Abstract: A dual mode color Doppler imaging system using a linear array of transducer elements generates and transmits into an organism, such as the human body, an acoustic imaging beam optimized for B-mode imaging and a separate acoustic Doppler beam which is steered at preselected angles relative to the imaging beam and is optimized for Doppler data acquisition. Acoustic imaging echos are acquired and displayed as a B-mode gray-scale image. Doppler data are acquired from multiple sample volumes along the direction of each Doppler beam. The Doppler information acquired along multiple lines is displayed as a color-encoded image that is spatially coordinated with, superimposed upon and simultaneously displayed with, the B-mode gray-scale image.

Abstract: A dual mode color Doppler imaging system using a linear array of transducer elements generates and transmits into an organism, such as the human body, an acoustic imaging beam optimized for B-mode imaging and a separate acoustic Doppler beam which is steered at preselected angles relative to the imaging beam and is optimized for Doppler data acquisition. Acoustic imaging echoes are acquired and displayed as a B-mode gray-scale image. Doppler data are acquired from multiple sample volumes along the direction of each Doppler beam. The Doppler information acquired along multiple lines is displayed as a color-encoded image that is spatially coordinated with, superimposed upon and simultaneously displayed with, the B-mode gray-scale image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for obtaining quantitative velocity profile measurements and for displaying the same are disclosed. From such velocity measurements, instantaneous volume flow within a vessel across which the measurements are obtained is calculated. In one operating mode, a real-time display of quantitative velocity profiles is provided together with a scrolling display of a plurality of total instantaneous volume flow measurements. In another operating mode, velocity profiles obtained at corresponding points in successive cardiac cycles are averaged to obtain a plurality of average velocity profiles which are selectively displayed under operator control. In this mode of operation, a fixed display of total instantaneous volume flow measurements obtained over a period of time which includes at least one cardiac cycle is provided.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system (50) has an array (52) of transducer elements (54-1 through 54-21) for receiving ultrasonic signals reflected from within an inhomogeneous object (16) being examined. The system (50) has a means (80, 84, 88, 94) connected to generate an image in response to the ultrasonic signals. A cross-correlator (70) is connected to compare the signals received by the transducer elements (54-1 through 54-21). An output addressing circuit (130) is connected to inhibit or otherwise modify gain of selected ones of the signals based on the comparison to reduce multipath ultrasonic wave interference, refraction or obstruction image distortion or degradation. A preferred ultrasonic imaging array (52) for this purpose and for time delay image distortion correction has a plurality of segmented, annular transducer elements (54-2 through 54-21). The elements (54-2 through 54-21) are formed as sectors of circles with substantially equal arc lengths.

Abstract: A plural channel playback system comprising magnetic recording tape movable past a reproducing transducer head having at least one transducing element for each track is shown together with skew detecting means. At least two of the tracks are recorded with digital data signals comprising equal length data words with a parity bit, with the parity bits being simultaneously recorded along the tracks. Parity bit lock-on circuits are responsive to outputs from two tracks, which lock-on circuits generate word clock pulses in synchronization with the recorded parity bit signals. A phase detector responsive to word clock pulses from the parity bit lock-on circuits produces an error signal output proportional to the phase difference between said word clock pulse inputs thereto, which error signal is related to skew. The azimuthal position of the reproducing head relative to the recording tape is adjusted either manually or automatically to minimize the error signal.