Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic probe used in same

The present invention provides an ultrasonic probe contains at least one reception preamplifier that is provided per transducer element and connected to the transducer at an input side thereof and to a cable at an output side thereof, a transmission bypass unit that is connected between the cable and the transducer, blocks off a reception signal and allows a transmission signal to pass therethrough, and a floating unit that is connected between a power supply terminal of the preamplifier and a driving power source and increases impedance thereof for a high-voltage transmission signal, whereby a bias potential of the preamplifier is electrically set to a floating state and returned to an original bias potential by a reception time.

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.

Transmit/receive systems for imaging devices

A transceiver for an ultrasonic imaging device includes a transmit circuit and a receive circuit. The transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. The receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit. The filter circuit filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range.

OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS

The present invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus comprising a plurality of receiving elements which receive acoustic waves emitted from an object and convert the acoustic waves into received signals, a delay unit which matches phases of the received signals, a complex converter which converts the received signals into complex signals, a complex covariance matrix calculator which periodically obtains a complex covariance matrix by using a complex signal group configured from a plurality of phase-matched complex signals, an eliminator which eliminates the number of bits of input data configured from at least either the complex signal group or matrix elements, and an electric power calculator which calculates a power of target positions, wherein the eliminator eliminates the number of bits by performing common level conversion processing on all input data relating to one complex covariance matrix. 1. An object information acquiring apparatus , comprising:a plurality of receiving elements which receive acoustic waves emitted from an object and convert the acoustic waves into received signals;a delay unit which matches phases of the received signals;a complex converter which converts the received signals output from said delay unit into complex signals;a complex covariance matrix calculator which periodically obtains a complex covariance matrix by using a complex signal group configured from a plurality of phase-matched complex signals;an eliminator which uses, as input data, at least either the complex signal group or matrix elements contained in the complex covariance matrix, and reduces the number of bits of the input data; andan electric power calculator which calculates a power value of each target position based on the complex covariance matrix,wherein said eliminator reduces the number of bits by performing common level conversion processing on all input data relating to one complex covariance matrix.2. The object information acquiring ...

OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING APPARATUS AND OBJECT INFORMATION ACQUIRING METHOD

The present invention employs an object information acquiring apparatus comprising a plurality of conversion elements which receive acoustic waves emitted from an object and convert the acoustic waves into electrical signals, a correlation calculator which calculates correlation data by using the plurality of electrical signals output from the plurality of conversion elements, an average correlation calculator which calculates an average correlation matrix by extracting a plurality of submatrices from the correlation data and averaging the submatrices, and an adaptive signal processor which generates power distribution by performing adaptive signal processing by using the average correlation matrix and calculating the power of each target position, wherein the correlation calculator calculates the correlation data by obtaining the correlation of input signals that are separated by at least one input signal among the input signals. 1. An object information acquiring apparatus , comprising:a plurality of conversion elements which receive acoustic waves emitted from an object and convert the acoustic waves into electrical signals;a correlation calculator which calculates correlation data by using the plurality of electrical signals output from said plurality of conversion elements;an average correlation calculator which calculates an average correlation matrix by extracting a plurality of submatrices from the correlation data and averaging the submatrices; andan adaptive signal processor which generates power distribution by performing adaptive signal processing by using the average correlation matrix and calculating the power of each target position,wherein said correlation calculator calculates the correlation data by obtaining the correlation of input signals that are separated by at least one input signal among the input signals input to said correlation calculator.2. The object information acquiring apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein said adaptive signal ...

ELECTROMECHANICAL TRANSDUCER

An electromechanical transducer includes a plurality of cells arranged on a substrate, each cell having a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode with a gap interposed between them. A plurality of elements, each including at least two cells with their first electrodes or second electrodes electrically connected to each other, are arranged in the transducer. Vibration film structures that includes respective vibration films disposed above the substrate with a gap between them are arranged in the intervals which are devoid of elements separating the plurality of elements. With this structure, the non-uniformity of the radiation impedances of the plurality of elements due to the intervals separating the regions where the elements are respectively arranged can be reduced and hence the influence of the intervals separating the elements on the transmission/reception characteristics can also be reduced. 1. An electromechanical transducer comprising a plurality of cells arranged on a substrate , each cell having a first electrode and a second electrode disposed opposite to the first electrode with a gap therebetween , and whereina plurality of elements is provided, each including at least two cells with the first electrodes or second electrodes electrically connected to each other, andvibration film structures including respective vibration films disposed above the substrate with a gap therebetween are arranged in intervals which are devoid of elements separating the plurality of elements, such that radiation impedances of the plurality of elements are made to be equal to each other.2. The electromechanical transducer according to claim 1 , wherein wiring lines for electrically connecting the first electrodes or the second electrodes are also arranged in at least one of the vibration films of the vibration film structures and in the regions of the substrate located opposite to the vibration films of the vibration film structures.3. ...

ULTRASONIC RANGING METHOD AND APPARATUS AND ROBOT USING THE SAME

The present disclosure discloses an ultrasonic ranging method as well as an apparatus, and a robot using the same. The method includes: obtaining ultrasonic ranging data detected by a preset ultrasonic sensor; filtering the ultrasonic ranging data to obtain the filtered ultrasonic ranging data; determining whether a measured distance of a target sampling point meets a preset stability determination condition, where the target sampling point is any sampling point in the filtered ultrasonic ranging data; and recording and outputting the measured distance of the target sampling point, if the measured distance of the target sampling point meets the stability determination condition. According to the present disclosure, after the ultrasonic ranging data is filtered, the measured distance of each sampling point in the ultrasonic ranging data is further determined through the preset stability determination condition, which greatly reduces the probability of the occurrence of false alarms. 1. A computer-implemented ultrasonic ranging method , comprising executing on a processor steps of:obtaining ultrasonic ranging data detected by a preset ultrasonic sensor;filtering the ultrasonic ranging data to obtain the filtered ultrasonic ranging data;determining whether a measured distance of a target sampling point meets a preset stability determination condition, wherein the target sampling point is any sampling point in the filtered ultrasonic ranging data; andrecording and outputting the measured distance of the target sampling point, in response to the measured distance of the target sampling point meeting the stability determination condition.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of determining whether the measured distance of the target sampling point meets the preset stability determination condition comprises: {'br': None, 'sup': '2', '(Dis−PreDis) Подробнее

ULTRASOUND-TARGET-SHAPE-GUIDED SPARSE REGULARIZATION TO IMPROVE ACCURACY OF DIFFUSED OPTICAL TOMOGRAPHY AND TARGET DEPTH-REGULARIZED RECONSTRUCTION IN DIFFUSE OPTICAL TOMOGRAPHY USING ULTRASOUND SEGMENTATION AS PRIOR INFORMATION

A diffuse optical tomography (DOT) system for generating a functional image of a lesion region of a subject is described. The DOT system includes a source subsystem configured to generate optical waves, a probe coupled to the source subsystem and configured to emit the optical waves generated by the source subsystem toward the lesion region and to detect optical waves reflected by the lesion region, a detection subsystem configured to convert the optical waves detected by the probe to digital signals, and a computing device including a processor and a memory. The memory includes instructions that program the processor to receive the digital signals sent from the detection subsystem and perform reconstruction using a depth-regularized reconstruction algorithm combined with a semi-automated interactive convolutional neural network (CNN) for depth-dependent reconstruction of absorption distribution. 1. A diffuse optical tomography (DOT) system for generating a functional image of a lesion region of a subject , comprising:a source subsystem configured to generate optical waves;a probe coupled to the source subsystem and configured to emit the optical waves generated by the source subsystem toward the lesion region and to detect optical waves reflected by the lesion region;a detection subsystem configured to convert the optical waves detected by the probe to digital signals; and receive the digital signals sent from the detection subsystem; and', 'perform reconstruction using a depth-regularized reconstruction algorithm combined with a semi-automated interactive convolutional neural network (CNN) for depth-dependent reconstruction of absorption distribution., 'a computing device including a processor and a memory, the memory including instructions that program the processor to2. The DOT system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions program the processor to perform the reconstruction by receiving lesion depth and shape information from a plurality of co-registered ...

IMAGE PROCESSING MODULE, ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD, AND CONTROL METHOD OF ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS

An image processing module includes an input unit, a weight operator, and a synthesizer. The input unit is configured to receive a plurality of input signals of a plurality of channels. The weight operator is configured to calculate at least one weight to be applied to each channel based on at least one converted signal. The at least one converted signal is acquired by converting at least one input signal among the plurality of input signals of each channel, or by converting a synthesized input signal of the plurality of input signals of each channel. The synthesizer is configured to synthesize the plurality of input signals of the plurality of channels using the weight. 1. An image processing module comprising:an input unit configured to receive a plurality of input signals of a plurality of channels;a weight operator configured to calculate at least one weight to be applied to each channel based on at least one converted signal, wherein the at least one converted signal is acquired by converting at least one input signal among a second plurality of input signals of the each channel, or by converting a synthesized input signal of the second plurality of input signals of the each channel; anda synthesizer configured to synthesize the plurality of input signals of the plurality of channels using the at least one weight.2. The image processing module according to claim 1 , wherein the synthesizer synthesizes the second plurality of input signals of the each channel with respect to the plurality of channels claim 1 , respectively claim 1 , to generate a plurality of synthesized input signals of the plurality of channels claim 1 , and resynthesizes the plurality of synthesized input signals of the plurality of channels using the at least one weight.3. The image processing module according to claim 1 , wherein the synthesizer synthesizes at least a portion of the plurality of input signals of the plurality of channels using the at least one weight to generate a plurality ...

BEAMFORMING APPARATUS, BEAMFORMING METHOD, AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS

A beamforming apparatus includes: a signal output unit configured to output signals; a time difference corrector configured to correct a time difference between the signals; and a weight applier configured to apply a weight value to the signals, according to an error between the signals with the corrected time difference and a target delay pattern. 1. A beamforming apparatus comprising:a signal output unit configured to output signals;a time difference corrector configured to correct a time difference between the signals; anda weight applier configured to apply a weight value to the signals, according to an error between the signals with the corrected time difference and a target delay pattern.2. The beamforming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the signals are grouped into a plurality of groups.3. The beamforming apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the time difference corrector is configured to correct the time difference between the signals such that signals of each group form a delay pattern.4. The beamforming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the time difference corrector is configured to correct the time difference between the signals such that the signals form a predetermined gradient.5. The beamforming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the weight applier is configured to synthesize the signals to which the weight value has been applied.6. The beamforming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the weight applier is configured to apply the weight value that is inverse-proportional to a value of the error claim 1 , to the signals.7. The beamforming apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:an analog-to-digital converter configured to convert the signals into digital signals.8. The beamforming apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the weight value applier comprises:a weight processor configured to calculate the weight value according to the error between the signals with the corrected time difference and the target pattern ...

ULTRASOUND IMAGING METHOD AND DEVICE WITH PREDICTION OF ARTEFACTS INDUCED BETWEEN RECONSTRUCTION MODES

The invention relates to an ultrasound imaging method for imaging a part (), characterised by the implementation of the following steps: 1. An ultrasound imaging method for imaging a part , comprising the following steps implemented by a processor coupled to a set of M*N transmitter-receiver couples of an ultrasound signal:selecting a first sub-region of the part from a first image of the part,determining, for each point of the first selected sub-region, the times of flight corresponding to the paths according to a first reconstruction mode going through the point from a transmitter i to a receiver j for the set of M*N transmitter-receiver couples of an ultrasound signal;determining a second sub-region of the part, a point of the region belonging to the second sub-region when a time of flight of the path according to a second reconstruction mode going through the point from a transmitter i to a receiver j of said set of M*N transmitter-receiver couples coincides with a time of flight of a path according to the first reconstruction mode from the transmitter i to the receiver j going through one of the points of the first selected sub-region.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising a reconstruction of a second image of the region of the part by a synthetic focusing according to the second reconstruction mode according to which claim 1 , for each point of the region claim 1 , and for each transmitter-receiver i-j couple claim 1 , an ultrasound signal considered at a time of flight of the path according to the second reconstruction mode from the transmitter i to the receiver j while going through the point of the region is exploited uniquely if said time of flight according to the second reconstruction mode coincides with a time of flight of a path according to the first reconstruction mode from the transmitter i to the receiver j going through one of the points of the first selected sub-region.3. The method of claim 2 , in which the reconstruction of the second ...

ULTRASONIC DETECTING DEVICE AND ULTRASONIC DETECTING METHOD

An ultrasonic detecting device may include a transmitter, a receiver, a motor, and processing circuitry. The transmitter may transmit a sequence including a first pulse wave and a second pulse wave separated by a time interval shorter than a time required for an ultrasonic wave to make a round trip underwater to a detection range. The receiver may convert reflection waves of the first and second pulse waves into echo signals. The motor may rotate the receiver. The processing circuitry may acquire, from the echo signals, a first echo signal and a second echo signal, generate first image data based on the first echo signals and second image data based on the second echo signals, and generate synthesized image data based on an angular position of the receiver when the first image data is generated, and an angular position of the receiver when the second image data is generated. 117-. (canceled)18. An ultrasonic detecting device for detecting target object within a given detection range , the device comprising:a transmitter configured to transmit a first sequence including a first pulse wave in a first frequency band and a second pulse wave in a second frequency band, the second frequency band being a different frequency band from the first frequency band, a time interval between the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave being set to a first time interval, the first time interval being shorter than a time for ultrasound in water to make a round trip to the detection range;a receiver comprising a plurality of receiving elements, each receiving element of the plurality of receiving elements receiving a reflection wave of the first pulse wave and the second pulse wave, and each receiving element of the plurality of receiving elements converting the reflection wave into an echo signal;a motor configured to rotate at least the receiver; and retrieve a first echo signal and a second echo signal from the echo signal, the first echo signal being retrieved from a frequency ...

ULTRASONIC OBSERVATION APPARATUS, OPERATION METHOD OF THE SAME, AND COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM

An ultrasonic observation apparatus includes: a first conversion unit that converts an ultrasonic signal as a time domain signal reflected from a specimen into a frequency domain signal; a regression analysis unit that calculates a regression expression for the frequency domain signal; an attenuation correction coefficient calculation unit that calculates an attenuation correction coefficient which is obtained by dividing a difference between first-order coefficients in the regression expressions at two points having different reception depths by a difference between the reception depths at the two points; an attenuation correction processing unit that performs attenuation correction processing on the frequency domain signal based on the attenuation correction coefficient; a second conversion unit that converts the frequency domain signal after the attenuation correction processing, into a second time domain signal; and an image data generation unit that generates ultrasonic image data based on the second time domain signal.

ULTRASONIC IMAGING WITH ACOUSTIC RESONANT CAVITY

Techniques describe structures and methods for generating larger output signals and improving image quality of ultrasonic sensors by inclusion of an acoustic cavity in the sensor stack. In some embodiments, an ultrasonic sensor unit may be tuned during manufacturing or during a provisioning phase to work with different thicknesses and materials. In some embodiments, a standing wave signal may be generated using an acoustic cavity in the ultrasonic sensor unit for capturing an ultrasonic image of an object placed on a sensor surface. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor may include an ultrasonic transmitter, a piezoelectric receiver, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer and a TFT substrate positioned between the transmitter and the receiver, one or more adhesive layers, and optional cover materials and coatings. The thickness, density and speed of sound of the sensor materials and associated adhesive attachment layers may be used to attain the desired acoustic cavity and improved performance. 1. A method for generating an image of a target object , comprising:applying a plurality of excitation signal pulses to an ultrasonic transmitter of an ultrasonic sensor unit, wherein a frequency of the plurality of excitation signal pulses is selected to generate an ultrasonic standing wave inside a cover glass layer of a stack of material layers, the cover glass layer configured for contact with the target object, and wherein the plurality of excitation signal pulses are applied for a duration to allow buildup of energy for the ultrasonic standing wave over a first threshold level;detecting a change in one or more characteristics of the ultrasonic standing wave associated with an interaction between the ultrasonic standing wave and the target object using an ultrasonic receiver of the ultrasonic sensor unit; andgenerating the image of the target object based on the detected change in the one or more characteristics of the ultrasonic standing wave.2. The method of claim ...

Ultrasound scanning capsule endoscope

The present invention relates to ultrasound imaging on a capsule endoscope platform. It relates to the generation of a focused ultrasound acoustic signal and the receiving of echo signals from the wall of a body lumen with an array of acoustic transducers wrapped around the circumference of the capsule. It relates to sending the generated echo image signals to receiver devices attached or worn on the body. It relates to the generation of 360° overlapping sidewall ultrasound scans of a body lumen, and image processing techniques to assemble these scans into a high resolution continuous ultrasound image. Finally, it relates to the manufacture and assembly of such an ultrasound scanning capsule endoscope (USCE). The concept is extendable to conventional endoscopes and catheters.

ULTRASOUND CAPACITIVE T/R SWITCH DEVICE, CIRCUIT

An ultrasound image system has a plurality of channels. At least one of the plurality of channels has a capacitive T/R switch. 1. An ultrasound image system comprising:a plurality of channels, wherein at least one of the plurality of channels has a capacitive T/R switch.2. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the capacitive T/R switch comprises:a pair of diodes; anda pair of bleed resistors coupled to the pair of diodes.3. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein comprises:a first variable capacitive diode, a terminal of the first variable capacitive diode forming a first terminal of the T/R switch;a second variable capacitive diode, a terminal of the second variable capacitive diode forming a second terminal of the T/R switch; anda pair of bleed resistors coupled to the first variable capacitive diode and the second variable capacitive diode.4. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a bias control device coupled to the capacitive T/R switch.5. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 3 , further comprising a bias control device coupled to a third terminal of the capacitive T/R switch.6. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the at last one channel comprises:a Tx pulser;a pair of isolation diodes coupled to the Tx pulser;a piezo transducer element coupled to the pair of isolation diodes and to a first terminal of the capacitive T/R switch; andan Rx circuit coupled to a second terminal of the capacitive T/R switch.7. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 6 , wherein the Rx circuit comprises:a pair of diode protectors coupled to the second terminal of the capacitive T/R switch;a coupling capacitor coupled to the pair of diode protectors; anda low noise preamplifier coupled to the coupling capacitor.8. The ultrasound imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the capacitive T/R switch generates a C-V curve having a rapidly capacitance falling area between near zero and knee point of voltages.9. The ultrasound imaging system ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ULTRASOUND RETROSPECTIVE TRANSMIT FOCUS BEAMFORMING

Systems and methods for ultrasound beamforming are provided. One method includes obtaining ultrasound data using receive line spacing that changes as a function of depth, determining a number of transmit events to combine at each of a plurality of points for use in combining the obtained ultrasound data, and aligning the ultrasound data with time delays computed from a probe geometry used to obtain the ultrasound data. The method also includes combining the aligned ultrasound data to generate an ultrasound image. 1. A method for ultrasound imaging , the method comprising:obtaining ultrasound data using receive line spacing that changes as a function of depth;determining a number of transmit events to combine at each of a plurality of points for use in combining the obtained ultrasound data;aligning the ultrasound data with time delays computed from a probe geometry used to obtain the ultrasound data; andcombining the aligned ultrasound data to generate an ultrasound image.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein determining the number of transmit events comprises determining the number of transmit events to combine at each of a plurality of points using a signal to noise ratio of the obtained ultrasound data for use in combining partial images to be generated from the obtained ultrasound data.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising interpolating the obtained ultrasound data on a common two-dimensional grid to form the partial images and wherein the aligned ultrasound data comprises aligned partial images that are combined to generate the ultrasound image.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the interpolating comprises interpolating a plurality of dynamically beam steered receive lines to the common two-dimensional grid prior to aligning and combining.5. The method of claim 3 , wherein the interpolating comprises coherently interpolating a complex baseband representation of the ultrasound data to transfer the ultrasound data onto the common two-dimensional grid.6. The ...

Imaging Apparatus

An apparatus for imaging structural features below the surface of an object, comprising: an analysis unit configured to gather information about structural features located at different depths below the surface of the object by transmitting one or more sound pulses at the object and detecting reflections of those sound pulses from the object; and an image generation unit configured to generate: a first image in dependence on a first subset of the detected reflections, the first image representing an overview in which one or more of the structural features may be obscured by another of the structural features; and a second image in dependence on a second subset of the detected reflections, the second image representing a slice through the first image whereby the obscured structural features can be uncovered. 1. An apparatus for imaging structural features below the surface of an object , comprising:an analysis unit configured to gather information about structural features located at different depths below the surface of the object by transmitting one or more sound pulses at the object and detecting reflections of those sound pulses from the object; andan image generation unit configured to generate:a first image in dependence on a first subset of the detected reflections, the first image representing an overview in which one or more of the structural features may be obscured by another of the structural features; anda second image in dependence on a second subset of the detected reflections, the second image representing a slice through the first image whereby the obscured structural features can be uncovered.2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , the image generation unit being configured to select which of the detected reflections to use in generating the first and second images in dependence on an ultrasound signal feature associated with each of the detected reflections.3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1 , the image generation unit being configured to select ...

Ultrasonic signal processing device and ultrasonic signal processing method

An ultrasonic signal processing method includes: measuring a sound velocity in a subject according to transmission/reception data acquired in ultrasonic transmission of M times (M is an integer equal to or greater than 1 and less than N) along different transmission focus lines among ultrasonic transmission of N times (N is an integer equal to or greater than 2) along multiple transmission focus lines in a case where ultrasonic transmission is sequentially performed at least one time on each of multiple transmission focus lines to create an ultrasonic image for one frame.

Ultrasound Imaging Probe

An elongate probe () including a probe head () with a transducer array (), a shaft () and an articulating member (). The articulating member is located between the probe head and the shaft. The articulating member is configured to articulate between a position in which the probe head extends along a longitudinal axis of the probe and at least one articulated position in which the probe head extends at a non-zero angle from the longitudinal axis of the probe. The probe further includes a stiffener () configured to controllably move from a retracted position to an extended position at which the stiffener inhibits articulation of the articulating member. 1. An elongate probe , comprising: a transducer array; and', 'a stiffener;, 'a probe head, includinga shaft; andan articulating member located between the probe head and the shaft, wherein the articulating member is configured to articulate between a position in which the probe head extends along a longitudinal axis of the probe and at least one articulated position in which the probe head extends at a non-zero angle from the longitudinal axis of the probe,wherein the stiffener is configured to controllably move from a retracted position to an extended position at which the stiffener inhibits articulation of the articulating member.2. The probe of claim 1 , wherein in the retracted position claim 1 , the stiffener does not inhibit articulation of the articulating member:3. The probe of claim 1 , wherein in the extended position claim 1 , the stiffener physically spans at least the articulating member.4. The probe of claim 3 , wherein in the stiffener physically spans an interior of the articulating member.5. The probe of claim 3 , wherein in the stiffener physically spans an exterior of the articulating member.6. The probe of claim 1 , further comprising:a stiffener actuator configured to move the stiffener between the retracted and extended positions.7. The probe of claim 6 , further comprising:an electrical based ...

Ultrasonic measurement apparatus, ultrasonic imaging apparatus, and ultrasonic measurement method

Provided are an ultrasonic measurement apparatus, an ultrasonic imaging apparatus and an ultrasonic measurement method that achieve an increase in processing speed together with an increase in resolution and are user friendly. An image is generated by adding together, with a weight having a fixed value, reception signals obtained by ultrasonic echoes being received by an ultrasonic element array, and an area of interest is set within the area in which the generated image is to be displayed. When an area of interest is acquired, the reception signals received by the ultrasonic element array are added together with weights that depend on the reception signals, with respect to data forming the basis of the image to be displayed in the area of interest, and image generation is performed.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED FRAME RATE UPCONVERSION IN ULTRASOUND IMAGING

Various embodiments include systems and methods for providing motion blur reduction to one or more three-dimensional (3D) images, and/or for improving accuracy of motion-compensated frame up-interpolations. The motion blur reduction may comprise application of iterative motion estimation, starting with an initial block size and with reduced block size in each iteration, with a final velocity vector being determined by summing displacement vectors from all iterations. Accuracy of motion-compensated frame up-interpolations may be improved by use of lower resolution frames (or portions of frames), which may be used in generating information used in enhancing motion related features or characteristics of motion-compensated frames. 1. A method , comprising: applying motion estimation based on an initial block size;', 'iteratively applying motion estimation for one or more other iterations, wherein block size associated with each iteration is reduced in relation to block size of a previous iteration; and', 'determining a final velocity vector by summing displacement vectors from all iterations., 'applying by a processor of an ultrasound system, motion blur reduction to one or more three-dimensional (3D) images, the motion blur reduction comprising2. The method according to claim 1 , comprising applying the motion blur reduction during frame rate upconversion.3. The method according to claim 2 , comprising applying the motion blur reduction to interpolated frames during the frame rate upconversion.4. The method according to claim 1 , comprising applying the motion estimation based on dual motion estimation (DME).5. The method according to claim 1 , comprising applying vector median filtering to velocity vectors obtained during motion blur reduction.6. The method according to claim 1 , comprising applying a vector field corresponding to velocity vectors obtained during motion blur reduction as an input in an optical flow processing.7. The method according to claim 1 , ...

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. 1. An apparatus , comprising:a plurality of ultrasound transmission units; anda delay mesh circuitry configured to output to the plurality of ultrasound transmission units a plurality of time-delayed versions of a single delay mesh circuitry input signal,wherein the delay mesh circuitry comprises at least a first delay unit and a second delay unit, wherein the first delay unit is configured to receive an input signal from and provide an output signal to the second delay unit.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:a substrate,wherein the plurality of ultrasound transmission units is integrated with the substrate.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the delay mesh circuitry is integrated with the substrate.4. The apparatus of claim 2 , further comprising:a waveform generator integrated with the substrate and having an output coupled to an input of encoding circuitry; andthe encoding circuitry integrated with the substrate and having an output coupled to an input of the delay mesh circuitry.5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the encoding circuitry is further configured to:generate the single delay mesh circuitry input signal at least in part by encoding a single waveform generated by the waveform generator; andoutput the single delay mesh circuitry input signal to the delay mesh circuitry.6. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ultrasound transmission units comprises a plurality of decoding circuits and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers claim 1 , each of the plurality of ultrasound transmission units comprising at least one of the plurality of decoding circuits and at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers.7. The ...

METHOD OF IDENTIFYING AND NEUTRALIZING LOW-ALTITUDE UNMANNED AERIAL VEHICLE

Disclosed is a method of identifying and neutralizing a low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle. According to an embodiment, a low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle identification system is configured to set monitoring airspace for a low altitude warning system, and to determine an abnormal signal generated in the monitoring airspace and a hostile target through low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle identification information that contains a radar signal, an RF signal, an image signal, a sound signal, UAV shape information, and a communication signal in the set monitoring airspace. Further, correspondingly, GPS jamming, control signal jamming, gyro sensor jamming, spoofing, and the like are disclosed as neutralization methods. 1. A method of identifying and neutralizing a low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle for a low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle identification system including: a balloon main body filled with gas , the balloon main body having radar , an RF detector , a camera unit , a sound detector , a control module , and a neutralization device , the method comprising:(A) setting monitoring airspace for a low altitude warning system and collecting low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle identification information that contains a radar signal, an RF signal, an image signal, and a sound signal in the set monitoring airspace by using the radar, the RF detector, the camera unit, and the sound detector;(B) determining, using the control module, whether an abnormal signal exceeding a predetermined level in prestored sound and shape information of each unmanned aerial vehicle type is contained in the collected identification information;(C) taking, using the control module, when the abnormal signal is contained in the collected identification information, a low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle target image of the low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle that generates the abnormal signal, and transmitting the low-altitude unmanned aerial vehicle target image to a ground ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIRTUAL APERATURE RADAR TRACKING

A system for virtual aperture array radar tracking includes a transmitter that transmits first and second probe signals; a receiver array including a first plurality of radar elements positioned along a first radar axis; and a signal processor that calculates a target range from first and second reflected probe signals, corresponds signal instances of the first reflected probe signal to physical receiver elements of the radar array, corresponds signal instances of the second reflected probe signal to virtual elements of the radar array, calculates a first target angle between a first reference vector and a first projected target vector from the first reflected probe signal, and calculates a position of the tracking target relative to the radar array from the target range and first target angle. 1a transmitter that transmits first and second probe signals, the first probe signal having a first phase function and the second probe signal having a second phase function;a receiver array, comprising a first plurality of radar elements positioned along a first radar axis, that receives a first reflected probe signal in response to reflection of the first probe signal by a tracking target and a second reflected probe signal at the radar array in response to reflection of the second probe signal by the tracking target; wherein the tracking target and radar array are connected by a target vector; anda signal processor that calculates a target range from at least one of the first and second reflected probe signals, corresponds signal instances of the first reflected probe signal to physical receiver elements of the radar array, corresponds signal instances of the second reflected probe signal to virtual elements of the radar array, calculates a first target angle between a first reference vector and a first projected target vector from the first reflected probe signal, and calculates a position of the tracking target relative to the radar array from the target range and first ...

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.

RECEPTION AND TRANSMISSION CIRCUIT FOR A CAPACITIVE MICROMACHINED ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER

Described herein is a transceiver circuit for a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT), provided with: a transmitter stage, which generates excitation pulses for a first node of the CMUT transducer during a transmitting phase, a second node of the CMUT transducer being coupled to a biasing voltage; a receiver stage that is selectively coupled to the first node during a receiving phase and has an amplification stage; a switching stage that couples the receiver stage to the first node during the receiving phase and decouples the receiver stage from the first node during the transmitting phase. The amplification stage is provided with a charge amplifier that has an input terminal and is biased as a function of a biasing voltage; and the switching stage is coupled to the same biasing voltage thereby minimizing an injection of charge into the input terminal upon switching from the transmitting phase to the receiving phase. 1. A device , comprising:a transmitter configured to generate an excitation signal for a first node of a transducer during a transmitting phase, a second node of said transducer being coupled to a biasing voltage terminal;a receiver including a charge amplifier having an input terminal and biased as a function of an amplifier biasing voltage; and generate a pre-charge biasing voltage based on the amplifier biasing voltage during a pre-charge phase;', 'couple the receiver to said first node during a receiving phase; and', 'decouple the receiver from said first node during the transmitting phase., 'switching circuitry coupled to the amplifier biasing voltage and configured to2. The device of claim 1 , comprising:decoupling circuitry coupled between an output terminal of said transmitter and said first node and configured to decouple the transmitter from said first node during the receiving phase; andtransmitter biasing circuitry coupled to said output terminal and configured to set a voltage of said output terminal to a reference voltage ...

Radar imaging via spatial spectrum measurement and MIMO waveforms

The proposed MIMO radar imaging method takes advantages of measurement techniques of spatial frequency components of an RF area image from radar returns. To minimize size, weight and power (SW&P), minimum redundancy arrays (MRAs) for both Tx and Rx with unique geometries are proposed. MIMO waveforms are utilized to index the radiated illuminations to a targeted area in the forms of 1-D spatial frequency components. Consequently, the corresponding radar returns from the targeted field of view (FOV) are captured by the Rx MRA. With the knowledge of uniquely designed MRA array geometries, virtual beams are synthesized in Rx processor; usually one Tx and many contiguous Rx fan beams. These virtual beams may be dynamically “moved” to different beam positions. The elongated beam direction for Tx fan beam and that for Rx fan beams are perpendicular to one another. Thus intersections of the Tx fan-beam and many Rx fan-beams are the very areas of radar returns. We refer those areas as virtual beam crosses. Conventional range and Doppler gating processing shall then be applied to the beam crosses concurrently. Radar return pixel-by-pixel within various beam crosses are measured individually. Radar images can then be synthesized. MIMO radars via spatial spectrum measurements are well suited for wide angle surveillance via improved angle estimation and minimum detectable velocity. SDS proposed MIMO radar design concepts on moving platforms can be used for both the line-of sight (LOS) SAR/GMTI applications. For fixed Radar, they are applicable for fixed radars LOS target detection and tracking, or imaging. They may also be useful for OTH maritime target detection and tracking utilizing evaporation duct propagation

Monolithic ultrasonic imaging devices, systems and methods

To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein.

INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES FOR MICROMACHINED pMUT ARRAYS AND ELECTRONICS USING THERMOCOMPRESSION BONDING, EUTECTIC BONDING, AND SOLDER BONDING

The present disclosure provides methods to integrate piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) arrays with an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) using thermocompression or eutectic/solder bonding. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate comprising a pMUT array and the second substrate comprising an electrical circuit, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using thermocompression, wherein any set of individual PMUTs of PMUT array is addressable. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate comprising a pMUT array and the second substrate comprising an electrical circuit, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using eutectic or solder bonding, wherein any set of individual PMUTs of the PMUT array is addressable. 1. A device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate , the first substrate comprising at least one piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) array and the second substrate comprising at least one electrical circuit , wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using thermocompression , wherein any set of one or more individual PMUTs of the at least one PMUT array is addressable.2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the pMUT array is configured to perform ultrasound imaging.3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical circuit comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding comprises wafer-to-wafer bonding.5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding comprises die-to-wafer bonding.6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the die-to-wafer bonding uses an intermediate handle substrate and a temporary bonding layer.7. The ...

Supercontinuum Light Source Comprising Tapered Microstructured Optical Fiber

The invention relates to a supercontinuum light source comprising a microstructured optical fiber and a pump light source. The microstructured optical fiber comprises a core and a cladding region surrounding the core, as well as a first fiber length section, a second fiber length section and an intermediate fiber length section between said first and second fiber length sections. The first fiber length section comprises a core with a first characteristic core diameter. The second fiber length section comprises a core with a second characteristic core diameter, smaller than said first characteristic core diameter, where said second characteristic core diameter is substantially constant along said second fiber length section. The intermediate length section of the optical fiber comprises a core which is tapered from said first characteristic core diameter to said second characteristic core diameter over a tapered length. 1. A supercontinuum light source comprising:i. a microstructured optical fiber for generating supercontinuum light responsive to being pumped, and{'sub': '1', 'ii. a pump light source arranged to pump said microstructured optical fiber with pump light having a first wavelength, λ;'}wherein:said microstructured optical fiber has a length and a longitudinal axis along its length and comprises a core region that is capable of guiding light along the longitudinal axis of said microstructured optical fiber and a first cladding region surrounding said core region;said microstructured optical fiber comprises a first fiber length section, a second fiber length section as well as an intermediate fiber length section between the first and second fiber length sections;{'sub': 1', '2', '2', '1', '2, 'the core region of said first fiber length section has a first characteristic core diameter W, the core region of said second fiber length section has a second characteristic core diameter W, where said second characteristic core diameter Wis smaller than said first ...

ULTRASONIC DEVICE, PROBE, ELECTRONIC DEVICE, AND ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS

An ultrasonic device includes a base in which a base layer of a vibrating film is formed in every opening that is disposed in an array; an interconnect layer, which is a conductor, formed on the base layer; an insulating film that is formed on the interconnect layer, and forms a laminated structure with respect to the base layer; a plurality of piezoelectric elements that are separated from the interconnect layer by the insulating film, the piezoelectric elements each including a first electrode and a second electrode that sandwich a piezoelectric film on the insulating film; and a through conductor that passes through the insulating film, and connects at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode to the conductor constituting the interconnect layer. 1. An ultrasonic device comprising:a base in which a base layer of a vibrating film is formed every opening that is disposed in an array;an interconnect layer, which is a conductor, formed on the base layer;an insulating film that is formed on the interconnect layer, and forms a laminated structure on the base layer;a plurality of piezoelectric elements that are separated from the interconnect layer by the insulating film, the piezoelectric elements each including a first electrode and a second electrode that sandwich a piezoelectric film on the insulating film; anda through conductor that passes through the insulating film, and connects at least one of the first electrode and the second electrode to the conductor constituting the interconnect layer.2. The ultrasonic device according to claim 1 , wherein the conductor constituting the interconnect layer has a width that is larger than a width of an interconnect that connects the first electrode and the second electrode of the piezoelectric elements that are adjacent to each other.3. The ultrasonic device according to claim 1 , wherein the conductor constituting the interconnect layer has a width that is larger than a width of an interconnect that connects ...

ULTRASOUND IMAGE ENHANCEMENT AND SUPER-RESOLUTION

Techniques to improve resolution in an ultrasound system are disclosed. An exemplary apparatus is a portable ultrasound probe having transducer elements and supporting electronics within the probe. The beam is shaped to split the resolution to sub-pixel accuracy. Super resolution sample technique based on interpolation can be used to further increase resolution. In one embodiment the ultrasound system supports ½ crystal physical resolution and ¼ crystal digital resolution. 1. A method of providing super-resolution in an ultrasound imaging system having a handheld probe including piezoelectric transducer having an array of piezoelectric crystals , comprising:generating ultrasound pulses, including generating high voltage pulses within the handheld probe in a firing sequence selected to drive the array of piezoelectric transducer crystals such that the gain and a delay of each high voltage pulse coupled to the array of piezoelectric transducer crystals splits the resolution to sub-pixel accuracy;detecting reflected ultrasound pulses;performing scan conversion within the handheld probe; andoutputting ultrasound images.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the firing sequence is selected to achieve ½ piezoelectric transducer crystal physical resolution and interpolation is performed to achieve ¼ piezoelectric crystal digital resolution.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the array of piezoelectric crystals has a number of piezoelectric transducer crystals in the range of 64 to 128 crystals.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the firing sequence is selected to shift a transmitted beam focus by ½ piezoelectric transducer crystal physical resolution in each cycle of a firing sequence.5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising performing interpolation in the scan convertion to increase a number of samples in scan line conversion.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the gain and delay of each pulse in the firing sequence has a fine-grained temporal apodization.7. The method of ...

INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES FOR MICROMACHINED pMUT ARRAYS AND ELECTRONICS USING SOLID LIQUID INTERDIFFUSION (SLID)

The present disclosure provides methods to integrate pMUT arrays with an ASIC using solid liquid interdiffusion (SLID). In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate comprising a pMUT device and the second substrate comprising an electrical circuit, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using a conductive bonding pillar, which conductive bonding pillar comprises one or more intermetallic compounds. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate comprising a pMUT device and the second substrate comprising an electrical circuit, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using a conductive bonding pillar, wherein the bonding is performed at a temperature less than the melting point of the conductive bonding pillar after the bonding. 1. A device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate , the first substrate comprising at least one piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) device and the second substrate comprising at least one electrical circuit , wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using a conductive bonding pillar , which conductive bonding pillar comprises one or more intermetallic compounds.2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding is performed at a temperature less than the melting point of the conductive bonding pillar after the bonding.3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the pMUT device is configured to perform ultrasound imaging.4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding comprises wafer-to-wafer bonding.5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding comprises die-to-wafer bonding.6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the die-to-wafer bonding uses an intermediate handle substrate and a temporary bonding layer.7. The ...

ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein.

INTEGRATION TECHNIQUES FOR MICROMACHINED pMUT ARRAYS AND ELECTRONICS USING THERMOCOMPRESSION BONDING, EUTECTIC BONDING, AND SOLDER BONDING

The present disclosure provides methods to integrate piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) arrays with an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) using thermocompression or eutectic/solder bonding. In an aspect, the present disclosure provides a device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate comprising a pMUT array and the second substrate comprising an electrical circuit, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using thermocompression, wherein any set of individual PMUTs of PMUT array is addressable. In another aspect, the present disclosure provides a device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate, the first substrate comprising a pMUT array and the second substrate comprising an electrical circuit, wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using eutectic or solder bonding, wherein any set of individual PMUTs of the PMUT array is addressable. 1. A device comprising a first substrate and a second substrate , the first substrate comprising at least one piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer (pMUT) array and the second substrate comprising at least one electrical circuit , wherein the first substrate and the second substrate are bonded together using eutectic or solder bonding , wherein any set of one or more individual PMUTs of the at least one PMUT array is addressable.2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the pMUT array is configured to perform ultrasound imaging.3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the at least one electrical circuit comprises an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC).4. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding comprises wafer-to-wafer bonding.5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein the bonding comprises die-to-wafer bonding.6. The device according to claim 5 , wherein the die-to-wafer bonding uses an intermediate handle substrate and a temporary bonding layer.7. ...

ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS EMPLOYING THE SAME

An ultrasonic transducer includes a substrate; and a plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells arranged on the substrate in a predetermined direction. Thicknesses of cavities in the plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells are determined based on locations of the plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells in the predetermined direction. 1. An ultrasonic transducer comprising:a substrate; anda plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells arranged on the substrate in a predetermined direction,wherein thicknesses of cavities in the plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells are determined based on locations of the plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells in the predetermined direction.2. The ultrasonic transducer of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells are arranged two dimensionally in a first direction and a second direction claim 1 , and the thicknesses of the cavities in the plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells are determined based on locations of the plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells in at least one from among the first direction and the second direction.3. The ultrasonic transducer of claim 2 , wherein an upper surface of each of the plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells corresponds to a flat surface.4. The ultrasonic transducer of claim 3 , wherein a thickness of a cavity in a capacitive ultrasonic cell is greater at a center portion of the ultrasonic transducer than at an end portion thereof in at least one from among the first direction and the second direction.5. The ultrasonic transducer of claim 3 , wherein a thicknesses of a cavity in a capacitive ultrasonic cell is smaller at a center portion of the ultrasonic transducer than at an end portion thereof in at least one from among the first direction and the second direction.6. The ultrasonic transducer of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of capacitive ultrasonic cells comprises a lower electrode provided on the substrate claim 1 , an insulating layer provided on the ...

Ultrasound Probe

An ultrasound probe () comprises a pair of one dimensional transducer modules () arranged in-line but set apart from each other in a shallow “V” shape. This allows a wide gap for needle manipulation while maintaining the ability to compute a good acoustic image of the target area () on an ultrasound scan engine. The ultrasound image is a product of data from both the arrays. The probe () is shaped to allow ergonomic manipulation possibilities for the anaesthetist. The probe can be held in a ‘pencil-type’ grip anywhere on the main body, or by pushing directly on the back of arrays. The shape of the probe, means it sits in position better on a patient than a conventional probe. 1. An ultrasound probe comprising a pair of transducer modules arranged in-line and spaced apart from each other to form a shallow “V” shape , said shallow “V” shape configured to provide a gap for needle manipulation while allowing the creation of a full ultrasound image of a target area on a standard ultrasound scan engine.2. An ultrasound probe as claimed in claim 1 , wherein each of said pair of transducer modules is an array.3. An ultrasound probe as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the full ultrasound image is a product of data from said arrays.4. An ultrasound probe as claimed in claim 3 , wherein the full ultrasound image of the target area is created through a recombination of a waveform data obtained from the array to create one cohesive image of said full ultrasound image.5. An ultrasound probe as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the recombination of the waveform data is obtained from the array by treating the array as a virtual array claim 4 , using respectively a delays and an angular realignment of a transmit and a receive channel of the array to create said one cohesive image.6. An ultrasound probe as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the recombination of waveform data is obtained from two of the array by capturing a standard B-mode image from each of said two of the array individually claim ...

Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and control method thereof

Disclosed herein is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including: an ultrasonic probe configured to receive ultrasonic waves reflected from an object, and to convert the ultrasonic waves into electrical signals; a beamformer configured to perform beamforming on the electrical signals to thereby generate resultant signals, and to output the resultant signals; an image restorer configured to estimate a first Point Spread Function (PSF) based on an ultrasound image corresponding to the outputted signals, to determine a situational variable of the ultrasound image using the first PSF, to estimate a second PSF based on the situational variable of the ultrasound image, and to generate a restored image for the ultrasound image using the second PSF; and an image filter configured to filter the restored image based on the situational variable of the ultrasound image, and to output the filtered image.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a high voltage power source; a transmission circuit to receive power from the high voltage power source, generate a pulse generating an ultrasound wave, and apply the ultrasound wave to a probe in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus; a power circuit to receive the power from the high voltage power source and charge a capacitor with electric energy when the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus operates in a shear wave mode, and supply, to the transmission circuit, shear wave mode power used for generating a shear wave, based on the electric energy; and a processor to control the power circuit to supply the shear wave mode power when the shear wave mode is in operation, and control the high voltage power source and the power circuit such that insufficient power of the shear wave mode power is supplied from the high voltage power source to the transmission circuit. 1. An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus comprising:a high voltage power source;a transmission circuit configured to receive power from the high voltage power source, generate a pulse generating an ultrasound wave, and apply the ultrasound wave to a probe in the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus;a power circuit configured to receive the power from the high voltage power source and be charged with electric energy when the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus operates in a shear wave mode, and supply, to the transmission circuit, shear wave mode power used for generating a shear wave, based on the electric energy; anda processor configured to control the power circuit configured to supply the shear wave mode power when the shear wave mode is in operation, and control the high voltage power source and the power circuit such that insufficient power of the shear wave mode power is supplied from the high voltage power source to the transmission circuit.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein when the electric energy stored in the power circuit is reduced when the shear wave mode power is ...

MULTILEVEL BIPOLAR PULSER

Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multilevel pulser is described, which can provide bipolar pulses of multiple levels. The multilevel pulser includes a pulsing circuit and pulser and feedback circuit. Symmetric switches are also described. The symmetric switches can be positioned as inputs to ultrasound receiving circuitry to block signals from the receiving circuitry. 1. An apparatus , comprising:a plurality of ultrasonic transducers configured to transmit ultrasound signals and receive reflections of the ultrasound signals; the integrated circuit comprises a plurality of multi-level pulsers and a plurality of feedback circuits;', 'each feedback circuit of the plurality of feedback circuits is configured to provide a respective control signal of a plurality of control signals to a respective multi-level pulser of the plurality of multi-level pulsers to control the respective multi-level pulser to generate a respective input signal of a plurality of input signals, the respective input signal comprising at least three voltage levels; and', 'each multi-level pulser of the plurality of multi-level pulsers is configured to provide the respective input signal to a respective ultrasonic transducer of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers., 'a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) die having the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and an integrated circuit formed thereon, wherein2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of feedback circuits are configured to spatially apodize the plurality of input signals provided to the plurality of ultrasonic transducers by controlling the plurality of multi-level pulsers.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:the respective multi-level pulser comprises an input terminal and an output terminal;each respective feedback circuit of the plurality of feedback circuits comprises an input terminal and an output terminal;the input terminal of the respective multi-level pulser is coupled to the output terminal ...

ACOUSTIC CAMERA

Apparatus for generating accurate 3-dimensional images of objects immersed in liquids including optically opaque liquids which may also have significant sound attenuation, is described. Sound pulses are caused to impinge on the object, and the time-of-flight of the reflected sound is used to create a 3-dimensional image of the object in almost real-time. The apparatus is capable of creating images of objects immersed in fluids that are optically opaque and have high sound attenuation at resolutions less than about 1 mm. The apparatus may include a piezoelectric transducer for generating the acoustic pulses; a high-density polyethylene compound acoustic lens, a 2-dimensional segmented piezoelectric detecting array positioned behind the lens for receiving acoustic pulses reflected by the object, the electric output of which is directed to digital signal processing electronics for generating the image. 1. Apparatus for obtaining a 3-dimensional image of an object , comprising: a broadband piezoelectric transducer for generating and transmitting ultrasonic pulses onto said object; a pulse generator for providing electrical signals to said transducer; an ultrasonic detector effective for receiving ultrasonic pulses in a 2-dimensional pattern and for producing electrical signals in response to ultrasound impinging thereon; an acoustic lens for receiving acoustic pulses reflected from said object and focusing the ultrasonic pulses onto said acoustic detector; and digital signal processing electronics for receiving the electrical signals from said acoustic detector in a 2-dimensional pattern and for generating a 3-dimensional image therefrom using the time-of-flight of the reflected acoustic pulses at each location in the 2-dimensional pattern , and for controlling said pulse generator.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein said piezoelectric transducer comprises a parametric array transducer having a chosen bandwidth.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the bandwidth of ...

High Voltage Protection and Receiver Saturation Prevention Apparatus with High Voltage Peeking Functions for Downhole Logging

A system for high voltage protection may comprise a high voltage protection module electrically connected to a transmitter module and a receiver module and a muting module connected to the high voltage protection module and the receiver module. A method for high voltage protection may comprise disposing a downhole tool into a wellbore, transmitting an excitation signal from the transmitter module to transceiver as a high voltage pulse signal to the high voltage protection module, reducing the high voltage pulse signal with the high voltage protection module, and preventing saturation of the receiver with a low impedance interface from the muting module. 1. A system comprising:a high voltage protection module electrically connected to a transmitter module and a receiver module; anda muting module connected to the high voltage protection module and the receiver module.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the high voltage protection module is configured to reduce a high voltage pulse signal to a receiver.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the muting module comprises a first transistor and a second transistor and is configured to prevent saturation of the receiver module with a low impedance interface.4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the muting module further comprises an amplifier and a transformer winding claim 3 , wherein a digital control system is connected to the amplifier and the digital control system is configured to operate the amplifier.5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the transmitter module is configured to transmit an excitation signal which traverses from the transmitter module to the high voltage protection module.6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the high voltage protection module comprises a first resistor and a second resistor.7. The system of claim 6 , wherein the first resistor and the second resistor are each individually ten kilo ohms or greater.8. The system of claim 7 , further comprising a third resistor and a fourth resistor claim 7 , ...

Transducer

A transducer is provided, which includes an oscillator and a broadbanded matching circuit. In the oscillator, a peak frequency corresponding to a peak transmission sensitivity may separate from a center frequency in a given bandwidth, and a transmission sensitivity may increase as a frequency separates from the peak frequency with respect to the center frequency. The broadbanded matching circuit may be configured to perform an impedance matching so that the transmission sensitivity of the oscillator at the peak frequency becomes substantially equal to the transmission sensitivity of the oscillator at the center frequency.

HIGH VOLTAGE ANALOG SWITCH

A high voltage analog switch can be used in medical ultrasound applications. The high voltage analog switch can pass high voltage transducer excitation signals without necessarily having any high voltage power supplies. The high voltage analog switch can include three output switches, with one of the output switches having a clamp circuit for ensuring that transistors of an output switch on an input end of the high voltage analog switch remain OFF when the high voltage analog switch is OFF. 1. A high voltage analog switch comprising:a first output switch comprising a first node coupled to a first end node of the high voltage analog switch and a second node coupled to a first node of a second output switch, the first end node of the high voltage analog switch being coupled to receive a high voltage transducer excitation signal, the first output switch including a clamp circuit that keeps the first output switch open when the high voltage analog switch is OFF;the second output switch comprising a second node coupled to a second end node of the high voltage analog switch, the second end node of the high voltage analog switch being coupled to a piezoelectric transducer; anda third output switch comprising a first node coupled to the second node of the first output switch and the first node of the second output switch, the third output switch comprising a second node coupled to ground,wherein the first and second output switches are closed and the third output switch is open to pass the high voltage transducer excitation signal from the first end node to the second end node of the high voltage analog switch when the high voltage analog switch is ON, and the first and second output switches are open and the third output switch is closed when the high voltage analog switch is OFF.2. The high voltage analog switch of claim 1 , wherein the first output switch comprises a first transistor and a second transistor forming an analog switch claim 1 , andthe clamp circuit ...

Ultrasound system acoustic output control using image data

An ultrasound system uses image recognition to characterize the anatomy being imaged, then considers an identified anatomical characteristic when setting the level or limit of acoustic output of an ultrasound probe. Alternatively, instead of automatically setting the acoustic output level or limit, the system can alert the clinician that a change in operating levels or conditions would be prudent for the present exam. In these ways, the clinician is able to maximize the signal-to-noise level in the images for clearer, more images while maintaining a safe level of acoustic output for patient safety.

Transformer-based multiplexer for ultrasound imaging system and method

A low-loss high-voltage multiplexer is implemented using a transformer that is connected to one transmitter, one receiver and transducer elements. At least one primary winding is magnetically coupled at least two secondary windings. For example, a first transducer element and a second transducer element are connected to the secondary windings of a multiplexer that multiplexes between these transducer elements via the secondary windings. The multiplexer also optionally switches between the transmitter and the receiver during the transmission and the reception.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ACQUIRING IMAGE USING ULTRASOUND

Provided are an ultrasound apparatus and method of operating the same. The method comprises automatically obtaining an elasticity image by using a preset number of consistent and consecutive images and providing the obtained elasticity image. 1. A method of acquiring an image by using ultrasound waves , the method comprising:acquiring a preset number of consecutive images of an object by using the ultrasound waves;determining a variation representing a difference between the acquired consecutive images over time by performing a comparison between each of the consecutive images and its temporally adjacent image; andcomparing the determined variation to a preset value and obtaining, based on a result of the comparing, an elasticity image of the object by using the consecutive images.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising displaying the obtained elasticity image.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the obtaining of the elasticity image of the object by using the consecutive images comprises obtaining claim 1 , if the variation is less than or equal to the preset value claim 1 , the elasticity image of the object by using the consecutive images.4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising claim 1 , before the acquiring of the consecutive images claim 1 , receiving a user input for setting an operating mode with respect to whether the elasticity image is to be automatically obtained claim 1 ,wherein the obtaining of the elasticity image by using the consecutive images comprises obtaining , if the variation is less than or equal to the preset value, the elasticity image of the object by using the consecutive images according to the operating mode set based on the user input.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining of the variation comprises determining the variation by using changes in shape of the object between the consecutive images and/or changes in distribution of elasticity values therebetween.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the acquiring of the ...

METHOD, APPARATUS, AND SYSTEM FOR RECOGNIZING TARGET OBJECT

Embodiments of the present specification provide a target recognition method, apparatus, and system. The method comprises: obtaining an image recognition result and a radio frequency recognition result of target objects in a target region, and then determining the distribution of the target objects in the target region according to the radio frequency recognition result and the image recognition result. Since the radio frequency recognition result and the image recognition result are fused, the target objects in the target region can be accurately recognized, so as to improve the recognition accuracy. 1. A method for recognizing target object , comprising:obtaining an image of a target region;determining an image recognition result of target objects in the target region according to the image;obtaining a radio frequency recognition result of the target objects in the target region; anddetermining a distribution of the target objects in the target region according to the radio frequency recognition result and the image recognition result.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein determining the image recognition result of the target objects in the target region according to the image comprises:processing the image via a neural network to output the image recognition result of the target objects in the target region.3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein obtaining the radio frequency recognition result of the target objects in the target region comprises:obtaining the radio frequency recognition result of the target objects in the target region via a radio frequency detection antenna arranged in the target region.4. The method according to claim 3 , wherein the radio frequency recognition result is obtained by reading a radio frequency recognition tag disposed on each of the target objects via the radio frequency detection antenna.5. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the target region comprises at least one sub-region;the image recognition result ...

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR DETECTING DISPLACEMENT IN ELASTOGRAPHY

Disclosed are a method and a device for detecting displacement in elastography. The method comprises: acquiring a target point, acquiring a cross-correlation phase calculation location of the target point in a second frame image; calculating a cross-correlation phase according to the cross-correlation phase calculation location; calculating a longitudinal displacement result according to the cross-correlation phase; and calculating a gradient of the displacement result to obtain a strain result. Through the elastography method and device, I/Q-channel echo baseband signals, obtained by downsampling, of two frames before and after compression are acquired, displace information between the two frames is rapidly detected by guiding phase estimation, and axial gradient calculation is performed to obtain strain information, which can not only obtain a strain image of high quality but also reduce the calculation amount, thereby satisfying the clinical real-time requirement.

ULTRASOUND IMAGE PICKUP APPARATUS

A transmitting beamformer performs convergence transmission that forms a transmission focus of an ultrasonic beam in a subject. A receiving beamformer comprises a virtual sound source method-based delay amount calculation part that obtains delay amount of a received signal with regarding the transmission focus as a virtual sound source, and a correction operation part that corrects the delay amount obtained by the virtual sound source method-based delay amount calculation part depending on position of imaging point. Delay amounts can be thereby obtained with good accuracy for imaging points in a wide area. 1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising an ultrasonic element array in which a plurality of ultrasonic elements are arranged along a predetermined direction , a transmitting beamformer that forms an ultrasonic beam to be transmitted into a subject by the ultrasonic element array , a receiving beamformer that performs phasing of a plurality of received signals obtained by receiving the ultrasonic waves reflected in the subject with the ultrasonic element array by delaying them , and an image processing part that generates image data using results outputted by the receiving beamformer , wherein:the transmitting beamformer performs convergence transmission that forms a transmission focus of the ultrasonic beam in the subject, andthe receiving beamformer comprises a virtual sound source method-based delay amount calculation part that obtains delay amounts of the received signals with regarding the transmission focus as a virtual sound source, and a correction operation part that corrects the delay amounts obtained by the virtual sound source method-based delay amount calculation part according to position of imaging point.2. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , when the imaging point locates outside the transmitted sonic wave ends claim 1 , which are two lines connecting ultrasonic elements at the both ends among the ...

TABLET ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

Exemplary embodiments provide systems and methods for portable medical ultrasound imaging. Preferred embodiments utilize a tablet touchscreen display operative to control imaging and display operations without the need for using traditional keyboards or controls. Certain embodiments provide ultrasound imaging system in which the scan head includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field sub array beamfonning or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. Exemplary embodiments also provide an ultrasound engine circuit board including one or more multi-chip modules, and a portable medical ultrasound imaging system including an ultrasound engine circuit board with one or more multi-chip modules. Exemplary embodiments also provide methods for using a hierarchical two-stage or three-stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images which can be generated in real-time. 1. A handheld medical ultrasound imaging device comprising:a transducer probe housing a transducer array; anda tablet housing, the tablet housing having a front panel, a computer in the tablet housing, the computer including at least one processor and at least one memory, a touch screen display that displays an ultrasound image in an image display area, a plurality of icons positioned on a top and a side of the touch screen display wherein the touch screen display is operative in response touch actuation of the icons and a plurality of moving touch gestures within the display area, the touch screen display positioned on the front panel; andan ultrasound beamformer processing circuit that receives image data from the transducer array, the touch screen display and the ultrasound beamformer processing circuit being communicably connected to the computer, the computer being operative in response to a first gesture input from the touch screen display to alter an operation of the ultrasound beamformer processing circuit.2. The device of wherein the first gesture ...

ULTRASOUND SYSTEM FRONT-END CIRCUIT WITH PULSERS AND LINEAR AMPLIFIERS FOR AN ARRAY TRANSDUCER

Front-end circuitry for an ultrasound system is described which comprises a beamformer FPGA integrated circuit, transmit ICs with both pulse transmitters and linear waveform transmitters, transmit control and receiver ICs, and analog-to-digital converter (ADC) ICs. Waveform data for both the linear and pulser transmitters is stored in the transmit control and receiver ICs, saving pins on the FPGA, which is the conventional source of this data. The ADCs couple digital echo data to the FPGA for beamforming over serial bus lines, saving additional FPGA pins over a conventional parallel data arrangement. The inclusion of both pulser and linear waveform transmit capabilities in the transmit ICs enables the use of both types of transmitters in the formation of a multi-mode image, such as use of the pulsers for Doppler beams and linear transmitters for B mode beams in the formation of a colorflow image. 1. An ultrasound system for multi-mode imaging , the system comprising:an array of transducer elements;a front-end high voltage transmitter integrated circuit comprising a pulser and a linear transmitter coupled via a common output of the integrated circuit to a common transducer element of the array of transducer elements, the pulser being adapted to generate transmit pulses from the common element during a first imaging mode and the linear transmitter being adapted to transmit a linear waveform from the common element during a second imaging mode;a beamformer coupled to the array and adapted to beamform echo signals from the array; andan image processor that is coupled to receive beamformed echo signals from the beamformer and adapted to produce a multi-mode image combining image data from the first imaging mode and the second imaging mode.2. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , further comprising a TGC preamplifier between the array and the beamformer.3. The ultrasound system of claim 2 , further comprising an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) between the array and the ...

ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM WITH A VARIABLE THICKNESS DEMATCHING LAYER

An ultrasound transducer and an ultrasound imaging system including an acoustic layer with a plurality of transducer elements and a dematching layer coupled to the acoustic layer. The dematching layer has an acoustic impedance greater than the acoustic layer and the dematching layer has a thickness that varies in order to alter a bandwidth of the ultrasound probe. 1. An ultrasound transducer comprising:an acoustic layer including a plurality of transducer elements; anda dematching layer coupled to the acoustic layer, the dematching layer comprising a front side adjacent to the acoustic layer and a backside opposite of the acoustic layer, the dematching layer having a greater acoustic impedance than the acoustic layer, the dematching layer having a thickness that varies in order to alter a bandwidth of the ultrasound transducer, wherein the front side of the dematching layer defines a curved surface.2. The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 , wherein the backside of the dematching layer defines a substantially flat surface.3. The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 , wherein the backside of the dematching layer defines a second curved surface.4. The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 , wherein the curved surface comprises a convex surface claim 1 , and wherein the acoustic layer is curved to match the convex surface.5. The ultrasound transducer of claim 1 , wherein the curved surface comprises a concave surface and the acoustic layer is curved to match the concave surface claim 1 , and wherein the dematching layer and the acoustic layer provides a focusing effect for the ultrasound transducer.6. The ultrasound transducer of claim 5 , wherein the ultrasound transducer does not include a lens.7. The ultrasound transducer of claim 5 , further comprising a lens and one or more matching layers claim 5 , wherein the one or more matching layers are attached to the acoustic layer and the lens is attached to the one or more matching layers claim 5 , wherein the lens comprises a ...

APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING TRIGGER SIGNALS FROM ULTRASOUND SYSTEMS

An adaptor device includes a first connector () configured to interface with an ultrasound probe and a second connector () configured to interface with an ultrasound console. An array of lines () connects the first connector to the second connector. A pulse generator or generators () are configured to output trigger signals responsive to a signal on one or more of the array of lines. An external output () is configured to output the trigger signals. 1. An adaptor device , comprising:a first connector configured to interface with an ultrasound probe;a second connector configured to interface with an ultrasound console;an array of lines connecting the first connector to the second connector;at least one pulse generator configured to output at least one trigger signal responsive to a signal on one or more of the array of lines; andan external output configured to output the at least one trigger signal.2. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a signal converter to permit interface compatibility with other signal protocols.3. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first connector and the second connector includes a wireless link.4. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the at least one pulse generator includes a pulse generator to generate a frame trigger signal and a pulse generator to generate a line trigger signal.5. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the external output includes a wireless link.6. The device as recited in claim 1 , wherein the array of lines connecting the first connector to the second connector maintains direct connectivity between the probe and the console.7. The device as recited in claim 1 , further comprising a delay program configured to compare transducer signal delays from the probe with expected delays to enable the at least one pulse generator to output the at least one trigger signal.8. The device as recited in claim 1 , further ...

Switch circuit, ultrasound probe using the same, and ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus

A transmit receive switch circuit has a first MOSFET (MN 1 ) and a second MOSFET (MN 2 ), goes into a switch-off state at the time of transmission, and goes into a switch-on state at the time of reception. The first MOSFET (MN 1 ) and the second MOSFET (MN 2 ) are connected between an input terminal (SWIN) and an output terminal (SWOUT). The switch circuit includes a shunt circuit (SHNT) that is connected between a common gate (COMG) and a common source (COMS), the common gate being connected to the gates of the first and second MOSFETs, and the common source being connected to the sources of the first and second MOSFETs. When a signal having a negative voltage relative to a reference voltage is applied to the input terminal, a switch that temporarily turns on causes the shunt circuit to short-circuit the common gate and the common source.

ULTRASONIC IMAGING WITH ACOUSTIC RESONANT CAVITY

Techniques describe structures and methods for generating larger output signals and improving image quality of ultrasonic sensors by inclusion of an acoustic cavity in the sensor stack. In some embodiments, an ultrasonic sensor unit may be tuned during manufacturing or during a provisioning phase to work with different thicknesses and materials. In some embodiments, a standing wave signal may be generated using an acoustic cavity in the ultrasonic sensor unit for capturing an ultrasonic image of an object placed on a sensor surface. In some implementations, the ultrasonic sensor may include an ultrasonic transmitter, a piezoelectric receiver, a thin film transistor (TFT) layer and a TFT substrate positioned between the transmitter and the receiver, one or more adhesive layers, and optional cover materials and coatings. The thickness, density and speed of sound of the sensor materials and associated adhesive attachment layers may be used to attain the desired acoustic cavity and improved performance. 1. A method for generating an image of a target object , comprising:applying a plurality of excitation signal pulses to an ultrasonic transmitter of an ultrasonic sensor unit, wherein a frequency of the plurality of excitation signal pulses is selected to generate an ultrasonic standing wave signal inside the ultrasonic sensor unit and wherein the plurality of excitation signal pulses are applied for a duration to allow buildup of energy for the ultrasonic standing wave signal over a first threshold level;detecting a change in one or more characteristics of the ultrasonic standing wave signal associated with an interaction between the ultrasonic standing wave signal and the target object using an ultrasonic receiver of the ultrasonic sensor unit; andgenerating the image of the target object based on the detected change in the one or more characteristics of the ultrasonic standing wave signal.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic standing wave signal results ...

MONOLITHIC ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein. 1. An ultrasound device , comprising: a plurality of ultrasound elements including a first ultrasound element having at least one first capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) and a second ultrasound element having at least one second CMUT;', 'a first programmable waveform generator coupled to the first ultrasound element and configured to provide a first ultrasound waveform to the first CMUT, the first programmable waveform generator having one or more configurable operating parameters;', 'a second programmable waveform generator coupled to the second ultrasound element and configured to provide a second ultrasound waveform to the second CMUT, the second programmable waveform generator having one or more configurable operating parameters;', 'a controller configured to control values of a first configurable operating parameter of the first programmable waveform generator and a second configurable operating parameter of the second programmable waveform generator;', 'a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the first ultrasound element and configured to convert an analog signal provided by the first ultrasound element into a digital signal;', 'a second ADC coupled to the second ultrasound element and ...

ACOUSTO-OPTIC IMAGE CAPTURE DEVICE

An acousto-optic image capture device includes: an acoustic wave source to irradiating an object with an acoustic wave; an acoustic lens system which transforms a scattered wave from the object into a plane acoustic wave; an acousto-optic medium portion which is arranged so that the scattered wave transmitted through the acoustic lens system is incident there; a light source to emit a light beam in which monochromatic rays of light with different traveling directions are superposed and which is incident on the acousto-optic medium portion; an imaging lens system which condenses diffracted rays of light of the plane wave monochromatic rays of light produced by the acousto-optic medium portion; and an image receiving member which detects the rays of light condensed by the imaging lens system to output an electrical signal. The acoustic lens system includes at least two reflecting mirrors. 1. An acousto-optic image capture device comprising:an acoustic wave source;an acoustic lens system which transforms a scattered wave, created by irradiating an object with an acoustic wave that has been emitted from the acoustic wave source, into a plane acoustic wave;an acousto-optic medium portion which is arranged so that the plane acoustic wave that has been transmitted through the acoustic lens system is incident on the acousto-optic medium portion;a light source to emit a light beam in which a plurality of monochromatic rays of light with mutually different traveling directions are superposed one upon the other and which is incident on the acousto-optic medium portion at an angle with respect to, and neither perpendicularly nor parallel to, the acoustic axis of the acoustic lens system;an imaging lens system which condenses diffracted rays of light of the plurality of plane wave monochromatic rays of light that have been produced by the acousto-optic medium portion; andan image receiving member which detects the rays of light that have been condensed by the imaging lens system ...

ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC PROBE APPARATUS, SIGNAL PROCESSING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS

There are provided an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, an ultrasonic probe apparatus, a signal processing apparatus, and a method for controlling an ultrasonic imaging apparatus. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus may include at least one first ultrasound element installed in a first ultrasound element installation unit; at least one second ultrasound element installed in a second ultrasound element installation unit that is separate from the first ultrasound element installation unit and such that the second ultrasound element forms a gap with the first ultrasound element; and a processor configured to estimate one or two or more virtual ultrasound signals that correspond to the gap based on a first ultrasound signal output from the at least one first ultrasound element and a second ultrasound signal output from the at least one second ultrasound element. 1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus , comprising:at least one first ultrasound element installed in a first ultrasound device;at least one second ultrasound element installed in a second ultrasound device that is separate from the first ultrasound device and such that the at least one second ultrasound element forms a gap with the at least one first ultrasound element; anda processor configured to estimate at least one virtual ultrasound signal that corresponds to the gap, based on at least one first ultrasound signal output from the at least one first ultrasound element and at least one second ultrasound signal output from the at least one second ultrasound element and to perform beamforming by using the at least one first ultrasound signal, the at least one second ultrasound signal and the estimated at least one virtual ultrasound signal.2. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the processor is further configured to estimate the at least one virtual ultrasound signal that corresponds to the gap based on the performed interpolation by performing an interpolation based on the at least one first ...

Transmitting and receiving device and ultrasound system

The present invention discloses a transmitting and receiving device for an ultrasonic system, which comprises a transmitter, a receiver and at least two switch circuits connected in series. The transmitter is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer and generates high voltage signals to the ultrasonic transducer during a transmitting mode. The receiver is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer via the at least two switch circuits and receives low voltage signals from the ultrasonic transducer during a receiving mode. The at least two switch circuits are configured to share voltage drop of the high voltage signals to isolate the high voltage signals during the transmitting mode and allow the low voltage signals to pass through during the receiving mode. It also discloses an ultrasonic system having the transmitting and receiving device.

ULTRASONIC/PHOTOACOUSTIC IMAGING DEVICES AND METHODS

Devices are disclosed for obtaining data of a sample, particularly data capable of being processed to produce an image of a region of the sample. An exemplary device includes a light-beam source, an acoustic-wave source, an optical element, and an acoustic detector. The optical element is transmissive to a light beam produced by the light-beam source and reflective to acoustic waves produced by the acoustic-wave source. The optical element is situated to direct the transmitted light beam and reflected acoustic wave simultaneously along an optical axis to be incident at a situs in or on a sample to cause the sample to produce acoustic echoes from the incident acoustic waves while also producing photoacoustic waves from the incident light beam photoacoustically interacting with the situs. The acoustic detector is placed to receive and detect the acoustic echoes and the photoacoustic waves from the situs. The acoustic detector can comprise one or more hydrophones exploiting the acousto-electric effect. 121-. (canceled)22. An acoustic detector , comprising an electrically conductive first electrode , an electrically conductive second electrode , and an electrically conductive sensitivity zone located between and in conductive contact with the electrodes , the electrodes being connected so as to pass an electrical current through the sensitivity zone , the current through the sensitivity zone being responsive in an acousto-electric manner to pulses of acoustic pressure incident to the sensitivity zone.23. The detector of claim 22 , wherein:the sensitivity zone is smaller than either electrode; andthe electrodes narrow to the sensitivity zone.24. The detector of claim 23 , wherein the electrodes abruptly narrow to the sensitivity zone.25. The detector of claim 23 , wherein the electrodes progressively narrow to the sensitivity zone.26. The detector of claim 22 , wherein:the electrodes comprise gold; andthe sensitivity zone comprises indium tin oxide.27. The detector of ...

Imaging Tissue Motion Estimation

A motion processor () includes a motion estimator () that iteratively estimates a motion between a pair of consecutive frames of pre-processed echoes, wherein the motion estimator () generates the estimated motion based on at least on one iteration. A method includes iteratively estimating tissue motion between a pair of consecutive frames of pre-processed echoes over at least one iteration. 1. A motion processor , comprising:a motion estimator that iteratively estimates a motion between a pair of consecutive frames of pre-processed echoes, wherein the motion estimator generates the estimated motion based on at least one iteration.2. The motion processor of claim 1 , further comprising:an envelope compressor that compresses an envelope of each of the pair of consecutive frames of pre-processed echoes; anda frequency estimator that estimates a mean frequency of the pair of consecutive frames of pre-processed echoes,wherein the motion estimator generates an initial motion estimate based on the pair of consecutive frames of pre-processed echoes, a lag-zero cross correlation, and the mean frequency.3. The motion processor of claim 2 , wherein each of the pairs of consecutive frames of pre-processed echoes are matrices claim 2 , and the motion estimator claim 2 , comprising:a multiplier that multiplies, element-by-element, elements in the pairs of consecutive frames of pre-processed echoes, producing a first product matrix;a convolver that convolves the first product matrix with a predetermined transform;a phase shift determine that determines a phase shift of the convolved matrix;an unwrapper that unwraps a phase of the convolved matrix based on the determined phase shift; anda phase converter that converts the unwrapped phase to the initial motion estimate.4. The motion processor of claim 3 , wherein the transform is one of a Hilbert transform or a 2D rectangular function.5. The motion processor of claim 3 , further comprising:a surface fitter that fits an nth order ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR INTERPOLATED VIRTUAL APERATURE RADAR TRACKING

A method for interpolated virtual aperture array radar tracking includes: transmitting first and second probe signals; receiving a first reflected probe signal at a radar array; receiving a second reflected probe signal at the radar array; calculating a target range from at least one of the first and second reflected probe signals; corresponding signal instances of the first reflected probe signal to physical receiver elements of the radar array; corresponding signal instances of the second reflected probe signal to virtual elements of the radar array; interpolating signal instances; calculating a first target angle; and calculating a position of the tracking target relative to the radar array from the target range and first target angle. 1. A method for virtual aperture array radar tracking , comprising:transmitting a first probe signal, the first probe signal having a first phase function;transmitting a second probe signal, the second probe signal having a second phase function;receiving a first set of signal instances corresponding to a first reflected probe signal at a radar receiver in response to reflection of the first probe signal by a tracking target, wherein the radar receiver comprises a set of physical receiver elements;receiving a second set of signal instances corresponding to a second reflected probe signal at the set of receiver elements in response to reflection of the second probe signal by the tracking target;based on at least one of the first set of signal instances or the second set of signal instances, determining a target range between the radar receiver and the tracking target;corresponding the first set of signal instances to the set of physical receiver elements;corresponding the second set of signal instances to a first set of virtual receiver elements; wherein virtual elements of the first set are described in terms of the physical elements of the radar array by an element translation function; andbased on the target range, the first set ...

TRANSMISSIVE IMAGING AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS

Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described. 1405-. (canceled)406. An ultrasound device , comprising:a plurality of ultrasound elements monolithically integrated on a substrate; andtransmit circuitry coupled to the plurality of ultrasound elements, monolithically integrated on the substrate with the plurality of ultrasound elements, and configured to control transmission of ultrasound signals by the plurality of ultrasound elements, the transmit circuitry including at least one waveform generator configurable to produce a chirp, a continuous wave, and a coded excitation.407. The ultrasound device of claim 406 , wherein the plurality of ultrasound elements and the transmit circuitry claim 406 , including the waveform generator claim 406 , define a solid state device.408. The ultrasound device of claim 406 , further comprising a receive circuitry configured to receive an ultrasound signal responsive to a signal transmitted by the transmit circuitry and convert the received ultrasound signal into a digital data stream.409. The ultrasound device of claim 408 , wherein the transmit circuitry claim 408 , including the waveform generator claim 408 , and the receive circuitry define a solid state device.410. The ultrasound device of claim 408 , further comprising wireless communication circuitry integrated on the substrate and configured to wirelessly communicate the digital data stream off the ultrasound device.411. The ultrasound device of claim 406 , wherein at least one ultrasound element defines a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT).412. The ultrasound device of claim 406 , wherein the substrate is ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VIRTUAL APERATURE RADAR TRACKING

A system for virtual aperture array radar tracking includes a transmitter that transmits first and second probe signals; a receiver array including a first plurality of radar elements positioned along a first radar axis; and a signal processor that calculates a target range from first and second reflected probe signals, corresponds signal instances of the first reflected probe signal to physical receiver elements of the radar array, corresponds signal instances of the second reflected probe signal to virtual elements of the radar array, calculates a first target angle between a first reference vector and a first projected target vector from the first reflected probe signal, and calculates a position of the tracking target relative to the radar array from the target range and first target angle. 1. A system for virtual aperture array radar tracking comprises:a transmitter that transmits first and second probe signals, the first probe signal having a first phase function and the second probe signal having a second phase function;a receiver array, comprising a first plurality of radar elements positioned along a first radar axis, that receives a first reflected probe signal in response to reflection of the first probe signal by a tracking target and a second reflected probe signal at the radar array in response to reflection of the second probe signal by the tracking target; wherein the tracking target and radar array are connected by a target vector; anda signal processor that calculates a target range from at least one of the first and second reflected probe signals, corresponds signal instances of the first reflected probe signal to physical receiver elements of the radar array, corresponds signal instances of the second reflected probe signal to virtual elements of the radar array, calculates a first target angle between a first reference vector and a first projected target vector from the first reflected probe signal, and calculates a position of the tracking ...

3D IMAGING USING A BIAS-SENSITIVE CROSSED-ELECTRODE ARRAY

A method and system for imaging a sample uses a 2D array of bias-sensitive, ultrasound transducers arranged in first and second strips, and a source of radiation to stimulate the sample to be imaged. The second electrode strips are sequentially biased according to sequential biasing patterns of voltages that correspond to rows or columns of an invertible matrix. For each biasing pattern, signals are measured from the first electrode strips to detect return signals from the sample that result from the sample being stimulated. A dataset is calculated based on the measured signals, the dataset comprising an effective signal for each of a plurality of transducer elements in the array. An image of the sample is generated based on the dataset. 1. A method of imaging a sample , comprising the steps of:providing a 2D array of bias-sensitive, ultrasound transducers, each ultrasound transducer having first and second electrodes on opposite sides of a transducer element, the respective first electrodes being connected in plural first electrode strips, and the respective second electrodes being connected in plural second electrode strips, the plural first electrode strips being oriented at an angle to the plural second electrode strips, the angle being substantially different from zero;stimulating the sample to be imaged using an incident radiation source;sequentially biasing the second electrode strips according to sequential biasing patterns of voltages that correspond to rows or columns of an invertible matrix;for each biasing pattern, measuring signals from the first electrode strips to detect return signals from the sample that result from the sample being stimulated;calculating a dataset based on the measured signals, the dataset comprising an effective signal for each of a plurality of transducer elements in the array; andgenerating an image of the sample based on the dataset.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein calculating the dataset comprises applying the invertible ...

Method for the characterization of objects

Method for characterizing an object by means of distance measurement, the method comprising the following steps: determining, in particular line-wise, elevation profiles using distance measurement, and evaluating the determined elevation profiles for a characterization of the object, wherein the characterization comprises the position and/or at least one object-specific parameter of the object. 1. A method for characterizing an object using distance measurement , the method comprising:a) determining elevation profiles based on a distance measurement, andb) evaluating the determined elevation profiles for a characterization of the object,wherein the characterization comprises at least one of a position and at least one object-specific parameter of the object.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising determining the position of the object claim 1 ,wherein surface elements are determined based on the determined elevation profiles,wherein normal vectors are determined for each of the surface elements, wherein the normal vectors originate from the respective surface element, andwherein a point of intersection, a point having a highest intersection density, or a mean value of all points of intersection of the normal vectors is determined as the position of the object.3. The method of claim 2 , whereina region B with an area A is determined, within which the object is located, and{'sub': '1', 'sup': '2', 'wherein a maximum length of the normal vectors is limited to a region B′ with an area C·A which is arranged symmetrically with respect to the origin of the normal vector,'}{'sub': '1', 'where Cis greater than 1.'}4. The method of claim 2 , whereina region B with an area A is determined, within which the object is located, and{'sub': '2', 'sup': '2', 'wherein a minimum length of the normal vectors is limited to a region B″ with a surface C·A which is arranged symmetrically with respect to the origin of the normal vector,'}{'sub': '2', 'where Cis smaller than 1.'}5. The ...

pMUT ARRAY FOR ULTRASONIC IMAGING, AND RELATED APPARATUSES, SYSTEMS, AND METHODS

Piezoelectric Micromachined Ultrasound Transducer (pMUT) arrays for ultrasonic imaging, and related apparatuses, systems, and methods are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic imaging assembly comprises a substrate and a plurality of array elements arranged on the substrate in an array. Each array element comprises at least one pMUT disposed on the substrate each having a geometry configured to accept a predetermined fundamental mode vibration. The plurality of array elements are configured to transmit and receive at least one ultrasound beam based on the predetermined fundamental mode vibration. By sizing the pMUTs to correspond to a desired fundamental mode vibration, the pMUT array has improved sensitivity, and can be produced relatively cheaply compared to conventional dicing methods.

TRANSMIT/RECEIVE SYSTEM FOR IMAGING DEVICES

A transmit/receive system for an imaging device includes a transmit circuit configured to generate and output test pulses to a transducer of a probe to cause the probe to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object. A receive circuit is configured to receive, from the transducer, a composite signal that includes the test pulses output by the transmit circuit and a reflected signal corresponding to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object and filter the test pulses from the composite signal and output the reflected signal in accordance with a predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal. 1. A transmit/receive system for an imaging device , the transmit/receive system comprising:a transmit circuit configured to generate and output test pulses to a transducer of a probe to cause the probe to propagate an ultrasonic wave through an object; and receive, from the transducer, a composite signal that includes (i) the test pulses output by the transmit circuit and (ii) a reflected signal, wherein the reflected signal corresponds to reflected waves sensed by the transducer in response to the ultrasonic wave propagated through the object, and', 'filter the test pulses from the composite signal and output the reflected signal in accordance with a predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal., 'a receive circuit configured to'}2. The transmit/receive system of claim 1 , wherein claim 1 , to filter the test pulses claim 1 , the receive circuit includes a filter circuit configured to filter the test pulses in accordance with a cutoff frequency that is less than the predetermined minimum frequency of the reflected signal.3. The transmit/receive system of claim 2 , wherein the filter circuit includes a diode bridge.4. The transmit/receive system of claim 3 , wherein the diode bridge includes diodes having forward transit times that are greater than a predetermined value claim 3 , wherein the ...

Ultrasound imaging system, and a processing device used inside said ultrasound imaging system

The ultrasound imaging system comprises an ultrasound probe ( 3 ) and computer ( 20 ) for controlling the ultrasound probe and for visualizing an image. The system comprises a processing device located between the probe and the computer that comprises a processing unit ( 15 ) to operate an imaging method and switch unit ( 13 ) for routing the input and output data.

TRANSMIT/RECEIVE SYSTEMS FOR IMAGING DEVICES

A transmit circuit outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object. A composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer. A receive circuit receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and includes a filter circuit that filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal. An impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range. A clipper circuit limits a magnitude of an output of the filter circuit. An amplifier amplifies the output of the filter circuit and that outputs an amplified voltage. A processing module generates a signal for displaying the image of the test object based on the amplified voltage. 1. A transceiver for an ultrasonic imaging device , comprising:a transmit circuit that outputs test pulses to a probe including a transducer to generate an image of a test object,wherein a composite signal including the test pulses and a reflected signal is output by the transducer;a receive circuit that receives the composite signal including the test pulses and the reflected signal and that includes a filter circuit that filters the test pulses from the composite signal and passes the reflected signal,wherein an impedance of the filter circuit is equal to substantially zero when the reflected signal is within a predetermined frequency range;a clipper circuit that limits a magnitude of an output of the filter circuit;an amplifier that amplifies the output of the filter circuit and that outputs an amplified voltage; anda processing module that generates a signal for displaying the image of the test object based on the amplified voltage.2. The transceiver of wherein the filter circuit includes a diode bridge claim 1 , wherein diodes of the diode bridge have forward transit times that are greater than one divided by a product of 2π and a ...

Systems and methods for ultrasound beamforming

A system for ultrasound beamforming is provided, including a sampled analog beamformer, an array of ultrasound transducers, and a high voltage amplifier coupled to the sampled analog beamformer and the array of ultrasound transducers. The sampled analog beamformer includes a sampled analog filter for filtering an incoming analog signal and adding a fractional delay, and transmitting a filtered analog ultrasound signal. The array of ultrasound transducers further transmits the filtered analog ultrasound signal. The high voltage amplifier drives transducers in the array of ultrasound transducers.

PORTABLE ULTRASOUND IMAGING DEVICES

A portal ultrasound imaging apparatus having an adjustable hinge assembly, which includes a key having a narrower end and an end wider in the circumferential direction of the hinge assembly. The key is movable in a slot in an axial direction of the hinge assembly to a locked position, where the side surfaces of the key presses against the walls of the slot to eliminate circumferential gaps between the key and the slot. When at the locked position in the slot, the key can be pushed towards the opposite of the axial direction to an unlocked position where an angular lock of the hinge assembly is released, allowing the hinge assembly to be adjusted to a desired angular coupling. The key can then be pushed in the axial direction back to the locked position in the slot to prevent change in the coupling angle of the hinge assembly. 1. A portable ultrasound imaging apparatus , comprising:a housing;a display device amounted on the housing;a processor disposed within the housing and coupled with the display device to present ultrasound images;a beamformer disposed within the housing and coupled with the processor to control an ultrasound transducer;a support component hingedly coupled with the housing to allow the support component to rotate with respect to the housing about an axis parallel to an edge of the display device; andan adjustable assembly coupled between the support component and the housing;wherein when the adjustable assembly is in a first configuration, the support component is locked to the housing with respect to rotation about the axis;wherein when the adjustable assembly is in a second configuration, the support component is rotatable about the axis with respect to the housing; a key extending in parallel to the axis; and', 'walls extending in parallel to the key to define a slot configured to accommodate the key;, 'wherein the adjustable assembly includes'}wherein when the key moves in a first direction parallel to the axis to a first position in the slot ...

Ultrasound apparatuses and methods for fabricating ultrasound devices

Aspects of the technology described herein relate to an ultrasound device including a first die that includes an ultrasonic transducer, a first application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) that is bonded to the first die and includes a pulser, and a second ASIC in communication with the second ASIC that includes integrated digital receive circuitry. In some embodiments, the first ASIC may be bonded to the second ASIC and the second ASIC may include analog processing circuitry and an analog-to-digital converter. In such embodiments, the second ASIC may include a through-silicon via (TSV) facilitating communication between the first ASIC and the second ASIC. In some embodiments, SERDES circuitry facilitates communication between the first ASIC and the second ASIC and the first ASIC includes analog processing circuitry and an analog-to-digital converter. In some embodiments, the technology node of the first ASIC is different from the technology node of the second ASIC.

ANALOG BEAMFORMER

An analog beamformer includes: an input circuit configured to receive an input signal to generate a first input signal having the same phase as the input signal and a second input signal having a phase difference corresponding to a first phase with respect to the input signal; a first delay circuit configured to delay the first input signal to output a first delayed signal; a second delay circuit configured to delay the second input signal to output a second delayed signal; and an output circuit configured to output an output signal by summing the first delayed signal and the second delayed signal, wherein a first write signal has the phase difference corresponding to the first phase with respect to a second write signal, and a first read signal has the phase difference corresponding to the first phase with respect to a second read signal. 1. An analog beamformer comprising:an input circuit configured to receive an input signal to generate a first input signal having the same phase as the input signal and a second input signal having a phase difference corresponding to a first phase with respect to the input signal;a first delay circuit configured to receive the first input signal and delay the first input signal by a beamforming delay time to output a first delayed signal;a second delay circuit configured to receive the second input signal and delay the second input signal by the beamforming delay time to output a second delayed signal; andan output circuit configured to output an output signal by summing the first delayed signal and the second delayed signal,wherein a first write signal controlling an input of the first delay circuit has the phase difference corresponding to the first phase with respect to a second write signal controlling an input of the second delay circuit, and a first read signal controlling an output of the first delay circuit has the phase difference corresponding to the first phase with respect to a second read signal controlling an output ...

MEASUREMENT AND IMAGING INSTRUMENTS AND BEAMFORMING METHOD

A measurement and imaging instrument capable of beamforming with high speed and high accuracy without approximate calculation. The instrument includes a reception unit which receives a wave arriving from a measurement object to generate a reception signal; and an instrument main body which performs a lateral modulation while superposing two waves in a two-dimensional case and three or four waves in a three-dimensional case in beamforming processing of the reception signal in which at least one wave arriving from the measurement object is processed as being transmitted or received in the axial direction or directions symmetric with respect to the axial direction to generate a multi-dimensional reception signal, performs Hilbert transform with respect to the multi-dimensional reception signal, and performs partial derivative processing or one-dimensional Fourier transform to generate analytic signals of the multi-dimensional reception signals of the two waves or the three or four waves. 1. A transmission instrument comprising:at least one first wave source configured to transmit at least one first wave, which includes plural different frequency components in at least one direction including a direction different from a propagation direction in a multi-dimensional space, to at least one point of interest within at least one of an observation object, a medium, a second wave source, and a propagating second wave generated by said second wave source, and thereby generate at least one third wave, which is a band-widened and sidelobe-reduced wave in said at least one direction and which includes at least one of a frequency-increased component and a frequency-decreased component in said at least one direction, as a result of generation of at least one of (i) a higher or lower harmonic tone wave due to an effect of exponentiation or multiplication of the same frequency component, and (ii) a chord or different tone wave due to an effect of multiplication of plural different ...

Transmit/receive isolation for an ultrasound system

A transmit/receive isolation for an ultrasound system to block a high voltage transmit signal from being propagated to a receiving unit during a transmission period of an ultrasound signal is disclosed. An ultrasound system includes a switching unit coupled to a transmitting unit, a ultrasound probe and a receiving unit. The switching unit includes diode bridges and a switching module having pairs of switches connected to the respective diode bridges, wherein each pair of switches is configured to perform switching between a plus voltage and a minus voltage to forward-bias a corresponding diode bridge to allow a respective receive signal to be propagated to the receiving unit in a first state and to reverse-bias the corresponding diode bridge to block a respective transmit signal to be propagated to the receiving unit in a second state.

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus

The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transducer; a driving signal generation unit configured to generate a driving signal; and a transmission circuit configured to output a driving current corresponding to the driving signal, so as to drive the transducer, the transmission circuit includes: a transducer driving unit formed by a current mirror with a low voltage transistor and a high voltage transistor, the high voltage transistor being connected with the transducer, and a current source configured to supply an operation current corresponding to the driving signal to the low voltage transistor of the transducer driving unit, the driving signal generation unit includes: a transmission circuit driving unit replica that has a configuration same as that of the transducer driving unit, and a feedback control unit to detect a current flowing through a high voltage transistor of the transmission circuit driving unit replica, and to control the current to be constant.

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. 1. An apparatus , comprising:a substrate;a plurality of ultrasound transmission units integrated with the substrate; anda delay mesh circuitry integrated with the substrate, coupled to inputs of the plurality of ultrasound transmission units and configured to output to the plurality of ultrasound transmission units a plurality of time-delayed versions of a delay mesh circuitry input signal corresponding to a waveform generated by a waveform generator.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising:the waveform generator integrated with the substrate and having an output coupled to an input of encoding circuitry; andthe encoding circuitry integrated with the substrate and having an output coupled to an input of the delay mesh circuitry.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the encoding circuitry is further configured to:generate the delay mesh circuitry input signal at least in part by encoding the waveform generated by the waveform generator; andoutput the delay mesh circuitry input signal to the delay mesh circuitry.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ultrasound transmission units comprises a plurality of decoding circuits and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers claim 1 , each of the plurality of ultrasound transmission units comprising at least one of the plurality of decoding circuits and at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers.5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein at least one of the plurality of decoding circuits is configured to decode at least one of the plurality of time-delayed versions of the delay mesh circuitry input signal to obtain a plurality of decoded waveforms.6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein the ...

ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein. 1. An ultrasound device , comprising:a plurality of independently controllable ultrasonic transducer elements disposed on a substrate.2. The ultrasound device of claim 1 , wherein the substrate is a semiconductor substrate and the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements comprise capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUTs).3. The ultrasound device of claim 1 , further comprising a hand-held housing in which the substrate is disposed.4. The ultrasound device of claim 1 , further comprising transmit circuitry disposed on the substrate and configured to independently control the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements.5. The ultrasound device of claim 4 , wherein the transmit circuitry comprises analog and digital circuitry.6. A hand-held ultrasound device for placement on a subject claim 4 , the hand-held ultrasound device comprising:a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements;a plurality of transmit control circuits comprising a plurality of waveform generators that drive a plurality of pulsers coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements with a plurality of bias levels coupled to the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements; anda housing to support the plurality of ultrasonic transducer ...

MONOLITHIC ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICES, SYSTEMS AND METHODS

To implement a single-chip ultrasonic imaging solution, on-chip signal processing may be employed in the receive signal path to reduce data bandwidth and a high-speed serial data module may be used to move data for all received channels off-chip as digital data stream. The digitization of received signals on-chip allows advanced digital signal processing to be performed on-chip, and thus permits the full integration of an entire ultrasonic imaging system on a single semiconductor substrate. Various novel waveform generation techniques, transducer configuration and biasing methodologies, etc., are likewise disclosed. HIFU methods may additionally or alternatively be employed as a component of the “ultrasound-on-a-chip” solution disclosed herein. 1. An ultrasound device , comprising:a solid state semiconductor substrate supporting:a plurality of ultrasound elements including a first ultrasound element having at least one first capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer (CMUT) and a second ultrasound element having at least one second CMUT;a first programmable waveform generator coupled to the first ultrasound element and configured to provide a first ultrasound waveform to the first CMUT, the first programmable waveform generator having one or more configurable operating parameters;a second programmable waveform generator coupled to the second ultrasound element and configured to provide a second ultrasound waveform to the second CMUT, the second programmable waveform generator having one or more configurable operating parameters;a controller configured to control values of a first configurable operating parameter of the first programmable waveform generator and a second configurable operating parameter of the second programmable waveform generator;a first analog-to-digital converter (ADC) coupled to the first ultrasound element and configured to convert an analog signal provided by the first ultrasound element into a digital signal;a second ADC coupled to the ...

TRANSMISSIVE IMAGING AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS

Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described. 1419-. (canceled)420. An apparatus comprising:a flexible support; anda plurality of ultrasound elements disposed on the flexible support and configured as high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) elements, the plurality of ultrasound elements being arranged to emit ultrasound radiation of sufficient intensity to induce a change in a state of a tissue.421. The apparatus of claim 420 , wherein the plurality of ultrasound elements is a first plurality of ultrasound elements claim 420 , and further comprising a second plurality of ultrasound elements configured as ultrasound imaging elements and disposed on the flexible support.422. The apparatus of claim 421 , wherein at least some ultrasound elements of the first plurality of ultrasound elements are interspersed with at least some ultrasound elements of the second plurality ultrasound element.423. The apparatus of claim 421 , wherein at least some ultrasound elements of the first plurality of ultrasound elements are interleaved with at least some ultrasound elements of the second plurality ultrasound element.424. The apparatus of claim 421 , wherein the first plurality of ultrasound elements and the second plurality of ultrasound elements are arranged in combination in a checkerboard pattern.425. The apparatus of claim 420 , wherein the plurality of ultrasound elements comprises first and second ultrasound elements claim 420 , the first and second ultrasound elements being movable relative to one another.426. The apparatus of claim 420 , wherein the plurality of ultrasound elements are configured to collectively define a ...

Transmissive imaging and related apparatus and methods

Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described.

Object sensing apparatus and object sensing method

An object sensing apparatus includes an object sensing unit to sense an object using a direct wave, being a reflected wave received by a sensor having transmitted a probing wave among a plurality of ultrasonic sensors, and an indirect wave, being a reflected wave received by a sensor different from the sensor having transmitted the probing wave among the ultrasonic sensors, and a temperature change detection unit to detect a predetermined temperature change state where temperature change of a predetermined value or more has occurred or a possibility of the temperature change occurs in an ambient temperature of the moving object. When the predetermined temperature change state is detected by the temperature change detection unit, the object sensing unit performs sensing suppression control not to sense the object using the indirect wave or to make it difficult to sense the object using the indirect wave.

BEAM FORMING APPARATUS, METHOD FOR FORMING BEAMS, ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS, AND ULTRASONIC PROBE

A beam forming apparatus may include a first combiner configured to combine signals in a plurality of groups individually for each group to generate first composite signals and a second combiner configured to combine the first composite signals using a weight applied variously depending on the first composite signals.

ACOUSTIC PROBE WITH COMPONENTS OF ACOUSTIC ELEMENTS HAVING DIFFERENT PITCHES THAN EACH OTHER

An acoustic probe includes a plurality of acoustic array components separated and spaced apart from each other. Each of the acoustic array components includes: an array of acoustic element circuits disposed contiguous to each other at a first pitch; a plurality of pads each corresponding to one of the acoustic element circuits and formed within a circuitry area of the corresponding acoustic element circuit, the pads being disposed at a second pitch; a plurality of interconnection bumps each corresponding to one of the pads and being disposed in electrical connection with the corresponding pad, wherein the interconnection bumps are disposed at a third pitch; and a plurality of acoustic transducer elements on the interconnection bumps. The acoustic transducer elements are disposed at a fourth pitch. At least two of the first, second, third, and fourth pitches are different than each other. 1. A device , comprising: an array of acoustic element circuits disposed contiguous to each other at a first pitch in at least a first direction;', 'a plurality of pads each corresponding to one of the acoustic element circuits and formed within a circuitry area of the corresponding acoustic element circuit, the pads being arranged at a second pitch in at least the first direction;', 'a plurality of interconnection bumps each corresponding to one of the pads and being disposed directly on, and in electrical connection with the corresponding pad, wherein the interconnection bumps are disposed at a third pitch in at least the first direction; and', 'a plurality of acoustic transducer elements disposed directly on the interconnection bumps, wherein the acoustic transducer elements are disposed at a fourth pitch in at least the first direction,', 'wherein at least two of the first, second, third, and fourth pitches are different than each other., 'an acoustic probe having a plurality of acoustic array components separated and spaced apart from each other, each of the acoustic array ...

SYMMETRIC RECEIVER SWITCH FOR BIPOLAR PULSER

Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multilevel pulser is described, which can provide bipolar pulses of multiple levels. The multilevel pulser includes a pulsing circuit and pulser and feedback circuit. Symmetric switches are also described. The symmetric switches can be positioned as inputs to ultrasound receiving circuitry to block signals from the receiving circuitry. 1. A method of operating an ultrasound device , comprising:providing a pulser signal to an ultrasonic transducer during a transmit mode of operation of the ultrasound device;operating a symmetric switch having an input terminal coupled between the ultrasonic transducer and a receiving circuit in an open state during the transmit mode of operation;operating the symmetric switch in a closed state during a receive mode of operation of the ultrasound device; andconverting, using a current-to-voltage converter of the receiving circuit, a current from the ultrasonic transducer to a voltage during the receive mode of operation.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the current-to-voltage converter comprises a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) claim 1 , and converting the current from the ultrasonic transducer to the voltage during the receive mode of operation is performed using the TIA.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the symmetric switch comprises a first transistor and a second transistor claim 1 , the first transistor having a first gate claim 1 , a first source claim 1 , and a first drain claim 1 , and the second transistor having a second gate claim 1 , a second source claim 1 , and a second drain claim 1 , the first gate being connected to the second gate claim 1 , and the first source being connected to the second source claim 1 , and wherein operating the symmetric switch in the open state during the transmit mode of operation of the ultrasound device comprises coupling the first gate claim 1 , the second gate claim 1 , the first source claim 1 , and the second source to a same electric ...

Ultrasonic measurement device

A measuring device is provided, having a housing having a circuit board and processor; a first transducer arranged on a surface of the housing and configured to transmit an ultrasonic pulse towards a target surface; a second transducer adjacent to the first transducer configured to receive a reflection of the ultrasonic pulse off of the target surface; and a thermistor on the surface of the housing adjacent to the first and second transducers and configured to measure air temperature surrounding the device. The processor of the device is configured to measure a time duration between transmitting the ultrasonic pulse by the first transducer and receiving the reflection of the ultrasonic pulse by the second transducer, and to determine a distance between a ground surface upon which the device is resting and the target surface based at least upon the measured time duration and the measured air temperature. 1. A device for measuring the height of an automobile chassis comprising:a housing comprising a circuit board comprising a processor;a first transducer arranged on a surface of the housing and configured to transmit an ultrasonic pulse towards a target surface;a second transducer arranged adjacent to the first transducer configured to receive a reflection of the ultrasonic pulse off of the target surface;a laser pointer arranged on the surface of the housing proximal to the first and second transducers and configured to generate a visible laser directed towards the target surface;a user interface button arranged on the surface of the housing; anda thermistor arranged on the surface of the housing adjacent to the first and second transducers and configured to measure air temperature surrounding the device;wherein the processor of the device is configured to measure a time duration between transmitting the ultrasonic pulse by the first transducer and receiving the reflection of the ultrasonic pulse by the second transducer, and is further configured to determine a ...

Ultrasound Imaging Probe with Sigma-Delta Beamformer and Apodization Therein

An ultrasound transducer probe () includes a transducer array () of elements () that emit an ultrasound signal and receive analog echo signals produced in response thereto and a beamformer (), housed by the probe, that converts the analog echo signals to digital signals, applies delays to the digital signals, and sums the delayed digital signals, produces a value of a bit stream, wherein the beamformer apodizes the signals. 1. An ultrasound transducer probe , comprising:a transducer array of elements that emit an ultrasound signal and receive analog echo signals produced in response thereto; anda beamformer, housed by the probe, that converts the analog echo signals to digital signals, applies delays to the digital signals, and sums the delayed digital signals, produces a value of a bit stream, wherein the beamformer apodizes the signals.2. The probe of claim 1 , the beamformer claim 1 , comprising:a Sigma-Delta modulator for each element, wherein each modulator converts a corresponding analog echo signal to a digital signal.3. The probe of claim 2 , wherein the Sigma-Delta modulators are one of first claim 2 , second or higher order modulators.4. The probe of claim 2 , further comprising:variable feedback control that provides an apodization function to the Sigma-Delta modulator, which uses the apodization function to apodize the signals.5. The probe of claim 4 , wherein the apodization function includes more than five different levels of apodization.6. The probe of claim 5 , wherein each level is represented as a floating or fixed point value.7. The probe of claims 2 , wherein each of the Sigma-Delta modulators includes a feedback loop claims 2 , and respective values of the apodization function scale corresponding values of the feedback loops.8. The probe of claim 2 , further comprising:a buffer for each Sigma-Delta modulator, wherein a buffer stores a digital signal by a corresponding Sigma-Delta modulator;a multiplier for each Sigma-Delta modulator; anda set of ...

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. 125-. (canceled)26. An apparatus , comprising:a waveform generator;encoding circuitry;delay mesh circuitry; and the waveform generator has an output coupled to an input of the encoding circuitry and is configured to generate a waveform;', 'the encoding circuitry has an output coupled to an input of the delay mesh circuitry and is configured to generate a delay mesh circuitry input signal at least in part by encoding the waveform generated by the waveform generator and output the delay mesh circuitry input signal to the delay mesh circuitry; and', 'the delay mesh circuitry is coupled to inputs of the plurality of ultrasound transmission units and configured to output to the plurality of ultrasound transmission units a plurality of time-delayed versions of the delay mesh circuitry input signal., 'a plurality of ultrasound transmission units, wherein27. The apparatus of claim 26 , wherein the plurality of ultrasound transmission units comprises a plurality of decoding circuits and a plurality of ultrasonic transducers claim 26 , each of the plurality of ultrasound transmission units comprising at least one of the plurality of decoding circuits and at least one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers.28. The apparatus of claim 27 , wherein at least one of the plurality of decoding circuits is configured to decode at least one of the plurality of time-delayed versions of the delay mesh circuitry input signal to obtain a decoded waveform.29. The apparatus of claim 28 , wherein the decoded waveform is one of a plurality of decoded waveforms obtained by the plurality of ultrasonic transducers claim 28 , and the plurality of ultrasonic transducers are configured to ...

Systems and methods for interpolated virtual aperature radar tracking

A method for interpolated virtual aperture array radar tracking includes: transmitting first and second probe signals; receiving a first reflected probe signal at a radar array; receiving a second reflected probe signal at the radar array; calculating a target range from at least one of the first and second reflected probe signals; corresponding signal instances of the first reflected probe signal to physical receiver elements of the radar array; corresponding signal instances of the second reflected probe signal to virtual elements of the radar array; interpolating signal instances; calculating a first target angle; and calculating a position of the tracking target relative to the radar array from the target range and first target angle.

ACOUSTIC WAVE IMAGE GENERATION APPARATUS AND ACOUSTIC WAVE IMAGE GENERATION METHOD

An acoustic wave image generation apparatus for generating a photoacoustic image and a Doppler image is provided with a setting unit that sets a region of interest in the Doppler image, and a receiving-aperture controlling unit that sets receiving apertures of an acoustic wave detection probe for detecting photoacoustic waves to apertures smaller than all receiving apertures that the acoustic wave detection probe has, on the basis of a size of the region of interest, and for setting positions of the receiving apertures on the basis of a position of the set region of interest. 1. An acoustic wave image generation apparatus for generating a photoacoustic image on the basis of signals obtained by detecting , using an acoustic wave detection probe , photoacoustic waves produced from within a subject that has received light emitted to the subject and for generating a Doppler image concerning the subject , the acoustic wave image generation apparatus comprising:a setting unit that sets a region of interest in the Doppler image; anda receiving-aperture controlling unit that sets receiving apertures of the acoustic wave detection probe for detecting the photoacoustic waves to apertures smaller than all receiving apertures that the acoustic wave detection probe has, on the basis of a size of the set region of interest, and for setting positions of the receiving apertures of the acoustic wave detection probe for detecting the photoacoustic waves, on the basis of a position of the set region of interest.2. The acoustic wave image generation apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein as the acoustic wave detection probe claim 1 , an acoustic wave detection probe configured such that a plurality of acoustic wave transducers capable of detecting the photoacoustic waves are arranged is used claim 1 , andwherein the receiving-aperture controlling unit blocks photoacoustic wave detection signals output from at least a part of acoustic wave transducers other than acoustic wave ...

CALCULATING VELOCITY OF MOVING OBJECTS WITH TIME OF FLIGHT OF ULTRASOUND PULSES AND RECTIFYING DETECTING DEPTH WITH REDUCED ULTRASOUND SPEED

During transmission the speed of ultrasound pulses gradually reduces due to their energy loss. So, calculating the detecting depth with fixed transmitting speed may distort two dimensional images due to the reduction of pulse speed. Correcting TOF error will rectify the depth registration and improve the quality of images. 1. Rectifying the errors of ultrasound traveling distance caused by its speed reduction registers correct detecting depth. During the transmission , the ultrasound speeds gradually reduce due to the loss of their energy caused by the acoustic impedance. So , calculation of detecting depth according to fixed ultrasound speed will distort images. Correctly registering the errors of detecting depth due to the speed reduction of ultrasound pulses during the transmission improves the quality of images.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein ultrasound speed reducing coefficient can be used to correct the registration of the detecting depth. The Ultrasound speed reducing coefficient equals to the product of acoustic impedance and attenuation coefficient. The depth shift of ultrasound pulses equals to the half value of the product of speed reducing coefficient and traveling time. V is the general speed of ultrasound pulses in the transmitting medium. t is the traveling time between transmitting and receiving pulses. Calculated depth is the depth based on general ultrasound speed and traveling time of ultrasound pulses between transmitting and receiving.{'br': None, 'Speed reducing coefficient=acoustic impedance×attenuation coefficient'}{'br': None, 'Depth shift=speed reducing coefficient×t/2'}{'br': None, 'Calculated depth=V×t/2'}{'br': None, 'Corrected detecting depth=calculated depth−depth shift'}3. The thickness of activated piezoelectric materials is directly related to the length and quantity of ultrasound pulses claim 1 , and increasing the thickness of activated piezoelectric materials will generate the longer ultrasound pulses with greater quantity.4. ...

IMAGE SENSOR FOR LARGE AREA ULTRASOUND MAPPING

An image sensor includes a source configured to output ultrasound, a probe for emitting the ultrasound onto a scan area, the probe being moveable relative to at least two scan locations of the scan area such that the ultrasound will be focused on each of the at least two scan locations as the probe is moved relative to the scan area to provide an array of scanned images, an ultrasonic, two-dimensional array receiver configured to receive ultrasound reflected from each of the at least two scan locations, and a processing unit configured to generate, for a first of the scan locations, a two-dimensional image of the first scan location based on an intensity of the reflected ultrasound from the first scan location, and to generate an aggregate two-dimensional image for the first scan location which integrates plural two-dimensional images generated using reflected ultrasound of the at least two scan locations. 1. An ultrasonic image sensor , comprising:an ultrasonic source configured to output ultrasound;a probe for emitting the ultrasound onto a scan area, the probe being moveable relative to at least two adjacent scan locations of the scan area such that the ultrasound will be focused on each of the at least two scan locations as the probe is moved relative to the scan area to provide an array of scanned images;an ultrasonic, two-dimensional array receiver configured to receive ultrasound reflected from each of the at least two scan locations; anda processing unit configured to generate, for a first of the two scan locations, a two-dimensional image of the first scan location based on an intensity of the reflected ultrasound from the first scan location, and to generate an aggregate two-dimensional image for the first scan location which integrates plural two-dimensional images generated using reflected ultrasound of the at least two scan locations based on a position of the probe relative to the at least scan locations, respectively.2. The ultrasonic image sensor ...

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR OFFLOADING ULTRASOUND DATA

Aspects of the technology described herein relate to wirelessly offloading, from a wearable ultrasound device, ultrasound data sufficient for forming one or more ultrasound images therefrom. The wearable ultrasound device may include an ultrasound patch. Indications that may be monitored with such a device, and therapeutic uses that may be provided by such a device, are also described. Methods and apparatuses are also described for compounding multilines of ultrasound data on an ultrasound device configured to collect the ultrasound data. Additionally, certain aspects of the technology relate to non-uniform grouping of ultrasound transducers that share a transmit/receive circuit in an ultrasound device. 1. An apparatus comprising an ultrasound device configured to collect ultrasound data and compound multilines of the ultrasound data.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound device is configured claim 1 , when compounding the multilines of the ultrasound data claim 1 , to:collect N first multilines of the ultrasound data following a first ultrasound transmit event;collect N second multilines of the ultrasound data following a second ultrasound transmit event that is subsequent to the first ultrasound transmit event; andcompound N−p of the first multilines and N−p of the second multilines, wherein p is a pitch factor of the first and second multilines of ultrasound data and is less than N.3. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein compounding comprises incoherent compounding.4. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein compounding comprises coherent compounding.5. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein N is between 2-32 and p is between 1-8.6. The apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the ultrasound device is further configured to offload claim 2 , following the first ultrasound transmit event claim 2 , p multilines of the first multilines.7. The apparatus of claim 6 , wherein the ultrasound device is further configured to truncate the p multilines of the first multilines to 12 ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE CONTROL METHOD

An ultrasound diagnostic device includes a propagation information estimator that evaluates reliability of wavefront arrival time data in the wavefront arrival time frame data and, for reliability nonconformance wavefront arrival time data in the wavefront arrival time frame data that does not satisfy a predefined condition, generates compensated wavefront arrival time data by interpolation based on wavefront arrival time data that does satisfy the predefined condition, replaces the reliability nonconformance wavefront arrival time data with the compensated wavefront arrival time data, and generates compensated wavefront arrival time frame data; and an elastic modulus calculator that calculates shear wave propagation speed and/or elastic modulus frame data in the region of interest, based on the compensated wavefront arrival time frame data. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic device that causes a probe to transmit a push wave focused on a specific site in a subject and detects propagation speed of a shear wave generated by acoustic radiation force of the push wave , the probe being connectable to the ultrasound diagnostic device and including transducers arranged in a row , the ultrasound diagnostic device comprising:ultrasound signal processing circuitry, the ultrasound signal processing circuitry comprising:a push wave pulse transmitter that supplies a push wave pulse to a plurality of the transducers that causes the plurality of the transducers to transmit the push wave;a detection wave pulse transmitter that, a plurality of times after the push wave pulse, supplies a detection wave pulse to a plurality of the transducers that causes the plurality of the transducers to transmit a detection wave that passes through a region of interest that represents a range to be analyzed in the subject;a detection wave receiver that generates acoustic line signals with respect to observation points in the region of interest, based on reflected detection waves that correspond to the ...

MULTILEVEL BIPOLAR PULSER

Circuitry for ultrasound devices is described. A multilevel pulser is described, which can provide bipolar pulses of multiple levels. The multilevel pulser includes a pulsing circuit and pulser and feedback circuit. Symmetric switches are also described. The symmetric switches can be positioned as inputs to ultrasound receiving circuitry to block signals from the receiving circuitry. 1. An apparatus , comprising:a complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) die having an ultrasonic transducer and an integrated circuit formed thereon, wherein the integrated circuit comprises a pulser and a feedback circuit.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the pulser is a multi-level pulser configured to generate at least three voltage levels.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein:the pulser comprises an input terminal and an output terminal;the feedback circuit comprises an input terminal and an output terminal;the input terminal of the pulser is coupled to the output terminal of the feedback circuit;the output terminal of the pulser is coupled to the ultrasonic transducer and the input terminal of the feedback circuit;the pulser is configured to provide an input signal to the ultrasonic transducer; andthe feedback circuit is configured to provide a control signal to the pulser based on a detection signal representing or derived from the input signal.4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the feedback circuit further comprises a dividing circuit configured to generate the detection signal such that the detection signal is proportional to the input signal.5. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the feedback circuit further comprises a level shifter configured to adapt a voltage of the control signal to a voltage compatible with the pulser.6. The apparatus of claim 5 , wherein:the pulser comprises a first transistor exhibiting a first type of conductivity and a second transistor exhibiting a second type of conductivity different from the first type of conductivity;the level shifter ...

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

A portable medical diagnostic ultrasound system is provided which includes shielding for electromagnetic interference by forming shielded enclosed compartments around the individual components of the ultrasound system. This compartmentalization of components isolates EMI between the components themselves as well as the outside world. Further, the EMI shielding provides structural rigidity and support for the entire ultrasound system. In another aspect, the EMI shielding provides heat dissipation capability for the internal components of the ultrasound system. The portable medical diagnostic ultrasound system further provides a transducer connector which provides high density interconnects between the transducer and the ultrasound system while providing an ergonomically easy to handle connector. Further, the connector is rugged, providing a high number of connection and disconnection cycles.

Low power ultrasound system