Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Utility Patent
1999-03-31
2001-01-02
Lateef, Marvin M. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
Utility Patent
active
06168565
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND
This invention relates to a medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for simultaneous phase correction of signal components at two frequency bands. In particular, phase corrections of two different frequency bands for coherent image formation is provided.
Coherent image formation is performed by tracking and maintaining a phase relationship between data associated with different scan lines. Coherent imaging allows for phase alignment operations on data as a function of range across each scan line. This phase alignment allows for faster frame rates by creation of synthetic data without degradation in image quality due to azimuthal under-sampling artifacts and beam distortions.
Methods and systems for coherent imaging are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,667,373. In one embodiment, a range and scan line dependent phase shifter or phase aligner is used to align data. The phase shifter operates as part of the receive beamformer on data representing receive beams. The phase between data samples is adjusted as a function of range based on dynamic transmit focusing (see U.S. Pat. No. 5,740,128). The phase shifter operates at one frequency band and/or remodulates data from different transmit frequency bands to provide data for each scan line as though a common carrier frequency had been used.
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention is defined by the following claims, and nothing in this section should be taken as a limitation on those claims. By way of introduction, the preferred embodiment described below includes a medical diagnostic ultrasound method and system for simultaneous phase correction of signal components at two frequency bands. In one embodiment, fundamental and second harmonic frequency bands are corrected for coherent imaging or processing. Images or data responsive to harmonic and fundamental frequencies may be generated from the same transmit and receive process with the benefits of coherent imaging, including increased frame rate.
In one embodiment, simultaneous phase correction is performed, in part, during transmission of ultrasound waveforms and, in part, during reception of returning echoes. The phase between any two transmitted beams is adjusted by a first phase value. The phase between any two received beams is adjusted by a second phase value. Selection of the first and second phase values allows for simultaneous correction of signal components at two different frequency bands. The phase corrections may account for different transmit and receive processes, such as fixed focus transmission and dynamic receive focusing.
In a first aspect, a medical diagnostic ultrasound method and system for phase correction of signal components is provided. A transmit beamformer adjusts a first phase of a first transmit beam by a first correction factor. A receive beamformer adjusts a second phase of data representing at least part of a first receive beam by a second correction factor. The first receive beam is responsive to the first transmit beam.
In a second aspect, an improvement in a medical diagnostic ultrasound method comprising the steps of (a) transmitting at least two transmit beams, (b) receiving samples along at least two receive beams responsive to the at least two transmit beams, and (c) establishing a coherent relationship between at least two of the samples, each of the at least two samples associated with a different one of the at least two receive beams, is provided. The improvement comprises simultaneously adjusting a phase between the at least two of the samples for harmonic and fundamental frequency bands.
Further aspects and advantages are discussed below in conjunction with the preferred embodiments.
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Acuson Corporation
Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione
Imam Ali M.
Lateef Marvin M.
Summerfield Craig A.
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