Abstract: An improved Doppler tissue imaging mode combines two Doppler image parameters developed as respective functions of receive signals acquired from a single firing event to generate a combined image parameter for display. In one example, the combined image parameter has a color hue that varies in a piecewise linear way with Doppler tissue velocity or Doppler tissue acceleration and a color value or intensity that varies linearly with Doppler tissue energy. Because the same firing events are used to develop both Doppler image parameters for a given region of tissue, high temporal and/or spatial resolution is made possible.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system generates Doppler and B-mode image signals, and then uses a modulated, non-linear mapping function to combine the Doppler and B-mode image signals into an output signal. In another mode of operation the imaging system generates fundamental and harmonic frequency intensity values and maps these intensity values to display indicia, preferably with a modulated, non-linear mapping function.

Abstract: An improved Doppler tissue imaging mode combines two Doppler image parameters developed as respective functions of receive signals acquired from a single firing event to generate a combined image parameter for display. In one example, the combined image parameter has a color hue that varies in a piecewise linear way with Doppler tissue velocity or Doppler tissue acceleration and a color value or intensity that varies linearly with Doppler tissue energy. Because the same firing events are used to develop both Doppler image parameters for a given region of tissue, high temporal and/or spatial resolution is made possible.

Abstract: A display processor for an ultrasonic imaging system includes a two-dimensional filter to generate a smoothed image signal I.sub.p from a high spatial resolution image signal I.sub.D. I.sub.p is optimized for high contrast resolution and good tissue differentiation, and I.sub.D is optimized for high detail resolution and the display of fine structural details. I.sub.p and I.sub.D are applied as addressing inputs to a look-up table that provides an output image signal I.sub.O that combines both detail resolution of I.sub.D and contrast resolution of I.sub.p. I.sub.O can display detail resolution as brightness and contrast resolution as color. I.sub.O can also be formed as a weighted combination or sum of I.sub.p and I.sub.D.