Ultrasound probe and ultrasound examination device using the same

An ultrasound probe which is capable of structurally improving resolution is provided. This ultrasound probe includes: an ultrasound probe which transmits ultrasound waves to a subject; and an optical probe which detects, with use of light, the ultrasound waves reflected off internal tissue of the subject, and openings of the ultrasound probe are larger than openings of the optical probe. With this, reflected waves (ultrasound waves) from the subject can be detected by the large openings, so that high resolution can be obtained relative to a width of the transmitted ultrasound waves.

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of the present invention includes a signal transmission section, which supplies a driving pulse to a transducer in order to transmit an ultrasonic transmission signal to an object and transmits to the object a non-inverted component and an inverted component of an ultrasonic waveform, and a signal processing section, which removes a fundamental wave component by adding received signals from the object. The signal transmission section includes a switching section which changes an output period within a half period of the transmission signal according to at least one of a load connected to the signal transmission section and amplitude, a frequency, and a wave number output from the transmission circuit.

Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method for outputting ultrasound diagnostic image

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which includes: an imaging unit which forms images of a subject; a motion detection region setting unit which selects a first image from among the images which include images of the ultrasound contrast agent, selects a second image from among the images which do not include images of the ultrasound contrast agent, and sets, as a motion detection region, a region in which an amount of image change between the first image and the second image is smaller than a predetermined amount; and an output unit which outputs, as the ultrasound diagnostic image, the second image on which a position adjustment has been performed to match a position of the motion detection region set by the motion detection region setting unit and a position of a region included in the second image and similar in an image feature to the motion detection region.

Ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus

Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs a transmission ultrasound wave toward a subject due to a driving signal and which outputs a received signal by receiving a reflection ultrasound wave from the subject, a transmitting unit which makes the ultrasound probe generate the transmission ultrasound wave by outputting each of a first transmission signal, a second transmission signal, a third transmission signal and a fourth transmission signal as the driving signal, and a signal component extraction unit which extracts a higher harmonic component and a difference frequency component by compounding a first received signal, a second received signal, a third received signal and a fourth received signal.

TEST-OBJECT-INFORMATION ACQUISITION APPARATUS AND TEST-OBJECT-INFORMATION ACQUISITION METHOD

A test-object-information acquisition apparatus includes a light radiating unit, a first probe that receives an acoustic wave generated in a test object in response to the test object being irradiated with light radiated by the light radiating unit, a second probe that radiates an ultrasound beam towards the test object and receives a reflected wave from the test object, an ultrasound controller configured to control the second probe, and a scanning unit configured to cause the light radiating unit and the first and second probes to perform a reciprocating scan process across the test object. The ultrasound controller varies a radiation method for radiating the ultrasound beam from the second probe to the test object so that the radiation method is different between an outbound scan and a return scan of the reciprocating scan process. 1. A test-object-information acquisition apparatus comprising:a light radiating unit configured to radiate light onto a test object;a first probe that receives an acoustic wave generated in the test object in response to the test object being irradiated with the light from the light radiating unit and converts the acoustic wave into a first electric signal;a second probe that radiates an ultrasound beam towards the test object, receives a reflected wave of the ultrasound beam from the test object, and converts the reflected wave into a second electric signal;an ultrasound controller configured to control the second probe to radiate the ultrasound beam toward the test object;a scanning unit configured to cause the light radiating unit, the first probe, and the second probe to perform a reciprocating scan process across the test object;a photoacoustic-image acquisition unit configured to acquire a photoacoustic image on the basis of the first electric signal;an ultrasound-image acquisition unit configured to acquire an ultrasound image on the basis of the second electric signal; anda controller configured to cause a display unit to ...

OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD

An object information acquiring apparatus comprising: a processor generating image data representing characteristic information on an object, based on signals acquired by receiving an acoustic wave generated from an object by a plural light irradiations; and a display controller allowing a display to display an image, wherein the display controller performs first display in which an image is displayed in parallel with irradiation and second display in which an image is displayed based on more signal than in the first display, and the processor acquires the characteristic information for a smaller number of units of reconstruction when generating image data. 1. An object information acquiring apparatus comprising:a processor configured to generate image data representing characteristic information on an object, based on signals acquired by receiving an acoustic wave generated from an object by a plurality of times of light irradiation to the object; anda display controller configured to allow a display to display an image based on the image data, whereinthe display controller is configured to perform first display in which an image is displayed in parallel with irradiation with the light and reception of the acoustic wave and second display in which an image is displayed based on more signal than in the first display, andthe processor is configured to acquire the characteristic information for a smaller number of units of reconstruction when generating image data used for the first display than when generating image data used for the second display.2. The object information acquiring apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to generate the characteristic information for three-dimensionally arranged units of reconstruction claim 1 , and during the first display claim 1 , generate the image data by projecting the characteristic information acquired with the small number of units of reconstruction.3. The object information acquiring apparatus ...

BROADBAND BLENDED FUNDAMENTAL AND HARMONIC FREQUENCY ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING

An ultrasound system is described which produces blended fundamental and harmonic frequency images. Successively transmitted, differently modulated pulses are transmitted by an ultrasound probe and both fundamental and harmonic frequencies are received in response. The echo signals received from the two pulses are processed by pulse inversion, producing cleanly separated bands of fundamental and harmonic signals in which undesired components have been cancelled. Since the two bands have been separated by signal cancellation rather than filtering, the two bands are allowed to overlap, providing broadband signals in each band. The bands are filtered by bandpass filtering to define the fundamental and harmonic signals to be imaged. The signals are detected, and the detected signals are combined after weighting to produce a blended fundamental/harmonic image. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system which produces fundamental and harmonic frequency images comprising:an ultrasound imaging probe having an array transducer and being configured transmit successive, differently modulated ultrasound pulses at a fundamental frequency and receive echo signals at fundamental and harmonic frequencies;a cancellation circuit that is responsive to the received echo signals and is configured to additively and subtractively combine the echo signals from the differently modulated ultrasound pulses to produce separate fundamental and harmonic signals;a fundamental frequency filter having a passband defining a band of fundamental frequency signals;a harmonic frequency filter having a passband overlapping the fundamental frequency passband and defining a band of harmonic frequency signals;a first detector configured to detect fundamental frequency image signals;a second detector configured to detect harmonic frequency image signals;a combiner configured to combine detected fundamental and harmonic frequency signals; anda display for displaying blended fundamental and harmonic images.2. ...

Ultrasound probe and ultrasound diagnosis apparatus

An ultrasound probe according to an embodiment includes. transducer elements, phase reversal processing circuitry, and delay processing circuitry. The transducer elements, each of which is configured to generate a first echo signal by receiving a reflected wave of a first ultrasound wave and to generate a second echo signal by receiving a reflected wave of a second ultrasound wave corresponding to an ultrasound wave obtained by reversing the phase of the first ultrasound wave. The phase reversal processing circuitry is configured to reverse the phase of the second echo signal. The delay processing circuitry is configured to delay the first echo signal and the phase-reversed second echo signal.

Quantitative Imaging System and Uses Thereof

Provided herein are imaging systems such as a system for quantitative tomography and a laser optoacoustic ultrasonic imaging system assembly (LOUISA) for imaging a tissue region, for example, a breast, in a subject. Generally, the system components are a laser that emits instant pulses of laser light in a wavelength cycling mode, fiberoptic bundles or optical arc-shaped fiber bundles configured to deliver laser light, an imaging module with an imaging tank, an optoacoustic array(s) of ultrawide-band ultrasonic transducers and ultrasound array(s) of ultrasonic transducers and a coupling medium and an electronics subsystem. Also provided is a method for imaging quantitative functional parameters and/or molecular parameters and anatomical structures in a volumetric tissue region of interest, such as a breast, in a subject utilizing the system for quantitative tomography.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING METHOD

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes an ultrasound probe and processing circuitry. The ultrasound probe sequentially executes sets of ultrasound transmission respectively along a plurality of scan lines, the sets each being composed only of transmission of first ultrasound having a first phase and transmission of second ultrasound having a second phase that is substantially 90 degrees different from the first phase. With respect to a first echo signal and a second echo signal that have been obtained via the ultrasound probe and correspond to the first ultrasound and the second ultrasound, respectively, the processing circuitry generates a subtraction signal by subtracting the second echo signal from the first echo signal. The processing circuitry generates an ultrasound image based on the subtraction signals generated for the scan lines. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:an ultrasound probe configured to sequentially execute sets of ultrasound transmission respectively along a plurality of scan lines, the sets each being composed only of transmission of first ultrasound and transmission of second ultrasound, the first ultrasound having a first phase, the second ultrasound having a second phase that is substantially 90 degrees different from the first phase; and with respect to a first echo signal and a second echo signal that have been acquired via the ultrasound probe and correspond to the first ultrasound and the second ultrasound, respectively, generate a subtraction signal by subtracting the second echo signal from the first echo signal, and', 'generate an ultrasound image based on the subtraction signals generated for the scan lines., 'processing circuitry configured to'}2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a filter configured to apply a high-pass filter or a band-pass filter to the first echo signals and the second echo signals claim 1 , or to the subtraction signals.3 ...

METHOD AND A DEVICE FOR IMAGING A VISCO-ELASTIC MEDIUM

The invention relates to a method and a device for imaging a visco-elastic medium []. The method comprises the steps of excitation during which an internal mechanical stress is generated in an excitation zone [A]; and imaging by acquiring signals during movements generated by the mechanical stress in the visco-elastic medium [] in response to the internal mechanical stress in an imaging zone [B] that includes the excitation zone [A]. According to the invention said method further comprises a step of calculating a quantitative index [Cij] associated with the rheological properties of the visco-elastic medium [] at at least one point [Bij] of the imaging zone [B] situated at a given depth outside the excitation zone [A]. The quantitative index [Cij] is representative of a comparison between signals acquired during the movements generated in response to the mechanical stress at at least one point [Ai] of the excitation zone [A] situated at the given depth, and signals acquired during the movements generated in response to the mechanical stress at at least the point [Bij] of the imaging zone [B] situated outside the excitation zone [A]. 116.-. (canceled)17. A method of estimating elasticity of a visco-elastic medium , the method comprising:exciting the visco-elastic medium at a given depth within an excitation zone in the depth of the visco-elastic medium, which generates an internal mechanical stress that is localized within the visco-elastic medium in the excitation zone, the internal mechanical stress generating a shear wave in a tissue;imaging an imaging zone of the visco-elastic medium that comprises the excitation zone; the first displacement signal corresponds to a first point in the excitation zone in response to the internal mechanical stress, and', 'the second displacement signal corresponds to a second point in the imaging zone at the same depth as the first point but outside the excitation zone, and, 'acquiring displacement signals during a movement of the ...

OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS

An object information acquiring apparatus according to the present invention includes: a supporter which supports a plurality of conversion elements each converting a photoacoustic wave from an object into an electrical signal; an imager which acquires an image of the object; a scanner which changes a relative position between the object and the supporter; an acquirer which acquires first and second specific information of the inside of the object based on an electrical signal acquired at a first and second relative position between the object and the supporter; and a corrector which corrects a deviation between the first and the second specific information based on positional information of the object. 1. An object information acquiring apparatus , comprising:a light source which generates light;a plurality of conversion elements each receiving an acoustic wave generated when an object is irradiated with the light, and outputting an electrical signal;a supporter which supports the plurality of conversion elements;an imager which is provided on the supporter and which acquires an image of the object;a scanner which changes a relative position between the object and the supporter;a specific information acquirer which acquires first specific information of the inside of the object based on an electrical signal acquired at a first relative position between the object and the supporter, and which acquires second specific information of the inside of the object based on an electrical signal acquired at a second relative position between the object and the supporter that differs from the first relative position; anda corrector which corrects a deviation of positions inside the object between the first specific information and the second specific information based on positional information of the object.2. The object information acquiring apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe positional information is information representing a body motion of the object.3. The object ...

LAYERED SENSING INCLUDING RF-ACOUSTIC IMAGING

An apparatus or a system may include an ultrasonic sensor array, a radio frequency (RF) source system and a control system. Some implementations may include a light source system and/or an ultrasonic transmitter system. The control system may be capable of controlling the RF source system to emit RF radiation and of receiving signals from the ultrasonic sensor array corresponding to acoustic waves emitted from portions of a target object in response to being illuminated with the RF radiation. The control system may be capable of acquiring ultrasonic image data from the acoustic wave emissions received from the target object. 1. An apparatus , comprising:an ultrasonic sensor array;a radio frequency (RF) source system; and controlling the RF source system to emit RF radiation, wherein the RF radiation induces first acoustic wave emissions inside a target object; and', 'acquiring first ultrasonic image data from the first acoustic wave emissions received by the ultrasonic sensor array from the target object., 'a control system capable of2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control system is further capable of selecting a first acquisition time delay for the reception of acoustic wave emissions primarily from a first depth inside the target object.3. A mobile device that includes the apparatus of .4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF source system includes an antenna array capable of emitting RF radiation at one or more frequencies in the range of about 10 MHz to about 60 GHz.5. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein RF radiation emitted from the RF source system is emitted as one or more pulses claim 1 , each pulse having a duration less than about 100 nanoseconds.6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF source system includes a broad-area antenna array capable of irradiating the target object with either substantially uniform RF radiation or with focused RF radiation at a target depth.7. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the RF source system includes one ...

IMAGE GENERATING APPARATUS, IMAGE GENERATING METHOD, AND PROGRAM

An image generating apparatus of the present invention has a determination unit that sets a target area in a part of an area inside a subject, executes processing to adjust a phase of each detection signal based on a distance from each detection element to a target area and a tentative velocity, and calculate dispersion of intensities of a plurality of detection signals of which phases are adjusted, for a plurality of tentative velocities, and determines a velocity for which dispersion of intensities is minimum, out of the plurality of tentative velocities, as a propagation velocity. 1. (canceled)2. An apparatus for determining a propagation velocity of an acoustic wave caused by irradiation of light on an object , the apparatus comprising:a determination unit configured to determine the propagation velocity of the acoustic wave for generating a photoacoustic image based on a signal obtained by detecting the acoustic wave,wherein the determination unit is configured to set, based on an ultrasonic image obtained by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, a target position, and determine, based on the signal corresponding to the target position, the propagation velocity.3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the determination unit is configured to set the target position based on an instruction from a user for the ultrasonic image.4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the determination unit is configured to set a target area including the target position selected by the user in the ultrasonic image claim 3 , and determine claim 3 , based on the signal corresponding to the target area claim 3 , the propagation velocity.5. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the determination unit is configured to set the target position by analyzing the ultrasonic image.6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the determination unit is configured to set claim 5 , based on a luminance value of the ultrasonic image claim 5 , the target position.7 ...

OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD FOR OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS

An object information acquiring apparatus includes: an acoustic wave generating member which absorbs light and generates an acoustic wave; an irradiating unit which irradiates an object or the acoustic wave generating member with light; a detector which detects an acoustic wave propagating from the object; a signal processing unit which generates object information that is information of the inside of the object, based on a signal output from the detector; and a switching unit which performs switching between a first mode in which a first acoustic wave generated inside the object due to irradiation of the light is detected by the detector and a second mode in which a second acoustic wave generated by the acoustic wave generating member due to irradiation of the light and having propagated inside the object is detected by the detector. 1. An object information acquiring apparatus , comprising:an acoustic wave generating member which absorbs light and generates an acoustic wave;an irradiating unit which irradiates an object or the acoustic wave generating member with light;a detector which detects an acoustic wave propagating from the object;a signal processing unit which generates object information that is information of the inside of the object, based on a signal output from the detector; anda switching unit which performs switching between a first mode in which a first acoustic wave generated inside the object due to irradiation of the light is detected by the detector and a second mode in which a second acoustic wave generated by the acoustic wave generating member due to irradiation of the light and having propagated inside the object is detected by the detector.2. The object information acquiring apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe switching unit switches targets to be irradiated with the light so that only the object is irradiated with the light in the first mode and only the acoustic wave generating member is irradiated with the light in the second ...

Ultrasonic probe and photoacoustic apparatus including same

An ultrasonic probe includes a light source that irradiates a subject with emitted light, an acoustic wave reception unit that receives an acoustic wave generated by the irradiation of the subject with the light and converts the acoustic wave into an electrical signal, an analog-to-digital conversion unit that digitizes the electrical signal, a communication unit configured to wirelessly communicate the digitized electrical signal, and a synchronization control unit that controls time in which the light source emits the light and time in which the communication unit performs the wireless communication, wherein the synchronization control unit controls the light source and the communication unit such that the time in which the light source emits the light and the time in which the communication unit performs the wireless communication do not overlap with each other.

ULTRASONIC APPARATUS

An ultrasonic apparatus includes an ultrasonic reception unit configured to receive an ultrasonic wave generated from a subject and output a reception signal, an amplifier configured to amplify an intensity of the reception signal, a transmission unit configured to transmit an amplification signal obtained by amplifying the reception signal, an attenuator configured to output an attenuation signal obtained by attenuating an intensity of the transmitted amplification signal, and an acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding the subject at least based on the attenuation signal. 1. An ultrasonic apparatus comprising:an ultrasonic receiver configured to receive an ultrasonic wave generated from a subject and output a reception signal;an amplifier configured to amplify an intensity of the reception signal;a transmitter configured to transmit an amplification signal obtained by amplifying the reception signal;an attenuator configured to output an attenuation signal obtained by attenuating an intensity of the transmitted amplification signal; andan acquisition unit configured to acquire information regarding the subject at least based on the attenuation signal.2. The ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising an ultrasonic probe including the ultrasonic receiver and the amplifier.3. The ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the ultrasonic probe is a handheld ultrasonic probe.4. The ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising a processing apparatus that is provided separately from the ultrasonic probe and includes the attenuator and the acquisition unit.5. The ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the amplification of the reception signal by the amplification unit and the transmission of the amplification signal by the transmission unit are performed in a same circuit.6. The ultrasonic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising a light irradiation unit configured to irradiate the ...

Architecture of single substrate ultrasonic imaging devices, related apparatuses, and methods

Aspects of the technology described herein relate to ultrasound device circuitry as may form part of a single substrate ultrasound device having integrated ultrasonic transducers. The ultrasound device circuitry may facilitate the generation of ultrasound waveforms in a manner that is power- and data-efficient.

TRANSDUCER ARRAY, AND ACOUSTIC WAVE MEASUREMENT APPARATUS

A transducer array including a plurality of transducers each of which receives an acoustic wave and transduces the received acoustic wave into an electric signal, and a support member supporting the transducers, and having an inner surface which is defined by a quadric surface of revolution formed according to an imaginary quadratic curve rotating about an imaginary rotation axis. Each transducer includes a receiving surface having a substantially parallelogram shape defined by four vertexes, the receiving surface being connected to the support member so as to be oriented towards the inner surface of the support, and a transducing element transducing an acoustic wave, received by the transducer via the receiving surface, into an electric signal. The receiving surface is arranged in the transducer array such that any one of the four vertexes is closer to the imaginary rotation axis than the other three vertexes. 1. A transducer array comprising:a plurality of transducers each of which is configured to receive an acoustic wave and to transduce the received acoustic wave into an electric signal; anda support member supporting the plurality of transducers, and having an inner surface which is defined by a quadric surface of revolution that is formed according to an imaginary quadratic curve rotating about an imaginary rotation axis, a receiving surface having a substantially parallelogram shape defined by four vertexes, the receiving surface being connected to the support member so as to be oriented towards the inner surface of the support, and', 'a transducing element configured to transduce an acoustic wave, received by the transducer via the receiving surface, into an electric signal,, 'wherein each transducer includes'}wherein the receiving surface is arranged in the transducer array such that any one of the four vertexes is closer to the imaginary rotation axis than the other three vertexes.2. The transducer array according to claim 1 ,wherein in the case that the ...

IMAGE GENERATING APPARATUS, IMAGE GENERATING METHOD, AND PROGRAM

An image generating apparatus of the present invention has a determination unit that sets a target area in a part of an area inside a subject, executes processing to adjust a phase of each detection signal based on a distance from each detection element to a target area and a tentative velocity, and calculate dispersion of intensities of a plurality of detection signals of which phases are adjusted, for a plurality of tentative velocities, and determines a velocity for which dispersion of intensities is minimum, out of the plurality of tentative velocities, as a propagation velocity. 1. (canceled)2. An apparatus for generating a photoacoustic image based on an acoustic wave caused by irradiation of light on an object , comprising:a determination unit configured to determine a propagation velocity of the acoustic wave; andan image generation unit configured to generate the photoacoustic image based on the propagation velocity and a signal obtained by detecting the acoustic wave; set, based on an ultrasonic image obtained by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave, a target position, and', 'determine, based on the signal corresponding to the target position, the propagation velocity., 'wherein the determination unit is configured to'}3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the determination unit is configured to set the target position based on an instruction from a user for the ultrasonic image.4. The apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the determination unit is configured toset a target area including the target position selected by the user in the ultrasonic image, anddetermine the propagation velocity based on a signal corresponding to the target area from among a plurality of the signals.5. The apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the determination unit is configured to set the target position by analyzing the ultrasonic image.6. The apparatus according to claim 5 , wherein the determination unit is configured to set the target position ...

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and signal processing apparatus

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes determination circuitry and generation circuitry. The determination circuitry determines whether or not a reflected wave signal received by each channel of an ultrasonic probe is saturated. The generation circuitry generates reflected wave data through a phasing addition process using an output signal for which a predetermined process corresponding to a result of the determination acquired by the determination circuitry is performed.

ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM FOR HIGH RESOLUTION WIDEBAND HARMONIC IMAGING

An ultrasound imaging system transmits two beams in succession in the same beam direction, the waveform of the second beam being a phase inverted form of the first waveform, and each waveform containing first and second major frequency components. Echoes are received from along the beam direction in response to each beam transmission, and are processed by additively and subtractively combining the two echo sequences on a common depth basis. The echo components resulting from this processing extend from high frequencies for good near field resolution to low frequencies for good depth penetration, and include fundamental, harmonic, and sum or difference frequency components. The linear and nonlinear echo signal components may be frequency compounded for speckle reduction. 1. An ultrasound system for producing high resolution wideband harmonic images comprising:an ultrasound probe comprising an array transducer adapted to transmit ultrasound beams and receive echo signals from along directions of transmitted ultrasound beams;a transmitter, coupled to the ultrasound probe, and adapted to control the probe to transmit first and second differently modulated transmit waveforms in a common beam direction, each waveform comprising at least two major frequency components;a buffer adapted to store echo signals received in response to transmission of at least the first transmit waveform;a summer coupled to the buffer and adapted to additively combine echo signals on a spatial basis which are received in response to transmission of the first and second transmit waveforms;a subtractor coupled to the buffer and adapted to subtractively combine echo signals on a spatial basis which are received in response to transmission of the first and second transmit waveforms; andan image processor adapted to produce an ultrasound image, and characterized in that:the summer is further adapted to produce nonlinear echo signal components at an output and the subtractor is further adapted to ...

System and techniques for split-aperture beamforming

Technologies for correcting beamformed data are disclosed. A sonar computing device receives, at two or more sets of two-dimensional (2D) subarrays of a multi-element detector array, raw data representing a three-dimensional (3D) volumetric view of a space. A first set of subarrays of the two or more sets of subarrays includes elements of the detector array along a first direction. A second set of subarrays of the two or more sets of subarrays includes elements of the detector array along a second direction. The raw data is subdivided into slices and beamformed. The beamformed data is corrected by, per slice, obtaining first phase data from the first set, obtaining second phase data from the second set, correcting a beam position of each beam in the first and second directions per voxel based on the first and second phase data, and interpolating the corrected beam positions to an output grid.

ULTRASOUND PROBE AND PROCESSING METHOD

An ultrasound probe in which there is local amplification, time gain compensation and digitization of each transducer element output. Inverting arrangements surround the time gain compensation and digitization units, and a synchronous inversion function enables deterministic distortion to be cancelled. 1. An ultrasound probe comprising:an array of ultrasound transducer elements; an amplifier for receiving a signal from the transducer element;', 'a time gain compensation circuit; and', 'an analog to digital converter circuit connected to an output of the time gain compensation circuit,, 'a respective signal processing circuit associated with each transducer element, wherein each signal processing circuit comprises {'b': '20', 'a switch arrangement at the output of the amplifier for generating an intermediate two-terminal output from the amplifier output directly or with inversion, wherein the intermediate two-terminal output is provided to an input of the time gain compensation circuit, and an inverter at the output of the analog to digital converter, wherein the inverter is controlled synchronously with the switch arrangement ().'}, 'wherein each signal processing circuit further comprises2. A probe as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a controller for controlling the ultrasound transducer elements to emit ultrasound pulses claim 1 , for controlling the switch arrangement and for controlling the inverter claim 1 , and a signal processor for processing received reflected ultrasound pulses.3. A probe as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the controller is adapted to implement two cycles:a first cycle in which the switch arrangement and the inverter each provide no inversion; anda second cycle in which the switch arrangement and the inverter each provide inversion.4. A probe as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the controller is adapted to switch between the first and second cycles between ultrasound pulse emissions.5. A probe as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the signal ...

Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and ultrasound imaging method

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a transmitter/receiver, an adder/subtractor and an image generating unit. The transmitter/receiver performs a first set of ultrasound transmission/reception and a second set of ultrasound transmission/reception, on a same scanning line of an imaging region of a subject administered with a contrast agent, for a plurality of sets, to output reflected wave data for the plurality of the sets, the first set of the ultrasound transmission/reception performing amplitude-modulated or amplitude- and phase-modulated ultrasound transmission transmitted a plurality of times and receiving reflected waves, and the second set of the ultrasound transmission/reception being transmission/reception whose phase modulation being different from phase modulation of the first set of the ultrasound transmission/reception. The adder/subtractor adds or subtracts the reflected wave data for the plurality of the sets. The image generating unit generates contrast image data based on the data output from the adder/subtractor.

Methods for Encoded Multi-Pulse Contrast Enhanced Ultrasound Imaging

Methods for contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging that implement coded multi-pulses in each of two or more different transmission events are described. Data acquired in response to the two different transmission events are decoded and combined. In some embodiments, the coded multi-pulses include two or more consecutive Hadamard encoded ultrasound pulses. In other embodiments, multiplane wave pulses can be used. Such multiplane wave pulses can be coded using Hadamard encoding, as one example. In addition, the multiplane wave pulses can be further coded using amplitude modulation, pulse inversion, or pulse inversion amplitude modulation techniques. 1. A method for producing an image with an ultrasound system , the steps of the method comprising:(a) transmitting a first set of ultrasound pulses in a first transmission event to a region-of-interest that contains a microbubble contrast agent in a subject using an ultrasound system, the first set of ultrasound pulses comprising at least two ultrasound pulses each having an amplitude and a polarity encoded according to a first entry in an encoding matrix;(b) receiving first ultrasound data with the ultrasound system following transmission of the first set of ultrasound pulses;(c) transmitting a second set of ultrasound pulses in a second transmission event to the region-of-interest in the subject using the ultrasound system, the second set of ultrasound pulses comprising at least two ultrasound pulses each having an amplitude and a polarity encoded according to a second entry in the encoding matrix;(d) receiving second ultrasound data with the ultrasound system following transmission of the second set of ultrasound pulses;(e) generating first decoded data by decoding the first ultrasound data using an inverse of the encoding matrix, and generating second decoded data by decoding the second ultrasound data using the inverse of the encoding matrix;(f) generating difference data by computing a difference between the first ...

Massively Multi-Frequency Ultrasound-Encoded Tomography

A system is described for multi-frequency ultrasonically-encoded tomography of a target object. One or more probe inputs generate probe input signals to the target object. An ultrasound transducer array is placed on the outer surface of the target object and has multiple ultrasound transducers each generating a different time-dependent waveform to form a plurality of ultrasound input signals to a target probe volume within the target object. One or more sensors sense tomography output signals from the target probe volume, wherein the tomography output signals contain an interaction component generated by interaction of the probe input signals with the ultrasound input signals. A tomography analysis of the tomography output signals is performed to create a three-dimensional object map representing structural and/or functional characteristics of the target object.

Massively Multi-Frequency Ultrasound-Encoded Tomography

A system and corresponding method are described for multi-frequency ultrasonically-encoded tomography of a target object. One or more probe inputs generate probe input signals to the target object. An ultrasound transducer array is placed on the outer surface of the target object and has multiple ultrasound transducers each operating at a different ultrasound frequency to generate ultrasound input signals to a target probe volume within the target object. A photorefractive crystal mixes scattered light output signals from the target probe volume with an optical reference beam input to produce optical tomography output signals including ultrasound sum frequencies components. A photodetector senses the optical tomography output signals from the photorefractive crystal. A tomography analysis of the tomography output signals including the ultrasound sum frequencies components is performed to create a three-dimensional object map representing structural and/or functional characteristics of the target object. 1. A computer-implemented system for multi-frequency ultrasonically-encoded optical tomography of a target object having an outer surface , the system comprising:one or more probe inputs configured for generating optical probe input signals to the target object;an ultrasound transducer array configured for placement on the outer surface of the target object and having a plurality of ultrasound transducers each operating at a different ultrasound frequency to generate ultrasound input signals to a target probe volume within the target object;a photorefractive crystal configured for mixing scattered light output signals from the target probe volume with an optical reference beam input to the photorefractive crystal to produce optical tomography output signals including ultrasound sum frequencies components;a photodetector configured for sensing the optical tomography output signals from the photorefractive crystal;data storage memory configured for storing optical ...

APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING OBJECT INFORMATION, INFORMATION PROCESSING METHOD, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM STORING PROGRAM

An apparatus for acquiring object information includes at least one receiving unit configured to receive an acoustic wave occurring in an object and output a signal, a liquid level acquiring unit configured to acquire information regarding a position of a liquid level of acoustic matching liquid provided between the object and the at least one receiving unit, and a processing unit configured to acquire object information by processing the signal by using the information regarding the position of the liquid level. 1. An apparatus for acquiring object information , comprising:at least one receiving unit configured to receive an acoustic wave occurring in an object and output a signal;a liquid level acquiring unit configured to acquire information regarding a position of a liquid level of acoustic matching liquid provided between the object and the at least one receiving unit; anda processing unit configured to acquire object information by processing the signal by using the information regarding the position of the liquid level.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe processing unitacquires information regarding a speed of sound within the acoustic matching liquid by using the information regarding the position of the liquid level; andacquires the object information by using the information regarding the speed of sound within the acoustic matching liquid and the signal.3. The apparatus according to claim 2 , whereinthe processing unitacquires information regarding a hydraulic pressure within the acoustic matching liquid by using the information regarding the position of the liquid level; andacquires information regarding a speed of sound within the acoustic matching liquid by using the information regarding the hydraulic pressure within the acoustic matching liquid.4. The apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe processing unitacquires a corrected signal by correcting a level of the signal based on the information regarding the position of the liquid ...

OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

An object information acquiring apparatus of the present invention includes a light source generating light having a first and a second wavelength, a conversion element receiving photoacoustic waves from an object and outputs first and second reception signals, a characteristic information acquiring unit acquiring first and second characteristic information distributions and acquiring a substance concentration distribution inside the object, a position shift acquiring unit acquiring a position shift between the first and second characteristic information distributions, and a display controlling unit displaying an image based on the substance concentration distribution and the position shift. 1. An object information acquiring apparatus comprising:a light source that generates light having a first wavelength and light having a second wavelength;a conversion element that receives an acoustic wave generated in response to an irradiation of an object with the light having the first wavelength and outputs a first reception signal, and receives an acoustic wave generated in response to an irradiation of the object with the light having the second wavelength and outputs a second reception signal;a characteristic information acquiring unit that acquires a first characteristic information distribution based on the first reception signal, acquires a second characteristic information distribution based on the second reception signal, and acquires a substance concentration distribution inside the object based on the first and second characteristic information distributions;a position shift acquiring unit that acquires a position shift between the first characteristic information distribution and the second characteristic information distribution; anda display controlling unit that outputs an image based on the substance concentration distribution and the position shift, to a displaying unit.2. The object information acquiring apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe position ...

FIBER OPTIC TEMPERATURE MEASUREMENT SYSTEM

In an embodiment, a transducer includes a first optical fiber having an ultrasound generator including a nanoparticulate material on an end thereof; and a second optical fiber having an ultrasound detector on an end thereof, wherein the ultrasound detector includes a Fabry Perot cavity. In another embodiment, a transducer includes an ultrasound generator comprising a nanoparticulate material and an ultrasound detector comprising a Fabry Perot cavity, wherein both the ultrasound generator and the ultrasound detector are disposed on an end of a first optical fiber. 1. A transducer comprising:a first optical fiber having an ultrasound generator comprising a nanoparticulate material on an end thereof; andan ultrasound detector comprising a Fabry Perot cavity;wherein the ultrasound detector is located on an end of a second optical fiber or on the end of the first optical fiber.2. The transducer of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound generator comprises a composite comprising the nanoparticulate material and a polymeric matrix.3. The transducer of claim 2 , wherein the polymeric matrix comprises poly(p-xylylene) claim 2 , a chlorinated poly(p-xylylene) claim 2 , or polydimethylsiloxane.4. The transducer of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticulate material has an average particle size of 10 nm to 500 nm.5. The transducer of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticulate material comprises gold claim 1 , aluminum claim 1 , silver claim 1 , platinum claim 1 , copper claim 1 , carbon black claim 1 , graphite claim 1 , graphene claim 1 , carbon nanotubes claim 1 , a fullerene claim 1 , or a combination thereof.6. The transducer of claim 1 , wherein the nanoparticulate material comprises gold nanoparticles claim 1 , gold nanorods claim 1 , gold coated carbon nanotubes claim 1 , gold coated fullerene claim 1 , or a combination thereof.7. The transducer of claim 1 , wherein the Fabry Perot cavity comprises a polymeric layer interposed between parallel reflective layers.8. The transducer of ...

Integrated ultrasonic transducers

Described are transducer assemblies and imaging devices comprising: a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die including a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) die electrically coupled to the MEMS die by a first plurality of bumps and including at least one circuit for controlling the plurality of piezoelectric elements; and a package secured to the CMOS die by an adhesive layer and electrically connected to the CMOS die.

Ultrasound 3d imaging system

The present invention related to an ultrasound imaging system win which the scan head includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field subarray beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. When using a hierarchical two-stage or three-stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images can be generated in real-time. The invention further relates to flexible printed circuit boards in the probe head. The invention furthermore related to the use of coded or spread spectrum signaling in ultrasound imagining systems. Matched filters based on pulse compression using Golay code pairs improve the signal-to-noise ratio thus enabling third harmonic imaging with suppressed sidelobes. The system is suitable for 3D full volume cardiac imaging.

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and control method

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a transmitter/receiver, a signal processor, an image generator, and a controller. The transmitter/receiver executes ultrasonic transmission/reception sets a plurality of times on an identical scanning line by changing transmission conditions, and generates a plurality of sets of reception signals, the ultrasonic transmission/reception sets including a plurality of ultrasonic transmissions/receptions on the identical scanning line serving as a unit. The signal processor combines the reception signals in each of the plurality of the sets, and generates a plurality of composite signals corresponding to each of the plurality of the sets. The image generator generates ultrasonic image data using the composite signals. The controller controls an order of ultrasonic transmissions/receptions executed by the transmitter/receiver such that previous transmissions of respective transmissions corresponding to the reception signals in one set combined by the signal processor have an identical transmission condition but different phase polarities.

Methods and devices for optoacoustic stimulation

A tapered fiber optoacoustic emitter includes a nanosecond laser configured to emit laser pulses and an optic fiber. The optic fiber includes a tip configured to guide the laser pulses. The tip has a coating including a diffusion layer and a thermal expansion layer, wherein the diffusion layer includes epoxy and zinc oxide nanoparticles configured to diffuse the light while restricting localized heating. The thermal expansion layer includes carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and Polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) configured to convert the laser pulses to generate ultrasound. The frequency of the ultrasound is tuned with a thickness of the diffusion layer and a CNT concentration of the expansion layer.

ULTRASONIC PROBE, ULTRASONIC UNIT, AND SUBJECT INFORMATION ACQUISITION APPARATUS

An ultrasonic probe includes an element configured to include a diaphragm unit for at least receiving or transmitting an ultrasonic wave and a chassis configured to extend in a direction vertical to a diaphragm plane included in the diaphragm unit and hold the element. A center of the diaphragm plane of the element in an in-plane direction is arranged to be offset from a center of the chassis. 1. An ultrasonic probe comprising:an element configured to include a diaphragm unit for at least receiving or transmitting an ultrasonic wave; anda chassis configured to extend in a direction vertical to a diaphragm plane included in the diaphragm unit and hold the element,wherein a center of the diaphragm plane of the element in an in-plane direction is arranged to be offset from a center of the chassis.2. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the element is a capacitive transducer having a structure of at least one cell in which one of paired electrodes is provided with a vibrating film.3. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 2 , wherein the capacitive transducer is configured to include the plurality of cells.4. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the element is a transducer using a piezoelectric element.5. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 1 , comprising:an element substrate configured to hold an electric connection unit connected to the element and the element in a direction parallel to the diaphragm plane.6. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5 , wherein the electric connection unit is an electric connection unit connected to a flexible printed wire.7. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 6 , wherein the flexible printed wire is arranged to be folded approximately vertically to the element substrate.8. The ultrasonic probe according to claim 5 , comprising:a circuit board connected to the electric connection unit to face a rear side of a surface of the element substrate on which the element is held.9. The ultrasonic probe ...

ULTRASOUND SIGNAL PROCESSING DEVICE, ULTRASOUND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD, AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE

An ultrasound signal processing device includes ultrasound signal processing circuitry that operates as: a transmitter that causes an ultrasound probe to transmit ultrasound beams to an ultrasound main irradiation area defined by two straight lines each connecting a focal point and a different end of a transmission transducer element array; a receiver that generates receive signal sequences; a delay-and-sum calculator that sets first and second target areas in the ultrasound main irradiation area, and performs delay-and-summing of receive signal sequences based on ultrasound reflection from measurement points in the first and second target areas thereby to generate sub-frame acoustic line signals, the first target area is an entirety of an area located at or shallower than a focal depth, the second target area is part of an area located deeper than the focal depth; and a synthesizer that synthesizes sub-frame acoustic line signals to generate a frame acoustic line signal. 1. An ultrasound signal processing device that performs multiple transmission events of transmitting converging ultrasound beams to a subject by using an ultrasound probe having multiple transducer elements , that performs , for each of the transmission events , reception of ultrasound reflection from the subject and generation of a sub-frame acoustic line signal based on the ultrasound reflection , and that synthesizes sub-frame acoustic line signals for the respective transmission events to generate a frame acoustic line signal , the ultrasound signal processing device comprising: [ while shifting a transmission transducer element array of the ultrasound probe in a transducer element array direction in which the transducer elements are arrayed, causes the ultrasound probe to transmit ultrasound beams to an ultrasound main irradiation area by using the transmission transducer element array,', 'wherein the ultrasound beams converging at a focal point defined by a position of the transmission ...

SPARSE OPTIMIZATION METHOD BASED ON CROSS-SHAPED THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING SONAR ARRAY

The present invention a sparse optimization method based on cross-shaped three-dimensional imaging sonar array, comprising the following steps: first, constructing a beam pattern simultaneously applicable to a near field and a far field based on a cross-shaped array; then, constructing an energy function required by sparse optimization according to the beam pattern; then, introducing an array element position disturbance into a simulated annealing algorithm to increase the degree of freedom of the sparse process and increase the sparse rate of the sparse array, and using the simulated annealing algorithm to sparse optimization of the energy function; finally, after optimization, a sparse optimization cross-shaped array is obtained. The present invention ensures that the three-dimensional imaging sonar system has the desired performance at any distance, and greatly reduces the hardware complexity of the system. It provides an effective method to achieve high performance and ultra-low complexity 3D imaging sonar system. 2. The sparse optimization method based on cross-shaped three-dimensional imaging sonar array according to claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , the introduction of an array element position disturbance into the simulated annealing algorithm comprises:{'sub': temp', 'xy', 'm', 'n, 'a. if the selected array element weight coefficient is not 0, that is, the selected array is in the on state, caching (ω) the array element weight coefficient and the current array element position p=(x, y);'}b. closing the array element, updating the array element weight coefficient matrix W and the number of array elements A, and calculating the energy function;c. when the energy function decreases, accepting the state and selecting the next random array element; and{'sub': 'xy', 'd. when the energy function increases, turning on the array element again, and the weight coefficient adds a random disturbance within a certain range, and a disturbance is added to the original position ...

ACOUSTIC PROBE AND SUBJECT INFORMATION ACQUISITION APPARATUS

An acoustic probe includes at least two acoustic transducers, a support film in which the at least two acoustic transducers are disposed, and a recessed support member configured to support the support film. The support film is deformable so that the at least two acoustic transducers can be moved conforming to a shape of a subject. 1. An acoustic probe comprising:at least two acoustic transducers;a support film in which the at least two acoustic transducers are disposed;a recessed support member configured to support the support film; anda position detection unit configured to acquire positions information of each of the at least two acoustic transducers with respect to the support member,wherein the support film is deformable so that the at least two acoustic transducers are moved conforming to a shape of a subject.2. The acoustic probe according to claim 1 , further comprising an illumination unit configured to illuminate the subject with light claim 1 , wherein the illumination unit is supported by the support film.3. The acoustic probe according to claim 1 , wherein the support member is semi-cylindrical or semi-spherical in shape.4. The acoustic probe according to claim 1 , further comprising a holder configured to hold the subject when the subject is pressed against the support film.5. The acoustic probe according to claim 4 , wherein the holder is a pedestal fixed to the support member.6. The acoustic probe according to claim 4 , wherein the support film is disposed to be nipped between the holder and the subject.7. The acoustic probe according to claim 6 , wherein the holder is disposed in a space between the support film and the support member.8. The acoustic probe according to claim 7 , wherein the holder is a bag filled with gas.9. The acoustic probe according to claim 1 , wherein two pairs of support films in which the at least two acoustic transducers are disposed and recessed support members configured to support the support films are provided claim 1 ...

PHOTOACOUSTIC APPARATUS, DISPLAY CONTROL METHOD, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

A photoacoustic apparatus includes a light irradiation unit configured to irradiate a subject with light, a reception unit configured to convert an acoustic wave generated from the subject into an electric signal, a processing unit configured to acquire image data using the electric signal, and a display control unit. The processing unit acquires first image data by a first image generation method using the electric signal, and acquires second image data by a second image generation method different from the first image generation method using the electric signal. The display control unit sets, as a difference region, a region in which difference image data between the first image data and the second image data has an image value within a predetermined numerical range, and causes image data in which the difference region and another region are distinguishable from each other to be displayed on a display unit. 1. A photoacoustic apparatus comprising:a light irradiation unit configured to irradiate a subject with light;a reception unit configured to convert an acoustic wave generated from the subject due to the irradiation with the light into an electric signal;a processing unit configured to acquire image data based on the electric signal; anda display control unit,wherein the processing unit acquires first image data by a first image generation method based on the electric signal, and acquires second image data by a second image generation method different from the first image generation method based on the electric signal, andwherein the display control unit sets, as a difference region, a region in which difference image data between the first image data and the second image data has an image value falling within a predetermined numerical range, and causes image data in which the difference region and another region are distinguishable from each other to be displayed on a display unit based on the first image data and the second image data.2. The photoacoustic ...

OPTO-ACOUSTIC IMAGING SYSTEM WITH DETECTION OF RELATIVE ORIENTATION OF LIGHT SOURCE AND ACOUSTIC RECEIVER USING ACOUSTIC WAVES

In an embodiment, a system and method are provided for determining position and orientation of an optical delivery unit relative to an acoustic receiving unit, in the field of opto-acoustic imaging, wherein the optical delivery unit comprises a first fiducial marker site configured to emit acoustic responses and a second fiducial marker site configured to emit acoustic responses. A plurality of acoustic signals from a volume of a subject are sampled and recorded, each of the plurality of acoustic signals being collected at a different data collection position relative to a coordinate reference frame. The system is configured to identify in each of the plurality of acoustic signals a response of a first fiducial marker and a response of a second fiducial marker. Each identified response indicates a separation between a fiducial marker site and a data collection position of an acoustic signal. The system determines the position and orientation of the optical delivery unit in the coordinate reference frame by using the identified responses of the first fiducial marker and the identified responses of the second fiducial marker. 1. A method for determining position and orientation of an optical delivery unit relative to an acoustic receiving unit , in the field of opto-acoustic imaging , wherein the optical delivery unit comprises a first fiducial marker site configured to emit first acoustic responses and a second fiducial marker site configured to emit second acoustic responses , the method comprising:sampling and recording a plurality of acoustic signals from a volume of a subject, each of the plurality of acoustic signals collected at a different data collection position relative to a coordinate reference frame;identifying in each of the plurality of acoustic signals a response of a first fiducial marker and a response of a second fiducial marker, wherein each identified response indicates a separation between a fiducial marker site and a data collection position; ...

DELAY-ENCODED HARMONIC IMAGING WITH AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

Systems and methods for ultrasound imaging using a delay-encoded harmonic imaging (“DE-HI”) technique is provided. An ultrasound pulse sequence is coded using temporal delays between ultrasound emissions within a single transmission event. This coded scheme allows for harmonic imaging to be implemented. The temporal time delay-codes are applied temporally to multiple different ultrasound emissions within a single transmission event, rather than spatially across different transmitting elements. The received radio frequency (“RF”) signals undergo a decoding process in the frequency domain to recover the signals, as they would be obtained from standard single emissions, for subsequent compounding. As one specific example, a one-quarter period time delay can be used to encode second harmonic signals from each angle emission during a single multiplane wave (“MW”) transmission event, rather than inverting the polarity of the pulses as in conventional MW imaging. 1. A method for delay-encoded harmonic imaging with an ultrasound system , the steps of the method comprising:(a) selecting a time delay that is a proportional to a period associated with a fundamental frequency of an ultrasound transducer of the ultrasound system;(b) forming a coding matrix with a computer system based on the selected delay time, wherein the coding matrix has entries that define whether the time delay will be applied to a given ultrasound emission in a given transmission event;(c) acquiring coded signal data from a subject with the ultrasound system by transmitting multiple ultrasound emissions spaced apart in time by a time interval to the subject and receiving coded ultrasound signals in response thereto in each of a plurality of different transmission events, wherein the multiple ultrasound emissions are temporally coded by applying the time delay to select ones of the multiple ultrasound emissions according to the coding matrix;(d) decoding the coded signal data with the computer system using ...

ACOUSTIC WAVE MEASURING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

An acoustic wave measuring apparatus generates a characteristics information distribution of the inside of an object by using an acoustic wave propagating from the object, and includes a receiving unit that receives the acoustic wave, a first imaging unit that images a first area of the object from a first direction, and acquires an image of the first area, a second imaging unit that images a second area smaller than the first area of the object from a second direction different from the first direction, and acquires a local image, a designating unit that receives, from a user, designation of a position where the imaging is performed by the second imaging unit in the image of the first area captured by the first imaging unit. 1. An acoustic wave measuring apparatus for generating a characteristics information distribution of an inside of an object by using an acoustic wave propagating from the object ,the acoustic wave measuring apparatus comprising:a receiving unit configured to receive the acoustic wave;a first imaging unit configured to image a first area of the object from a first direction, and acquire an image of the first area;a second imaging unit configured to image an area smaller than the first area of the object from a second direction different from the first direction, and acquire a local image;a designating unit configured to receive, from a user, designation of a position where the imaging is performed by the second imaging unit in the image of the first area captured by the first imaging unit, and receive, from the user, designation of a second area, the characteristics information distribution of which is generated in the local image captured by the second imaging unit; anda generating unit configured to generate the characteristics information distribution by using the acoustic wave received by the receiving unit.2. The acoustic wave measuring apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe second imaging unit is installed on aside opposite to the ...

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic signal processing method

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that transmits/receives an ultrasonic wave to/from a subject using an ultrasonic probe and generates an image includes: a transmission unit that converts a pulsed transmission signal including a fundamental wave component into a transmission ultrasonic wave and transmits the transmission ultrasonic wave to the inside of the subject; a receiving unit that generates a reception signal based on a reflected ultrasonic wave from the subject; a separation unit that separates the reception signal into first and second components; a phase control unit that generates a third component by controlling a phase of the second component such that a time at which amplitude is maximized is the same between the first and second components; a combining unit that combines the first and third components to generate a composite reception signal; and an image generation unit that generates an image based on the composite reception signal.

ULTRASOUND IMAGING PROBE

An ultrasound probe comprises an optical light guide comprising a multi-mode optical waveguide for transmitting excitation light and a single-mode optical waveguide for transmitting interrogation light. The probe further comprises an ultrasound transmitter located at a distal end of the probe, the ultrasound transmitter comprising an optically absorbing material for absorbing the excitation light from the multi-mode optical waveguide to generate an ultrasound beam via the photoacoustic effect. The probe further comprises an ultrasound receiver including an optical cavity external to the single-mode optical waveguide. The interrogation light from the single-mode optical waveguide is provided to the ultrasound receiver. The optical cavity has a reflectivity that is modulated by impinging ultrasound waves. The interrogation light is reflected from the optical cavity to a proximal end of the single-mode optical waveguide where it can be received for generating a signal. At least a portion of the ultrasound probe is configured to rotate so that the ultrasound beam is transmitted in a rotating direction. 1. An ultrasound probe comprising:an optical light guide comprising a multi-mode optical waveguide for transmitting excitation light and a single-mode optical waveguide for transmitting interrogation light;an ultrasound transmitter located at a distal end of the probe, the ultrasound transmitter comprising an optically absorbing material for absorbing the excitation light from the multi-mode optical waveguide to generate an ultrasound beam via the photoacoustic effect; andan ultrasound receiver including an optical cavity external to the single-mode optical waveguide to which the interrogation light from the single-mode optical waveguide is provided, the optical cavity having a reflectivity that is modulated by impinging ultrasound waves, wherein interrogation light reflected from the optical cavity to a proximal end of the single-mode optical waveguide is received for ...

HYBRID PULSE COMPRESSION WAVEFORM FOR HIGH RESOLUTION IMAGING

A hybrid pulse compression RF system is provided herein in which an enhanced noise waveform and a hybrid waveform are generated to detect a target. For example, the system includes a signal generator that generates an LFM waveform and an enhanced waveform in sequence such that a transmitter of the system transmits the waveforms in the generated sequence in a direction of a possible target. The enhanced waveform may be a partially randomized version of the LFM waveform. If a target is present, the waveforms reflect off the target and are captured by the system in the sequence in which the originally generated waveforms are transmitted. Once captured, the reflected waveforms are processed by the system to generate a hybrid waveform for display such that the range and Doppler resolution and detection capabilities are significantly superior to the state of the art LFM or noise waveform RF systems. 120.-. (canceled)21. A target detection system , the system comprising:a signal generator configured to generate a poly-phase code waveform and a partially randomized poly-phase code waveform;a transmitter configured to transmit the poly-phase code waveform and the partially randomized poly-phase code waveform;a receiver configured to receive a reflected version of the poly-phase code waveform and a reflected version of the partially randomized poly-phase code waveform; process the reflected version of the poly-phase code waveform using the generated poly-phase code waveform to form a processed poly-phase code waveform;', 'process the reflected version of the partially randomized poly-phase code waveform using the generated partially randomized poly-phase code waveform to form a processed partially randomized poly-phase code waveform; and', 'combine the processed poly-phase code waveform and the processed partially randomized poly-phase code waveform to form a hybrid waveform; and, 'a processor in communication with the receiver and the signal generator and configured with ...

Ultrasonic imaging device and image processing method

Provided is a technique capable of simultaneously satisfying two requests of removing a speckle and clarifying a tissue structure. A noise in an ultrasonic image is removed, and a morphology processing is performed on a noise-removed image. The morphology processing includes a first calculation of performing dilation and erosion and a second calculation of performing opening and closing, and determines a value of a structural element used in the second calculation of the morphology by using a result of the first calculation performed on the noise-removed image.

PHOTOACOUSTIC TRANSDUCER WITH OPTICAL FEEDBACK

A photoacoustic ultrasound transducer receives excitation light on a bundle of optical fibers. The optical fibers in the bundle are divided to direct the excitation light onto light bars positioned on either side of an imaging stack. A small portion of the optical fibers direct a portion of the excitation light onto an optical sensor that is located within the transducer housing. 1. A transducer for a photoacoustic imaging system , comprising:a housing;a ultrasound transducer that is configured to receive echo signals from a region of interest;a fiber optic bundle configured to receive excitation light from a remote light source, wherein optical fibers in the bundle are arranged to direct a portion of the excitation light into the region of interest; andan optical sensor that is located within the housing and is configured to receive a portion of the excitation light via one or more optical fibers from the bundle of optical fibers.2. A transducer for a photoacoustic imaging system , comprising:a housing;a ultrasound transducer in the housing that is configured to receive echo signals from a region of interest in response to one or more pulses of excitation light;a fiber optic bundle configured to receive excitation light from a remote light source, wherein optical fibers in the bundle are split to direct a portion of the excitation light into the region of interest from opposite sides of the ultrasound transducer; andan optical sensor that is configured to receive a portion of the excitation light via one or more optical fibers from the bundle of optical fibers.3. A transducer for a photoacoustic imaging system , comprising:a housing;an ultrasound transducer in the housing that is configured to receive echo signals from a region of interest in response to one or more pulses of excitation light;a fiber optic bundle configured to receive excitation light from a remote light source, wherein optical fibers in the bundle are split to direct a portion of the excitation ...

TRANSLATING ENSEMBLE ULTRASONIC IMAGING AND ASSOCIATED DEVICES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. An ultrasound imaging system comprising a sequence generation component configured to generate a transmit pulse sequence comprising a first pulse sequence and a second pulse sequence time offset with respect to the first pulse sequence; a transmitter in communication with the sequence generation component and an ultrasound imaging component, the transmitter configured to transmit the transmit pulse sequence to the ultrasound imaging component to trigger, at the ultrasound imaging component, ultrasound wave emissions towards an anatomical object; a receiver configured to receive, from the ultrasound imaging component, ultrasound echo signals in response to the transmit pulse sequence; and a processing component in communication with the receiver and configured to generate at least one of structural data or motion data associated with the anatomical object based on the received ultrasound echo signals.

METHOD FOR THE OPTIMIZATION OF THE PROCESS DECODING CODED ULTRASOUND SIGNALS AND ULTRASOUND SYSTEM OBTAINED BY SAID METHOD

The invention relates to a method for the optimization of the process decoding coded ultrasound signals. The method according to the invention provides the following steps: defining/selecting a coding function for ultrasound pulses transmitted to a body under examination by means of a predetermined probe; defining the coefficients of a filter decoding the received signal depending on the selected coding function; using said filter coefficients as the setting of the decoding filter corresponding to said predetermined probe for all the ultrasound systems provided in combination with said probe; and wherein the coefficients of the decoding filters are determined by the minimization, by a heuristic iterative process, of the difference between the characteristics of a receive signal, obtained in a real transmit/receive sequence and filtered with a decoding filter, and the characteristics of an ideal receive signal, that is a nominal one, by using as the coefficients of the decoding filter those obtained in the last iterative step. 1. Method for the optimization of the process decoding coded ultrasound signals , which method provides the following steps:defining/selecting a coding function for ultrasound pulses transmitted to a body under examination by means of a predetermined probe;defining the coefficients of a filter decoding the received signal depending on the coding function;using said filter coefficients as the setting of the decoding filter corresponding to said predetermined probe for all the ultrasound systems provided in combination with said probe;and wherein the coefficients of the decoding filters are determined by the minimization, by a heuristic iterative process, of the difference between the characteristics of a receive signal, obtained in a real transmit/receive sequence and filtered with a decoding filter, and the characteristics of an ideal receive signal, that is a nominal one, by using as the coefficients of the decoding filter those obtained in ...

POINT SOURCE TRANSMISSION AND SPEED-OF-SOUND CORRECTION USING MULTI-APERTURE ULTRASOUND IMAGING

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body. 1. A method of constructing an ultrasound image , comprising:transmitting an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform through a target region from a transmit aperture comprising at least one transducer element and approximating a first point source;receiving ultrasound echoes from the target region with first and second receiving elements of a first receive aperture, the first receive aperture separated from the first transmit aperture;digitizing phase information and magnitude information of the ultrasound echoes received at the first receiving element as first echo data, and digitizing phase information and magnitude information of the ultrasound echoes received at the second receiving element as second echo data;retrieving position data describing a mechanical and acoustic position of each of the first receiving element, the second receiving element, and the at least one transducer element of the transmit aperture relative to a common reference point;determining, using the position data, a first time ...

Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method of operating the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus

Provided is an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus that may include a data acquisition unit that acquires ultrasound data based on received echo signals from an object; and a processor that may estimate a center frequency of the ultrasound data and, based on the center frequency, perform pulse compression on the ultrasound data to generate short signals from elongated signals.

INTEGRATED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCERS

A transducer assembly includes: a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die including a plurality of piezoelectric elements; a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) die electrically coupled to the MEMS die by a first plurality of bumps and including at least one circuit for controlling the plurality of piezoelectric elements; and a package secured to the CMOS die by an adhesive layer and electrically connected to the CMOS die. 1. A transducer assembly , comprising: a complementary metal-oxide-semiconductor (CMOS) die electrically coupled to the MEMS die by a first plurality of bumps and including at least one circuit for controlling the plurality of piezoelectric elements; and', 'a package secured to the CMOS die by an adhesive layer and electrically connected to the CMOS die., 'a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) die including a plurality of piezoelectric elements;'}2. The transducer assembly of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements includes:a substrate;a membrane disposed on the substrate; anda stack of layers disposed on at least one of the membrane and substrate and having a bottom electrode, a piezoelectric layer and a top electrode.3. The transducer assembly of claim 2 , further comprising:a plurality of electrical wires formed on the MEMS die,wherein at least one electrical wire of the plurality of electrical wires is in direct contact with the first plurality of bumps.4. The transducer assembly of claim 2 , further comprising:a cover layer for covering the substrates of the plurality of piezoelectric elements and formed of an impedance matching material.5. The transducer assembly of claim 2 , wherein the substrate includes a cavity and a portion of the substrate thinned by the cavity corresponds to the membrane and wherein the stack of layers vibrates the membrane to generate a pressure wave that propagates from the membrane.6. The transducer assembly of claim 1 , wherein the adhesive layer is formed of acoustic ...

Optical ultrasound receiver

An imaging guidewire can include one or more optical fibers communicating light along the guidewire. At or near its distal end, one or more blazed or other Fiber Bragg Gratings (FBGs) can direct light to a photoacoustic transducer material that provides ultrasonic imaging energy. Returned ultrasound can be sensed by an FBG sensor. A responsive signal can be optically communicated to the proximal end of the guidewire, and processed such as to develop a 2D or 3D image. In an example, the guidewire outer diameter can be small enough such that an intravascular catheter can be passed over the guidewire. To minimize the size of the guidewire, an ultrasound-to-acoustic transducer that is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal can be used. The ultrasound-to-optical transducer can be manufactured so that it is relatively insensitive to the polarization of the optical sensing signal.

OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING METHOD

An object information acquiring apparatus is used which has an irradiating unit irradiating an object with light with a first wavelength at a first irradiation frequency, an element receiving an acoustic wave generated by the object irradiated with the light to output an electric signal, a processing unit acquiring characteristic information on the object using the electric signal, a scanning unit changing position of the irradiating unit relative to the object, and a controlling unit controlling movement of the scanning unit. The controlling unit controls the scanning unit such that an amount of light to which an identical area of the object is exposed is larger than a smallest value of a maximum permissible exposure at the first irradiation frequency. 1. An object information acquiring apparatus comprising:an irradiating unit that irradiates an object with light with a first wavelength at a first irradiation frequency;an element that receives an acoustic wave generated by the object irradiated with the light to output an electric signal;a processing unit that acquires characteristic information on the object using the electric signal;a scanning unit that changes a position of the irradiating unit relative to the object; anda controlling unit that controls the scanning unit,wherein the controlling unit controls the scanning unit such that an amount of light to which an identical area of the object is exposed is larger than a smallest value of a maximum permissible exposure at the first irradiation frequency.2. The object information acquiring apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the controlling unit controls the scanning unit such that a period during which the identical area of the object is irradiated with the light is shorter than a first period claim 1 , andthe first period is a period in which the maximum permissible exposure at the first irradiation frequency is higher than the smallest value of the maximum permissible exposure at the first irradiation ...

Information processing apparatus, object information acquiring apparatus, and information processing method

An information processing apparatus, comprises a first acquiring unit that acquires a photoacoustic image generated base d on an acoustic wave which is generated by light irradiation; a second acquiring unit that acquires an ultrasonic image generated based on a reflected wave of an ultrasonic wave transmitted to the object; a determining unit that determines a high accuracy region that is a region in which information is acquired with at least a predetermined accuracy in the photoacoustic image; an input unit that accepts a specification of a region of interest (ROI) on the ultrasonic image; and a displaying unit that displays the ultrasonic image and the photoacoustic image corresponding to the ROI, wherein when the inputting unit accepts the specification of the ROI, the displaying unit displays the position of the high accuracy region on the ultrasonic image in a superimposed state.

Harmonic Ultrasound Imaging

An ultrasound imaging method includes identifying a two-level pulse coding scheme (), which includes a positive voltage value and a negative voltage value, for harmonic imaging. The method further includes driving a pulse generator () with the two-level pulse coding scheme. The method further includes producing, with the pulse generator, an excitation pulse. The method further includes routing the excitation pulse through a switch () to an ultrasonic transducer array (), which transmits a first ultrasound signal in response thereto. The method further includes receiving first echoes generated in response to the excitation pulse. The method further includes processing the first echoes to extract a harmonic signal. The method further includes beamforming the harmonic signal to produce an image. 1. An ultrasound imaging method , comprising:identifying a two-level pulse coding scheme, which includes a positive voltage value and a negative voltage value, for harmonic imaging;driving a pulse generator with the two-level pulse coding scheme;producing, with the pulse generator, an excitation pulse;routing the excitation pulse through a switch to an ultrasonic transducer array, which transmits a first ultrasound signal in response thereto;receiving first echoes generated in response to the excitation pulse;processing the first echoes to extract a harmonic signal; andbeamforming the harmonic signal to produce an image.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:producing, after a predetermined delay from routing the excitation pulse and with the pulse generator, an inverted excitation pulse, which is an inverted copy of the excitation pulse; androuting the inverted excitation pulse through the switch to the array, which transmits a second ultrasound signal in response thereto;receiving second echoes generated in response to the inverted excitation pulse; andadding the first and second echoes to produce the harmonic signal.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: ...

Acoustic Emission Wave Detector, Acoustic Emission Wave Detection System, and Acoustic Emission Wave Detection Method

An acoustic emission wave detector includes a housing, an optical fiber that guides light from a wideband light source into the housing, and an FBG housed in the housing and having a diffractive grating that reflects light guided into the housing. The FBG is fixed on a side of the other end in the housing such that the light guided into the housing is received by one end thereof. An acoustic emission wave from a high-voltage apparatus is received by the other end thereof. 1. An acoustic emission wave detector comprising:a housing;a first optical fiber that guides light from a light source into the housing; anda second optical fiber housed inside the housing and having a diffractive grating that reflects the light guided into the housing, whereinthe second optical fiber is fixed in the housing on a side of the other end so as to receive the light guided into the housing by one end thereof and to receive an acoustic emission wave from an object by the other end.2. The acoustic emission wave detector according to claim 1 , whereinthe second optical fiberis fixed in the housing such that the other end is directed to the object and the one end is directed in a direction opposite to the object when the acoustic emission wave is detected.3. The acoustic emission wave detector according to claim 1 , whereinthe housing has an installation surface on which the housing is installed on the object andthe second optical fiber is fixed in the housing such that an axis thereof is perpendicular to the installation surface.4. The acoustic emission wave detector according to claim 1 , further comprising:an optical connector allowing the first optical fiber to be inserted into/removed from the housing.5. The acoustic emission wave detector according to claim 1 , further comprising:a mirror member installed inside the housing, whereinthe mirror member is installed such that light entering the housing via the first optical fiber is reflected by the mirror member and reflected light ...

Apparatus of generating jamming signal for deceiving transmission/reception device and method thereof

There is provided an apparatus for generating a jamming signal for deceiving a transmission/reception device. The apparatus includes a reception unit configured to receive a signal transmitted from the transmission/reception device and a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the received signal is a pulse compression signal. The apparatus futher includes a generation unit configured to determine, when the received signal is a pulse compression signal, a deception frequency based on a frequency bandwidth and a pulse width of the received pulse compression signal and generate the jamming signal based on the determined deception frequency.

Ultrasound beamformer-based channel data compression

Ultrasound beamformer-based channel data compression allows for software-based image formation. To increase the amount of data transferred, ultrasound beamformer-based channel data compression is provided. A beamformer is used to compress instead of or in addition to traditional beamformation. The compression reduces the data bandwidth while allowing reconstruction of the original channel data. 1. A system for ultrasound imaging , the system comprising:a transmit beamformer configured to transmit first acoustic energy for a first imaging mode and second acoustic energy for a second imaging mode;a transducer comprising elements for receiving acoustic echoes in response to the transmission of the first and second acoustic energy;a receive beamformer configured to receive electrical signals from the elements, to beamform samples from the electrical signals responsive to the first beams, and to compress the electrical signals responsive to the second beams using a Fourier transform applied across the elements for each time; anda processor configured to generate imaging information for the first imaging mode from beamformed samples and to generate imaging information for the second imaging mode from the compressed electrical signals.2. The system of wherein the transmissions of the first and second acoustic energy are interleaved in on-going scanning of a patient and wherein the imaging information for the first and second imaging modes are combined in an image.3. The system of wherein the first imaging mode comprises flow mode and the second imaging mode comprises B-mode.4. The system of wherein the processor is configured to reconstruct the electrical signals from the elements responsive to the second beams from the compressed electrical signals.5. The system of wherein the processor is configured to reconstruct by applying an inverse Fourier transform to the compressed electrical signals.6. The system of wherein the processor is configured to apply another Fourier ...

POINT SOURCE TRANSMISSION AND SPEED-OF-SOUND CORRECTION USING MULTI-APERTURE ULTRASOUND IMAGING

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.

Beamforming with coded signals in frequency domain

A method includes receiving from multiple transducers () respective signals including reflections of a transmitted coded signal from a target. An image () of the target is produced by computing transducer-specific frequency-domain coefficients for each of the received signals, deriving, from the transducer-specific frequency-domain coefficients, beamforming frequency-domain coefficients of a beamformed signal in which (i) the reflections are applied pulse compression, and (it) the reflections received from a selected direction relative to the transducers are emphasized, and reconstructing the image of the target at the selected direction based on the beamforming frequency-domain coefficients.

ACOUSTIC WAVE RECEIVING APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

An acoustic wave receiving apparatus is used, which includes: a holding member; a reception transducer array; a liquid vessel to which the reception transducer array is fixed and configured to store an acoustic matching liquid; a liquid supplying unit; a controlling unit configured to control a supplying rate of the acoustic matching liquid; and a scanning unit, wherein the controlling unit is configured to reduce the supply of the acoustic matching liquid into the liquid vessel when the reception transducer array detects an acoustic wave. 1. An acoustic wave receiving apparatus , comprising:a sheet-shaped holding member configured to hold with one surface thereof an object and to cause an acoustic wave propagated from the object to propagate to a side of the other surface;a reception transducer array including a plurality of receiving elements configured to receive an acoustic wave propagated from the object via the holding member and to convert the acoustic wave into an electrical signal;a liquid vessel to which the reception transducer array is fixed and configured to store an acoustic matching liquid so that the object and the reception transducer array are acoustically coupled to each other;a liquid supplying unit configured to supply the acoustic matching liquid to the inside of the liquid vessel;a controlling unit configured to control a supplying rate of the acoustic matching liquid to be supplied into the liquid vessel;a scanning unit configured to change relative positions of the object, the receiving elements, and the liquid vessel; andan information generating unit configured to generate characteristic information on the object using the electrical signal, whereinthe liquid supplying unit is configured to be controlled by the controlling unit so that the supplying rate for a first period of time when the reception transducer array is open to receiving the reflected acoustic wave is lower than that for a second period of time when the reception transducer ...

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR HYBRID OPTOACOUSTIC TOMOGRAPHY AND ULTRASONOGRAPHY

The invention includes a device and a method for hybrid optoacoustic and ultrasonographic imaging of an object. The device comprises: an irradiation unit configured to irradiate the object with electromagnetic radiation; first transducer elements configured to detect ultrasound waves generated in the object upon irradiating the object with the electromagnetic radiation; second transducer elements configured to detect ultrasound waves reflected and/or transmitted by the object; a surface comprising at least one first surface segment, on which the first transducer elements are arranged, and at least one second surface segment, on which the second transducer elements are arranged. The first surface segment and/or the second surface segment have a curved shape. The first transducer elements have a first size and pitch and second transducer elements have a second size and pitch, wherein the first pitch and second pitch are different and/or the first size and second size are different. 1. A device for hybrid optoacoustic and ultrasonographic imaging of an object , the device comprisingan irradiation unit configured to irradiate the imaged object with electromagnetic radiation,first transducer elements configured to detect ultrasound waves generated in the object upon irradiating the object with the electromagnetic radiation,second transducer elements configured to detect ultrasound waves reflected and/or transmitted by the object, anda surface comprising at least one first surface segment, on which the first transducer elements are arranged, and at least one second surface segment, on which the second transducer elements are arranged,the at least one first surface segment and/or the at least one second surface segment having a curved shape andsaid first transducer elements having a first size and a first pitch and said second transducer elements having a second size and a second pitch, wherein the first pitch is different from the second pitch and/or the first size is ...

Data transmission across downhole connections

Various embodiments include methods and systems structured to transmit data from downhole sensors to the surface at a well site. The transmission can be implemented to overcome downhole connections that can act as obstructions to direct electrical and optical communication in a wellbore. Electrical signals from one or more sensors in a sensor unit, located on a side of a downhole connection in a wellbore opposite the surface of the wellbore, can be used to drive an acoustic transmitter to transmit an acoustic signal via a production string or casing or fluid in the production string or casing across the downhole connection, where the acoustic signal is received on the surface side of the downhole connection. Data correlated to the received acoustic signal can be provided to a surface location of the wellbore. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.

Multipath Acoustic Holography and Virtual Haptics

According to various embodiments, systems and methods for transmitting acoustic waves in a region aided by reflection from environmental objects. An arrangement of acoustically reflective surfaces in an environment of a target can be detected to generate an environmental acoustic propagation channel model. An acoustic radiation pattern for reflecting one or more acoustic waves off of one or more acoustically reflective surfaces in the arrangement of acoustically reflective surfaces towards the target can be identified. A coherent acoustic beamforming device can be controlled to perform coherent beamforming of an acoustic hologram based on the acoustic radiation pattern to generate the one or more acoustic waves for reflection towards the target off of the one or more acoustically reflective surfaces. 1. A method of forming acoustic holograms in a region aided by reflection from environmental objects comprising:detecting an arrangement of acoustically reflective surfaces in an environment of a target to generate an environmental acoustic propagation channel model;identifying, using the environmental acoustic propagation channel model, an acoustic radiation pattern for reflecting one or more acoustic waves off of one or more acoustically reflective surfaces of the arrangement of acoustically reflective surfaces in the environment towards the target; andcontrolling a coherent acoustic beamforming device to perform coherent beamforming of an acoustic hologram based on the acoustic radiation pattern to generate the one or more acoustic waves for reflection towards the target off of the one or more acoustically reflective surfaces.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic waves comprise narrowband acoustic waves.35-. (canceled)6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic waves comprise ultrasonic waves with frequencies greater than 30 kHz.78-. (canceled)9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the arrangement of the acoustically reflective surfaces includes positions ...

Method of compressing beamformed sonar data

Beamformed sonar data is compressed before communicating the data to a storage step or to a further processing step. At lease some of the beams of the compressed beamformed data have values for at least two different ranges. 1. A method , comprising:a) insonifying a volume of fluid with a series of sonar pings, wherein the volume of fluid contains one or more objects;b) receiving sonar signals reflected from the one or more objects, wherein the sonar signals are received by a large array of hydrophones located in the volume of fluid, and wherein the large array of hydrophones produces a set of raw data points for each sonar ping, wherein the set of raw data points comprises electrical signals which measure the phase and the intensity versus time of the sonar signal received by each of the large array of hydrophones for each ping; thenc) communicating the set of raw data points for each ping for further processing; thend) beamforming the raw data points to produce values associated with sonar reflections from the one or more objects, wherein the values are associated with a large plurality of beams defined in a coordinate system having origin near the center of the large array of hydrophones, wherein each beam is defined a set of adjacent voxels in a volume of space radiating outwardly from the origin, and wherein each beam has a cross sectional area which increases with range from the origin; and thene) compressing the beamformed data for at least one of the series of pings, wherein values are assigned are to two or more voxels in at least one or more separate beams, wherein the two or more voxels have different ranges from the origin; and thenf) communicating the compressed beamformed data for further processing.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the large array of hydrophones is arrayed as a two dimensional planar array having K by L elements claim 1 , where both K and L are integers greater than 24.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the coordinate system is a ...

POINT SOURCE TRANSMISSION AND SPEED-OF-SOUND CORRECTION USING MULTI-APERTURE ULTRASOUND IMAGING

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body. 1. An ultrasound imaging method , comprising:transmitting, through a target region, a first omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform from a first transmit aperture approximating a first point source and comprising at least one transducer element;receiving ultrasound echoes of the first omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform from the target region with first and second receiving elements of a first receive aperture;after receiving ultrasound echoes of the first omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform, transmitting, through the target region, a second omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform from a second transmit aperture approximating a second point source and comprising at least one transducer element, the second transmit aperture being separated from the first transmit aperture and the first receive aperture;receiving ultrasound echoes of the second omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform from the target region with the first and second receiving elements of the first ...

Ultrasound machine having scalable receive beamformer architecture comprising multiple beamformers with common coefficient generator and related methods

An apparatus and method for generating high quality, high frame rate images in a handheld or hand-carried ultrasound imaging machine. The apparatus includes a time-multiplexed beamformer coefficient generator that supplies the necessary delay and weight coefficients to process multiple beams in parallel via a beamforming coefficient bus. This approach reduces the required hardware and power consumption to satisfy the physical space and power requirements of a handheld probe. The ultrasound machine may optionally turn off or operate beamformers in a standby mode. The ultrasound machine may also use pulse inversion harmonics to improve image quality by improving signal-to-noise ratio.

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR PROCESSING ULTRASOUND SIGNALS

Aspects of the technology described herein relate to a pipeline configured to pipeline ultrasound signals from multiple analog front-ends (AFEs) to a digital portion of an ultrasound processing unit. The ultrasound signals may be digital ultrasound signals from analog-to-digital converters of the multiple AFEs. The pipeline may include first pipelining circuitry in a first AFE and second pipelining circuitry in a second AFE. The first pipelining circuitry may be configured to output a first digital ultrasound signal from the first pipelining circuitry to the digital portion of the UPU, receive a second digital ultrasound signal from second pipelining circuitry, and output the second digital ultrasound signal from the first pipelining circuitry to the digital portion of the UPU. De-interleaving circuitry may be coupled to the first pipelining circuitry and configured to de-interleave the first digital ultrasound signal and the second digital ultrasound signal outputted by the first pipelining circuitry. 1. An ultrasound processing unit (UPU) , comprising:a pipeline configured to pipeline ultrasound signals from multiple analog front-ends (AFEs) to a digital portion of the UPU.2. The ultrasound processing unit of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound signals are digital ultrasound signals from analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) of the multiple AFEs.3. The ultrasound processing unit of claim 1 , wherein:the pipeline comprises first pipelining circuitry in a first AFE of the multiple AFEs and second pipelining circuitry in a second AFE of the multiple AFEs; and output a first digital ultrasound signal from the first pipelining circuitry to the digital portion of the UPU;', 'receive a second digital ultrasound signal from second pipelining circuitry; and', 'output the second digital ultrasound signal from the first pipelining circuitry to the digital portion of the UPU., 'the first pipelining circuitry is configured to4. The ultrasound processing unit of claim 3 , wherein ...

Medical diagnostic ultrasonic imaging system using coded transmit pulses

Coded transmit signals are used in medical diagnostic ultrasonic imaging systems. In one mode, first and second ultrasonic beams are launched into a body along first and second spatially distinct transmit beam directions and used with B-mode or motion detection processing. The two beams are coded with unique, preferably orthogonal, spatially invariant, nonlinear phase modulation codes and the second beam is launched before the first beam has left the tissue. The first and second transmit beams may be included in a single transmit event. Frame rates are improved. Multiple spectral Doppler images from independent gates are generated. In another mode, first and second uniquely coded ultrasonic beams are launched into a body to focus at substantially the same point such that the two beams sample motion at different times. Unconventionally high velocity parameters are estimated and other motion parameters, including velocity parameters, may be estimated with improved accuracy. In yet another mode, first and second uniquely coded ultrasonic beams are launched into a body to focus preferentially at the same point where each beam originates from a subaperture and the receive signals are used with motion detection processing. Improved direction sensitivity to motion is obtained. In yet another mode, two or more coded ultrasonic beams are launched into the body with alternating polarities in a pulse inversion harmonic Doppler mode to improve the SNR while imaging contrast agents.

System for producing an image from a rotational intravascular ultrasound device

TRANSPARENT ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER WITH LIGHT BEAM SHAPING AND THE METHOD FOR ASSEMBLING THE SAME

A transparent ultrasound transducer device for multi-mode optical imaging on a target is provided. The device includes a transparent piezoelectric transducer, one or more wires, and an optical lens. The transparent piezoelectric transducer of a first acoustic impedance is configured to receive acoustic waves from the target. The transparent piezoelectric transducer has a first surface and a second surface. The first surface and the second surface are coated with transparent electrically conductive coatings. The optical lens is contacted with and optically coupled to the first surface of the transparent piezoelectric transducer. The optical lens is made of a material with a second acoustic impedance, and the first and second acoustic impedances are substantially similar to minimize an acoustic impedance mismatch such that sensitivity of the device is improved.

Apparatus based on pulse compression method using ultrasonic imaging method and improved Golay code

Optomechanical ultrasound detector and performing ultrasound imaging

An optomechanical ultrasound detector includes: a micromirror substrate; a mechanical resonator that receives ultrasound waves, oscillates at resonator frequency f r , changes cavity length L c , and produces intra-cavity light; and an optical microcavity between the micromirror substrate and the mechanical resonator with cavity length Lc and cavity resonance frequency f c formed by the mechanical resonator and the micromirror substrate, such that the micromirror substrate produces cavity output light from the intra-cavity light, wherein the cavity output light optically encodes information about the ultrasound waves received by the mechanical resonator.

Apparatus and method for forming ultrasound images using a set of golay codes with orthogonal property

본 발명은 직교 성질을 갖는 골레이 코드 세트를 초음파 송수신 신호로서 이용하는 초음파 영상 형성 장치 및 방법에 관한 것으로서, 골레이 코드의 직교성을 이용하여 동시에 여러 코드를 포함하는 초음파 신호를 송신하는 초음파 영상 형성 장치 및 방법을 제공한다. 골레이 코드의 직교성과 복수의 코드를 이용하는 본 발명은 골레이 코드를 이용하는 종래의 방법에 비해 훨씬 뛰어난 SNR을 기대할 수 있는 동시에, 일반적인 펄싱 기법에 비해 프레임 레이트가 저하되지 않는다. The present invention relates to an ultrasound image forming apparatus and method using a Golay code set having an orthogonal property as an ultrasound transmission / reception signal, and to an ultrasound image forming device transmitting an ultrasound signal including several codes simultaneously using the orthogonality of the Golay code. And methods. With the orthogonality of the Golay codes and multiple codes, the present invention can expect much better SNR than the conventional method using Golay codes, while at the same time the frame rate is not lowered compared to conventional pulsing techniques.

Ultrasound system and method for providing motion image

대상체내의 관심객체(예를 들어, 혈류)의 움직임에 해당하는 움직임 영상을 제공하는 초음파 시스템 및 방법이 개시된다. 본 발명에 따른 초음파 시스템은, n(n은 2 이상의 정수)번째 B 모드(brightness mode) 영상에 해당하는 B 모드 프레임과 (n-1)번째 B 모드 영상에 해당하는 B 모드 프레임 간에 서로 다른 위상을 갖는 송신신호를 형성하고, 송신신호를 초음파 신호로 변환하여 움직이고 있는 관심객체를 포함하는 대상체에 송신하고 대상체로부터 반사되는 초음파 에코신호를 수신하여 복수의 B 모드 프레임 각각에 해당하는 초음파 데이터를 획득하도록 동작하는 초음파 데이터 획득부; 복수의 B 모드 프레임 각각에 대해 초음파 데이터를 저장하는 저장부; 및 초음파 데이터 획득부 및 저장부에 연결되고, 저장부에 저장된 초음파 데이터를 이용하여 n번째 B 모드 프레임과 (n-1)번째 B 모드 프레임 간의 위상차에 기초하여 관심객체에 해당하는 움직임 데이터를 형성하고, 움직임 데이터를 이용하여 관심객체의 움직임에 해당하는 움직임 영상을 형성하도록 동작하는 프로세서를 포함한다. An ultrasound system and method for providing a motion image corresponding to a movement of an object of interest (eg, blood flow) in an object is disclosed. The ultrasonic system according to the present invention includes a phase different from a B mode frame corresponding to an n (n is an integer greater than or equal to 2) B mode (brightness mode) image and a B mode frame corresponding to (n-1) th B mode image. Form a transmission signal having a shape, convert the transmission signal into an ultrasound signal, transmit the received signal to an object including a moving object of interest, and receive an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object to obtain ultrasound data corresponding to each of the plurality of B mode frames An ultrasonic data acquisition unit operable to operate; A storage unit which stores ultrasonic data for each of the plurality of B mode frames; And the motion data corresponding to the object of interest based on the phase difference between the nth B mode frame and the (n-1) th B mode frame by using the ultrasound data stored in the storage unit. And a processor operative to form a motion image corresponding to the movement of the object of interest using the motion data.

連続データ獲得を用いた超音波フロー・イメージングにおける運動の可視化のための方法および装置

광음향 장치와, 광음향 영상 획득 장치 및 방법

광음향 장치 의 일 실시예는 대상체 로부터 발생하는 광음향 신호를 측정하며, 중앙에 빈공간이 형성되어 빛과 초음파를 하나의 경로로 일치시키는 링 트랜스 듀서와 광경로 상에서 상기 링 트랜스듀서와 수직방향으로 위치하도록 배치되고, 상기 링 트랜스 듀서로부터 전달된 빛과, 대상체로부터 발생한 초음파를 반사시키며, 원하는 개구수에 따라 배율 조정이 가능한 미러부와 광음향 신호를 투과시키는 투명막을 포함하고, 상기 링 트랜스듀서와 미러부가 물과 함께 담겨있는 수조를 포함할 수 있다.

PSM (pulse position modulation) algorithm-based underwater laser induced acoustic SAFT (safety and safety transform) imaging method

本发明涉及水下激光致声及超声检测技术领域，具体的说是一种能够有效提升聚焦成像精度及横向分辨率的基于PSM算法的水下激光致声SAFT成像方法，其特征在于，利用首波声时法确定水下中目标试件的位置分布，采用反射法对试件进行检测；采用激光源阵列进行声波的激发，激光源阵列中每个激光源间的距离固定且保持相同的触发时间间隔，使激光源阵列沿着一条检测线进行移动；通过在各个激光源处设置域点探针来采集回波声压信号并进行存储；载入超声数据，确定采样时间间隔从而计算得出采样频率等一系列处理，实现了在水下介质中对目标检测的较好效果。

Object Information Acquiring Apparatus And Control Method Thereof

本发明涉及被检体信息获取装置及其控制方法。该被检体信息获取装置包括：产生具有第一波长和第二波长的光的光源；接收来自被检体的光声波并且输出第一和第二接收信号的转换元件；获取第一和第二特性信息分布并且获取被检体内的物质浓度分布的特性信息获取单元；获取第一特性信息分布与第二特性信息分布之间的位置偏移的位置偏移获取单元；和显示基于物质浓度分布和位置偏移的图像的显示控制单元。

Ultrasound imaging device

提供一种可高效提取非线性分量、使穿透性提高的超声波图像装置。接收部件具有规定的接收频带(74)，接收频带(74)的下限频率是第1频率(f1)。将发送部件发送的超声波的频带设定为第1频率(f1)以上、第1频率(f1)的3倍以下(f1～3f1)。通过发送该频带的超声波，由于非线性分量中的差音分量(72)具有第1频率f1以上的频率，所以可通过接收部件接收差音分量(72)。并且，关于和音分量(73)的大部分也可产生于接收频带(74)内，也可接收和音分量(73)的大部分。

Angle-independent ultrasonic volumetric flow measurement

Ultrasonic imaging system with beamforming using unipolar or bipolar coded excitation

의학용 초음파 촬영을 위한 코딩된 여기(coded excitation)는 인코딩된 베이스 시퀀스의 코드 또는 소자 기호를 상이한 점호에 전송하여 실행된다. 인코딩된 베이스 시퀀스는 베이스 시퀀스와 오버샘플링된 코드 시퀀스를 컨볼루션하여 형성된다. 각 점호에 대해 인코딩된 베이스 시퀀스의 지정된 코드 또는 소자 기호는, 다른 기호 위치들이 0으로 모드 설정되는 동안 유니트 기호(즉, 1 또는 -1)로 대체된다. 각 전송 후에, 수신 파형은 각각의 기호들로 곱해져서, 인코딩된 수신 파형을 합성하도록 누적된다. Coded excitation for medical ultrasound imaging is performed by sending the code or element symbol of the encoded base sequence to different firing points. The encoded base sequence is formed by convolving the base sequence and the oversampled code sequence. The designated code or element symbol of the encoded base sequence for each call is replaced with a unit symbol (ie 1 or -1) while the other symbol positions are set to zero. After each transmission, the receive waveform is multiplied by the respective symbols and accumulated to synthesize the encoded receive waveform.

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

현재 수신 데이터의 기본 성분(fundamental component)으로 침투하는 이전 수신 데이터의 기본 성분의 후미(tail)로 인해 양호한 고조파 화상(harmonic image)이 획득될 수 없다는 문제점을 제거하기 위한 목적으로, 위상 반전 기술에 따라 고조파 모드에서 동작시에, 제 1 초음파 펄스가 동일한 음선(acoustic line)상의 다수의 초점으로 순차 송신되고, 제 1 초음파 펄스의 위상과 반대되는 위상의 제 2 초음파 펄스가 동일한 음선상의 다수의 초점으로 순차 송신된다.

Angle-independent ultrasonic volume flow measurement

通过超声系统测量在导管(VE)内的流体体积流量。从在导管中的流体中反向散射的超声波产生数据，从该数据中计算具有表示在扫描平面(IP)中流体流动速度分量(Vx和Vy)的速度值。对灰度级数据进行相关，并计算该数据的解相关率(D)。响应该速度信号和解相关率(D)估计流体体积流量(F)。

Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment

Apparatus and method for non-invasive and minimally-invasive sensing of parameters relating to blood

Medical diagnostic system, apparatus and methods are disclosed. Optical transmitters generate radiation-containing photons having a specific interaction with at least one target chromophore in a target structure, preferably a blood vessel such as the interior jugular vein. The optical transmitters transmit the radiation into at least a first area including a substantial portion of the target structure and into a second area not including a substantial portion of the target structure. Optical receivers detect a portion radiation scattered from at least the first area and the second area. A processor estimates oxygenation, pH or cardiac output based on the scattered radiation detected from the first area, and the scattered radiation from the second area.

Second harmonic signal detection device and method

본 발명은 제2 고조파 신호 검출 장치에 관한 것이다. 상기 제2 고조파 신호 검출 장치는 기준 신호를 변조하여 송신 신호를 생성하여 외부의 매질로 전송하는 송신기, 및 상기 송신 신호가 상기 매질에 의해 반사되어 입력되는 수신신호를 복조하여 상기 수신 신호의 제2 고조파 성분을 추출하는 수신기를 구비한다. 상기 송신기는 기준 신호( A(t) ) 및 상기 기준 신호를 180도위상 변조시킨 신호( -A(t) )를 동시에 출력하는 기준 신호 입력부, 상기 기준 신호를 90도위상 변조하여 생성된 제1 송신 신호를 출력하는 제1 위상 변조부, 상기 180도위상 변조된 기준 신호를 90도위상 변조하여 생성된 제2 송신 신호를 출력하는 제2 위상 변조부, 상기 제1 송신신호와 상기 제2 송신신호를 합성하여 생성된 송신 신호를 출력하는 송신 신호 출력부를 구비한다. 상기 수신기는 수신 신호 입력부, 상기 수신 신호를 위상 변조하여 생성된 제1 출력신호를 출력하는 제1 출력신호 생성부, 상기 수신 신호를 위상 변조하여 생성하되 상기 제1 출력신호와는 90도위상차이를 갖는 제2 출력신호를 출력하는 제2 출력 신호 생성부, 상기 제1 출력 신호와 상기 제2 출력 신호를 합성하여 생성된 출력신호를 출력하는 신호 출력부, 저역 통과 필터 및 실수값 획득부를 구비한다. The present invention relates to a second harmonic signal detection device. The second harmonic signal detecting device modulates a reference signal to generate a transmission signal and transmits the transmission signal to an external medium, and demodulates a reception signal that is reflected by the transmission signal and inputs the second signal of the reception signal. And a receiver for extracting harmonic components. The transmitter includes a reference signal (A (t)) and the reference signal 180 dowi-phase modulation which signal (-A (t)) at the same time an output-signal input, generated by the reference signal modulation phase for the first 90 dowi A first phase modulator for outputting a transmission signal, a second phase modulator for outputting a second transmission signal generated by phase-modulating the 180 degree phase modulated reference signal by 90 degrees, the first transmission signal and the second transmission And a transmission signal output unit configured to output a transmission signal generated by synthesizing the signals. The receiver may include a received signal input unit, a first output signal generator for outputting a first output signal generated by phase modulating the received signal, and a phase modulated signal of the received signal, wherein the receiver is 90 degrees out of phase ...

Object information acquiring apparatus and control method thereof

본 발명의 피검체 정보 취득장치는, 제1 및 제2 파장의 광을 발생시키는 광원과, 피검체로부터 광음향파를 수신해서 제1 및 제2 수신 신호를 출력하는 변환 소자와, 제1 및 제2 특성정보 분포를 취득하고, 피검체내부의 물질농도 분포를 취득하는 특성정보 취득부와, 제1 특성정보 분포와 제2 특성정보 분포간의 위치 어긋남을 취득하는 위치 어긋남 취득부와, 물질농도 분포와 위치 어긋남에 근거하여 화상을 표시하는 표시 제어부를 구비한다. The subject information acquisition device of the present invention includes a light source for generating light of the first and second wavelengths, a conversion element for receiving the photoacoustic wave from the subject, and outputting first and second received signals; A characteristic information acquiring section for acquiring a second characteristic information distribution and acquiring a substance concentration distribution in the subject; a positional deviation acquiring section for acquiring a positional deviation between the first characteristic information distribution and the second characteristic information distribution; It is provided with a display control part which displays an image based on distribution and position shift.

Apparatus for generating a deception signal for a pulse compression signal and method therefor

The present invention relates to a technology for generating a deception signal for a pulse compression signal, which receives a signal transmitted from a transception device, determines whether the received signal is a pulse compression signal, determines a deception frequency based on a frequency bandwidth (B) and pulse width (T) of the received pulse compression signal when the received signal is the pulse compression signal, and generates a jamming signal based on the determined deception frequency.

Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment

Image generating apparatus, image generating method, and program

An image generating apparatus of the present invention has a determination unit that sets a target area in a part of an area inside a subject, executes processing to adjust a phase of each detection signal based on a distance from each detection element to a target area and a tentative velocity, and calculate dispersion of intensities of a plurality of detection signals of which phases are adjusted, for a plurality of tentative velocities, and determines a velocity for which dispersion of intensities is minimum, out of the plurality of tentative velocities, as a propagation velocity.

Image generating apparatus, image generating method, and program

An image generating apparatus of the present invention has a determination unit that sets a target area in a part of an area inside a subject, executes processing to adjust a phase of each detection signal based on a distance from each detection element to a target area and a tentative velocity, and calculate dispersion of intensities of a plurality of detection signals of which phases are adjusted, for a plurality of tentative velocities, and determines a velocity for which dispersion of intensities is minimum, out of the plurality of tentative velocities, as a propagation velocity.

Image generating apparatus, image generating method, and program

An image generating apparatus of the present invention has a determination unit that sets a target area in a part of an area inside a subject, executes processing to adjust a phase of each detection signal based on a distance from each detection element to a target area and a tentative velocity, and calculate dispersion of intensities of a plurality of detection signals of which phases are adjusted, for a plurality of tentative velocities, and determines a velocity for which dispersion of intensities is minimum, out of the plurality of tentative velocities, as a propagation velocity.

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus in which the optimum transmission/reception conditions and image processing conditions can be easily set for each body part of an object to be inspected. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic transmitting and receiving unit; an image processing unit for executing image processing of image data by using image processing condition parameters; an information input unit to be employed for inputting information of object concerned with the object to be inspected, a parameter memory unit for storing the image processing condition parameters in correspondence with the information of object; a control unit for reading out the image processing condition parameters corresponding to the information of object input by employing the information input unit to supply the read-out parameters to the image processing unit; and a display unit for displaying an image.

Self-adapting clutter filtering in the ultrasonic imaging based on acoustic radiation power

本发明涉及在基于声学辐射力的超声成像中的自适应杂波滤波。对于超声弹性成像（42）中的杂波减少，杂波对不同频率分量（例如发射基波以及传播所生成的二次谐波）的贡献是不同的。作为结果，在不同频带下所确定（40）的位移中的差用于减少（41）杂波对于用于弹性成像（42）的位移的贡献。

Electronically simulated rotating prism for ultrasonic beam scanning

A method and apparatus are described for electronically scanning a spherily focused beam in a c-scan mode using a spiral path rather than a traditional raster scan pattern. Essential to the technique is an electronically simulated rotating ultrasonic prism operating according to the general electrical input equation V IN =V o exp (iω o t+iA cos Ωt). The technique allows use of a single delay line with simple connections and no requirements of multiple mixing.

Device and method for hybrid optoacoustic tomography and ultrasonography

【課題】本発明は、物体のハイブリッド光学音響超音波検査撮影のためのデバイスおよび方法を提供する。【解決手段】本デバイスは、物体（１０）に電磁放射（５）を照射する照射ユニット（３）と、物体（１０）で生じた超音波（１１）を検出する第１のトランスデューサ素子と、物体（１０）で反射または透過した超音波（１３）を検出するように構成された第２のトランスデューサ素子と、第１のトランスデューサ素子が配置された第１の表面区画（１）及び、第２のトランスデューサ素子が配置された第２の表面区画（２）を含む表面と、を含む。第１の表面区画（１）、第２の表面区画（２）は湾曲形状を有し、第１のトランスデューサ素子は第１の大きさ及び第１の間隔を有し、第２のトランスデューサ素子は第２の大きさ及び第２の間隔を有し、第１の間隔が第２の間隔とは異なり、及び／または第１の大きさが第２の大きさと異なる。【選択図】図１

Ultrasound imaging method and apparatus based on pulse compression technique using modified golay code

본 발명은 초음파 펄스를 대상에 전송하여, 대상으로부터 반사되는 신호를 이용하여 대상의 영상을 형성하기 위한 초음파 영상 형성 방법으로서, 한쌍의 변형된 골레이 코드 중 제1 코드 형태의 전압을 하나 이상의 변환자에 인가하여, 제1 세트의 초음파 펄스를 상기 대상에 송신하는 단계와, 상기 제1 세트의 초음파 펄스가 상기 대상에서 반사된 제1 세트의 반사 신호에 펄스 압축을 수행하는 단계와, 상기 한쌍의 변형된 골레이 코드 중 제2 코드 형태의 전압을 상기 하나 이상의 변환자에 인가하여, 제2 세트의 초음파 펄스를 상기 대상에 송신하는 단계와, 상기 제2 세트의 초음파 펄스가 상기 대상에서 반사된 제2 세트의 반사 신호에 펄스 압축을 수행하는 단계와, 상기 펄스 압축된 제1 세트의 반사 신호와 상기 펄스 압축된 제2 세트의 반사 신호를 가산하는 단계와, 상기 가산된 신호로부터 수신집속된 신호를 생성하는 단계와, 상기 수신집속된 신호를 처리하여 디스플레이하기 위한 단계를 포함하는 초음파 영상 형성 방법을 제공한다. The present invention relates to an ultrasound image forming method for transmitting an ultrasound pulse to a target to form an image of the target using a signal reflected from the target, wherein the voltage of a first code form among a pair of modified Golay codes is converted into at least one voltage. Applying to the ruler, transmitting a first set of ultrasonic pulses to the object, performing pulse compression on the first set of reflected signals reflected by the first set of ultrasonic pulses from the object, and the pair Applying a voltage in the form of a second code of the modified Golay codes to the one or more transducers to transmit a second set of ultrasonic pulses to the subject, wherein the second set of ultrasonic pulses are reflected from the subject Performing pulse compression on the second set of reflected signals and applying the first set of pulse-compressed reflection signals and the second set of pulse-compressed reflection signals. Provides a step and a step of producing the sum signal from the signal receive-focusing, the ultrasound image forming method comprising a step for displaying and processing the received signal for the focusing.