Image analysis – Applications – Biomedical applications
Reexamination Certificate
1998-11-17
2001-03-13
Johns, Andrew W. (Department: 2721)
Image analysis
Applications
Biomedical applications
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201887
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to medical imaging devices, and more particularly to ultrasound imaging devices.
Ultrasonic imaging devices generally provide images of an object under observation using ultrasonic waves. Ultrasonic imaging devices provide valuable information about the object under observation. Ultrasonic imaging devices, however, can be difficult to troubleshoot. Images displayed by such devices are typically created using a relatively large number of parallel processing channels. Information gathered from an array element of an ultrasonic transducer on any one of the parallel processing channels is typically presented on a display, in an overlapping manner with information from adjacent channels. Beamforming (i.e. the process by which data generated by an ultrasonic beam is manipulated to produce a readable image) contributes to the complexity of processing and to troubleshooting.
Because of the signal contribution of array elements to many different pixels of an image, service personnel are often required to resort to trial and error in identifying failed circuit components. Trial and error results in increased cost and extends the time that a respective ultrasonic imaging device is out of service.
Accordingly, a need exists for identifying failed elements within ultrasonic imaging devices so as to minimize downtime thereof.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A method and apparatus are provided for identifying a failed receiver channel in an ultrasonic imaging system. The method includes the steps of identifying a location of an artifact on a display of the ultrasonic imaging system. The method further includes the steps of retrieving a set of receiver channel locations associated with the display and determining a channel associated with the identified artifact by matching a receiver location of the set of receiver locations with the location of the identified artifact.
The method and apparatus of automatically identifying a source of artifacts provides an important benefit to operators and service technicians. Not only can a technician more easily troubleshoot and identify a failed channel, but the tool may also be used in the case of multiple inoperative channels or in the case of channels experiencing intermittent malfunctions.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4159462 (1979-06-01), Rocha et al.
patent: 5538004 (1996-07-01), Bamber
patent: 5540229 (1996-07-01), Collet-Billon et al.
patent: 5622170 (1997-04-01), Schulz
patent: 5722412 (1998-03-01), Pfugrath et al.
patent: 6050942 (2000-04-01), Rust et al.
patent: 6130641 (2000-10-01), Kraeutner et al.
Declaration signed by inventors.
Bischoff Lon Raymond
Everling Bruce Richard
Taylor Terry Wayne
Zheng Yibin
Breedlove Jill M.
General Electric Company
Johns Andrew W.
Nakhjavan Shervin K.
Stoner Douglas E.
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