US4472972A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasound imaging system employing operator controlled filter for reflected signal attenuation compensation
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1982-10-27
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Granted: 1984-09-25
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Expires: 2002-10-27
Abstract
Abstract The amplitudes of electrical signals generated by a transducer in an ultrasound scanning system are controlled by applying the electrical signals to an electrical filter whose frequency pass characteristics can be varied. As the ampltude and frequency of the generated electrical signals decrease due to passage through tissue, the low frequency of the filter is reduced. The control of the filter can be automatically implemented or can be manually implemented by the system operator.
Inventors
- 👤 James K. Riley
- 👤 William R. Hardin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 19:06
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
71 words
In an ultrasound scanning system in which reflected ultrasound waves are received by transducer means and in response thereto generates electrical signals, a method of processing said electrical signals to provide signals of a desired amplitude comprising the steps of applying said electrical signals to a variable electrical filter which passes signals above a low pass frequency, and time varying said low pass frequency as said electrical signals are applied thereto.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
71 words
In an ultrasound scanning system in which reflected ultrasound waves are received by transducer means and in response thereto generates electrical signals, a method of processing said electrical signals to provide signals of a desired amplitude comprising the steps of applying said electrical signals to a variable electrical filter which passes signals above a low pass frequency, and time varying said low pass frequency as said electrical signals are applied thereto.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method as defined by claim 1 wherein said low pass frequency is correlated to time attenuation of said electrical signals and to frequency shift of said electrical signals.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
82 words
In an ultrasound scanning system in which reflected ultrasound waves are received by transducer means and in response thereto generates electrical signals, apparatus for processing said electrical signals to provide signals of desired amplitude comprising an electrical filter with controllable and variable frequency pass and cut-off characteristics, means for applying said electrical signals to said filter, and means for manually time varying the lower pass frequency of said variable frequency pass characteristics of said filter as said electrical signals are applied thereto.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
82 words
In an ultrasound scanning system in which reflected ultrasound waves are received by transducer means and in response thereto generates electrical signals, apparatus for processing said electrical signals to provide signals of desired amplitude comprising an electrical filter with controllable and variable frequency pass and cut-off characteristics, means for applying said electrical signals to said filter, and means for manually time varying the lower pass frequency of said variable frequency pass characteristics of said filter as said electrical signals are applied thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
28 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said lower pass frequency is correlated to time attenuation of said electrical signals and to frequency shift of said electrical signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 3 wherein said means for time varying said variable frequency pass characteristics includes a manually operable control panel.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
95 words
An ultrasonic scanning system comprising transducer means for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals and generating electrical signals in response thereto, an electrical filter having variable and controllable frequency pass characteristics, means for applying said electrical signals to said electrical filter, means for time varying the lower pass frequency of said variable frequency pass characteristics of said filter as said electrical signals are applied thereto, whereby the electrical signals passed by said filter have desired amplitudes, display means, and means for receiving and processing electrical signals passed by said filter and controlling said display means therewith.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
95 words
An ultrasonic scanning system comprising transducer means for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals and generating electrical signals in response thereto, an electrical filter having variable and controllable frequency pass characteristics, means for applying said electrical signals to said electrical filter, means for time varying the lower pass frequency of said variable frequency pass characteristics of said filter as said electrical signals are applied thereto, whereby the electrical signals passed by said filter have desired amplitudes, display means, and means for receiving and processing electrical signals passed by said filter and controlling said display means therewith.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
The ultrasonic scanning system as defined by claim 6 wherein said filter comprises a bandpass filter including a variable lower pass frequency.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The ultrasound scanning system as defined by claim 6 wherein said filter comprises a high pass filter including a variable lower pass frequency.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
The ultrasonic scanning system as defined by claim 6 wherein said means for time varying said variable frequency characteristics includes a translator means for translating a time gain control signal to a time spectrum control signal for applying to said filter.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4016750A
Cited
US4016750B1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1987-09-25 | 1988-03-26 | 1988-09-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1991-09-25 | 1992-03-26 | 1992-09-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1995-09-25 | 1996-03-26 | 1996-09-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |