US6245017B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
3D ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus
Assignee: Canon Medical Systems Corp
•
Filing: 1999-10-29
•
Granted: 2001-06-12
•
Expires: 2019-10-29
Abstract
Abstract A three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a two-dimensional array type of ultrasonic probe. A three-dimensional scan operation of scanning a three-dimensional region within a human body under examination with ultrasound and a two-dimensional scan operation of scanning a two-dimensional plane within the three-dimensional region with ultrasound are selectively performed by a beam former unit. Under the control of a controller, the three-dimensional scan operation is repeated intermittently and the two-dimensional scan operation is repeated during the interval between each three-dimensional scan. Three-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning the three-dimensional region is produced on the basis of received echo signals obtained by the three-dimensional scan operation. Two-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning the two-dimensional plane section is produced on the basis of received echo signals obtained by the two-dimensional scan operation.
Inventors
- 👤 Shinichi Hashimoto
- 👤 Yasuhiko Abe
- 👤 Yoichi Ogasawara
- 👤 Hitoshi Yamagata
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-09 22:15
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8993; A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/06; A61B8/13; A61B8/48; A61B8/483; G01S15/8979; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/52074; G01S7/52085; G01S7/52095; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S128/00; Y10S128/916
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 29
Claim 1
Independent Claim
158 words
A three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a two-dimensional array type of ultrasonic probe; a beam former unit for selectively performing through the piezoelectric probe a three-dimensional scan operation of scanning a three-dimensional region within a human body under examination with ultrasound and a two-dimensional scan operation of scanning a two-dimensional plane section within the three-dimensional region with ultrasound; a controller for controlling the beam former unit in such a way that the three-dimensional scan operation is repeated intermittently and the two-dimensional scan operation is repeated during an interval between each three-dimensional scan operation; an image processing unit for producing three-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning the three-dimensional region on the basis of received signals obtained by the three-dimensional scan operation and two-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning the two-dimensional plane section on the basis of received signals obtained by the two-dimensional scan operation; and a display unit for displaying the three-dimensional ultrasonic image data and the two-dimensional ultrasonic image data.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
158 words
A three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a two-dimensional array type of ultrasonic probe; a beam former unit for selectively performing through the piezoelectric probe a three-dimensional scan operation of scanning a three-dimensional region within a human body under examination with ultrasound and a two-dimensional scan operation of scanning a two-dimensional plane section within the three-dimensional region with ultrasound; a controller for controlling the beam former unit in such a way that the three-dimensional scan operation is repeated intermittently and the two-dimensional scan operation is repeated during an interval between each three-dimensional scan operation; an image processing unit for producing three-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning the three-dimensional region on the basis of received signals obtained by the three-dimensional scan operation and two-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning the two-dimensional plane section on the basis of received signals obtained by the two-dimensional scan operation; and a display unit for displaying the three-dimensional ultrasonic image data and the two-dimensional ultrasonic image data.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the image processing unit produces two-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning the two-dimensional plane section on the basis of a part of received signals obtained by the three-dimensional scan operation.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
52 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit includes means for delaying the display of the two-dimensional ultrasonic image data by the time which elapses between the moment that the three-dimensional scan operation is terminated and the moment that the three-dimensional ultrasonic image data is produced.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
46 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the cycle of the three-dimensional scan operation is set to the time which elapses between the moment that the three-dimensional scan operation is terminated and the moment that the three-dimensional ultrasonic image data is produced.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
41 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit for superimposing the two-dimensional ultrasonic image data upon the three-dimensional ultrasonic image data according to the position of the two-dimensional plane section relative to the three-dimensional region.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the two-dimensional plane section is initially set substantially at the center of the three-dimensional region.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 6 , further comprising an input device for changing the position and orientation of the two-dimensional plane section.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 7 , wherein the image processing unit includes means for shifting the point of view for the three-dimensional ultrasonic image data onto the normal that passes through the center of the two-dimensional plane section having its position and orientation changed by the input device.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
63 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the beam former unit changes the position of the three-dimensional region scanned by the three-dimensional scan operation for each three-dimensional scan operation, and the image processing unit produces three-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning an enlarged three-dimensional region on the basis of received signals obtained by a plurality of successive three-dimensional scan operations.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 9 , wherein the image processing unit produces three-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning the enlarged three-dimensional region in succession at the period of the three-dimensional scan operation.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
141 words
A three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a two-dimensional array type of ultrasonic probe; a transmitter/receiver circuit for allowing the ultrasonic probe to scan selectively a three-dimensional region within a human body under examination and a two-dimensional plane section within the three-dimensional region with ultrasound; a controller for controlling the transmitter/receiver circuit so that a plurality of two-dimensional plane sections are scanned within the three-dimensional region; an echo processor responsive to received signals from the transmitter/receiver circuit for producing two-dimensional ultrasonic image data for each of the plurality of two-dimensional plane sections; a 3D processor for combining the two-dimensional ultrasonic image data for the plurality of two-dimensional plane sections according to the positions of the respective two-dimensional plane sections within the three-dimensional region to produce composite two-dimensional ultrasonic image data; and a display unit for displaying the composite two-dimensional ultrasonic image data.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
141 words
A three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a two-dimensional array type of ultrasonic probe; a transmitter/receiver circuit for allowing the ultrasonic probe to scan selectively a three-dimensional region within a human body under examination and a two-dimensional plane section within the three-dimensional region with ultrasound; a controller for controlling the transmitter/receiver circuit so that a plurality of two-dimensional plane sections are scanned within the three-dimensional region; an echo processor responsive to received signals from the transmitter/receiver circuit for producing two-dimensional ultrasonic image data for each of the plurality of two-dimensional plane sections; a 3D processor for combining the two-dimensional ultrasonic image data for the plurality of two-dimensional plane sections according to the positions of the respective two-dimensional plane sections within the three-dimensional region to produce composite two-dimensional ultrasonic image data; and a display unit for displaying the composite two-dimensional ultrasonic image data.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
50 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the 3D processor further combines three-dimensional graphic data representing the contour of the three-dimensional region with the composite two-dimensional ultrasonic image data according to the position of each of the plurality of two-dimensional plane sections within the three-dimensional region.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
34 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising an input device for setting each of the two-dimensional plane sections to have any arbitrary position and orientation within the three-dimensional region.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
61 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the controller controls the transmitter/receiver circuit to scan a three-dimensional local region within the three-dimensional region as well as the plurality of two-dimensional plane sections, and the 3D processor produces three-dimensional ultrasonic image data concerning the three-dimensional local region on the basis of received signals obtained by the transmitter/receiver circuit.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
40 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the 3D processor combines the three-dimensional ultrasonic image data with the composite two-dimensional ultrasonic image data according to the position of the three-dimensional local region within the three-dimensional region.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
61 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 14 , wherein the 3D processor combines three-dimensional graphic data representing the contour of the three-dimensional region with the three-dimensional ultrasonic image data and the composite two-dimensional ultrasonic image data according to the position of the three-dimensional local region and the position of each of the two-dimensional plane sections within the three-dimensional region.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
29 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the plurality of two-dimensional plane sections are set to meet on the central axis of the three-dimensional region.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the controller controls the transmitter/receiver circuit to shift at least one of the plurality of two-dimensional plane sections in the three-dimensional region.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
32 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11 , wherein the 3D processor combines three-dimensional graphic data representing the orientation of the ultrasonic probe with the composite two-dimensional ultrasonic image data.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 11 , further comprising an input device for setting the three-dimensional local region in any arbitrary position and size within the three-dimensional region.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
50 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 20 , wherein the 3D processor produces C-mode image data concerning a plane section orthogonal to the central axis of the three-dimensional region on the basis of received signals from the transmitter/receiver circuit to support the setting of the three-dimensional local region.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
38 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 21 , wherein the 3D processor automatically shifts the plane section for which the C-mode image data is produced up and down along the central axis of the three-dimensional region.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
95 words
A three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a two-dimensional array probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements are arranged in the form of a two-dimensional array; driving means for causing the two-dimensional array probe to make intermittently a three-dimensional scan of an objective region and causing the two-dimensional array probe to make a two-dimensional scan at a frame rate higher than a volume rate of the tree-dimensional scan during the interval between each three-dimensional scan; and image producing means responsive to ultrasonic information obtained by the three-dimensional and two-dimensional scans for producing ultrasonic images.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
95 words
A three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a two-dimensional array probe in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements are arranged in the form of a two-dimensional array; driving means for causing the two-dimensional array probe to make intermittently a three-dimensional scan of an objective region and causing the two-dimensional array probe to make a two-dimensional scan at a frame rate higher than a volume rate of the tree-dimensional scan during the interval between each three-dimensional scan; and image producing means responsive to ultrasonic information obtained by the three-dimensional and two-dimensional scans for producing ultrasonic images.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
26 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the scanning density of the two-dimensional scan is higher than that of the three-dimensional scan.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
63 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the three-dimensional and two-dimensional scans each include simultaneous parallel reception for forming ultrasound echo signals for a plurality of scan lines on the basis of ultrasound received signal obtained for each transmission of ultrasound, the number of simultaneous parallel receptions in the two-dimensional scan being smaller than that in the three-dimensional scan.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
48 words
The three-dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 23 , wherein the three-dimensional scan includes simultaneous parallel reception for forming ultrasound echo signals for a plurality of scan lines on the basis of ultrasound received signal obtained for each transmission of ultrasound, and the two-dimensional scan does not.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4559952A
Cited
US4596145A
Cited
US5497776A
Cited
US5485842A
Cited
US5546807A
Cited
US5720291A
Cited
US5993391A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-06-11 | 2004-12-11 | 2005-06-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-06-11 | 2008-12-11 | 2009-06-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-06-11 | 2012-12-11 | 2013-06-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |