Patent US1838134A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US2049606A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5577505A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5577505A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Means for increasing sensitivity in non-linear ultrasound imaging systems
Assignee: Koninklijke Philips NV
•
Filing: 1996-02-06
•
Granted: 1996-11-26
•
Expires: 2016-02-06
Abstract
Abstract An image with increased sensitivity to non-linear responses, particularly second harmonic responses, can be achieved by measuring the ultrasound response under multiple excitation levels. The responses gathered from the multiple excitation levels are gain corrected in an amount corresponding to the difference in excitation levels, then subtracted. Because of this subtraction, most of the linear response will be removed, and what remains corresponds to the non-linear response.
Inventors
- 👤 George A. Brock-Fisher
- 👤 McKee D. Poland
- 👤 Patrick G. Rafter
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:53
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52036; G01S7/52038; G01S7/52039; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/895; G01S7/52033
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for measuring a non-linear response of tissue and bubbles comprising the steps of: exciting and measuring a first response at a first power setting; exciting and measuring a second response at a second power setting, wherein the second power setting is different than the first power setting; scaling the first response for the second power setting to produce a projected response; and subtracting the projected response from the second response to determine the non-linear response.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
77 words
A method for measuring a non-linear response of tissue and bubbles comprising the steps of: exciting and measuring a first response at a first power setting; exciting and measuring a second response at a second power setting, wherein the second power setting is different than the first power setting; scaling the first response for the second power setting to produce a projected response; and subtracting the projected response from the second response to determine the non-linear response.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method, as defined in claim 1, wherein the first and second power settings are voltage levels.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method, as defined in claim 2, wherein the first power setting is half the second power setting.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method, as defined in claim 2, wherein the first power setting is half the second power setting.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method, as defined in claim 1, wherein the step of exciting and measuring a first response includes the step of selecting the first power setting by reducing the aperture such that some of the transducer assembly is active.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as defined in claim 5, wherein the step of reducing the aperture includes symmetrically firing a subset of elements of the transducer assembly.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method, as defined in claim 5, wherein: the step of reducing the aperture further includes, partitioning the transducer assembly into two groups using a synthetic aperture, and firing a line from each of the two groups; the step of exciting and measuring the second response further includes, firing the whole aperture in the same line, and the step of scaling includes grouping the response from the two groups and comparing the grouped response with the second response to determine the non-linearity of the bubbles and the tissue.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for measuring a non-linear response of tissue and bubbles comprising the steps of: exciting and measuring responses at each one of a group of power levels, wherein the group has at least two different power levels; scaling each response according to its power setting to produce a projected response; and subtracting linear combinations of the projected responses to determine the non-linear response.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
64 words
A method for measuring a non-linear response of tissue and bubbles comprising the steps of: exciting and measuring responses at each one of a group of power levels, wherein the group has at least two different power levels; scaling each response according to its power setting to produce a projected response; and subtracting linear combinations of the projected responses to determine the non-linear response.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method, as defined in claim 8, wherein the different power levels of the power group are voltage levels.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
A method, as defined in claim 8, wherein the step of exciting and measuring each response includes the step of selecting one of the power group by reducing the aperture such that some of the transducer assembly is active.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method, as defined in claim 10, wherein the step of reducing the aperture includes symmetrically firing a subset of elements of the transducer assembly.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
88 words
A method, as defined in claim 10, wherein: the step of reducing the aperture further includes, partitioning the transducer assembly into two groups using a synthetic aperture, and firing a line from each of the two groups; the step of exciting and measuring the second response further includes, firing the whole aperture in the same line, and the step of scaling includes grouping the response from the two groups and comparing the grouped response with the second response to determine the non-linearity of the bubbles and the tissue.
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) | 1999-11-26 | 2000-05-27 | 2000-11-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-11-26 | 2004-05-27 | 2004-11-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-11-26 | 2008-05-27 | 2008-11-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |