U.S. patents available from 1976 to present.
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Ultrasound imaging system and method for improving resolution and operation

Patent 5873830 Issued on February 23, 1999. Estimated Expiration Date: Icon_subject August 22, 2017. 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.

Patent References

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Inventors

Application

No. 916358 filed on 08/22/1997

US Classes:

600/447Electronic array scanning

Examiners

Primary: Manuel, George

Attorney, Agent or Firm

Foreign Patent References

  • 0 357 164 EP. 03/13/1990
  • 0 770 352 A1 EP. 05/13/1997

International Class

A61B 008/00

Abstract

An ultrasound system and method are provided for improving resolution and operation. The system applies different imaging parameters within and outside a region of interest in an ultrasound image to improve spatial and/or temporal resolution inside a region of interest. The system also increases an apparent frame rate within a region of interest in an ultrasound-image frame by generating a motion-compensated interpolated image based on measured motion. The ultrasound imaging system also performs a method for automatically adjusting ultrasound imaging parameters in at least a portion of an ultrasound image in response to transducer or image motion to improve spatial or temporal resolution. With the measured motion, the system can also alter an operating mode of an ultrasound transducer array in response to an absence of transducer motion. Further, the system corrects distortion in an acquired ultrasound image caused by transducer or image motion.

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