequency separates the center of each transducer element from any adjacent transducer element. While this spacing may generate grating lobes, the beamformer of the ultrasound system is configured to filter and isolate information at a harmonic of a fundamental transmit frequency. The resultant two-way beam pattern is less effected by the grating lobes. The image generated as a function of the harmonic information has few artifacts created as a function of the sparse spacing of the transducer elements. Given a set number of beamformer transmit channels, the sparse spacing may allow for a larger aperture width with few artifacts as a result of sparse element spacing. The larger aperture width generates a narrower beam in the azimuthal dimension of a one-dimensional transducer. By generating a narrower beam, better azimuthal resolution may be obtained.

Abstract: A method for imaging a target includes the steps of transmitting ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency and receiving reflected ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency. The ultrasonic energy is transmitted in power bursts, each having a respective envelope shape, wherein the envelope shapes rise gradually to a respective maximum value and fall gradually from the respective maximum value. Ultrasonic energy in the transmit beam is focused in an elongated high power region, as for example by means of a line focus.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system including an aberration correction system uses a harmonic component of the fundamental transmitted frequency for imaging, or for aberration correction, or both. By properly selecting the frequency pass bands of filters used in the image signal path and in the aberration correction signal path operating advantages are provided. The aberration correction values may be calculated concurrently with image formation.