Acoustic Image Conversion Patents (Class 367/7)
  • Publication number: 20140098630
    Abstract: An acoustic wave measuring apparatus includes: a probe having a plurality of transducers that are capable of converting an acoustic wave into an electric signal and vice versa; a transmitting and receiving unit that includes a plurality of channels connected to the probe, generates an acoustic wave from the probe, and obtains a reception signal of the probe; a plurality of switches that switch connections between the transducers and the channels; and an image generating unit that generates an image from the reception signal. The transducers include a central element row and an end portion element row, and the plurality of channels are respectively connected to the transducers on the central element row and the transducers on the end portion element row alternately via the switches.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Jiro Tateyama
  • Patent number: 8693280
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with an ultrasonic image measuring unit configured to measure an ultrasonic image of an object to be examined, a display unit configured to display the ultrasonic image, an input unit configured to input parameters for controlling the ultrasonic image measuring unit and the display unit, and a control unit configured to control the ultrasonic image measuring unit and the display unit by means of the parameters. The control unit is characterized by generating first switch information for inputting relating to a first control parameter included in the parameters, controlling the display unit to display the first switch information, selecting the first control parameter from the first switch information and inputting thereof, generating second switch information relating to a second control parameter which is the item next to the first control parameter, and controlling the display unit to display the second switch information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroshi Ozaki
  • Patent number: 8687868
    Abstract: An image generating apparatus of the present invention has a determination unit that sets a target area in a part of an area inside a subject, executes processing to adjust a phase of each detection signal based on a distance from each detection element to a target area and a tentative velocity, and calculate dispersion of intensities of a plurality of detection signals of which phases are adjusted, for a plurality of tentative velocities, and determines a velocity for which dispersion of intensities is minimum, out of the plurality of tentative velocities, as a propagation velocity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kazuhiko Fukutani, Takuji Oishi
  • Patent number: 8687869
    Abstract: A method for reconstructing an image from emission data includes generating a compressed point-spread function matrix, generating an accumulated attenuation factor; and performing at least one image projection operation on an image matrix of the emission data using the compressed point-spread function matrix and the accumulated attenuation factor. The image projection operation can include rotating an image matrix and an exponential attenuation map to align with a selected viewing angle. An accumulated attenuation image is then generated from the rotated image matrix and rotated exponential attenuation map and a projection image is generated for each voxel by multiplying the accumulated attenuation image and point spread function matrix for each voxel. The rotating and multiplying operations can be performed on a graphics processing unit, which may be found in a commercially available video processing card, which are specifically designed to efficiently perform such operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 1, 2014
    Assignee: The Research Foundation of State of University of New York
    Inventors: Jerome Z. Liang, Zigang Wang
  • Publication number: 20140078860
    Abstract: A method for determining interference noise recorded in a first seismic survey of a subsurface generated by a source in a second seismic survey. The method includes receiving seismic data recorded by seismic sensors of the first seismic survey, wherein the seismic data includes seismic waves that originate from the first seismic survey and seismic waves that originate from the second seismic survey; receiving actual relative shooting timing or actual shooting timing of seismic sources of the first and second seismic surveys; applying a processing algorithm to the seismic data to calculate the interference noise, wherein the processing algorithm that takes into consideration the actual relative shooting timing or the actual shooting timing of the seismic sources; and generating a final image of the subsurface based on the recorded seismic data from which the interference noise is subtracted.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: CGG SERVICES SA
    Inventors: Gordon POOLE, Risto SILIQI
  • Patent number: 8675445
    Abstract: A beamformer for forming a reception beam using a multichannel signal reflected from a subject is provided. The beamformer includes a signal generator that may generate a plurality of signals to which different apodization functions are applied, with respect to the multichannel signal, an estimator that may estimate a signal predominant component and a noise predominant component from the plurality of signals, a weight calculator that may calculate a weight to be applied to the signal predominant component according to each of channels, using the estimated signal predominant component and the estimated noise predominant component, and a weight applier that may apply the calculated weight to the estimated signal predominant component.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kyu-hong Kim, Jung-ho Kim, Sung-chan Park
  • Publication number: 20140071789
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a lightweight, high resolution portable ultrasound system using components and methods to improve connectivity and ease of use. A preferred embodiment includes an integrated system in which the beamformer control circuitry can be inserted into the host computer as a peripheral or within the processor housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Inventors: Michael Brodsky, Alice M. Chiang, David Maurer, William M. Wong
  • Publication number: 20140064023
    Abstract: An object information acquisition apparatus according to the present invention includes a fixed signal processing unit configured to perform addition processing with a predetermined weight on a plurality of receiving signals to acquire first distribution information, and an adaptive signal processing unit configured to perform on the plurality of receiving signals adaptive signal processing with a weight adaptively changing according to the receiving signals to acquire second distribution information, wherein the display control unit receives enlargement instruction information for the image of the first distribution information input by the user in a state where the image of the first distribution information is displayed, and outputs image information for displaying on the display unit an enlarged image of the image of the second distribution information or an enlarged image of the combined image of the first and second distribution information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Nagae
  • Publication number: 20140064024
    Abstract: A downscan imaging sonar utilizes a linear transducer element to provide improved images of the sea floor and other objects in the water column beneath a vessel. A transducer array may include a plurality of transducer elements and each one of the plurality of transducer elements may include a substantially rectangular shape configured to produce a sonar beam having a beamwidth in a direction parallel to longitudinal length of the transducer elements that is significantly less than a beamwidth of the sonar beam in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the transducer elements. The plurality of transducer elements may be positioned such that longitudinal lengths of at least two of the plurality of transducer elements are parallel to each other. The plurality of transducer elements may also include at least a first linear transducer element, a second linear transducer element and a third linear transducer element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 5, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Navico Holding AS
    Inventor: Brian T. Maguire
  • Publication number: 20140064022
    Abstract: An object information obtaining apparatus according to the present invention includes a fixed signal processing unit configured to perform addition processing with a predetermined weight by using a plurality of receiving signals to obtain first distribution information, and an adaptive signal processing unit configured to perform adaptive signal processing with a weight adaptively changing according to the receiving signals by using the plurality of receiving signals to obtain second distribution information, wherein the display control unit, upon reception of information about a specified area in the image of the first distribution information input by the user in a state where the image of the first distribution information is displayed, is configured to output image information for displaying on the display unit an image of the second distribution information or the combined image for the first and second distribution information, corresponding to the specified area.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Nagae
  • Publication number: 20140064025
    Abstract: A target object detection device is provided. The device includes a signal processor, a display unit, and a controller. The signal processor receives a reception signal generated based on an echo of an ultrasonic wave from a target object and generates echo data corresponding to a distance from a transmission source of the ultrasonic wave to the target object every time the ultrasonic wave is transmitted. The display unit has a display screen with a first side and a second side that is turnable in an axial direction perpendicular to the display screen, and displays an image on the display screen based on the echo data. The controller sets a range with respect to time at which the ultrasonic wave is transmitted, and outputs the echo data corresponding to the ultrasonic wave within the time range according to turning of the display screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: Furuno Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jun Nakamichi, Yu Goto, Masaaki Matsubara, Norihiro Nishimoto
  • Publication number: 20140064021
    Abstract: An object information acquisition apparatus according to the present invention includes a plurality of conversion elements configured to receive waves reflected at each position inside an object, and convert the reflected waves into a plurality of received signals, a fixed signal processing unit configured to apply addition with a predetermined weight to the plurality of received signals to acquire first distribution information, an adaptive signal processing unit configured to apply adaptive signal processing to the plurality of received signals to acquire second distribution information, and a display control unit configured to input the first distribution information and the second distribution information, and output image information to a display unit, wherein the display control unit outputs image information for displaying in parallel in the same screen an image of the first distribution information, an image of the second distribution information or a combined image of the first and second distributio
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2013
    Publication date: March 6, 2014
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Kenichi Nagae
  • Publication number: 20140050046
    Abstract: The present invention is a method and an apparatus that can image objects immersed in optically opaque fluids using ultrasound in a confined space and in a harsh environment. If the fluid is not highly attenuating at frequencies above 1 MHz, where commercial ultrasound scanners are available, such scanners can be adapted for imaging in these fluids. In the case of highly attenuating fluids, such as drilling mud, then a low frequency collimated sound source is used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Inventors: Dipen N. Sinha, Curtis F. Osterhoudt, Cristian Pantea
  • Publication number: 20140050048
    Abstract: A method includes generating an ultrasound image based on the harmonic components in the received echoes using multi-stage beamforming and data generated therefrom. An ultrasound imaging system (100, 200) includes a transducer array (108) including a plurality of transducer elements configured to emit ultrasound signals and receive echoes generated in response to the emitted ultrasound signals. The ultrasound imaging system further includes transmit circuitry (110) that generates a set of pulses that actuate a set of the plurality of transducer elements to emit ultrasound signals. The ultrasound imaging system further includes receive circuitry (112), including a first beamformer (122) configured to process the received echoes, generating intermediate scan lines. Memory (126) stores the generated intermediate scan lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: B-K MEDICAL APS
    Inventors: Jorgen Arendt Jensen, Yigang Du, Henrik Jensen
  • Publication number: 20140043933
    Abstract: The quality of ping-based ultrasound imaging is dependent on the accuracy of information describing the precise acoustic position of transmitting and receiving transducer elements. Improving the quality of transducer element position data can substantially improve the quality of ping-based ultrasound images, particularly those obtained using a multiple aperture ultrasound imaging probe, i.e., a probe with a total aperture greater than any anticipated maximum coherent aperture width. Various systems and methods for calibrating element position data for a probe are described.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 12, 2013
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Artem Belevich, Josef R. Call, Bruce R. Ritzi, Nathan W. Osborn
  • Publication number: 20140036620
    Abstract: An embodiment of a 4D data ultrasound imaging system includes a matrix of transducer elements suitable for transmitting and for receiving ultrasound signals, said transducer elements being divided into sub-matrixes suitable for receiving in a delayed way a same acoustic signal, a plurality of reception channels with one of said reception channels being associated with one of said transducer elements, a beamformer device including a plurality of storage cells arranged in re-phasing matrixes, each re-phasing matrix being associated with a corresponding sub-matrix with each row associated with one of said transducer elements, said storage cells including an input storage stage that is selectively associated with a row and a reading output stage that is selectively associated with a buffer; each storage cell that belongs to a same column has the input stage that is dynamically activated in sequential times with respect to another storage cell of the same column for storing the same delayed acoustic signal, said s
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 27, 2013
    Publication date: February 6, 2014
    Applicant: STMicroelectronics S.r.l.
    Inventors: Daniele RONCHI, Marco TERENZI
  • Publication number: 20140010043
    Abstract: A portable sonar imaging system includes a portable electronic device, a sonic transducer, and a portable sonar data preprocessing device. The portable sonar data preprocessing device includes a transducer adapter for connecting to a sonic transducer and further includes a portable sonar data preprocessing device interface for communicating with the portable electronic device. The portable sonar data preprocessing device receives analog sonar data from the sonic transducer, converts the analog sonar data to digital sonar data, and provides the digital sonar data to a portable electronic device interface of the portable electronic device through the portable sonar data preprocessing device interface. In turn, the portable electronic device generates a graphical image based on the digital sonar data and displays the graphical image on a display screen of the portable electronic device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 3, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventors: Stanley Jerome Pawlik, Matthew Ryan Berberich
  • Publication number: 20140010042
    Abstract: Described herein are implementations of various technologies for a method and apparatus for a method and apparatus for displaying sonar images. In one implementation, sonar images that are currently being recorded may be displayed on a regular pane. Further, condensed sonar images that had previously been recorded and that are currently being recorded may be displayed on a preview pane, while recording the sonar images.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2013
    Publication date: January 9, 2014
    Inventor: Steve Thomas
  • Patent number: 8619494
    Abstract: A system (100) uses a pyroelectric membrane (122) and an ultrasound absorber (123) to measure the amount of ultrasonic energy received from a transmitter (105) through a sample (110). The thermal response of the pyroelectric membrane (122) is sensitive to ultrasound time-averaged intensity but is insensitive to the phase of the ultrasound. A waveform (200) shows rising (210), peak (220) and decaying (230) portions of a signal from the pyroelectric membrane (122) in response to on/off transitions of the transmitter (105). A system (300) uses a peak detector (333) to automatically turn the transmitter (105) on/off. A system (400) has background removal circuitry (444) to remove unwanted accelerometer-induced noise or electrical noise. A multi-element ultrasonic sensor (520) has cavities (555) so that a dummy sensor (521 b) can be used to compensate for unwanted accelerometer sensitivity of a sensor element (521 a).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 21, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The Secretary of State for Innovation, Universities and Skills
    Inventor: Bajram Zeqiri
  • Patent number: 8620082
    Abstract: Systems and methods for sonar image feature extraction, which fit a parameterized statistical model to sonar image data to extract features that describe image textures for follow-on pattern classification tasks. The systems and methods estimate the parameters of an assumed statistical model from the pixel values in the sonar images. The parameters of the distribution can then be used as features in a discriminant classifier to perform tasks such as texture segmentation or environmental characterization. The systems and methods divide a sonar image into separate overlapping cells. The ACF parameters of each cell are sequentially estimated using various methods. Based on the ACF parameters obtained, each cell is assigned a label via a pattern classification algorithm. The labeled image can be used in target recognition, environmental characterization and texture segmentation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2013
    Assignee: The United States of America as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventors: James T. Cobb, Gerald J. Dobeck
  • Publication number: 20130343151
    Abstract: An underwater detection system is provided that can effectively use a discrimination result. A fish detector of the system is configured to implement a discrimination function including a fish species discrimination function; however, a fish detector and a sonar of the system do not comprise such a discriminator including a fish species discriminator. The fish detector transmits various discrimination results such as fish species discrimination, etc., through an onboard LAN to the fish detector or the sonar. The fish detector and the sonar superimpose various received discrimination results on the detection result of the device itself and display them on a display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 14, 2013
    Publication date: December 26, 2013
    Inventors: Rika Shiraki, Jérôme Dubuis, Yuriko Onishi
  • Publication number: 20130336087
    Abstract: Marine seismic survey using one or more marine seismic vibrators, where the vibrator sweep function is based on a quality requirement, which may be a final image quality requirement or an environmental requirement. The sweep function may be nonlinear and the energy spectrum may not match the energy spectrum of an airgun.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: WESTERNGECO L.L.C.
    Inventor: Robert Laws
  • Publication number: 20130336086
    Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for determining if an item of media is invalid. The method includes providing an ultrasound image of an item of media, determining a plurality of regions of the image that satisfy a pre-determined condition and determining that an item of media is invalid if the location of said regions satisfies a pre-determined condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2012
    Publication date: December 19, 2013
    Applicant: NCR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Susan Carreon, David Norris
  • Patent number: 8611179
    Abstract: When correcting the acoustic wave refraction occurring on the interface between mediums having different sound speeds by Snell's law, an applicable back-projection method is limited to a time domain method. An image data generating method performed to receive and convert an acoustic wave generated by irradiating a subject with light into a first electrical signal with an acoustic wave receiver via a medium having a sound speed different from that of the subject, and to generate image data based on the first electrical signal is provided, wherein a second electrical signal obtained when the acoustic wave is received at each virtual reception point is generated based on the first electrical signal through an integral calculation performed by using an advanced Green's function, and image data is generated based on the second electrical signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Koichi Tanji, Katsuhiro Watanabe, Yasufumi Asao
  • Publication number: 20130322204
    Abstract: A test-object-information acquisition apparatus includes a light radiating unit, a first probe that receives an acoustic wave generated in a test object in response to the test object being irradiated with light radiated by the light radiating unit, a second probe that radiates an ultrasound beam towards the test object and receives a reflected wave from the test object, an ultrasound controller configured to control the second probe, and a scanning unit configured to cause the light radiating unit and the first and second probes to perform a reciprocating scan process across the test object. The ultrasound controller varies a radiation method for radiating the ultrasound beam from the second probe to the test object so that the radiation method is different between an outbound scan and a return scan of the reciprocating scan process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2013
    Publication date: December 5, 2013
    Inventor: Hisafumi Ebisawa
  • Publication number: 20130308419
    Abstract: The disclosed embodiments generally relate to non-destructive evaluation methods. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation methods for the evaluation of friction welded bladed discs (“blisks”). In an embodiment, a method for non-destructive evaluation of a bladed disc structure includes identifying a region of interest on the bladed disc structure; positioning an ultrasonic transducer and receiver in the region of interest; scanning the region of interest using the ultrasonic transducer and receiver to produce a scan image; and comparing the scan image against a reference image to determine the presence of an anomaly in the region of interest.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: HONEYWELL INTERNATIONAL INC.
    Inventors: Surendra Singh, Frederick William Vensel, Robert John Hogan, Vincent Chung
  • Publication number: 20130308420
    Abstract: A method for deghosting seismic data collected with a seismic system, the seismic data being related to a subsurface of a body of water. The method includes receiving the seismic data recorded by detectors distributed along a variable-depth profile; calculating migrated (d1) and mirror-migrated (d2) gathers based on the seismic data, wherein the migrated and mirror-migrated gathers depend on a feature characterizing a configuration of the seismic system; applying a joint deconvolution model to the migrated and mirror-migrated gathers (d1, d2) to calculate a single deghosted gather (dg); and generating a final image of the subsurface based on the single deghosted gather (dg). The feature is not present in a gather after a step of stacking that is performed prior to generating the final image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 14, 2013
    Publication date: November 21, 2013
    Applicant: CGGVERITAS SERVICES SA
    Inventor: Robert SOUBARAS
  • Publication number: 20130301382
    Abstract: A method of high-resolution ultrasound imaging, in which transducers are made to emit ultrasound waves in a field of observations containing micro bubbles, by making the micro bubbles burst one by one in tandem with the emissions of ultrasound waves. At each shot j of an ultrasound wave, raw reverberated signals Sj(i,t) picked up by each transducer i are recorded, and then differential signals Vj(i,t) representative of variations between successive raw signals are determined, a parabolic function Pj(x) is fitted to the differential signals corresponding to each shot j, and then a crest Aj(x0,y0) of this function Pj, corresponding to the position of the micro bubble destroyed between shots j-1 and j, is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 29, 2011
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Olivier Couture, Mickael Tanter, Mathias Fink
  • Publication number: 20130301381
    Abstract: A volume image generating method including transmitting an ultrasonic signal to a target body divided into a plurality of regions and generating a first sub-volume image corresponding to a first region from among the plurality of regions of the target body, based on a response signal reflected from the target body; generating a second sub-volume image corresponding to a second region contacting the first region from among the plurality of regions; connecting the second sub-volume image to the first sub-volume image according to a location relationship between the first region and the second region of the target body; and re-generating the second sub-volume image based on a concordance rate between sectional images of the first and second sub-volume images that contact each other, and connecting the re-generated second sub-volume image to the first sub-volume image.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2013
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joo-Hyun SONG, Jin-Yong LEE
  • Publication number: 20130301380
    Abstract: A real-time imaging method that provides ultrasonic imaging and optoacoustic imaging coregistered through application of the same hand-held probe to generate and detect ultrasonic and optoacoustic signals. These signals are digitized, processed and used to reconstruct anatomical maps superimposed with maps of two functional parameters of blood hemoglobin index and blood oxygenation index. The blood hemoglobin index represents blood hemoglobin concentration changes in the areas of diagnostic interest relative to the background blood concentration. The blood oxygenation index represents blood oxygenation changes in the areas of diagnostic interest relative to the background level of blood oxygenation. These coregistered maps can be used to noninvasively differentiate malignant tumors from benign lumps and cysts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Inventors: Alexander A. Oraevsky, Sergey A. Ermilov, Adre Conjusteau, Peter Brecht, Vyacheslav Nadvoretskly, Richard Su, Donald G. Herzog, Bryan Clingman, Jason Zalev
  • Publication number: 20130258803
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer element chip includes a substrate, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, a reinforcing member and a ventilation passage. The substrate defines a plurality of openings arranged in an array pattern. The ultrasonic transducer elements are respectively disposed at the openings on a first surface of the substrate. The reinforcing member is fixed on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface of the substrate to reinforce the substrate. Through the ventilation passage, internal spaces of the openings and an external space of the substrate are in communication with each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki NAKAMURA, Jiro TSURUNO, Kanechika KIYOSE
  • Publication number: 20130258802
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer element chip includes a substrate, ultrasonic transducer elements and a reinforcing member. The substrate defines openings arranged in an array pattern. The ultrasonic transducer elements are respectively disposed at the openings on a first surface of the substrate. The reinforcing member is fixed on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface of the substrate. The reinforcing member includes linear groove parts formed on a surface of the reinforcing member fixed on the substrate so that internal spaces of the openings and an external space of the substrate are in communication with each other via the linear groove parts. The linear groove parts extend along a plane of the surface of the reinforcing member, and they are arranged at an interval in a first direction smaller than a width of each opening on the second surface of the substrate in the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2013
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tomoaki NAKAMURA, Jiro TSURUNO, Kanechika KIYOSE
  • Publication number: 20130258804
    Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including an STIC function, wherein, in order to make it possible to reproduce images with the correct time phase by preventing erroneous image reproduction due to time phase estimation failure, the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a time phase estimation unit that uses echo data to estimate time phase information of periodic movement of an examination object included in the echo data; an image processing unit that uses the echo data and the time phase information estimated by the time phase estimation unit to create an ultrasonic image of the examination object at each time phase; and, in addition, a time phase correction unit that corrects the time phase information estimated by the time phase estimation unit. The image processing unit creates an ultrasonic image using the time phase information corrected by the time phase correction unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 7, 2011
    Publication date: October 3, 2013
    Applicant: HITACHI MEDICAL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Nobuhiko Fujii
  • Publication number: 20130250719
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for indicating an inconsistency. An apparatus comprises a platform, a location system, a transducer system, a projector system, and a data processing system. The platform is configured to move on a surface of an object. The location system is configured to generate location information for the platform on the surface of the object. The transducer system is configured to send signals into the object and receive a response to the signals. The projector system is configured to project an image onto the surface of the object. The data processing system is configured to generate the image using the response. An indication of an inconsistency in the image projected onto the surface of the object corresponds to a location of the inconsistency in the object. The data processing system is configured to control the projector system to project the image onto the surface of the object.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 26, 2012
    Publication date: September 26, 2013
    Applicant: THE BOEING COMPANY
    Inventors: Jeffrey R. Kollgaard, Tyler Holmes
  • Publication number: 20130223184
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer element chip includes a substrate, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, a wiring part and an additional wiring part. The substrate defines a plurality of openings arranged in an array pattern. Each of the ultrasonic transducer elements is provided in each of the openings. The wiring part is connected to the ultrasonic transducer elements. The additional wiring part is disposed in a peripheral region between an outline of the array pattern of the openings and an outer edge of the substrate in a plan view as viewed along a thickness direction of the substrate. The additional wiring part is electrically insulated from the wiring part. The additional wiring part is longer than a shortest distance between the outline of the array pattern and the outer edge of the substrate in the plan view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2013
    Publication date: August 29, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130218012
    Abstract: Changes in tissue stiffness have long been associated with disease. Systems and methods for determining the stiffness of tissues using ultrasonography may include a device for inducing a propagating shear wave in tissue and tracking the speed of propagation, which is directly related to tissue stiffness and density. The speed of a propagating shear wave may be detected by imaging a tissue at a high frame rate and detecting the propagating wave as a perturbance in successive image frames relative to a baseline image of the tissue in an undisturbed state. In some embodiments, sufficiently high frame rates may be achieved by using a ping-based ultrasound imaging technique in which unfocused omni-directional pings are transmitted (in an imaging plane or in a hemisphere) into a region of interest. Receiving echoes of the omnidirectional pings with multiple receive apertures allows for substantially improved lateral resolution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Publication date: August 22, 2013
    Inventors: Donald F. Specht, Kenneth D. Brewer
  • Publication number: 20130208562
    Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasound harmonic imaging and method therefor are provided. The apparatus includes a signal transmitting unit, a signal receiving unit and an image processing unit. The signal transmitting unit transmits a linearly or non-linearly frequency modulated up-sweep signal and a linearly or non-linearly frequency modulated down-sweep signal to a reflective body. The signal receiving unit receives an inter-modulation component generated through coupling between the up-sweep and the down-sweep signal and a second harmonic component of the up-sweep or the down-sweep signal reflected by the reflective body. The image processing unit is connected to the signal receiving unit, and performs ultrasound harmonic imaging to obtain an ultrasound harmonic image according to the inter-modulation component and the second harmonic component of the up-sweep or down-sweep signal, so as to improve image quality of harmonic imaging.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: National Taiwan University of Science and Technology
    Inventor: Che-Chou Shen
  • Publication number: 20130194890
    Abstract: An ultrasound system (10) which is capable of biplane imaging is able to display, store and export independent image frames of only the reference image or only the variable orientation image, or the standard display of both images. The system is also able to sweep through a range of image plane orientations and to automatically acquire an image in each orientation over the range of plane orientations. The system is preferably operable in the biplane tilt mode, the biplane rotate mode, or the biplane elevation tilt mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 20, 2011
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS N.V.
    Inventor: Michael Schauf
  • Publication number: 20130188446
    Abstract: An ultrasound probe is provided that includes piezoelectric bodies, each of which is provided with electrodes on the front surface on the side from which ultrasound is emitted and a rear surface opposing the front surface. At least a part of the ultrasound probes is disposed in a curved manner. A flexible printed circuit board comprises a first part that is provided in parallel with the curved surface of the piezoelectric bodies in a circular direction on the rear surface side of the piezoelectric bodies, and a second part that extends from the first part near the end part of the arranged piezoelectric bodies and further extends to the electronic circuit, the electric circuit, or the interface. Furthermore, the flexible printed circuit board is provided with a wiring pattern that conducts between at least one electrode of the piezoelectric body and the electronic circuit, the electric circuit, or the interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2013
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicants: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation, Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba, Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130182530
    Abstract: Provided is a converter that converts sound waves into electrical signals, comprising a piezoelectric section including a plurality of piezoelectric elements that each convert a sound wave detected by a detection surface into one of the electrical signals; and a multilayer substrate to which the piezoelectric section is fixed. The multilayer substrate includes a plurality of signal wires that correspond respectively to the piezoelectric elements and each transmit the electrical signal output by the corresponding piezoelectric element; and a shield portion that electromagnetically shields at least a portion of the signal wires. The piezoelectric section is fixed to the multilayer substrate such that a surface of the multilayer substrate on which the piezoelectric elements are fixed is inclined with respect to the detection surfaces of the piezoelectric elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 25, 2013
    Publication date: July 18, 2013
    Applicant: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
    Inventor: ADVANTEST CORPORATION
  • Publication number: 20130176816
    Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer includes a first flexible substrate, a plurality of ultrasonic elements and a substrate deforming part. The ultrasonic elements are disposed on the first flexible substrate, and configured and arranged to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves. The substrate deforming part is configured and arranged to flex the first flexible substrate in a first direction and in a second direction that intersects with the first direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2013
    Publication date: July 11, 2013
    Applicant: SEIKO EPSON CORPORATION
    Inventor: Seiko Epson Corporation
  • Publication number: 20130142009
    Abstract: In various embodiments, apparatus and methods are provided to perform acoustic imaging. An acoustic wave can be acquired at a detector, where the acoustic wave propagates from a target to the detector. The target may be acoustically illuminated to provide the acoustic wave. A signal from the detector in response to acquiring the acoustic wave can be processed in a model such that the processing implements a synthetic acoustic lens to generate an image of the target. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Halliburton Energy Services, Inc.
    Inventors: Chung Chang, Arthur Cheng, Chen Li, Steve Zannoni
  • Publication number: 20130142010
    Abstract: The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the present invention is provided with a 3-dimensional image construction unit configured to construct a 3-dimensional image using plural ultrasonic tomographic images obtained when the ultrasonic probe is moved in a direction intersecting the direction of the ultrasonic tomographic images; and an ultrasonic probe moving direction setting unit configured to set the moving direction of the ultrasonic probe, using an ultrasonic tomographic image displayed on the screen of the display unit as a reference, in either a first direction which intersects with the direction of the tomographic image or a second direction of opposite orientation to the first direction; wherein the control unit controls the arrangement order of the plural ultrasonic tomographic images in the 3-dimensional image constructed in the 3-dimensional image construction unit according to the moving direction of the ultrasonic probe set by the moving direction setting unit of the ultrasonic probe.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 21, 2011
    Publication date: June 6, 2013
    Applicant: Hitachi Medical Corporation
    Inventor: Naoko Ajiki
  • Publication number: 20130128691
    Abstract: An echo processor (117) for an ultrasound imaging device (102) includes a frame processor (118) that aligns a plurality (N) of sequentially received frames of echoes based on a set of motion displacement fields for the plurality of frames and combines the aligned plurality of sequentially received frames, thereby forming a compounded frame. A method includes obtaining a set of frames of echoes acquired at different times, determining a motion displacement field based on at least two of the frames of the set, motion-compensating all of the frames of the set based on the displacement field and previously determined displacement fields, and generating a compounded frame based on the motion-compensated frames.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: B-K MEDICAL APS
    Inventor: Bo Martins
  • Publication number: 20130128690
    Abstract: A scanning acoustic microscope includes a signal processor and one or more signal paths. In operation, each signal path couples an ultrasonic transducer to the signal processor that processes signals received from the signal paths to produce an ultrasonic scan image. Each signal path has a response characteristic that includes a response characteristic of the ultrasonic transducer. In order to compensate for variations between the signal paths or variations between different transducers in the same signal path, at least one of the signal paths includes a signal path equalizer. The equalizer may be responsive to a set of equalization coefficients. The coefficients are selected such that the response characteristic of the signal path including the equalizer more closely matches a reference characteristic response. The equalizer may operate on a transmitted or received signal or be used to generate an ultrasonic pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2012
    Publication date: May 23, 2013
    Applicant: SONIX, INC.
    Inventors: Sriram Gopalan, James C.P. McKeon
  • Publication number: 20130121106
    Abstract: An image information obtaining apparatus having: a light source; a transducer which detects an acoustic wave and converts the acoustic wave to an electrical signal; a signal processing unit which generates image data, using the electrical signal; and a memory unit which stores a reference acoustic signal produced by the transducer detecting an acoustic wave generated when light is irradiated from the light source onto a phantom having acoustic parameters and optical parameters substantially the same as an object and converting the acoustic wave to an electrical signal, wherein the transducer produces an object acoustic signal by converting the acoustic wave, generated when light is irradiated onto an object from the light source, to an electrical signal; and the signal processing unit subtracts the reference acoustic signal from the object acoustic signal and generates image data from the signal resulting from this subtraction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 8, 2011
    Publication date: May 16, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Hiroshi Nishihara
  • Publication number: 20130107662
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a photoacoustic microscopy (PAM) system for observing an object. The PAM system includes an optical pickup head, an ultrasonic transducer, and an image generation unit. The optical pickup head emits a laser beam to the object, generates a servo signal based on a reflective light beam received from the object, and positions a focus of the laser beam onto the object based on the servo signal. The ultrasonic transducer detects laser-induced ultrasonic waves leaving the object to generate a PAM imaging signal. The image generation unit generates a PAM image of the object based on the PAM imaging signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Meng-Lin Li, Po-Hsun Wang
  • Publication number: 20130102865
    Abstract: Systems and methods of frequency-domain photoacoustic imaging are provided utilizing an ultrasonic phased array probe and intensity modulated optical excitation with coding to improve signal-to-noise ratio. Embodiments employ frequency-domain photoacoustic imaging methodologies such as the photoacoustic radar, coupled with a multi-element ultrasonic sensor array to deliver spatially-resolved correlation images of photoacoustic sources, which may be employed to image optical heterogeneities within tissue-like scattering media.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Inventors: Andreas MANDELIS, Sergey TELENKOV, Bahman LASHKARI
  • Publication number: 20130083621
    Abstract: The systems and methods described herein relate to systems and methods for synthetic aperture sonar (SAS) or radar including seismic surveying.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Inventor: Richard J. Rikoski
  • Publication number: 20130064035
    Abstract: An electromechanical transducer according to an embodiment of the present invention is capable of selectively performing a transmitting and receiving operation by using elements of different shapes. The electromechanical transducer has a plurality of cells, each of which has a vibrating film including two electrodes provided with a gap therebetween, two driving and detecting units, a potential difference setter, and a switch. Each of the driving and detecting units implements a transmitting and/or a receiving function. A first or second element includes first or second electrodes which are electrically connected and further connected to the common first or second driving and detecting unit, respectively. The potential difference setter sets a predetermined potential difference between the reference potentials of the first and second driving and detecting units, respectively, and the switch switches between the first and second driving and detecting units to perform the transmitting and receiving operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Publication date: March 14, 2013
    Applicant: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventor: Atsushi Kandori