US4702258A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Device for combined B-scan and B/A imaging
Assignee: US Philips Corp
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Filing: 1986-02-04
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Granted: 1987-10-27
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Expires: 2006-02-04
Abstract
Abstract The combined modality device comprises an ultrasound transducer (10) which is suitable for transmission as well as reception and which is connected to a transmitter stage (20) as well as to a receiver stage (30). The transducer (10) has a bandwidth which at least equals approximately one octave. The transmitter stage (20) comprises a generator for generating activation signals for the transducer (10) with a frequency f o near the lower limit of said bandwidth, the spectrum of these activation signals excluding the frequency f 1 =2f o . The receiver stage (30) comprises a B-scan channel and also a B/A processing channel (200) which itself includes a bandpass filter (210) which is centered around said frequency f 1 , an envelope detector (220, 230), a comparison circuit (240), a differentiation circuit (250) and a display device (260) whereby measured results in both modalities may be displayed.
Inventors
- 👤 Jean-Marie Nicolas
- 👤 Patrick Pesque
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-30 20:04
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/52071; G01N; G01N29/00; G01N29/04; G01N29/06; G01N29/0609; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52025; G01S7/52036; G01S7/52058; G01N2291/00; G01N2291/02; G01N2291/024; G01N2291/02491
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
251 words
A device for the production of both conventional and B/A second order non-linearity images of objects, notably biological tissues, by ultrasound echography comprising: an ultrasound transducer; transmitter means connected to the transducer to produce repeated transmission of pulses of ultrasound energy; receiver means connected to the transducer for receiving signals which correspond to echoes of the pulses of ultrasound energy which are received by the transducer, said receiver means comprising: an amplifier, with automatic gain control, connected to receive and amplify signals from the transducer; a first processing channel for producing conventional images, having an input connected to the output of the amplifier and comprising, in functional cascade connection, a first envelope detector and first display means; and a second processing channel for producing B/A second order non-linearity images, having an input connected to the output of the amplifier and comprising, in functional cascade connection, a bandpass filter, a second envelope detector, comparison means which compare the output of the first envelope detector with the output of the second envelope detector, differentiation means, and second display means; wherein the transducer has a bandwidth which is approximately equal to or greater than one octave, the transmitter means comprise means for generating transducer activation signals having the nominal frequency f 0 in the vicinity of the lower limit of the bandwidth of the transducer, the spectrum of the activation signals excludes a frequency f 1 =2f 0 , and the bandpass filter has a central frequency equal to said frequency f 1 .
Claim 2
Independent Claim
251 words
A device for the production of both conventional and B/A second order non-linearity images of objects, notably biological tissues, by ultrasound echography comprising: an ultrasound transducer; transmitter means connected to the transducer to produce repeated transmission of pulses of ultrasound energy; receiver means connected to the transducer for receiving signals which correspond to echoes of the pulses of ultrasound energy which are received by the transducer, said receiver means comprising: an amplifier, with automatic gain control, connected to receive and amplify signals from the transducer; a first processing channel for producing conventional images, having an input connected to the output of the amplifier and comprising, in functional cascade connection, a first envelope detector and first display means; and a second processing channel for producing B/A second order non-linearity images, having an input connected to the output of the amplifier and comprising, in functional cascade connection, a bandpass filter, a second envelope detector, comparison means which compare the output of the first envelope detector with the output of the second envelope detector, differentiation means, and second display means; wherein the transducer has a bandwidth which is approximately equal to or greater than one octave, the transmitter means comprise means for generating transducer activation signals having the nominal frequency f 0 in the vicinity of the lower limit of the bandwidth of the transducer, the spectrum of the activation signals excludes a frequency f 1 =2f 0 , and the bandpass filter has a central frequency equal to said frequency f 1 .
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein the first display means and the second display means comprise separate display screens.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
143 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 wherein: the transmitter means comprise: first generator means for generating short activation signals for the transducer which are used for the production of conventional images, second generator means for a generation of activation signals which are used for the production of B/A images and which consist of a plurality of sine wave periods having a nominal frequency f 0 , and first selection means which selectively apply either the signals from the first generator means or the signals from the second generator means to the transducer; the receiver means comprise second selection means which selectively direct the output of the amplifier to either the first channel or the second channel; and the selection circuits being simultaneously controlled to synchronize selection of the generator means with application of received signals to a corresponding one of said channels.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
41 words
A device as claimed in claim 1 or 3 comprising a color display device, said first display means control the luminescence of an image on said device and said second display means control the chrominance of the image on said device.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-10-26 | 1991-04-27 | 1991-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-10-26 | 1995-04-27 | 1995-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-10-26 | 1999-04-27 | 1999-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |