US4213147A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System for build-up and reproduction of ultrasonic images on reproduction media
Assignee: Siemens AG
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Filing: 1977-09-20
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Granted: 1980-07-15
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Expires: 1997-09-20
Abstract
Abstract In an illustrated embodiment, ultrasonic image processing equipment of the B scan type selectively supplies successive lines of an ultrasonic image signal to a signal mixer which also may receive a gray scale signal. Each successive ultrasonic field interval may thus have inserted therein a gray scale signal so that the ultrasonic display oscilloscope shows a flicker-free gray scale at one margin of the ultrasonic image display area, extending parallel to the line sweep direction (depth direction). By subjecting the gray scale signal to the video standards conversion and to the other transmission processes, e.g. photoelectric and photochemical conversion processes, used in video display and documentation, it is possible to prevent the loss of medically relevant information in these processes. The gray scale signal line or lines may alternate with the ultrasonic lines in each field interval so as to be recorded on magnetic tape, motion picture film and other media along with each ultrasonic image field.
Inventors
- 👤 Heinrich von Buenau
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 01:18
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/56; G01S7/60; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
426 words
A method for the buildup of ultrasonic images which are obtained on the basis of scanning of a subject by means of ultrasonic waves, and for converting these images, arriving as a sequence of ultrasonic echoes, into an optical visual image; and utilizing: an ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus which radiates ultrasonic impulses into the subject to be examined and which again receives the ultrasonic echoes reflected in the subject and converts them into ultrasonic image representing electric signals, the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus including adjustment means for the purpose of adjusting parameters with regard to radiated or received ultrasonic waves, respectively; and an optical reproduction apparatus for the purpose of reproducing the ultrasonic echoes in the form of an optical visual image; and an ultrasonic image signal transmission path for the ultrasonic image representing electric signals; characterized by the following method steps: (a) mixing into the ultrasonic image signal transmission path between the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus and the optical reproduction apparatus a gray-scale signal, and as a first step adjusting all brightness and contrast controls affecting the image display by the optical reproduction apparatus to be viewed by the operator of the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus during reference to the display of the gray-scale signal as a gray-scale representation on the optical reproduction apparatus, so as to optimize such optical reproduction apparatus for medical diagnosis of an ultrasonic image; (b) transmitting via said ultrasonic image signal transmission path the ultrasonic image representing signals supplied by the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus to said optical reproduction apparatus for display of an optical visual image in accordance with the sequence of ultrasonic echoes reflected in the subject on the optical reproduction apparatus; and mixing into the ultrasonic image signal transmission path, concurrently with the transmission of the ultrasonic image representing signals thereby, the gray-scale signal so that the gray-scale representation is displayed on the optical reproduction apparatus along with the display of the optical visual image in accordance with the sequence of ultrasonic echoes; and (c) during display of the sequence of ultrasonic echoes and the gray-scale representation according to step (b), and after completion of all brightness and contrast adjustments, as specified in step (a), adjusting the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus as to ultrasonic parameters including depth compensation and dynamic compression by means of said adjustment means in such a fashion that there results on the optical reproduction apparatus a correspondingly adjusted optical visual image while the optical reproduction apparatus remains adjusted with reference to the display of said gray-scale representation.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
426 words
A method for the buildup of ultrasonic images which are obtained on the basis of scanning of a subject by means of ultrasonic waves, and for converting these images, arriving as a sequence of ultrasonic echoes, into an optical visual image; and utilizing: an ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus which radiates ultrasonic impulses into the subject to be examined and which again receives the ultrasonic echoes reflected in the subject and converts them into ultrasonic image representing electric signals, the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus including adjustment means for the purpose of adjusting parameters with regard to radiated or received ultrasonic waves, respectively; and an optical reproduction apparatus for the purpose of reproducing the ultrasonic echoes in the form of an optical visual image; and an ultrasonic image signal transmission path for the ultrasonic image representing electric signals; characterized by the following method steps: (a) mixing into the ultrasonic image signal transmission path between the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus and the optical reproduction apparatus a gray-scale signal, and as a first step adjusting all brightness and contrast controls affecting the image display by the optical reproduction apparatus to be viewed by the operator of the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus during reference to the display of the gray-scale signal as a gray-scale representation on the optical reproduction apparatus, so as to optimize such optical reproduction apparatus for medical diagnosis of an ultrasonic image; (b) transmitting via said ultrasonic image signal transmission path the ultrasonic image representing signals supplied by the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus to said optical reproduction apparatus for display of an optical visual image in accordance with the sequence of ultrasonic echoes reflected in the subject on the optical reproduction apparatus; and mixing into the ultrasonic image signal transmission path, concurrently with the transmission of the ultrasonic image representing signals thereby, the gray-scale signal so that the gray-scale representation is displayed on the optical reproduction apparatus along with the display of the optical visual image in accordance with the sequence of ultrasonic echoes; and (c) during display of the sequence of ultrasonic echoes and the gray-scale representation according to step (b), and after completion of all brightness and contrast adjustments, as specified in step (a), adjusting the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus as to ultrasonic parameters including depth compensation and dynamic compression by means of said adjustment means in such a fashion that there results on the optical reproduction apparatus a correspondingly adjusted optical visual image while the optical reproduction apparatus remains adjusted with reference to the display of said gray-scale representation.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
163 words
A method according to claim 1 which comprises transmitting via said ultrasonic image signal transmission path the ultrasonic image representing signals both to a primary optical reproduction apparatus in a primary region at the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus and to secondary optical reproduction apparatus in a secondary region relatively remote from said primary region, the method further comprising a first method step of adjusting the primary and secondary reproduction apparatus (11, 19, 31) to optimum reproduction properties of contrast and gradation with a set of regulating devices (12, 13; 20, 21; 32, 33), while displaying a gray-scale representation on each such reproduction apparatus, and then, as a second method step, building up the optical visual image to be diagnostically interpreted with the use of adjustment means (2, 3, 4) of the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus (1) while referring to the primary optical reproduction apparatus (11) which thereby functions as control apparatus for the operator of the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
59 words
A method according to claim 1 with the mixing into the ultrasonic image signal transmission path being carried out by supplying the ultrasonic image representing signals and the gray-scale signal to respective inputs of a signal mixer (8), and supplying the combined ultrasonic image representing signals and the gray-scale signal to a common input of the optical reproduction apparatus.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
65 words
A method according to claim 3 characterized in that the gray-scale signal is produced by a standard-signal generator (6) which is connected with one of the inputs of the signal mixer (8) and producing by means of the standard-signal generator a gray-scale signal with a defined black-white-gradation as the gray-scale signal for said ultrasonic image signal transmission path at the output of the signal mixer.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein after building up the optical visual image in accordance with the sequence of ultrasonic echoes with the use of adjustment means (2, 3, 4) of the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus (1), the gray-scale signal is switched off during further operation.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
95 words
A method according to claim 2 with the further steps of operating the primary reproduction apparatus (11) at a line rate corresponding to the rate of production of ultrasonic impulses, and operating a secondary optical reproduction apparatus (19) at a different line rate different from the rate of ultrasonic impulses produced by the ultrasonic image signal processing apparatus (1), and interposing into the ultrasonic image signal transmission path between the primary and secondary optical reproduction apparatus a standards converter (17) for converting the ultrasonic image representing electrical signals for display by said further reproduction apparatus.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1983-07-15 | 1984-01-14 | 1984-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1987-07-15 | 1988-01-14 | 1988-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1991-07-15 | 1992-01-14 | 1992-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |