Beamforming methods and apparatus for three-dimensional ultrasound imaging using two-dimensional transducer array
March 13, 2018. 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 ReferencesMethod and means for steering phased array scanner in ultrasound imaging system Device for the three-dimensional focusing of an ultrasonic beam 2-D phased array ultrasound imaging system with distributed phasing Backing for acoustic transducer array Ultrasonic transducer system Time multiplexed digital ultrasound beamformer Method and apparatus for doppler receive beamformer system Ultrasonic receive beamformer with phased sub-arrays Method and apparatus for focus control of transmit and receive beamformer systems Portable ultrasound imaging system InventorApplicationNo. 039050 filed on 03/13/1998US Classes:600/443, Anatomic image produced by reflective scanning128/916, ULTRASOUND 3-D IMAGING600/447, Electronic array scanning600/459Structure of transducer or probe assemblyExaminersPrimary: Lateef, Marvin M.Assistant: Imam, Ali M. International ClassA61B 008/00AbstractAn ultrasound imaging system includes a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducer elements that define multiple subarrays, a transmitter for transmitting ultrasound energy into a region of interest with transmit elements of the array, a subarray processor and a phase shift network associated with each of the subarrays, a primary beamformer and an image generating circuit. Each subarray processor includes receive circuitry responsive to transducer signals generated by receive elements of the associated subarray for providing first and second subarray signals. The first subarray signal comprises a sum of first component signals, and the second subarray signal comprises a sum of second component signals. The first and second component signals are derived from the respective transducer signals. The phase shift network phase shifts and combines the first and second subarray signals to provide a phase shifted subarray signal. The primary beamformer delays each of the phase shifted subarray signals by delays that are individually controlled and provides delayed subarray signals which are summed to provide a beamformer signal.Other References
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