Method and apparatus for receive beamformer system

Patent 5685308 Issued on November 11, 1997. Estimated Expiration Date:

May 2, 2015. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.

Abstract Claims Description Full Text

Patent References

3370266

3710330

3805596

3860928

Acoustic imaging apparatus
Patent #: 4140022
Issued on: 02/20/1979
Inventor: Maslak

Ultrasonic imaging system
Patent #: 4154113
Issued on: 05/15/1979
Inventor: Engeler

Ultrasonic imaging system
Patent #: 4155258
Issued on: 05/22/1979
Inventor: Engeler , et al.

Ultrasonic imaging system
Patent #: 4155259
Issued on: 05/22/1979
Inventor: Engeler

Ultrasonic imaging system
Patent #: 4155260
Issued on: 05/22/1979
Inventor: Engeler , et al.

Beamformer
Patent #: 4170766
Issued on: 10/09/1979
Inventor: Pridham , et al.

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Inventors

Application

No. 432615 filed on 05/02/1995

US Classes:

600/443, Anatomic image produced by reflective scanning600/447Electronic array scanning

Examiners

Primary: Jaworski, Francis J.

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Brinks Hofer Gilson & Lione

International Class

A61B 008/00

Abstract

The present invention includes a fully programmable plurality of multi-channel receivers, each receiver having a digital multi-channel receive processor and a local processor control. Each receive processor includes a first decimator, time delay memory, second decimator, and complex multiplier. The receive beamformer is a computationally efficient system which is programmable to allow processing mode trade-offs among receive frequency, receive spatial range resolution, and number of simultaneous beams received. Each local control receives focusing data from a central control computer and provides final calculation of per-channel dynamic focus delay, phase, apodization, and calibration values for each receiver signal sample. Further, this invention includes a baseband multi-beam processor which has a phase aligner and a baseband filter for making post-beamformation coherent phase adjustments and signal shaping, respectively. The phase aligner maintains scan-line-to-scan-line coherency, such as would be required for coherent image formation. Accordingly, the present system can operate under multiple imaging formats, using a variety of transducers and a variety of modes such as B-mode, M-mode, and color Doppler flow mode.

Other References

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