US5709209A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasound signal processing system
Assignee: Siemens Healthcare GmbH
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Filing: 1996-10-10
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Granted: 1998-01-20
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Expires: 2016-10-10
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasound medical imaging system having a flexible, versatile and programmable architecture, particularly with respect to a back end subsystem. The architecture for the back end subsystem is generalized and includes multiple identical and interchangeable processing elements or boards that combine to produce sufficient processing power to support real time imaging in the various modes of ultrasound operations. The architecture may also tune front end parameters for a front end subsystem based on back end processing, bypass faulty processing elements or boards, and/or distribute processing load across operational processing elements or boards. A method for operating such an ultrasound medical imaging system is also disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Barry Friemel
- 👤 John Klepper
- 👤 Wolf Delong
- 👤 Rodney Boleyn
- 👤 Ekkehard Blanz
- 👤 Abdelaziz Chihoub
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:19
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52034; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 40
Claim 1
Independent Claim
128 words
An ultrasound imaging system, comprising: a transducer for sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; a front end subsystem, operatively connected to said transducer, for producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters, for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals, and for producing vector signals from the echo signals; a back end processing subsystem for receiving the vector signals from said front end subsystem and processing the vector signals to produce image data and parameter information; a feedback link for feeding back the parameter information from said back end processing subsystem to said front end processing subsystem; and a display device for displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
128 words
An ultrasound imaging system, comprising: a transducer for sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; a front end subsystem, operatively connected to said transducer, for producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters, for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals, and for producing vector signals from the echo signals; a back end processing subsystem for receiving the vector signals from said front end subsystem and processing the vector signals to produce image data and parameter information; a feedback link for feeding back the parameter information from said back end processing subsystem to said front end processing subsystem; and a display device for displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein the feedback of the parameter information is performed in near real-time by said feedback link.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein the parameter information being fed back via said feedback link causes the scan parameters used by said front end subsystem to be modified to improve the image to be displayed.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
106 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein after receiving a first group of the vector signals for the image, the first group of the vector signals is processed by said back end processing subsystem while at the same time a next group of the vector signals for the image is being received at said front end processing subsystem, and wherein the parameter information is updated as each group of the vector signals is being processed by said back end processing subsystem such that the scan parameters used by said front end processing subsystem to obtain subsequent groups of the echo signals are modified.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
21 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 4, wherein the modifications to the scan parameters operate to improve the image.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
23 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein said back end processing subsystem comprises a plurality of substantially identical processing nodes.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 6, wherein the processing of said back end processing system has a computational load associated therewith, and wherein the computational load is distributed across said processing nodes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 6, wherein the processing of said back end processing subsystem is allocated to said processing nodes based on predetermined criteria.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
36 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 6, wherein said processing nodes are circuit boards, and each of said circuit boards include a plurality of processors and a local board-level bus for interconnecting said processors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 6, wherein performance of said back end processing subsystem degrades gradually with the failure of each of said processing nodes.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
49 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 6, wherein said ultrasound imaging system further comprises: a controller for controlling said ultrasound imaging system, the controlling including determining said processing nodes within said back end processing subsystem that have failed and then bypassing said processing nodes that have failed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 11, wherein said controller operates to limit processing requirements of said back end processing subsystem when the number of said processing nodes that have failed exceeds a predetermined number.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
20 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein said at least one link comprises a plurality of links.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
40 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein said front end processing subsystem comprises: a transmitter for producing the electrical scan signals based on the scan parameters; and a receive beamformer for receiving echo signals from the subject.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
56 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein said back end processing system comprises: a plurality of processing elements for performing processing tasks associated with the processing of the vector signals to produce the image data; and at least one link for carrying the parameter information from said processing elements to said feedback link.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
59 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 1, wherein said back end processing system comprises: a plurality of processing boards for performing processing tasks associated with the processing of the vector signals to produce the image data; and at least one board-level bus for communication with said feedback link, communication of control signals, and communication between processing boards.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
154 words
An ultrasound imaging system, comprising: a transducer for sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; a front end subsystem, operatively connected to said transducer, for producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters, for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals, and for producing vector signals from the echo signals; a back end processing subsystem for receiving the vector signals from said front end subsystem and processing the vector signals to produce image data and parameter information, said back end processing subsystem includes at least a plurality of programmable processing nodes; a controller for controlling said ultrasound imaging system, the controlling including determining said processing nodes within said back end processing subsystem that have failed and then bypassing said processing nodes that have failed; and a display device for displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
154 words
An ultrasound imaging system, comprising: a transducer for sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; a front end subsystem, operatively connected to said transducer, for producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters, for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals, and for producing vector signals from the echo signals; a back end processing subsystem for receiving the vector signals from said front end subsystem and processing the vector signals to produce image data and parameter information, said back end processing subsystem includes at least a plurality of programmable processing nodes; a controller for controlling said ultrasound imaging system, the controlling including determining said processing nodes within said back end processing subsystem that have failed and then bypassing said processing nodes that have failed; and a display device for displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
57 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 17, wherein said back end processing system comprises: a plurality of processing elements for performing processing tasks associated with the processing of the vector signals to produce the image data; and at least one link for carrying the parameter information from said processing elements to said front end subsystem.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
64 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 17, wherein said back end processing system comprises: a plurality of processing boards for performing processing tasks associated with the processing of the vector signals to produce the image data; and at least one board-level bus for communication to and from said front end subsystem, for communication of control signals and for communication between processing boards.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
85 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 19, wherein said processing boards include at least one processor, and wherein said at least one board level bus includes at least an input bus for supplying the vector signals from said front end processing subsystem; an output bus for supplying the image data to said display device and for supplying the parameter information from said back end processing subsystem to said front end processing subsystem; and an inter-board bus for transmitting data between said processing boards.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
44 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 20, wherein each of said processing boards comprise: a plurality of processors; and at least one processor level bus for transmitting data between said processors and for coupling with said at least one board level bus.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
37 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 17, wherein said controller operates to limit processing requirements of said back end processing subsystem when the number of said processing nodes that have failed exceeds a predetermined number.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
154 words
An ultrasound imaging system, comprising: a transducer for sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; a front end subsystem, operatively connected to said transducer, for producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters, for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals, and for producing vector signals from the echo signals; a back end processing subsystem for receiving the vector signals from said front end subsystem and processing the vector signals to produce image data and parameter information, said back end processing subsystem includes at least a plurality of programmable processing nodes; a controller for controlling said ultrasound imaging system, the controlling including determining a computational load associated with said back end processing subsystem and then distributing the computational load to said programmable processing nodes; and a display device for displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
154 words
An ultrasound imaging system, comprising: a transducer for sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; a front end subsystem, operatively connected to said transducer, for producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters, for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals, and for producing vector signals from the echo signals; a back end processing subsystem for receiving the vector signals from said front end subsystem and processing the vector signals to produce image data and parameter information, said back end processing subsystem includes at least a plurality of programmable processing nodes; a controller for controlling said ultrasound imaging system, the controlling including determining a computational load associated with said back end processing subsystem and then distributing the computational load to said programmable processing nodes; and a display device for displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
41 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 23, wherein, before distributing the computational load to said programmable processing nodes, the controlling by said controller determines said programmable processing nodes that are faulty and then bypasses said faulty programmable processing nodes.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
57 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 23, wherein said back end processing system comprises: a plurality of processing elements for performing processing tasks associated with the processing of the vector signals to produce the image data; and at least one link for carrying the parameter information from said processing elements to said front end subsystem.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
64 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 23, wherein said back end processing system comprises: a plurality of processing boards for performing processing tasks associated with the processing of the vector signals to produce the image data; and at least one board-level bus for communication to and from said front end subsystem, for communication of control signals and for communication between processing boards.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
85 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 26, wherein said processing boards include at least one processor, and wherein said at least one board level bus includes at least an input bus for supplying the vector signals from said front end processing subsystem; an output bus for supplying the image data to said display device and for supplying the parameter information from said back end processing subsystem to said front end processing subsystem; and an inter-board bus for transmitting data between said processing boards.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
44 words
An ultrasound imaging system as recited in claim 27, wherein each of said processing boards comprises: a plurality of processors; and at least one processor level bus for transmitting data between said processors and for coupling with said at least one board level bus.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for operating an ultrasound imaging system, said method comprising: (a) sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; (b) producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters and for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals; (c) producing vector signals from the echo signals; (d) processing the vector signals to produce image data and parameter information; (e) tuning the scan parameters in real time in accordance with the parameter information; and (f) displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
98 words
A method for operating an ultrasound imaging system, said method comprising: (a) sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; (b) producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters and for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals; (c) producing vector signals from the echo signals; (d) processing the vector signals to produce image data and parameter information; (e) tuning the scan parameters in real time in accordance with the parameter information; and (f) displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
63 words
A method as recited in claim 29, wherein the ultrasound imaging system includes a plurality of processing nodes, wherein the image being produced is divided into a plurality of segments, and wherein said processing (d) simultaneously processes the vector signals associated with each of the segments of the image by processing each of the segments in a different one of the processing nodes.
Claim 35
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for operating an ultrasound imaging system having a plurality of processing nodes for processing scan data, said method comprising: (a) sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; (b) producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters and for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals; (c) processing the echo signals into vector signals; (d) determining a computational load for processing the vector signals; (e) distributing the vector signals to the processing nodes for processing; (f) processing the vector signals at the respective processing nodes to produce image data; and (g) displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
117 words
A method for operating an ultrasound imaging system having a plurality of processing nodes for processing scan data, said method comprising: (a) sending acoustical signals towards a subject, the acoustical signals being formed in accordance with electrical scan signals; (b) producing the electrical scan signals based on scan parameters and for receiving echo signals from the subject in response to the acoustical signals; (c) processing the echo signals into vector signals; (d) determining a computational load for processing the vector signals; (e) distributing the vector signals to the processing nodes for processing; (f) processing the vector signals at the respective processing nodes to produce image data; and (g) displaying an image in accordance with the image data.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method as recited in claim 31, wherein the processing nodes are substantially identical and programmable.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method as recited in claim 31, wherein said distributing (e) comprises: (e1) determining those of the processing nodes that are faulty; (e2) bypassing the faulty processing nodes; and (e3) distributing the vector signals to the processing nodes other than the faulty processing nodes.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
49 words
A method as recited in claim 33, wherein said processing (f) of the vector signals at the respective processing nodes produces parameter information in addition to the image data, and wherein said method further comprises (h) tuning the scan parameters in real time in accordance with the parameter information.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method as recited in claim 34, wherein said tuning (h) occurs during said sending (a) and said producing (b) with respect to subsequent portions of the same image.
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) | 2001-01-19 | 2001-07-21 | 2002-01-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-01-19 | 2005-07-21 | 2006-01-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-01-19 | 2009-07-21 | 2010-01-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |