US5928151A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasonic system and method for harmonic imaging in three dimensions
Assignee: Siemens Medical Solutions USA Inc
•
Filing: 1997-08-22
•
Granted: 1999-07-27
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Expires: 2017-08-22
Abstract
Abstract An ultrasound method and system are provided for producing three dimensional images. During an imaging session, a transducer, in response to a transmit beamformer, transmits ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject. The subject may be kept free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session. A receive beamformer receives ultrasonic echo information associated with the transmitted ultrasonic energy. Information signals associated with a second frequency band, such as a harmonic frequency band, are obtained from the echo information. A three-dimensional reconstruction is formed or a volume quantity is calculated in response to the information signals. The transmission of ultrasonic energy may also include energy focused along an elongated high power region or a line focus.
Inventors
- 👤 John A. Hossack
- 👤 Samuel H. Maslak
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 09:07
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/48; A61B8/483; A61B8/13; A61B8/14; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8993; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52019; G01S7/5202; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52036; G01S7/52038; A61B5/00; A61B5/24; A61B5/316; A61B5/318; A61B5/346; A61B5/349; A61B5/352; A61B8/08; A61B8/42; A61B8/4272; A61B8/4281; A61B8/488; G01S15/8979; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/52071; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 113
Claim 1
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) filtering from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band; and (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
103 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) filtering from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band; and (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
60 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of using a transducer selected from the group of: (i) a transducer mechanically scanned in two-dimensions, (ii) a transducer electronically scanned in one-dimension and mechanically scanned in another dimension, and (iii) a transducer electronically scanned in two-dimensions in steps selected from other group of: (a), (b) and both (a) and (b).
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step (e) of displaying an image responsive to said three dimensional reconstruction.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said image during said imaging session.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said image after said imaging session.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
41 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step (c) comprises detecting Doppler information as said information signals; and wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said image as a Doppler image selected from the group of: velocity, variance, energy and combinations thereof.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step (c) comprises detecting B-mode intensity information as said information signals; and wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said image as a function of said B-mode intensity information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 or 7 wherein the step (e) comprises (e1) summing intensities formatted in a three dimensional grid, said intensities summed along a plurality of lines perpendicular to a viewing plane.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 8 wherein the step (e1) comprises applying weighting factors to said intensities.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 6 or 7 wherein the step (e) comprises the step (e1) of selecting intensities formatted in a three dimensional grid, said intensities selected along lines perpendicular to a viewing plane.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 10 wherein the step (e1) comprises selecting as a function selected from the group of: a maximum intensity along each line and a minimum intensity along each line.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 6 or 7 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying a surface rendering.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 7 wherein the step (c) further comprises detecting Doppler information from said echo information, said Doppler information corresponding to information in said first frequency band; and wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said image as a combination of said B-mode image and a Doppler image.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
95 words
The method of claim 3 wherein: the step (a) comprises said ultrasonic energy characterized by a peak power level near said first frequency band; the step (c) comprises filtering from said echo signals said plurality of information signals and a second plurality of information signals associated with said first frequency band; the step (e) comprises displaying a composite image representing three dimensions, said composite image comprising spatially distinct near-field and far-field regions, said far-field region emphasizing information signals in the first frequency band and said near-field region emphasizing information signals in the second frequency band.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the receiving step (b) comprises the step of receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with multiple transmit events, such that the first and second frequency bands are associated with different transmit events.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step (a) comprises the step of transmitting said ultrasonic energy into the subject in said different transmit events, wherein said different transmit events comprise a first transmit event focused at a greater depth and a second transmit event focused at a lesser depth.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 14 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said near-field and far-field regions in a common imaging mode.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying a two-dimensional image derived as a function of a viewing angle and said information signals interpolated onto a three-dimensional grid associated with said three-dimensional reconstruction.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step (e) comprises the step (e1) of summing said interpolated information signals in said three dimensional grid, said interpolated information signals summed along a plurality of lines substantially perpendicular to a viewing plane, said viewing plane substantially perpendicular to said viewing angle.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 19 wherein the step (e1) comprises applying weighting factors to said interpolated information signals.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
52 words
The method of claim 18 wherein the step (e) comprises determining an interpolated information signal for each of a plurality of regions in said two-dimensional image as a function selected from the group of: (i) a maximum and (ii) minimum along a line perpendicular to said viewing plane and intersecting said region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said image as a surface rendering.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 3 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying a sequence of images as a function of time and responsive to said three-dimensional reconstruction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps (a), (b) and (c) comprise obtaining said information signals associated with at least two planes, wherein said two planes are non-coplanar.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step (c) comprises filtering from said echo information the plurality of said information signals associated with the second frequency band comprising a second harmonic band.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step (c) comprises: (c1) demodulating by a demodulation frequency corresponding approximately to a center frequency of said second frequency band; and (c2) filtering the output of step (c1) with a low pass filter.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
43 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step (a) comprises transmitting said ultrasonic energy in power bursts, each power burst comprising a respective envelope shape, each envelope shape rising gradually to a respective maximum value and falling gradually from the respective maximum value.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 27 wherein the step (a) comprises transmitting said ultrasonic energy wherein each power burst comprises a Gaussian envelope shape.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 27 wherein said power bursts are characterized by a respective frequency spectrum having a respective peak amplitude near the fundamental frequency, said frequency spectrum reduced within a first bandwidth greater than or equal to 5% of the harmonic of the fundamental center frequency by more than 30 dB with respect to the peak amplitude.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps (a), (b) and (c) comprise obtaining said information signals associated with at least two transmit focal regions for each ultrasound transmit line direction.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps (a), (b) and (c) comprise the step (e) of generating information signals associated with a series of planar regions of a volumetric region of the subject.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 31 wherein the step (e) comprises orienting said planar regions spatially in response to positioning selected from the group of: free hand, monitored free hand, calculated from image motion analysis, and fixture based information.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step (d) comprises (d1) interpolating said information signals to lines in 3D grid planes.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the step (d) comprises (d2) interpolating from said lines to a three-dimensional grid.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 33 wherein the step (d1) comprises interpolating said information signals to an intersection of an arbitrary plane and three-dimensional grid lines.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 35 wherein the step (d) comprises (d2) interpolating from said intersection to grid positions along said lines.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of (e) quantifying a volume associated with said image.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the step (e) comprises determining a time sequence of said volume and displaying said time sequence as a graph.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
The method of claim 38 wherein the step (e) comprises determining a ratio related to volume change over a heart cycle to a maximum volume over said heart cycle.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said ratio as a function of time.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 39 wherein the step (e) further comprises determining a mean of said ratio as a function of a plurality of heart cycles.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 37 wherein the step (e) comprises the steps of (e1) determining a region of interest of said image and (e2) summing volumes of each volumetric element within said region of interest.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the step (e2) comprises subtracting volumes associated with one region from volumes associated with another region.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the step (e1) comprises using automatic border detection.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 42 wherein the step (e1) comprises selecting said region of interest manually.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising step (e) of generating said information signals as scan converted frames of data representing two-dimensional images; and wherein the step (d) comprises forming said three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said frames of data.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the steps (a), (b) and (c) comprise generating said information signals as groups of data representing scan lines; and the step (d) comprises forming said three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said groups of data.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step (a) is responsive to a gating signal.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step (a) comprises transmitting said energy into said subject in a transmit beam having an elongated high power region by focusing at least first selected frequency components from at least selected transducer elements at a first range and focusing at least second frequency components from at least selected transducer elements at a second range.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the step (a) comprises the step of phasing a plurality of transmit waveforms to form the transmit beam.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 50 wherein the plurality of transmit waveforms comprises a central transmit waveform associated with a central one of the transducers, wherein the central transmit waveform comprises a lower frequency component and a higher frequency component, and wherein the lower frequency component of the central transmit waveform occurs earlier in time than the higher frequency component of the central transmit waveform.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the first range is greater than the second range, and wherein the first selected frequency components are characterized by a higher power level than the second selected frequency components.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 49 wherein the step (a) comprises the step of varying apodization of the transducer elements to achieve more nearly uniform ultrasonic energy levels at the first and second ranges.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step (a) comprises transmitting said energy into said subject in a transmit beam having a line focus.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 54 wherein the step (a) comprises phasing a plurality of transmit waveforms to form the line focus for the transmit beam.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the step (a) comprises transmitting said energy substantially focused in an azimuthal direction and divergent in a elevational direction.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 56 wherein the step (a) comprises transmitting said energy from a transducer selected from the group of: a single element transducer rotatable in one-dimension, a linear array comprising a lens divergent in one dimension and a two-dimensional array.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 56 wherein the step (d) comprises acoustically summing along the elevational direction for each of a plurality of ranges along each of a plurality of azimuthal scan line.
Claim 60
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for producing three dimensional images with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy in power bursts into a subject, each power burst comprising a first center frequency and a respective envelope shape, each envelope shape rising gradually to a respective maximum value and falling gradually from the respective maximum value; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising a harmonic band of said fundamental frequency band; and (d) displaying an image representing three dimensions and responsive to said information signals.
Claim 61
Independent Claim
113 words
A method for producing three dimensional images with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy in power bursts into a subject, each power burst comprising a first center frequency and a respective envelope shape, each envelope shape rising gradually to a respective maximum value and falling gradually from the respective maximum value; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising a harmonic band of said fundamental frequency band; and (d) displaying an image representing three dimensions and responsive to said information signals.
Claim 62
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said power bursts are characterized by said harmonic bandwidth greater than or equal to 15% and said reduction more than 50 dB.
Claim 63
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 59 wherein the step (a) comprises transmitting said ultrasonic energy wherein each power burst comprises a Gaussian envelope shape.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 59 wherein the step (d) comprises displaying said image at a time selected from the group of: during and after said imaging session.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 59 wherein the step (c) comprises obtaining said information signals associated with at least two non-coplanar planes.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 59 wherein said power bursts are characterized by a power level at a harmonic bandwidth greater than or equal to 5% of the harmonic of a fundamental center frequency which is reduced by at least 30 dB with respect to ultrasonic power in the power burst at a fundamental center frequency.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 64 wherein said power bursts are characterized by said harmonic bandwidth greater than or equal to 15% and said reduction more than 40 dB.
Claim 68
Dependent Claim
48 words
The method of claim 64 or 65 wherein each frequency spectrum has a second bandwidth associated with said fundamental center frequency and peak amplitude, said second bandwidth being at least about 30% of the respective center frequency at points -6.8 dB with respect to the respective peak amplitude.
Claim 69
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method of claim 59 wherein the step (a) comprises transmitting into said subject during an imaging session, said subject being free of ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method of claim 67 wherein said power bursts are characterized by a power level at a harmonic center frequency which is reduced by at least 40 dB with respect to ultrasonic power in the power burst at a fundamental center frequency.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 68 wherein said power level is reduced by at least 50 dB.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 59 further comprising the step of (e) providing an ultrasound contrast agent within said subject.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim
55 words
The method of claim 70 further comprising the step of (f) quantifying a volume associated with a region of interest in said image, said region selected from the group of: a tissue boundary, edges of a chamber filled with contrast agent loaded fluid, and edges of a tissue region substantially without contrast agent loaded fluid.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 59 further comprising the step (e) of quantifying a volume associated with a tissue boundary region of interest in said image.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim
136 words
An ultrasound apparatus adapted for generating a three dimensional reconstruction of a subject during an imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session, said apparatus comprising: a transducer; a transmit beamformer operatively connected to said transducer for transmitting ultrasonic energy into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; a receive beamformer operatively connected to said transducer and configured to obtain echo information; a filter operatively connected to said receive beamformer and operative to filter from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a harmonic frequency band, said harmonic frequency band comprising harmonics of a fundamental frequency band transmitted into the subject; and wherein the three-dimensional reconstruction is responsive to said information signals.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim
136 words
An ultrasound apparatus adapted for generating a three dimensional reconstruction of a subject during an imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session, said apparatus comprising: a transducer; a transmit beamformer operatively connected to said transducer for transmitting ultrasonic energy into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; a receive beamformer operatively connected to said transducer and configured to obtain echo information; a filter operatively connected to said receive beamformer and operative to filter from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a harmonic frequency band, said harmonic frequency band comprising harmonics of a fundamental frequency band transmitted into the subject; and wherein the three-dimensional reconstruction is responsive to said information signals.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said transducer comprises a transducer selected from the group of: (i) a transducer mechanically scanned in two-dimensions, (ii) a transducer electronically scanned in one-dimension and mechanically scanned in another dimension, and (iii) a transducer electronically scanned in two-dimensions.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim
9 words
The apparatus of claim 73 further comprising a display.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim
18 words
The apparatus of claim 73 wherein said three-dimensional reconstruction comprises a regularly spaced three-dimensional grid of data samples.
Claim 80
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency into a subject in a transmit beam having an elongated high power region by focusing at least first selected frequency components from at least selected transducer elements at a first range and focusing at least second frequency components from at least selected transducer elements at a second range; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with harmonics of the fundamental frequency band; and (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals.
Claim 81
Independent Claim
116 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency into a subject in a transmit beam having an elongated high power region by focusing at least first selected frequency components from at least selected transducer elements at a first range and focusing at least second frequency components from at least selected transducer elements at a second range; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with harmonics of the fundamental frequency band; and (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method of claim 77 wherein the step (a) comprises the step of phasing a plurality of transmit waveforms to form the transmit beam.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim
64 words
The method of claim 78 wherein the plurality of transmit waveforms comprises a central transmit waveform associated with a central one of the transducers, wherein the central transmit waveform comprises a lower frequency component and a higher frequency component, and wherein the lower frequency component of the central transmit waveform occurs earlier in time than the higher frequency component of the central transmit waveform.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 77 wherein the first range is greater than the second range, and wherein the first selected frequency components are characterized by a higher power level than the second selected frequency components.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 77 wherein the step (a) comprises the step of varying apodization of the transducer elements to achieve more nearly uniform ultrasonic energy levels at the first and second ranges.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method of claim 77 wherein the step (a) comprises transmitting during an imaging session, said subject being free of ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session.
Claim 87
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 77 further comprising the step of providing an ultrasound contrast agent.
Claim 88
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 77 wherein the step (d) comprises interpolating from said information signals onto a regularly spaced 3D grid.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 77 wherein the step (d) comprises generating a two-dimensional representation of said three-dimensional reconstruction.
Claim 90
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency into a subject in a transmit beam having a line focus; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with harmonics of the fundamental frequency band; and (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals.
Claim 91
Independent Claim
79 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency into a subject in a transmit beam having a line focus; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with harmonics of the fundamental frequency band; and (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim
25 words
The method of claim 86 wherein the step (a) comprises phasing a plurality of transmit waveforms to form the line focus for the transmit beam.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 86 wherein the step (d) comprises interpolating from said information signals onto a regularly spaced 3D grid.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 86 wherein the step (d) comprises generating a two-dimensional representation of said three-dimensional reconstruction.
Claim 95
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of detected Doppler information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band; (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals; and (e) displaying a Doppler image selected from the group of: velocity, variance, energy and combinations thereof, the Doppler image being responsive to said three dimensional reconstruction.
Claim 96
Independent Claim
131 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of detected Doppler information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band; (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals; and (e) displaying a Doppler image selected from the group of: velocity, variance, energy and combinations thereof, the Doppler image being responsive to said three dimensional reconstruction.
Claim 97
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session, said ultrasonic energy characterized by a peak power level near said first frequency band; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band, and a second plurality of information signals associated with said first frequency band; (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals; and (e) displaying a composite image responsive to said three dimensional reconstruction and representing three dimensions, said composite image comprising spatially distinct near-field and far-field regions, said far-field region emphasizing information signals in the first frequency band and said near-field region emphasizing information signals in the second frequency band.
Claim 98
Independent Claim
178 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session, said ultrasonic energy characterized by a peak power level near said first frequency band; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band, and a second plurality of information signals associated with said first frequency band; (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals; and (e) displaying a composite image responsive to said three dimensional reconstruction and representing three dimensions, said composite image comprising spatially distinct near-field and far-field regions, said far-field region emphasizing information signals in the first frequency band and said near-field region emphasizing information signals in the second frequency band.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 91 wherein the receiving step (b) comprises the step of receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with multiple transmit events, such that the first and second frequency bands are associated with different transmit events.
Claim 100
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 92 wherein the step (a) comprises the step of transmitting said ultrasonic energy into the subject in said different transmit events, wherein said different transmit events comprise a first transmit event focused at a greater depth and a second transmit event focused at a lesser depth.
Claim 101
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 91 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said near-field and far-field regions in a common imaging mode.
Claim 102
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band; and (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals; wherein the steps (a), (b) and (c) comprise obtaining said information signals associated with at least two transmit focal regions for each ultrasound transmit line direction.
Claim 103
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band; and (d) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction in response to said information signals; wherein the steps (a), (b) and (c) comprise obtaining said information signals associated with at least two transmit focal regions for each ultrasound transmit line direction.
Claim 104
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a first plurality of information signals associated with said first frequency band and a second plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band; (d) compounding the first and second plurality of information signals; and (e) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction as a function of said compounded information signals.
Claim 105
Independent Claim
129 words
A method for producing a three dimensional reconstruction with an ultrasound system, the method comprising the steps of: (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a first frequency band into a subject during said imaging session, said subject being free of added ultrasound contrast agent throughout the entire imaging session; (b) receiving ultrasonic echo information associated with said transmitted ultrasonic energy; (c) obtaining from said echo information a first plurality of information signals associated with said first frequency band and a second plurality of information signals associated with a second frequency band, said second frequency band comprising at least a harmonic band of said first frequency band; (d) compounding the first and second plurality of information signals; and (e) forming the three-dimensional reconstruction as a function of said compounded information signals.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 96 wherein step (d) comprises summing the first and second plurality of information signals.
Claim 107
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 97 wherein step (d) comprises normalizing the first and second plurality of information signals.
Claim 108
Dependent Claim
35 words
The method of claim 96 further comprising step (f) of displaying an image that is a function of the three-dimensional reconstruction, an intermediate field of the image being a function of said compounding information signals.
Claim 109
Dependent Claim
58 words
The method of claim 99 where step (f) comprises displaying a composite image responsive to said three dimensional reconstruction and representing three dimensions, said composite image comprising spatially distinct near-field, intermediate field and far-field regions, said far-field region emphasizing information signals in the first frequency band and said near-field region emphasizing information signals in the second frequency band.
Claim 110
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 100 wherein the step (e) comprises displaying said near-field, intermediate field and far-field regions in a common imaging mode.
Claim 111
Dependent Claim
33 words
The method of claim 96 wherein the step (c) comprises filtering from said echo information the first and second pluralities of said information signals, the second frequency band comprising a second harmonic band.
Claim 112
Dependent Claim
38 words
The method of claim 96 wherein the receiving step (b) comprises the step of receiving said ultrasonic echo information associated with multiple transmit events, such that the first and second frequency bands are associated with different transmit events.
Claim 113
Dependent Claim
50 words
The method of claim 103 wherein the step (a) comprises the step of transmitting said ultrasonic energy into the subject in said different transmit events, wherein said different transmit events comprise a first transmit event focused at a greater depth and a second transmit event focused at a lesser depth.
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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) | 2002-07-26 | 2003-01-25 | 2003-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-07-26 | 2007-01-25 | 2007-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-07-26 | 2011-01-25 | 2011-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |