Abstract: Systems and methods which implement a plurality of different imaging signatures in generating an image frame are shown. A first imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to subsurface regions of living tissue, for example, whereas a second imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to interventional instruments inserted into living tissue at a steep angle. Image sub-frames generated using each such different imaging signature are blended to form a frame of the final image providing a relatively high quality image of various objects within the volume being imaged.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method employs hardware and/or software to monitor values indicative of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) saturation for each channel as a function of depth. Any of a number of actions may be performed based on the monitored values. For example, analog amplification or TGC may be adjusted to enhance the use of a dynamic range of ADCs while reducing or eliminating ADC saturation. A TGC profile may be adjusted. An alert may be provided. A power consumption may be adjusted.

Abstract: The use of power-efficient transmitters to establish acoustic wave energy having low undesirable harmonics is achieved by adjusting the transmitter output waveform to minimize the undesirable harmonics. In one embodiment, both the timing and slope of the waveform edges are adjusted to produce the desired output waveform having little or no second harmonics. In the embodiment, output waveform timing adjustments on the order of fractions of the system clock interval are provided. This then allows for very fine control of a coarsely produced waveform. In one embodiment, the user can select the fine tuning to match the transmitter output signal to a particular load transducer.

Abstract: The use of power-efficient transmitters to establish acoustic wave energy having low undesirable harmonics is achieved by adjusting the transmitter output waveform to minimize the undesirable harmonics. In one embodiment both the timing and slope of the waveform edges are adjusted to produce the desired output waveform having little or no second harmonics. In the embodiment, output waveform timing adjustments on the order of fractions of the system clock interval are provided. This then allows for very fine control of a coarsely produced waveform. In one embodiment, the user can select the fine tuning to match the transmitter output signal to a particular load transducer.

Abstract: The use of power-efficient transmitters to establish acoustic wave energy having low undesirable harmonics is achieved by adjusting the transmitter output waveform to minimize the undesirable harmonics. In one embodiment, both the timing and slope of the waveform edges are adjusted to produce the desired output waveform having little or no second harmonics. In the embodiment, output waveform timing adjustments on the order of fractions of the system clock interval are provided. This then allows for very fine control of a coarsely produced waveform. In one embodiment, the user can select the fine tuning to match the transmitter output signal to a particular load transducer.

Abstract: Systems and methods which implement a plurality of different imaging signatures in generating an image frame are shown. A first imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to subsurface regions of living tissue, for example, whereas a second imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to interventional instruments inserted into living tissue at a steep angle. Image sub-frames generated using each such different imaging signature are blended to form a frame of the final image providing a relatively high quality image of various objects within the volume being imaged.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide active optimized spatio-temporal sampling (AOSTS) for image generation are shown. Embodiments actively select one or more regions of interest (ROIs) in a multi-beam ultrasound sampling mode, to minimize temporal image artifacts in the ROIs and thereby provide AOSTS. Such selection of ROIs according to embodiments results in various multi-beam sampling parameters, such as the number of rays that are used, the spacing between the rays that are used, the width of the rays that are used, the sequence of the rays that are used, the angle of the rays that are used, etc., being selected to provide optimized spatio-temporal sampling with respect to the selected ROIs. Selection of ROIs according to embodiments may include selecting parameters such as position, size, shape, orientation, direction, rate of change, etc.

Abstract: Systems and methods which implement a plurality of different imaging signatures in generating an image frame are shown. A first imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to subsurface regions of living tissue, for example, whereas a second imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to interventional instruments inserted into living tissue at a steep angle. Image sub-frames generated using each such different imaging signature are blended to form a frame of the final image providing a relatively high quality image of various objects within the volume being imaged.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for spatial compounding on an ultrasound platform to achieve optimized spatio-temporal sampling. This is accomplished by a system and method for mixing the order of steered and straight rays fired within a frame. In one embodiment this is accomplished by changing the firing sequence so that the target region is sampled in subsequent lines as opposed to subsequent frames. Using this approach it is possible to minimize the temporal image artifacts caused by the compounding process. This effectively changes the ray firing sequence to move the location of minimal temporal difference to the desired target point.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method employs hardware and/or software to monitor values indicative of analog-to-digital converter (ADC) saturation for each channel as a function of depth. Any of a number of actions may be performed based on the monitored values. For example, analog amplification or TGC may be adjusted to enhance the use of a dynamic range of ADCs while reducing or eliminating ADC saturation. A TGC profile may be adjusted. An alert may be provided. A power consumption may be adjusted.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which makes a phased array look like a curved array for purposes of performing spatial compounding calculations. In one embodiment, the phased array is treated as though it were a curved array by creating both a virtual apex and a virtual radius of curvature. Based on this transformation, standard spatial-compounding resampling tables can be used just as they are with curved arrays. In one embodiment, after the data is compounded to form the target image, certain data is removed prior to the actual display. This removed data represents data generated by virtual rays the prior to the physical skin line of the phased array.

Abstract: Systems and methods which implement a plurality of different imaging signatures in generating an image frame are shown. A first imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to subsurface regions of living tissue, for example, whereas a second imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to interventional instruments inserted into living tissue at a steep angle. Image sub-frames generated using each such different imaging signature are blended to form a frame of the final image providing a relatively high quality image of various objects within the volume being imaged.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide active optimized spatio-temporal sampling (AOSTS) for image generation are shown. Embodiments actively select one or more regions of interest (ROIs) in a multi-beam ultrasound sampling mode, to minimize temporal image artifacts in the ROIs and thereby provide AOSTS. Such selection of ROIs according to embodiments results in various multi-beam sampling parameters, such as the number of rays that are used, the spacing between the rays that are used, the width of the rays that are used, the sequence of the rays that are used, the angle of the rays that are used, etc., being selected to provide optimized spatio-temporal sampling with respect to the selected ROIs. Selection of ROIs according to embodiments may include selecting parameters such as position, size, shape, orientation, direction, rate of change, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which makes a phased array look like a curved array for purposes of performing spatial compounding calculations. In one embodiment, the phased array is treated as though it were a curved array by creating both a virtual apex and a virtual radius of curvature. Based on this transformation, standard spatial-compounding resampling tables can be used just as they are with curved arrays. In one embodiment, after the data is compounded to form the target image, certain data is removed prior to the actual display. This removed data represents data generated by virtual rays the prior to the physical skin line of the phased array.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method for spatial compounding on an ultrasound platform to achieve optimized spatio-temporal sampling. This is accomplished by a system and method for mixing the order of steered and straight rays fired within a frame. In one embodiment this is accomplished by changing the firing sequence so that the target region is sampled in subsequent lines as opposed to subsequent frames. Using this approach it is possible to minimize the temporal image artifacts caused by the compounding process. This effectively changes the ray firing sequence to move the location of minimal temporal difference to the desired target point.