Electronic Array Scanning Patents (Class 600/447)
  • Patent number: 10641879
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasound multi line dynamic receive focusing beam former that is part of an ultrasound system, where the beam former of the present invention resolves conceptually the, in the prior art dynamic receive focusing beam formers, by fundament, internally generated distortions, which (in the prior art), become internally generated by the beam former process itself. These distortions within prior art beam formers, typically compromises, to some degree, the ability of accurate detections after the dynamic receive focusing beamforming. The present invention advantage is an ultrasound system capable of very accurate focusing selectivity with a high dynamic range, and very low signal distortion, therefore capable of, for example, a clear detection of harmonics and super harmonics, due to the fundamentally absence of internal distortion-generation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 5, 2020
    Assignee: Esaote S.p.A.
    Inventors: Paolo Pellegretti, Theodorus Franciscus Mulder
  • Patent number: 10631834
    Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus which is connectable to a wireless probe that acquires first data by scanning an object is provided. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a controller which is configured to recognize an occurrence of a first event, to automatically terminate a first communication connection to the wireless probe via a first communication network, and to control an automatic start of a second communication connection to an external apparatus via the first communication network; and a communicator which is configured to exchange data with the wireless probe and/or with the external apparatus by using the first communication network under the control of the controller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 14, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Hang-chan Kim
  • Patent number: 10613058
    Abstract: In some examples, a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) array may include a plurality of CMUT elements arranged in a plurality of rows, each row including multiple CMUT elements. A bias voltage supply may be connected for supplying bias voltages to a first row, a second row, and a third row of the plurality of rows. In addition, a processor may be configured by executable instructions to control the bias voltages by applying a first bias voltage to the second row, and a second, different bias voltage to the first and third rows to configure the CMUT elements of the second row to at least one of transmit or receive ultrasonic energy with different efficiency than the CMUT elements of the first row and the third row. In some examples, individual contributions from different rows can be computed from different firing sequences for synthetic aperture beamformation in an elevation dimension.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Kolo Medical, Ltd.
    Inventors: Danhua Zhao, Constantine Simopoulos
  • Patent number: 10603012
    Abstract: In order to provide a technology that does not require, in a probe, provision of a bias voltage storage unit and a communication unit and, in an apparatus main body, provision of a communication unit configured to communicate to/from the probe and a unit configured to control a bias voltage based on a value obtained by the communication, there is provided a probe including a plurality of cells, the cell including a first electrode and a second electrode disposed so as to be opposed to the first electrode across a gap. The plurality of cells include: a first cell configured to perform at least one of transmission or reception of an ultrasound wave; and a second cell in which pull-in occurs at a voltage lower than a pull-in voltage of the first cell and which is configured to be short-circuited at a time of the pull-in.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2020
    Assignee: CANON KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Naoyo Gemma, Atsushi Kandori
  • Patent number: 10575821
    Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for a compact, inexpensive ultrasound system using an off-the-shelf personal digital assistant (PDA) device interfacing to a hand-held probe assembly through a standard digital interface. The hand-held probe assembly comprises a detachable transducer head attached to a beamforming module that performs digital beamforming. The PDA runs Windows applications and displays menus and images to a user. The PDA also runs ultrasound data processing software to support a plurality of imaging modes. An internal battery is provided in the PDA to power the system. The transducer head is detachable from the beamforming module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: GE MEDICAL SYSTEMS GLOBAL TECHNOLOGY COMPANY, LLC
    Inventors: Menachem Halmann, Shinichi Amemiya
  • Patent number: 10575816
    Abstract: Various approaches for detecting microbubble cavitation resulting from ultrasound waves transmitted from an ultrasound transducer include associating at least one time-domain reference signal with microbubble cavitation; causing the transducer to transmit one or more ultrasound pulse; acquiring, in the time domain, an echo signal from microbubbles in response to the transmitted ultrasound pulse(s); correlating at least a portion of the echo signal to at least a corresponding portion of the time-domain reference signal based on similarity therebetween; and detecting the microbubble cavitation based on the corresponding portion of the reference signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2020
    Assignee: INSIGHTEC, LTD.
    Inventors: Oleg Prus, Yoav Levy
  • Patent number: 10561400
    Abstract: To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic method capable of conducting ultrasonic diagnosis using acoustic radiation pressure, without causing an increase in the temperature of an ultrasound-exposed portion. A push pulse transmitter outputs a coded pressurization pulse signal. A track pulse transmitter outputs a measurement pulse signal for measurement. An ultrasound probe outputs an ultrasonic wave for generating a shear wave in a target object on the basis of the pressurization pulse signal, and an ultrasonic wave for measurement on the basis of the measurement pulse signal. An echo receiver receives an echo of the ultrasonic wave for measurement, and outputs an electric signal. An elastic modulus estimator decodes the electric signal output by the echo receiver, and estimates an elastic modulus of the target object on the basis of the decoded signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Kengo Kondo, Makoto Yamakawa, Tsuyoshi Shiina
  • Patent number: 10548572
    Abstract: An ultrasound processing device including an interleaver that obtains a combined wavefront frame sequence by interleaving a plurality of wavefront frame sequences; and a calculator that calculates shear wave speed and elastic modulus in a subject, by performing calculations using change amounts of propagation positions of a shear wave indicated by the combined wavefront frame sequence. The interleaving by the interleaver comprises frame interleaving and/or element array direction interleaving.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: KONICA MINOLTA, INC.
    Inventor: Yasuaki Susumu
  • Patent number: 10524761
    Abstract: An enhanced stethoscope device and method for operating the enhanced stethoscope are provided. The enhanced stethoscope device generally operates by providing stethoscope sensors, ultrasonic sensors, and other sensors to obtain a series of measurements about a subject. The series of measurements may be correlated, such as by machine learning, to extract clinically relevant information. Also described are systems and methods for ultrasonic beamsteering by interference of an audio signal with an ultrasonic signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: California Institute of Technology
    Inventors: Aditya Rajagopal, Alaina Ann Brinley Rajagopal
  • Patent number: 10524763
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasound inspection device, an ultrasound image data generation method, and a computer-readable recording medium in which is stored a program, which determine for each of data calculation points whether or not the distance to a transmission focal point is with a predetermined range, and when the distance from the data calculation point to the transmission focal point is outside the predetermined range, superimposition of a plurality of first element data is carried out assuming an ultrasonic beam to be a convergent wave, and when the distance from the data calculation point to the transmission focal point is within the predetermined range, the superimposition of the plurality of first element data is carried out assuming an ultrasonic beam to be a planar wave to thereby generate second element data corresponding to the data calculation points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 7, 2020
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10492765
    Abstract: A control system for an ultrasound transmission/reception apparatus with a plurality of acoustic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals may include driving device operatively coupled to the acoustic transducers and a control unit. The control unit may cyclically control the acoustic transducers in a transmission state for transmitting ultrasound signals, and in a reception state for receiving echoes of the transmitted ultrasound signals. The control unit may include an input stage which receives an external timing signal, and a processing stage which detects a first edge of the timing signal to determine the start time of a transmission phase during which the acoustic transducers are controlled in the transmission state, and a second edge of the timing signal to determine the stop time of a reception phase during which the acoustic transducers are controlled in the reception state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2019
    Assignee: STMICROELECTRONICS S.R.L.
    Inventor: Stefano Passi
  • Patent number: 10485512
    Abstract: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic transducer array in which ultrasonic transducer elements are two-dimensionally arranged; and a controller configured to control the ultrasonic transducer elements to transmit ultrasonic signals and control the ultrasonic transducer elements arranged in rows of the ultrasonic transducer array to sequentially receive ultrasonic echo signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Baehyung Kim, Youngil Kim, Jong Keun Song, Seungheun Lee, Kyungil Cho
  • Patent number: 10470746
    Abstract: In the ultrasound diagnosis, a probe performs transmission of an ultrasonic beam a plurality of times so as to form predetermined transmission focus points, the analog reception data output by the probe is A/D converted to turn into a first element data, a plurality of first element data is used to generate a second element data corresponding to any one of the plurality of first element data, and a sound velocity is determined using the first element data in a case where the position for determining the sound velocity is in a vicinity of the transmission focus point and using the second element data in a case where the position is not in a vicinity of the transmission focus point. In this manner, the sound velocity of the ultrasound waves in an inspection object can be accurately determined without decreasing the frame rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10463344
    Abstract: The presently disclosed subject matter is intended to correctly determine an ambient sound velocity at each level of pixels or line images constituting an ultrasound image, and construct a high-precision ultrasound image. A region-of-interest setting unit sets a region of interest on an ultrasound image. A transmission focus control unit gives a transmission focus instruction, so that a transmitting circuit performs transmission focusing on the region of interest. A set sound velocity specification unit specifies a set sound velocity used to perform reception focusing on RF data. A focus index calculation unit performs reception focusing on the RF data for each of a plurality of set sound velocities to calculate the focus index of the RF data. An ambient sound velocity determination unit determines the ambient sound velocity of the region of interest on the basis of the focus index for each of the plurality of set sound velocities.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Kimito Katsuyama
  • Patent number: 10455153
    Abstract: A system and method for operating a sensor which has at least two modes of operation. The sensor may be provided with a sequence of common operation steps which are included in both a first sequence of operation steps which define a first mode of operation and a second sequence of operation steps which define a second mode of operation. The sensor may also be provided with one or more dummy operation steps which relate to the difference between the first mode of operation and the second mode of operation. The sensor can be operated in the first mode of operation by causing it to execute at least the common operation steps and it can be operated in the second mode of operation by causing it to execute the common operation steps and at least one dummy operation step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: Magic Leap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Keith Smith, Koon Keong Shee, Gregory Michael Link
  • Patent number: 10441247
    Abstract: A single element ultrasound transducer is fabricated from a laminate plate which produces multiple transducer elements simultaneously. The laminate plate includes the piezo ceramic, matching layer, and backing layer with rear electrode. The laminate plate is diced while mounted on nitto tape to retain the individual elements in position after dicing. The sides of the elements are covered with an insulating coating, which permits the transducer elements to be surface mounted on flex circuit by bonding the rear electrode to a signal conductor of the flex circuit and the matching layer to a return conductor by metallically coating the mounted transducer element and return conductor on the flex circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventors: Dennis Dean Clark, Barry Carl Scheirer
  • Patent number: 10417778
    Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes memory circuitry configured to store a program and processing circuitry configured, by executing the program, to perform alignment between one of live images and one of reference images. The live images include a fundamental image and a harmonic image both of which are acquired by contrast imaging, the reference images are acquired prior to the live images, and the alignment is performed by using the fundamental image as one of the live images.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 17, 2019
    Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Minori Izumi, Tatsuru Kurosaki, Nobuhide Ooi, Takashi Masuda
  • Patent number: 10405829
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating high quality, high frame rate images in a handheld or hand-carried ultrasound imaging machine. The apparatus includes a time-multiplexed beamformer coefficient generator that supplies the necessary delay and weight coefficients to process multiple beams in parallel via a beamforming coefficient bus. This approach reduces the required hardware and power consumption to satisfy the physical space and power requirements of a handheld probe. To improve image quality, the ultrasound machine may optionally use synthetic aperture to improve penetration and resolution. The ultrasound machine may also use pulse inversion harmonics to improve image quality by improving signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2019
    Assignee: Clarius Mobile Health Corp.
    Inventors: Laurent Pelissier, Kwun-Keat Chan, Trevor Hansen
  • Patent number: 10395346
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ultrasonic apparatus, which substitutes a frame image having a large motion blur factor and being currently displayed with a frame image having a small motion blur factor and obtained prior to a select instruction input time to display the substituted image when a select instruction for selecting the frame image being displayed or a substitute image display instruction is input, and a method for controlling the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Sung Lee, Hak-Il Kang, Sung-Ah Park
  • Patent number: 10383601
    Abstract: There are included a data-processing-unit that selects two or more pieces of data from among a plurality of pieces of first element data or from among a plurality of pieces of first reception data generated by subjecting the pieces of first element data to phasing addition processing and that performs superimposition processing on the two or more pieces of data to generate processed data, an image-generation-unit that generates an acoustic wave image on the basis of the processed data, a setting-information-holding-unit that holds setting information on at least one of a transmitting-unit, a receiving-unit, the data-processing-unit, the-image-generation-unit, and a display-control-unit, and a setting-changing-unit that, in a case where a measurement condition is changed, changes setting of at least one of the transmitting-unit, the receiving-unit, the data-processing-unit, the image-generation-unit, and the display-control-unit on the basis of the held setting information, the setting being related to the aco
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10359509
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are an image processor, an ultrasonic imaging device, and an image processing method. The image processor includes a signal input unit configured to receive an input signal on a channel, a weighting coefficient database configured to store a weighting coefficient wherein the weighting coefficient is part of a weighting coefficient subgroup, and a processor configured to select the weighting coefficient subgroup from the weighting coefficient database, and convert the input signal by selecting and using the weighting coefficient from the weighting coefficient subgroup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Kyu Hong Kim, Sung Chan Park, Su Hyun Park, Joo Young Kang, Jung Ho Kim
  • Patent number: 10342509
    Abstract: A beamforming device, an ultrasonic imaging device, and a beamforming method, which allow a simple spatial smoothing operation, are disclosed. A beamforming device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a spatial smoothing unit for transforming a received signal into another space, using a transformation function configured by low frequency components, calculating a transformed signal by a spatial smoothing operation using a transformation function in a transformation space, and estimating an averaged spatial covariance matrix; a weighted value operation unit for operating a weighted value of the transformed signal from the averaged spatial covariance matrix which has been estimated by the spatial smoothing operation; and a synthesis unit for generating a beam signal, using the transformed signal and the weighted value of the transformed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignees: ALPINION MEDICAL SYSTEMS CO., LTD., INDUSTRY ACADEMIC COOPERATION FOUNDATION, HALLYM UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Sun-Yeob Chang, Moo-Ho Bae
  • Patent number: 10321889
    Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for synthetic aperture ultrasound imaging using spread-spectrum, wide instantaneous band, coherent, coded waveforms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2019
    Assignee: Decision Sciences International Corporation
    Inventor: Allan Wegner
  • Patent number: 10307067
    Abstract: An energy-efficient, wide-band, and compact wireless sensor reader remotely interrogates an implanted wireless inductive-capacitive (LC) sensor in order to measure a physiologic parameter of interest within a human body. The wireless sensor reader generates an instantaneous, spike-shaped, high-amplitude, low-energy pulse to excite the wireless LC sensor, causing it to emit a ring-down signal. The wireless sensor reader subsequently receives, amplifies, and filters the ring-down signal. Next, the wireless sensor reader digitizes the ring-down signal and transfers the digitized ring-down signal to a processing unit. The processing unit computes a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) of the digitized ring-down signal and then locates the resonant frequency of the LC sensor using a threshold peak detection technique.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 4, 2019
    Assignee: W. L. Gore & Associates, Inc.
    Inventor: Minghua Xu
  • Patent number: 10299762
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, a signal processing method, and a recording medium which are capable of eliminating a ghost signal with a small number of data when correcting element data by superimposing a plurality of element data, obtaining a high quality ultrasound image while preventing a decrease in the frame rate, and reducing the capacity of a memory. Information on a transmission frequency of an ultrasonic beam is acquired, and second element data is generated using a plurality of first element data on the basis of the acquired information on a transmission frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10299034
    Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes a plurality of microphones, a memory configured to store a first specified time set to form a beam in a first direction using the plurality of microphones, and a processor connected to the plurality of microphones and configured to receive a sound using the plurality of microphones, determine a direction corresponding to the received sound, and if the direction is equivalent to a second direction, associate a second specified time to the received sound as if a beam is formed in the second direction using the plurality of microphones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jae-Mo Yang, Beak-Kwon Son, Nam-Il Lee, Jong-Mo Kum, Gang-Youl Kim, Ho-Chul Hwang
  • Patent number: 10291335
    Abstract: The beamforming calibration system includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a computing device. The transmitter includes multiple transmitting antennas. The computing device provides multiple phase sets to the transmitter. When the computing device provides a first phase set among the phase sets to the transmitter: the transmitter uses the first phase set to set phases of the transmitting antennas, the receiver receives wireless transmission signal from the transmitting antennas to obtain a first radiation pattern corresponding to the first phase set, and the computing device is configured to compare the first radiation pattern with a predetermined pattern to calculate a pattern similarity score corresponding to the first phase set. The computing device selects a calibration phase set among the phase sets according to the pattern similarity score of each phase set, and provides the calibration phase set to the transmitter to calibrate beamforming.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: INDUSTRIAL TECHNOLOGY RESEARCH INSTITUTE
    Inventors: Chao-Kai Wen, Chang-Jen Wang, Jung-Chieh Chen
  • Patent number: 10272270
    Abstract: A method of using a medical instrument (300, 400) comprising a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system (302). The MRI system acquires (100, 202) first magnetic resonance data (342) and reconstructs (102, 204) a first magnetic resonance image (344, 502). A registration (352) of multiple graphical objects (346, 510, 512) to the first magnetic resonance image is received which defines spatial positions of the multiple graphical objects in the first magnetic resonance image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS N.V.
    Inventor: Erkki Tapani Vahala
  • Patent number: 10265053
    Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that scans an object to be examined into which contrast medium bubbles are injected with ultrasonic waves to acquire an ultrasonic image of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2019
    Assignee: TOSHIBA MEDICAL SYSTEMS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Tetsuya Yoshida, Naohisa Kamiyama
  • Patent number: 10251624
    Abstract: A delta-sigma beamformer includes a beamsummer and a plurality of delta-sigma modules. Each of the delta sigma modules includes a delta-sigma modulator configured to receive analog ultrasound signals from one or more transducer elements and output a delay line including a plurality of samples based on the analog ultrasound signals. Each delta-sigma modulator includes a comb filter connected to the delta-sigma modulator and configured to output a difference between two of the plurality of samples in the delay line. Each delta-sigma modulator includes an accumulator module. Each accumulator module includes an accumulator connected to the comb filter. Each accumulator module is configured to integrate signals received from the comb filter during a non-delay-expansion period and transmit the integrated signals to the beamsummer during the non-delay-expansion period. Each accumulator module is configured to output a zero to the beamsummer during a delay-expansion period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Rune Kaald
  • Patent number: 10231709
    Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, a signal processing method, and a recording medium capable of appropriately superimposing data and obtaining high quality images when correcting data by superimposing a plurality of data. A transmission frequency of an ultrasonic beam is set according to a processing condition in a data processor, and second element data is generated using a plurality of first element data obtained by transmitting the ultrasonic beam at the transmission frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2019
    Assignee: FUJIFILM Corporation
    Inventor: Hiroaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10226237
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, an image generation unit, a display unit, and a control unit. The image generation unit generates image data from a reflected wave received from the ultrasonic probe. The display unit displays the image data. The ultrasonic probe includes a plurality of temperature sensors that measure the temperature of the ultrasonic probe and a switching circuit that is connected to the respective temperature sensors and switches connection to any one of the temperature sensors to a valid state to output data from the temperature sensors to a temperature detector. The control unit includes an instruction unit that instructs the switching circuit to switch connection to any one of the temperature sensors to a valid state at a predetermined time interval and a determination unit that determines whether a temperature measured by the temperature detector is within a set temperature range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2019
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Yasuo Miyajima, Hironobu Hongou, Isao Uchiumi, Nobuyuki Iwama, Koichi Morikawa, Takatoshi Okumura
  • Patent number: 10218966
    Abstract: A method for collecting image data destined for producing an immersive video, which method comprises a determination of a zone of viewpoints and the set-up of a set of source points situated at end points of the zone of viewpoints, as well as the placement of each time a scanner of a first set of scanners at each of said source points for scanning step by step a space by means of scanning beams and according to a succession of on the one hand azimuth angles and on the other hand elevation angles each situated in a range predetermined by the zone of viewpoints, and determining on the basis of reflected scanning beams image data formed by a distance between the point touched by a beam and the scanner having produced the concerned scanning beam as well as a colour parameter of said touched point and storing them in a memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: PARALLAXTER
    Inventors: Tristan Salome, Michael De Coninck, Chris Mascarello, James Vanderhaegen, Gael Honorez
  • Patent number: 10209353
    Abstract: A system and method for phased-array radar that is capable of accurate phase-only steering at any unambiguous angle is provided. In various embodiments, system and method that compensates for the varying effective element spacing of phased array radar, which occurs as a result of transmitting a wideband signal with phase shifters operating at a fixed phase, by interpolating and resampling across all elements, per frequency, to generate a desired effective spacing between the elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: SRC, INC.
    Inventor: Daniel D. Thomas, Jr.
  • Patent number: 10206573
    Abstract: An electronic device and method are disclosed herein. The electronic device includes an image sensor, a radio frequency (RF) sensor, and a processor. The processor implements the method, including capturing an image including at least one object using an image sensor, determining an interest area of the at least one object included within the captured image, transmitting a radio frequency (RF) signal to at least a portion of the interest area using an RF sensor, receiving the transmitted RF signal reflected from the at least the portion of the interest area using the RF sensor, and obtaining biometric information for the at least one object based on the reflected RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 14, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Injo Jeong, Jeahyuck Lee, Younghwan Kim, Seungeun Lee, Yongjin Lee, Bokun Choi
  • Patent number: 10209352
    Abstract: An ultrasound transducer assembly (30) is disclosed, comprising: a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements (34, 36, 38) for receiving ultrasound waves and for providing transducer signals (X2, X3, X4) corresponding to the respectively received ultrasound waves. The assembly comprises a plurality of signal combiners (42, 44; 60, 62, 64) for providing different output signals (Y1, Y2) on the basis of the transducer signals, and a plurality of timing elements (48, 52; 68, 70; 72, 74) for providing different time shifts (?) to the transducer signals. Each of the ultrasound transducer elements is connected to a plurality of the signal combiners for providing the transducer signals including the different time shifts to different of the signal combiners.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips N.V.
    Inventor: Antonia Cornelia van Rens
  • Patent number: 10201326
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The method includes transmitting separate first and second ultrasonic signals to an object, receiving a first echo signal which corresponds to the first ultrasonic signal and a second echo signal which corresponds to the second ultrasonic signal, separating the received first and second echo signals in order to generate first ultrasonic data which corresponds to the first echo signal and second ultrasonic data which corresponds to the second echo signal, and displaying a first ultrasonic image which is generated based on the first ultrasonic data and a second ultrasonic image which is generated based on the second ultrasonic data. The first ultrasonic image is an ultrasonic image of a first cross-sectional surface of the object, and the second ultrasonic image is an ultrasonic image of a second cross-sectional surface of the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hee-chul Yoon, Hae-kyung Jung, Hyun-taek Lee
  • Patent number: 10200081
    Abstract: Methods and systems are provided including a system for signal detection and digital bandwidth reduction in a phased array comprising a digital phased array receiving system, digital beamforming network, and central system-level processing system. In at least one embodiment, a system for signal detection and digital bandwidth reduction in a phased array is provided that includes a digital phased array receiving and transmitting system, a plurality of digital processing nodes, transceivers, and a core processing node, and a plurality of digital beamforming nodes. The exemplary the digital processing nodes including control sections that each perform preprocessing to identify signals with predetermined signal characteristics. The exemplary said preprocessing further includes selecting reflected signals received by the digital phased array receiving and transmitting system having one or more of the predetermined signal characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: The United States of America, as represented by the Secretary of the Navy
    Inventor: Trevor Snow
  • Patent number: 10194887
    Abstract: A display device for ultrasound energy includes a focused ultrasound emitting and receiving device, a processing device and a display. The processing device generates a first electrical signal and transmits it to the focused ultrasound emitting and receiving device to control the focused ultrasound emitting and receiving device to emit at least one first ultrasound signal to a target position of an organism. The target position reflects the first ultrasound signal to form at least one second ultrasound signal. After generating the first electrical signal, the processing device drives the focused ultrasound emitting and receiving device to start to receive the second ultrasound signal only during a preset period after the estimation period. The processing device uses the display to display an image of the target position according to the second ultrasound signal, and brightness of the image is directly proportional to energy intensity of the first ultrasound signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: CHANG CHUNG UNIVERSITY
    Inventors: Hao-Li Liu, Jing-Jing Xia
  • Patent number: 10188369
    Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging methods and apparatus that allow for multiple modes of imaging using a single ultrasound transducer having a plurality of transducer elements. In an embodiment, there is provided an ultrasound imaging machine that is: operable in a first imaging mode in which the plurality of transducer elements are activated; and operable in a second imaging mode different from the first imaging mode, and in the second imaging mode, a subset of the plurality of transducer elements are activated so that ultrasound signals are steered from the subset of the plurality of transducer elements, where any remaining transducer elements of the plurality of transducer elements not part of the subset are inactive when operating in the second imaging mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2019
    Assignee: Clarius Mobile Health Corp.
    Inventors: Laurent Pelissier, Kris Dickie, Nishant Uniyal
  • Patent number: 10149663
    Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (102) includes a transducer array (108) with a two-dimensional non-rectangular array of rows (110) of elements, transmit circuitry (112) that actuates the elements to transmit an ultrasound signal into a field of view, receive circuitry (114) that receives echoes produced in response to an interaction between the ultrasound signal and a structure in the field of view, and a beamformer that processes the echoes, thereby generating one or more scan lines indicative of the field of view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 11, 2018
    Assignee: BK Medical Aps
    Inventors: Svetoslav Ivanov Nikolov, Jacob Kortbek, Henrik Jensen
  • Patent number: 10141706
    Abstract: Laser diode drivers include switching power supplies situated proximate one or more laser diode arrays so as to provide laser diode drive currents at frequencies of 200 kHz or more. The switching power supplies are generally buck/boost supplies that can provide well regulated outputs even when regulating remote power received from a power supply via a cables having inductances in the hundreds of nH. Multiple laser diode arrays can be driven with independently selectable powers. A drive current for a particular laser array can be controlled so as to reduce voltage drop at voltage control elements such as FETs, leading to increased efficiency, increased product life and decreased sense element failure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: nLIGHT, Inc.
    Inventor: Gary L. Burkholder
  • Patent number: 10130339
    Abstract: An ultrasound sensor, including a plurality of ultrasound elements which include a first electrode, a piezoelectric layer, and a second electrode and which are arranged in a first direction and a second direction, in which at least a portion of the plurality of ultrasound elements are grouped, at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode is shared for each of the grouped ultrasound elements, bypass wiring is connected to at least one of the shared first electrode and second electrode, a following ? value of the bypass wiring is greater than the ? value of the first electrode or second electrode on which the bypass wiring is connected, and the electric resistance value per unit length of the bypass wiring is lower than that of the first electrode or the second electrode. ? value=(Young's modulus of Constituent Material)×(cross-sectional area of wiring or electrode).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventor: Chikara Kojima
  • Patent number: 10123774
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic probe includes a matching layer having flexibility, a piezoelectric layer disposed on the bottom surface of the matching layer and having flexibility, a first backing layer disposed on the bottom surface of the piezoelectric layer and having flexibility, a second backing layer disposed on the bottom surface of the first backing layer and including a plurality of backing material layers stacked perpendicularly to the first backing layer, and second backing layer adjusting units respectively disposed between every two of the plurality of the stacked backing material layers of the second backing layer and changing the shape of the backing material layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO., LTD.
    Inventor: In Seong Song
  • Patent number: 10101450
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, a medical image processing apparatus includes storage circuitry and processing circuitry. The storage circuitry stores a plurality of images acquired by transmitting ultrasonic waves in different scanning parameters to a target region. The processing circuitry separates a pixel value of a pixel in the images into at least two components. The processing circuitry forms a compound image concerning to the images by using at least one of the components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Medical Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Saori Asaka, Satoshi Kawata, Yukinobu Sakata, Toshiyuki Ono, Nobuyuki Matsumoto
  • Patent number: 10092279
    Abstract: A system further comprises a processing unit functionally associated with the display, wherein the processing unit comprises an image processing module. The system further comprises a camera functionally associated with the processing unit via a communication channel for transferring images from the camera to the processing unit and configured to obtain images of a biopsy sample obtained from the body of the patient. The processing unit is configured to receive image data from an imaging modality capable of obtaining images of internal patient's body parts not directly visible from outside the body, and to display to a user on a display images related to the image data. The processing unit is further configured to generate, from at least one image of a biopsy sample and using the image processing module, a processed image related to the biopsy sample, and to display the processed image on the display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: UC-CARE LTD.
    Inventors: Alex Pasternak, Tomer Schatzberger, Shaike Schatzberger, Moshe Ebenstein
  • Patent number: 10076308
    Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus may comprise: a probe comprising a transducer configured to transmit a signal to an object and configured to receive an echo signal from the object; a controller configured to control the probe; and/or an image generation unit configured to generate an image of the object based on the echo signal. The controller may be further configured to drive the transducer such that the signal transmitted simultaneously comprises a fundamental frequency and at least one harmonic. A method of generating an ultrasonic image may comprise: transmitting a signal to an object by using a transducer; receiving an echo signal from the object by using the transducer; and/or generating an image of the object based on the echo signal. The transmitting of the signal to the object may comprise driving the transducer such that the signal transmitted simultaneously comprises a fundamental frequency and at least one harmonic.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sangha Park, Sungchan Kang, Seokwhan Chung
  • Patent number: 10076313
    Abstract: A method of scanning for an object using an adaptive scheduler starts with an electronic circuit (EC) receiving information associated with the object. A task list is then generated by the EC that includes at least one task action based on the information associated with the object. The at least one task action includes a beam firing required for the object to be scanned. The EC may signal based on the task list to a beamer to generate and send a signal to a probe unit to perform the beam firing. A receiver may receive and process a data signal from the probe unit and send the processed data signals to the EC. The EC may then analyze the processed data signal to determine if the object is identified using the processed data signal. Other embodiments are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2018
    Assignee: White Eagle Sonic Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: Richard Tobias, Bicheng Wu, Ashish Parikh
  • Patent number: 10064558
    Abstract: A subject information acquisition device includes an elastic wave receiving unit configured to receive elastic waves generated inside a subject and output a reception signal; and a signal processing unit configured to acquire subject information in an interest region of the subject, on the basis of the reception signal. In measurement states, the elastic wave receiving unit receives elastic waves and outputs reception signals corresponding to the measurement states. The signal processing unit corrects the reception signals by weighting factors based on measurement parameters in the measurement states, and acquires corrected reception signals in the interest region corresponding to the measurement states. The signal processing unit acquires the subject information in the interest region, on the basis of the sum of the corrected reception signals and the sum of the weighting factors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2018
    Assignee: Canon Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Ryuichi Nanaumi
  • Patent number: 10054707
    Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for investigating a subsurface volume of interest from a borehole. Apparatus comprise an enclosure configured for conveyance along the borehole; an acoustic source in the enclosure configured to generate acoustic signals; a lens assembly disposed in the enclosure and next to the acoustic source, the lens assembly being formed of a plurality of lens elements; wherein each lens element comprises a plurality of cells arranged in a curvilinear cell array, each cell formed as a column oriented transverse to a direction of travel of the acoustical signals. The plurality of cells may be arranged according to a conformal mapping geometry, including a canonical Bipolar conformal mapping transformation of constant [u,v] contour lines to [x,y] Cartesian coordinates. A portion of the cells are scaled down in size by a scale factor. The scale factor corresponding to each cell of the portion varies non-monotonically along periodicity lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: BAKER HUGHES, A GE COMPANY, LLC
    Inventor: Dwight W. Swett