Patents by Inventor Hiroshi Fukukita
Hiroshi Fukukita 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: 9320499Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus includes: a transducer array 1 composed of arrayed transducer elements T1 to T6 for transmitting ultrasound; driving circuits D1A to D6A each provided for transmission channels for driving each of the transducer elements; a transmission trigger generator 2 for generating a trigger pulse for controlling each of the driving circuits; a parallel reception beam former 3 for processing reception signals from the transducer elements; a signal processor 4 for processing an output signal of the parallel reception beam former; and a control unit 5 for controlling the transmission trigger generator, the parallel reception beam former and the signal processor.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2013Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.Inventors: Hiroshi Fukukita, Yoshihiko Itoh
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Patent number: 8834373Abstract: A technique for an ultrasonographic device that can obtain respective rendering images for a plurality of regions of a 3D space is disclosed. According to the technique, a transmission beam former generates an ultrasonic beam for scanning a plurality of regions of interest and drives a matrix array. When a reception beam former generates a plurality of beam forming signals, respectively corresponding to the regions of interest, in accordance with reception signals of the matrix array generated by reflection wave from the respective regions of interest, a signal processing unit processes the beam forming signals and, with a viewpoint set for each of the regions of interest as a standard, generates respective rendering images of the plurality of regions of interest. A display unit displays the rendering images in parallel. A control unit carries out setting of the plurality of regions of interest and the viewpoints, by an external operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2007Date of Patent: September 16, 2014Assignee: Konica Minolta, Inc.Inventors: Hiroshi Fukukita, Hisashi Akiyama
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Patent number: 8641625Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can scan a region of interest at high speed and other regions at low speed. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the invention, a two-dimensional array probe 1 formed by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic elements two-dimensionally transmits an ultrasonic beam to a three-dimensional region and receives a reflected signal. The ultrasonic beam scans a region on a pyramid, and the scan region is divided into a main scan region Am of a region of interest and a subscan region. The subscan region is divided into small regions As1, As2, As3, and As4. The number of main scanning times of the main scan region is larger than the number of subscanning times of the subscan region.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2007Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Fukukita, Hisashi Akiyama
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Publication number: 20130231570Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus includes: a transducer array 1 composed of arrayed transducer elements T1 to T6 for transmitting ultrasound; driving circuits D1A to D6A each provided for transmission channels for driving each of the transducer elements; a transmission trigger generator 2 for generating a trigger pulse for controlling each of the driving circuits; a parallel reception beam former 3 for processing reception signals from the transducer elements; a signal processor 4 for processing an output signal of the parallel reception beam former; and a control unit 5 for controlling the transmission trigger generator, the parallel reception beam former and the signal processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2013Publication date: September 5, 2013Applicant: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroshi FUKUKITA, Yoshihiko ITOH
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Patent number: 8444561Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus includes: a transducer array 1 composed of arrayed transducer elements T1 to T6 for transmitting ultrasound; driving circuits D1A to D6A each provided for transmission channels for driving each of the transducer elements; a transmission trigger generator 2 for generating a trigger pulse for controlling each of the driving circuits; a parallel reception beam former 3 for processing reception signals from the transducer elements; a signal processor 4 for processing an output signal of the parallel reception beam former; and a control unit 5 for controlling the transmission trigger generator, the parallel reception beam former and the signal processor.Type: GrantFiled: December 25, 2008Date of Patent: May 21, 2013Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Hiroshi Fukukita, Yoshihiko Itoh
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Publication number: 20110015525Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonograph that scans a subject in a region of two or more dimensions. The ultrasonograph includes an array transducer (1) in which a plurality of transducers (2) are arrayed, wherein the array transducer (1) is divided into a plurality of sub-arrays (3, 4) composed of a plurality of adjacent ones of the transducers (2). Outputs of the transducers (2) constituting the sub-arrays (3, 4) are input to switch arrays (5, 6) corresponding to the sub-arrays (3, 4), respectively, and outputs of the switch arrays (5, 6) are input via tap input sample hold amplifiers of delay addition lines (7, 8) to sample-hold stages of the delay addition lines (7, 8). The delay addition lines (7, 8) have a configuration in which the plurality of sample-hold stages are connected in series. Outputs of the delay addition lines (7, 8) are the sum of outputs from the transducers (2) constituting the same sub-arrays (3, 4).Type: ApplicationFiled: March 3, 2009Publication date: January 20, 2011Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Fukukita, Yoshihiko Itoh
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Publication number: 20100274139Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus includes: a transducer array 1 composed of arrayed transducer elements T1 to T6 for transmitting ultrasound; driving circuits D1A to D6A each provided for transmission channels for driving each of the transducer elements; a transmission trigger generator 2 for generating a trigger pulse for controlling each of the driving circuits; a parallel reception beam former 3 for processing reception signals from the transducer elements; a signal processor 4 for processing an output signal of the parallel reception beam former; and a control unit 5 for controlling the transmission trigger generator, the parallel reception beam former and the signal processor.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 25, 2008Publication date: October 28, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Fukukita, Yoshihiko Itoh
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Publication number: 20100121193Abstract: A technique for providing an ultrasonographic device which can transmit and receive a signal by using a complementary code is provided. According to the technique, an output of a coded waveform generation unit 3 is supplied to a transmission unit 2 which drives a prove 1 in accordance with an output of a complementary code generator 4, and an output of a reception amplification unit 6 is inputted to velocity detection means 8, and an output of the velocity detection means 8 is inputted to the complementary code generator 4, and a correlator 7 performs a correlation calculation between the output of the complementary code generator 4 and the output of the reception amplification unit 6, and a memory 9 stores the output of the correlator 7, and addition means 13 adds the outputs of the correlator 7 and the memory 9.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2008Publication date: May 13, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Fukukita, Takenori Fukumoto
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Patent number: 7699777Abstract: There are provided transducers, transmission pulse generators for transmitting pulses to the transducers, a transmission power source for supplying power to the transmission pulse generators, and an output side capacitor 7 for stabilizing a voltage of the transmission power source. The transmission power source includes a plurality of mode-specific power sources 1A and 1B for outputting a constant voltage, and a mode changeover switch 6 provided between the mode-specific power sources and the output side capacitor. The transmission power source further includes a power supplying power source 2 connected to the mode-specific power sources for supplying power, and a power regeneration capacitor 4 with a larger capacity than that of the output side capacitor, one electrode terminal of which is connected to a connection point between the power supplying power source and the mode-specific power sources and the mode changeover switch, and the other electrode terminal of which is connected to ground.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2005Date of Patent: April 20, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventors: Morio Nishigaki, Hiroshi Fukukita
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Publication number: 20100041995Abstract: An object of the invention is to provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can scan a region of interest at high speed and other regions at low speed. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the invention, a two-dimensional array probe 1 formed by arranging a plurality of ultrasonic elements two-dimensionally transmits an ultrasonic beam to a three-dimensional region and receives a reflected signal. The ultrasonic beam scans a region on a pyramid, and the scan region is divided into a main scan region Am of a region of interest and a subscan region. The subscan region is divided into small regions As1, As2, As3, and As4. The number of main scanning times of the main scan region is larger than the number of subscanning times of the subscan region.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2007Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Fukukita, Hisashi Akiyama
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Patent number: 7658110Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic system includes electroacoustic conversion means in which a plurality of sub-arrays, each composed of a plurality of electroacoustic transducers, are arranged at least two-dimensionally, sub-beam formers that are provided on the sub-array basis, and a main beam former for subjecting signals output from the sub-beam formers to delay addition.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2005Date of Patent: February 9, 2010Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Fukukita
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Publication number: 20100022890Abstract: A technique for realizing an ultrasonographic device that can obtain respective rendering images for a plurality of regions of a 3D space is disclosed. According to the technique, in such a way that a transmission beam former 2 generates an ultrasonic beam for scanning a plurality of regions of interest, a matrix array 1 is driven, and when a reception beam former 3 generates a plurality of beam forming signals corresponding to the regions of interest, respectively, in accordance with the reception signal of the matrix array by the reflection wave from the respective regions of interest, a signal processing unit 4 processes the beam forming signals, and with a viewpoint set for each of the regions of interest as a standard, generates respective rendering images of the plurality of regions of interest, and a display unit 5 displays the plurality of rendering images in parallel.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 21, 2007Publication date: January 28, 2010Applicant: PANASONIC CORPORATIONInventors: Hiroshi Fukukita, Hisashi Akiyama
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Publication number: 20090048517Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a transducer array 1 in which a plurality of transducers for transmitting an ultrasonic wave to a subject and receiving a reflected wave therefrom are arrayed, and delay addition units 4 to 9 for performing parallel reception by adding a delay time to signals from the transducer array. The apparatus further includes a deflection angle control unit 14 that performs control so that an angle formed between a plurality of directions of reception directivities in the parallel reception decreases as a deflection angle of a transmission beam transmitted from the transducer array increases. Thus, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that keeps relative sensitivities in the parallel reception uniform irrespective of the deflection angle of the ultrasonic transmission beam is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 2, 2005Publication date: February 19, 2009Inventor: Hiroshi Fukukita
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Patent number: 7455642Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can dynamically change a focus position of a phasing circuit installed in a sub-array. A transducer element is two-dimensionally arrayed and constitutes a sub-array. The sub-array is two-dimensionally arrayed and constitutes an arrayed transducer element. An output of the transducer element of the sub-array is sent to a phasing circuit and a phasing circuit. Outputs of the phasing circuits are coupled by a coupling circuit. All of the foregoing transducer elements, sub-arrays, phasing circuits and coupling circuits are accommodated in a probe handle. An output from the coupling circuit is sent through a probe cable to a delay adding circuit of a main body. Also, the phasing circuits are controlled by a control circuit. An output of the delay adding circuit is processed by a signal processor and displayed on a display.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2005Date of Patent: November 25, 2008Assignee: Panasonic CorporationInventor: Hiroshi Fukukita
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Publication number: 20070225604Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic system includes electroacoustic conversion means in which a plurality of sub-arrays, each composed of a plurality of electroacoustic transducers, are arranged at least two-dimensionally, sub-beam formers that are provided on the sub-array basis, and a main beam former for subjecting signals output from the sub-beam formers to delay addition.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2005Publication date: September 27, 2007Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroshi Fukukita
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Publication number: 20070160540Abstract: There are provided transducers, transmission pulse generators for transmitting pulses to the transducers, a transmission power source for supplying power to the transmission pulse generators, and an output side capacitor 7 for stabilizing a voltage of the transmission power source. The transmission power source includes a plurality of mode-specific power sources 1A and 1B for outputting a constant voltage, and a mode changeover switch 6 provided between the mode-specific power sources and the output side capacitor. The transmission power source further includes a power supplying power source 2 connected to the mode-specific power sources for supplying power, and a power regeneration capacitor 4 with a larger capacity than that of the output side capacitor, one electrode terminal of which is connected to a connection point between the power supplying power source and the mode-specific power sources and the mode changeover switch, and the other electrode terminal of which is connected to ground.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 25, 2005Publication date: July 12, 2007Applicant: MAtsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventors: Morio Nishigaki, Hiroshi Fukukita
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Publication number: 20070016052Abstract: A two-dimensional array including two-dimensionally arranged transducers with M rows (M=4) and N columns (N=12) is separated into eight sub-arrays each including six transducers with m rows (m=2) and n columns (n=3). The sub-arrays with J rows (J=2) and K columns (K=4) are connected to eight intra-group processors IP(JJ, KK) (JJ=1 to 2, KK=1 to 4), respectively. A switch allows the selection of j pieces in the row direction (j=2) (j?J) and k pieces in the column direction (k<K) from the intra-group processors IP(JJ, KK) while shifting the selection in the column direction. The number of signal lines included in a cable for the connection with a main unit can be reduced, and power consumption also can be suppressed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 22, 2004Publication date: January 18, 2007Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.Inventor: Hiroshi Fukukita
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Publication number: 20060264753Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is capable of generating a pulse sound field with high sensitivity and high resolution, particularly in short distances, is disclosed. In the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention, a hyperbola operation section 4 derives the distance from each of a plurality of arranged transducer elements 1 to the convergence positions from a hyperbolic function wherein the gradient “a” of an asymptote is 0<|a|<1, with the positions in the horizontal direction of the ultrasonic transducer elements as the variable, and a delay data generation section 3 and a driving circuit 2 generate the driving pulse of each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements delayed in accordance to the distances calculated by the hyperbola operation section.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2003Publication date: November 23, 2006Inventor: Hiroshi Fukukita
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Publication number: 20060253034Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic system capable of phasing a received signal from an electroacoustic transducer arranged two-dimensionally with high precision is provided.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 8, 2004Publication date: November 9, 2006Applicant: MATSUSHITA ELECTRIC INDUSTRIAL CO., .Inventor: Hiroshi Fukukita
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Publication number: 20060116580Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that can dynamically change a focus position of a phasing circuit installed in a sub-array. A transducer element is two-dimensionally arrayed and constitutes a sub-array. The sub-array is two-dimensionally arrayed and constitutes an arrayed transducer element. An output of the transducer element of the sub-array is sent to a phasing circuit and a phasing circuit. Outputs of the phasing circuits are coupled by a coupling circuit. All of the foregoing transducer elements, sub-arrays, phasing circuits and coupling circuits are accommodated in a probe handle. An output from the coupling circuit is sent through a probe cable to a delay adding circuit of a main body. Also, the phasing circuits are controlled by a control circuit. An output of the delay adding circuit is processed by a signal processor and displayed on a display.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2005Publication date: June 1, 2006Applicant: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.Inventor: Hiroshi Fukukita