Surgery – Diagnostic testing – Detecting nuclear – electromagnetic – or ultrasonic radiation
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-08
2001-04-03
Lateef, Marvin M. (Department: 3737)
Surgery
Diagnostic testing
Detecting nuclear, electromagnetic, or ultrasonic radiation
C600S451000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06210335
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention generally relates to ultrasound imaging, and more particularly relates to penetration of ultrasound waves into a subject being imaged.
The ultrasound wave penetration of current day diagnostic ultrasound machines when performing color flow imaging is compromised by FDA regulation. The FDA regulates the acoustic power output from diagnostic ultrasound imaging machines to avoid the possibility of undesirable effects in the body due to cavitation and heating. These effects are regulated by means of limits on MI (Mechanical Index), and ISPTA (Intensity Spatial Peak Temporal (time) Average), respectively. Ultrasound waves typically are applied to a subject by holding the face of a transducer against the skin of the subject. The temperature of the transducer face is limited for safety. When performing color flow imaging, an ultrasound imaging system typically reaches the ISPTA and probe temperature limits before reaching the MI limits. As a result, the system limits the transmit current to a level much lower than would be required to avoid the MI limit. The current limitation compromises the system's ability to image deep vessels where the limited transmit signal is highly attenuated.
A primary method used to improve penetration is to increase the number of firings (transmit & receive) in the same direction and perform some type of averaging across these firings. The primary disadvantage to this approach is the resulting decrease in the frame rate of the display, thereby degrading temporal resolution.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The preferred embodiment is useful in an ultrasound imaging system for penetrating a subject (e.g., a human patient) with ultrasound waves and displaying a color flow image representing at least a portion of the subject. In such an environment, the preferred embodiment improves the penetration of the ultrasound waves while complying with mechanical index, temperature, and intensity spatial peak temporal average specifications. The improvement is provided by transmitting first ultrasound waves with a first power toward a portion of the subject in response to a first command, and receiving first reflected ultrasound waves from the subject in response to the first ultrasound waves. Second ultrasound waves with a second power less than the first power also are transmitted toward the portion of the subject in response to a second command, and second reflected ultrasound waves are received from the subject in response to the second ultrasound waves. The transmitting and receiving are preferably accomplished with a transducer array. A first set of signals is generated in response to the first reflected ultrasound waves and a second set of signals is generated in response to the second reflected ultrasound waves, preferably by an ultrasound receiver. The first command is generated for a first time period, and the second command is generated for a second time period, preferably by a processor. The ratio of the first time period to the second time period enables compliance with the mechanical index, temperature, and intensity spatial peak temporal average specifications, while enabling penetration of the ultrasound waves during the first time period. The first set of signals and second set of signals are processed to generate processed color flow data for display as a color flow image, preferably by a processor. A color flow image is displayed in response to the processed color flow data, preferably on a display monitor.
By using the foregoing techniques, the penetration of ultrasound waves into a subject being studied can be improved while still complying with applicable FDA regulation.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5443071 (1995-08-01), Banjanin et al.
patent: 5694937 (1997-12-01), Kamiyama
patent: 5860928 (1999-01-01), Wong et al.
patent: 6048312 (2000-04-01), Ishrak et al.
Cabou Christian G.
General Electric Company
Lateef Marvin M.
McAndrews, Held&Malloy
Patel Maulin
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