Patents by Inventor Bernard J Savord
Bernard J Savord has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Patent number: 8257260Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system has an ultrasonic probe which improves poor harmonic performance of existing transmit circuits through the use of a linear high-voltage transmit amplifier on each sub-channel to amplify low-voltage arbitrary shape transmit waveforms generated by the ultrasonic system. The linear high-voltage amplifier of the ultrasonic probe amplifies low-voltage arbitrary shape transmit waveforms beamformed by a micro-beamformer of the ultrasonic system.Type: GrantFiled: June 27, 2005Date of Patent: September 4, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Bernard J. Savord
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Patent number: 8169125Abstract: An ultrasound transducer (40,70,100) comprises a combined individual die integrated circuit (42,72,102) and an array of acoustic elements (44,74,104) coupled to the combined individual die integrated circuit via an array of flip-chip bumps (46,76,106). The combined individual die integrated circuit includes a first integrated circuit die (48,78,108) aligned with at least one additional integrated circuit die (50,80,(110,112)). In addition, the first integrated circuit die, the at least one additional die integrated circuits, and the array of acoustic elements together form a large aperture transducer array.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2005Date of Patent: May 1, 2012Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Bernard J. Savord, Martha Grewe Wilson, Wojtek Sudol
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Publication number: 20090105596Abstract: An ultrasound transducer (40,70,100) comprises a combined individual die integrated circuit (42,72,102) and an array of acoustic elements (44,74,104) coupled to the combined individual die integrated circuit via an array of flip-chip bumps (46,76,106). The combined individual die integrated circuit includes a first integrated circuit die (48,78,108) aligned with at least one additional integrated circuit die (50,80,(110,112)). In addition, the first integrated circuit die, the at least one additional die integrated circuits, and the array of acoustic elements together form a large aperture transducer array. large aperture transducer array.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 15, 2005Publication date: April 23, 2009Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.Inventors: Bernard J. Savord, Martha Grewe Wilson, Wojtek Sudol
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Publication number: 20080097201Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system (100) having an ultrasonic probe (110) which improves poor harmonic performance of existing transmit circuits through the use of a linear high-voltage transmit amplifier (129) on each sub-channel to amplify low-voltage arbitrary shape transmit waveforms generated by the ultrasonic system (100) is presented. The linear high-voltage amplifier (129) of the ultrasonic probe (110) amplifies low-voltage arbitrary shape transmit waveforms beam-formed by a micro-beam-former (119) of the ultrasonic system (100).Type: ApplicationFiled: June 27, 2005Publication date: April 24, 2008Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS, N.V.Inventor: Bernard J. Savord
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Patent number: 6824517Abstract: A system and method of ultrasound quantification acquires acoustic image data from anatomic locations distributed in more than 2 dimensions, and uses a segmentation algorithm to provide real-time volume measurements. A 2D array is used to acquire two orthogonal (bi-plane) 2D images simultaneously. The images are segmented individually to determine the volume borders using any number of acoustic algorithms. The borders from the two bi-plane images are mathematically combined to give a volume measurement. A control processor controls the system to thereby obtain instant feedback of the segmented image data and enhance the volume measurements of the image. The system and method is extended to a number of simultaneous 2D images and to a full 3D volume acquisition.Type: GrantFiled: June 25, 2002Date of Patent: November 30, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Ivan S. Salgo, Bernard J. Savord
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Patent number: 6705995Abstract: A phased array ultrasound scanning apparatus includes a one-dimensional (1-D) array of ultrasound transducer elements having transmit and receive elements. The 1-D array is responsive to a transmitter configured to energize the transmit elements for generating a transmit acoustic beam directed into a region of interest. A receive beamformer, operatively connected to the 1-D array, synthesizes receive beams, in response to echoes of the transmit acoustic beam received from the region of interest. The receive beamformer includes analog random access memory (ARAM) delay elements configured to delay signals received from the receive elements and provide the delayed signals on an output of the receive beamformer as a beamformed RF output. The beamformed RF output is suitable for use in forming an image of the region of interest.Type: GrantFiled: October 4, 2002Date of Patent: March 16, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: McKee Dunn Poland, Bernard J. Savord, Michael P. Anthony
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Patent number: 6685647Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems are provided. A representative acoustic imaging system includes a transducer that incorporates a backing and an acoustic element extending from the backing. The acoustic element includes a piezoelectric element and a de-matching layer. The de-matching layer is arranged between the backing and the piezoelectric element and exhibits an acoustic impedance greater than that of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element exhibits a thickness that is less than one-half of a wavelength to be generated by the piezoelectric element. Methods also are provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2001Date of Patent: February 3, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Bernard J. Savord, William J. Ossmann
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Patent number: 6682487Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are provided in which aberration corrections are computed by comparing harmonic and non-harmonic images to derive aberration correction estimates. In a preferred embodiment the harmonic image provides a reference image against which aberrations in the non-harmonic image are compared. A preferred acquisition technique is to transmit at a frequency f and receive at a frequency n*f to acquire the harmonic image and to transmit at a frequency n*f and receive at a frequency n*f to acquire the non-harmonic image. In a preferred embodiment the aberration correction estimates are produced by back-propagating the image data to find the aperture correction data for the two images.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2002Date of Patent: January 27, 2004Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventor: Bernard J. Savord
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Patent number: 6669641Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.Type: GrantFiled: October 10, 2002Date of Patent: December 30, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: McKee Dunn Poland, Janice Frisa, Bernard J. Savord, Ivan Salgo, Douglas Demers, Mark Ward, Paul Detmer
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Publication number: 20030236462Abstract: A system and method of ultrasound quantification acquires acoustic image data from anatomic locations distributed in more than 2 dimensions, and uses a segmentation algorithm to provide real-time volume measurements. A 2D array is used to acquire two orthogonal (bi-plane) 2D images simultaneously. The images are segmented individually to determine the volume borders using any number of acoustic algorithms. The borders from the two bi-plane images are mathematically combined to give a volume measurement. A control processor controls the system to thereby obtain instant feedback of the segmented image data and enhance the volume measurements of the image. The system and method is extended to a number of simultaneous 2D images and to a full 3D volume acquisition.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2002Publication date: December 25, 2003Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.Inventors: Ivan S. Salgo, Bernard J. Savord
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Patent number: 6592525Abstract: An AC biasing arrangement for a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) is disclosed. The AC biasing arrangement allows the sensitivity of each MUT element in an array to be adjusted without collapsing the MUT membrane. The sensitivity of the MUT element can be adjusted by varying the frequency of the AC bias signal supplied to the MUT element. An alternative embodiment of the invention adds a second AC bias signal having a phase opposite the phase of the first AC bias signal. This arrangement provides a neutral bias signal, thereby removing the large amplitude bias signal from the MUT element.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2001Date of Patent: July 15, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: David G. Miller, Bernard J. Savord
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Publication number: 20030097067Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 10, 2002Publication date: May 22, 2003Inventors: McKee Dunn Poland, Janice Frisa, Bernard J. Savord, Ivan Salgo, Douglas Demers, Mark Ward, Paul Detmer
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Patent number: 6537219Abstract: An ultrasound system that utilized a transducer assembly having elements distributed in two dimensions in conjunction with a beamformer that, for each beam to be formed, samples the output of each utilized element based on a preset delay value selected for each element utilized to form the beam to form a c-scan like set of data.Type: GrantFiled: April 4, 2001Date of Patent: March 25, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Mckee D Poland, Bernard J Savord
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Publication number: 20030028103Abstract: An AC biasing arrangement for a micro-machined ultrasonic transducer (MUT) is disclosed. The AC biasing arrangement allows the sensitivity of each MUT element in an array to be adjusted without collapsing the MUT membrane. The sensitivity of the MUT element can be adjusted by varying the frequency of the AC bias signal supplied to the MUT element. An alternative embodiment of the invention adds a second AC bias signal having a phase opposite the phase of the first AC bias signal. This arrangement provides a neutral bias signal, thereby removing the large amplitude bias signal from the MUT element.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2001Publication date: February 6, 2003Inventors: David G. Miller, Bernard J. Savord
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Patent number: 6508764Abstract: An ultrasound system and method for aberration correction processing in conjunction with finely pitched transducer elements and/or aberration correction processing in conjunction with a hierarchical control scheme. Results obtained from known aberration correction algorithms may be improved with the use of finely pitched transducer elements wherein the pitch of the elements (or subgroup of elements) is less than or equal to the wavelength of an ultrasound signal at the fundamental frequency. Elements of a transducer may be grouped into subgroups with aberration correction algorithms being applied to the output of each subgroup.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2000Date of Patent: January 21, 2003Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Karl E Thiele, Bernard J Savord
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Publication number: 20030013967Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems are provided. A representative acoustic imaging system includes a transducer that incorporates a backing and an acoustic element extending from the backing. The acoustic element includes a piezoelectric element and a de-matching layer. The de-matching layer is arranged between the backing and the piezoelectric element and exhibits an acoustic impedance greater than that of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element exhibits a thickness that is less than one-half of a wavelength to be generated by the piezoelectric element. Methods also are provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2001Publication date: January 16, 2003Inventors: Bernard J. Savord, William J. Ossmann
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Patent number: 6491634Abstract: A sub-beamforming method and apparatus are applied to a portable, one-dimensional ultrasonic imaging system. The sub-beamforming circuitry may be included in the probe s assembly housing the ultrasonic transducer, thus minimizing the number of signals that are communicated between the probe assembly and the portable processor included in the imaging system. Including the sub-beamformer in the probe assembly also relieves the portable processor of some of the signal processing tasks. The sub-beamforming apparatus may be implemented digitally or may be implemented using analog components.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2000Date of Patent: December 10, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.Inventors: Steven C Leavitt, Bernard J Savord, Benjamin M Herrick, Joseph R Fallon, Matthew Mooney
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Publication number: 20020145941Abstract: An ultrasound system that utilized a transducer assembly having elements distributed in two dimensions in conjunction with a beamformer that, for each beam to be formed, samples the output of each utilized element based on a preset delay value selected for each element utilized to form the beam to form a c-scan like set of data.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2001Publication date: October 10, 2002Inventors: McKee D. Poland, Bernard J. Savord
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Patent number: 6438405Abstract: An imaging system in which a patient monitoring device, that monitors physiological parameters of a patient and outputs a signal indicating values for the parameters, is in communication with a patient imaging system. The patient imaging system includes an imaging probe that directs energy into and receives energy from a patient; and a signal analyzer, in communication with the patient monitoring device, that analyzes the signal from the patient monitoring device and outputs a signal indicating irregularities in parameters monitored. A control unit monitors the signal from the signal analyzer and, when a predetermined signal is output, issues an alarm to the operator of the patient imaging system. The control unit can also be programed to reduce the output power of the imaging probe and/or alert a central monitoring facility in response to the output of the signal analyzer.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2000Date of Patent: August 20, 2002Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics, N.V.Inventors: Matthew Mooney, Bernard J Savord, Patrick G Rafter
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Patent number: 6380766Abstract: Integrated circuitry for use with an ultrasound transducer of an ultrasound imaging system is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the invention, unique transducer circuitry comprises a low-voltage circuit and a high-voltage circuit including at least one high-voltage FET to drive an ultrasound transducer element. The low-voltage circuit and the high-voltage circuit are monolithically formed on a single substrate. The low-voltage circuit may include high density digital logic circuitry to generate transmit signals to the transducer element, as well as low noise analog receive circuitry to process signals received from the transducer element. The high-voltage FET of the high-voltage circuit comprises a lightly-doped drain region to increase the breakdown voltage of the high-voltage FET. The low and high-voltage circuits may be fabricated together on a single substrate using conventional low-voltage CMOS processing techniques.Type: GrantFiled: March 19, 1999Date of Patent: April 30, 2002Inventor: Bernard J Savord