Patents by Inventor Tatsuro Baba

Tatsuro Baba 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).

  • Publication number: 20090149759
    Abstract: A processor generates a first Doppler spectrum image representing the velocity of a moving body at each observation point by analyzing the frequency of signals received at the plurality of observation points acquired via Doppler scanning. An interpolator acquires a second Doppler spectrum image consecutively at each observation point time when the ultrasound has not been transmitted to and received from each observation point by the Doppler scanner transmitting and receiving the ultrasound toward and from the plurality of observation points at a plurality of respective times, based on interpolation of the first Doppler spectrum image at each observation point. The interpolator generates a third Doppler spectrum at each observation point by combining the first Doppler spectrum at each observation point and the second Doppler spectrum image at each observation point per observation point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro BABA, Naohisa Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 7513872
    Abstract: A Doppler sensitivity measuring unit measures the Doppler sensitivity of Doppler spectrum data obtained by ultrasonic wave transmission/reception with respect to a predetermined region of an object to be examined. A spectrum shape model generating unit generates a spectrum shape model on the basis of a window function used when the above Doppler spectrum data is generated. A threshold setting unit sets a threshold range in which trace waveform data displaces by a predetermined amount in the frequency axis direction on the basis of the spectrum shape model and the Doppler sensitivity, and sets a predetermined number of thresholds at almost equal intervals in the threshold range. A trace data generating unit selects a threshold for the acquisition of desired trace waveform data by generating trace waveform data while sequentially updating the plurality of set thresholds.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2009
    Assignees: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Tatsuro Baba, Masami Takahashi, Masao Takimoto, Muneki Kataguchi, Takuya Sasaki, Yasuo Miyajima, Takanobu Uchibori, Tomio Nabatame, Toshiyuki Koinuma
  • Publication number: 20090088641
    Abstract: A scanner transmits and receives ultrasonic waves at a specified pulse repetition frequency (PRF). A storage stores received signals acquired through the transmission and reception. A calculator generates a Doppler spectrum image by executing frequency analysis on the received signals. A display displays the Doppler spectrum image. When a desired Doppler velocity range for the displayed Doppler spectrum image is inputted, a processor reads out the received signals from the storage, and executes a resampling process on the read-out received signals at a sampling frequency corresponding to the desired Doppler velocity range. The calculator generates a new Doppler spectrum image by executing frequency analysis corresponding to the desired Doppler velocity range on the received signals having been subjected to the resampling process by the processor. The display displays the new Doppler spectrum image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2008
    Publication date: April 2, 2009
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro BABA, Naohisa KAMIYAMA
  • Publication number: 20090030321
    Abstract: A vector norm N, an azimuthal angle ? and an angle of elevation ? which represent the velocity (blood flow velocity) of a specimen such as blood flow are acquired by a three-dimensional angle correction velocity vectorization section as three-dimensional fluid vector data indicating the three-dimensional flow direction and flow volume of the specimen such as the blood flow on the basis of Doppler signals corresponding to reception beams F1 to F4 received from a range gate RG by a two-dimensional ultrasonic probe. An audio output [y] for a three-dimensional sound system is generated by a velocity vector conversion processing section on the basis of the three-dimensional fluid vector data [N, ?, 100 ], and a three-dimensional sound system is driven.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Publication date: January 29, 2009
    Inventors: Tatsuro Baba, Naohisa Kamiyama
  • Publication number: 20090024037
    Abstract: Transmitting and receiving ultrasound with repetition frequency that corresponds to velocity range indicating the measurable velocity to and from a diagnostic site that contains moving fluid within a body to be examined. Generating Doppler spectrum image showing velocity of moving fluid based on signals obtained from transmission and reception of ultrasound. Storing modeled value based on model correlating standard blood velocity waveform with an ECG waveform. Calculating measured blood velocity waveform based on spectrum image of a specified patient. Acquiring ECG waveform at timing corresponding to measured blood velocity waveform. Estimating blood velocity waveform excluding effects of valve signals of patient based on measured blood velocity waveform, ECG waveform, and modeled value.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: January 22, 2009
    Applicants: KABUSHIKI KAISHA TOSHIBA, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro Baba, Muneki Kataguchi, Kazuya Akaki, Shuichi Kawasaki
  • Publication number: 20080306386
    Abstract: A multiple ultrasonic beam is transmitted from an ultrasonic probe, and a velocity of blood flow, azimuth and elevation angle of a sample such as a blood flow are acquired by a three-dimensional information acquisition section, as three-dimensional fluid information in a range gate, based on a Doppler signal output from the ultrasonic probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2008
    Publication date: December 11, 2008
    Inventors: Tatsuro BABA, Yoichi Ogasawara
  • Publication number: 20080108901
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes plural ultrasonic transducers, a catheter signal detection unit and a position detection unit. The plural ultrasonic transducers are arrayed two-dimensionally for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an object. The catheter signal detection unit is configured to acquire a reception signal of a frequency modulated continuous wave from reception signals from at least three of the plural ultrasonic transducers. The frequency modulated continuous wave is transmitted from a catheter inserted in the object. The position detection unit is configured to detect a position of the catheter based on the acquired reception signal of the frequency modulated continuous wave.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: May 8, 2008
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro BABA, Hironobu Hongou
  • Publication number: 20070282203
    Abstract: There is provided an ultrasonic wave diagnosis instrument. The ultrasonic wave Doppler diagnosis instrument transmits an ultrasonic continuous wave in a range direction and receives a reflective wave of the ultrasonic continuous wave. The ultrasonic wave Doppler diagnosis instrument includes: a modulation unit that subjects the ultrasonic continuous wave to frequency modulation such that a phase is varied in accordance with the distance of the range direction; a demodulation unit that demodulates the reflective wave for each range of the range direction while interlocking with the frequency modulation, and generates a reception signal in the range in a separated state; and a presentation unit that presents information by using a signal of a Doppler component based on the reception signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 19, 2005
    Publication date: December 6, 2007
    Applicants: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tatsuro Baba, Yasuo Miyajima, Takeshi Sato, Tetsuya Kawagishi, Yasutsugu Seo, Yoshitaka Mine
  • Publication number: 20070016048
    Abstract: A spatial position x? of each ultrasonic transducer is accurately obtained for each probe in consideration of each edge transducer gap, and a delay time T(x?(n)) and a weighting coefficient W(x?(n)) are calculated on the basis of the position of each ultrasonic transducer. A control unit executes ultrasonic transmission/reception by using the calculated delay times and weighting coefficients to realize a suitable acoustic field with high deflection angle accuracy, small sidelobes, and the like as compared with the prior art.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: January 18, 2007
    Inventors: Tatsuro Baba, Takuya Sasaki, Satoru Tezuka, Yasuo Miyajima
  • Publication number: 20060084873
    Abstract: A Doppler sensitivity measuring unit measures the Doppler sensitivity of Doppler spectrum data obtained by ultrasonic wave transmission/reception with respect to a predetermined region of an object to be examined. A spectrum shape model generating unit generates a spectrum shape model on the basis of a window function used when the above Doppler spectrum data is generated. A threshold setting unit sets a threshold range in which trace waveform data displaces by a predetermined amount in the frequency axis direction on the basis of the spectrum shape model and the Doppler sensitivity, and sets a predetermined number of thresholds at almost equal intervals in the threshold range. A trace data generating unit selects a threshold for the acquisition of desired trace waveform data by generating trace waveform data while sequentially updating the plurality of set thresholds.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2005
    Publication date: April 20, 2006
    Inventors: Tatsuro Baba, Masami Takahashi, Masao Takimoto, Muneki Kataguchi, Takuya Sasaki, Yasuo Miyajima, Takanobu Uchibori, Tomio Nabatame, Tooshiyuki Koinuma
  • Publication number: 20060052704
    Abstract: A Doppler signal detecting unit 42 and spectrum calculating unit 44 measure a Doppler spectrum from a reception signal obtained by ultrasonic wave transmission/reception with respect to a diagnosis region of an object to be examined. A local maximum/minimum detecting unit 62 detects a plurality of local maximum/minimum pairs with respect to a trace waveform generated by a trace waveform generating unit 61 on the basis of the Doppler spectrum. A feature amount selecting unit 64 selects a desired waveform from a plurality of local maximum/minimum pairs in a predetermined cardiac cycle set by a cardiac cycle setting unit 63 by using heartbeat information from a living body measuring unit 9 on the basis of a preset selection criterion. A diagnostic parameter is measured on the basis of the position information or amplitude information of the selected waveform.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 7, 2005
    Publication date: March 9, 2006
    Inventors: Tatsuro Baba, Hiroyuki Tsujino, Kazuya Akaki
  • Patent number: 5083566
    Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising a memory circuit for storing CFM image data, a controller for reading the same CFM image data several times from the memory circuit in synchronism with the sync signal of a TV monitor, and a smoothing circuit for weighting the CFM image data read out by the controller to perform linear interpolation of the CFM image data, thereby smoothing CFM image data along the time axis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 1990
    Date of Patent: January 28, 1992
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tatsuro Baba
  • Patent number: 4930514
    Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprises an ultrasonic transducer for emitting ultrasonic pulses at a rate frequency fr and converting an echo wave of the ultrasonic pulses into an echo signal, an orthogonal detector circuit for orthogonally detecting an echo signal provided from the ultrasonic transducer and a calculator circuit for obtaining Doppler data from the orthogonal detection signal and providing color Doppler data. The output of the calculator circuit is coupled to an interpolator circuit. When the interpolator circuit receives color Doppler data at a frequency above +fr/2 or -fr/2 from the calculator circuit, it interpolates the Doppler data according to a predetermined argorithm for excluding interpolation data corresponding to a zero region between +fr/2 and -fr/2. The color Doppler data including interpolation data is displayed as color image on the monitor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 1988
    Date of Patent: June 5, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Tatsuro Baba, Ryoichi Kanda, Yasutsugu Seo
  • Patent number: 4891691
    Abstract: A color sequential photographic apparatus includes a monochrome display, an optical system, a filter unit, a variable aperture, a display controller, a switching controller, and a photographing controller. The optical system guides a display image on the display toward a color film. The filter unit sequentially selects three primary color filters, and inserts the selected filter in the optical system. The display controller controls the display luminance of the display. The switching controller controls the film exposure time of each image corresponding to three primary colors by sequentially displaying the images on the display during a predetermined interval while simultaneously operating the filter unit. The photographing controller controls at least one of the display controller, the variable aperture, and the switching controller, in accordance with a desired photographing condition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 1988
    Date of Patent: January 2, 1990
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tatsuro Baba
  • Patent number: 4794932
    Abstract: In an image display apparatus wherein color and black/white display data of an object under examination are utilized to display the object with color and black/white information on a single monitor screen, a gradation converting control circuit is employed to control both the brightness of the color display data and the brightness of the black/white display data to be at a substantially equal level with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 1987
    Date of Patent: January 3, 1989
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Tatsuro Baba