BEAMFORMING METHOD, BEAMFORMING APPARATUS, AND MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM PERFORMING THE BEAMFORMING METHOD

A beamforming apparatus includes a storage for storing a plurality of basis vectors obtained from a beamforming coefficient of a previously-measured echo signal; a weight calculator for calculating a weight to be applied to an echo signal reflected from a target; and a synthesizer for applying the weight to the echo signal reflected from the target and synthesizing signals to which the weight is applied. 1. A beamforming apparatus comprising:a storage which stores a plurality of basis vectors obtained from beamforming coefficients of previously-measured echo signals;a weight calculator which calculates weights to be applied to echo signals reflected from a target, by using the plurality of basis vectors; anda synthesizer which applies the weights to corresponding echo signals reflected from the target, and synthesizes the echo signals to which the weights are applied.2. The beamforming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a projector which projects the echo signals reflected from the target on at least one of the plurality of basis vectors claim 1 ,wherein the weight calculator calculates the weights by using the projected echo signals, andthe synthesizer applies the weights to the projected echo signals, and synthesizes the projected echo signals to which the weights are applied.3. The beamforming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the projector projects a steering vector on the at least one of the plurality of basis vectors claim 2 ,the weight calculator calculates the weights by using the projected echo signals and the projected steering vector, andthe synthesizer applies the weights to the projected echo signals, and synthesizes the echo signals to which the weights are applied.4. The beamforming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a number of the basis vectors on which the projector projects the echo signal is determined by a user.5. The beamforming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the storage stores the plurality of basis vectors obtained by performing a principal ...

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 ...

BEAMFORMER, BEAMFORMING METHOD, ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS, AND CONTROL METHOD OF ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS

Disclosed herein is a beamformer that performs beamforming, including a weight computation processor configured to compute a covariance of a conversion signal which is obtainable by converting an input signal using at least one conversion function, approximate the computed covariance to a Toeplitz matrix form, and compute a conversion signal weight that is a weight for the conversion signal based on the approximation result, and a synthesizer configured to generate an output signal using the conversion signal weight computed by the weight computation processor. 1. A beamformer comprising:a weight computation processor configured to compute a covariance of a conversion signal which is obtainable by converting an input signal using at least one conversion function, to approximate the computed covariance to a Toeplitz matrix form, and to compute an input signal weight which includes at least one from among a direct weight for the input signal and a conversion signal weight that is a weight for the conversion signal based on a result of the approximating; anda synthesizer configured to generate an output signal using the computed input signal weight.2. The beamformer according to claim 1 , wherein the weight computation processor is further configured to compute an approximate matrix by using a result of the approximating claim 1 , inverting the computed approximate matrix claim 1 , and computing the conversion signal weight by using a result of the inverting.5. The beamformer according to claim 4 , wherein the steering vector vincludes a steering vector that is converted by using at least one conversion function.6. The beamformer according to claim 4 , wherein the conversion signal weight includes a weight that is assigned to the at least one conversion function in order to compute an optimal value of the input signal weight.7. The beamformer according to claim 4 , wherein the weight computation processor includes a converter which is configured to compute the ...

BEAMFORMING DEVICE, ULTRASONIC IMAGING DEVICE, AND BEAMFORMING METHOD ALLOWING SIMPLE SPATIAL SMOOTHING OPERATION

A beamforming device, an ultrasonic imaging device, and a beamforming method, which allow a simple spatial smoothing operation, are disclosed. A beamforming device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a spatial smoothing unit for transforming a received signal into another space, using a transformation function configured by low frequency components, calculating a transformed signal by a spatial smoothing operation using a transformation function in a transformation space, and estimating an averaged spatial covariance matrix; a weighted value operation unit for operating a weighted value of the transformed signal from the averaged spatial covariance matrix which has been estimated by the spatial smoothing operation; and a synthesis unit for generating a beam signal, using the transformed signal and the weighted value of the transformed signal. 1. A beamforming apparatus comprising:a spatial smoothing unit configured to transform received signals into another space by using a transform function composed of low-frequency components, calculate transformed signals by a spatial smoothing operation employing the transform function in the transformed space, and estimate an averaged spatial covariance matrix;a weight calculation unit configured to calculate weights of the transformed signals from the averaged spatial covariance matrix estimated by the spatial smoothing operation; anda synthesis unit configured to generate a beam signal by using the transformed signals and the weights of the transformed signals.2. The beamforming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the spatial smoothing unit leaves the low-frequency components of the transform function claim 1 , removes high-frequency components claim 1 , and then generates the transformed signals by transforming the received signals into the other space with a transform function composed of the remaining low-frequency components to reduce dimensions of a spatial covariance matrix of each of the received ...

BEAMFORMING APPARATUS, ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS, AND BEAMFORMING METHOD

A beamforming apparatus, an ultrasound imaging apparatus, and a beamforming method are disclosed. The beamforming apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment may include a filter to select predetermined first columns, which correspond to low-frequency components, among columns that composes a transform function; and a beamforming processor to transform an input signal to another space by using a transform function composed of the predetermined selected first columns, and generate a beam signal through signal processing in the transformed space. 1. A beamforming apparatus , comprising:a filter configured to, among components of a transform function, remove high-frequency components and select low-frequency components; anda beamforming processor configured to transform an input signal to another space by using the transform function composed of the selected low-frequency components, and generate a beam signal through signal processing in the transformed space.2. The beamforming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the transform function is composed of orthogonal polynomials.3. The beamforming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the orthogonal polynomials are one of Hermite polynomials claim 2 , Laguerre polynomials claim 2 , Jacobi polynomials claim 2 , Gegenbauer polynomials claim 2 , Chebyshev polynomials claim 2 , the Legendre polynomials.5. The beamforming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the beamforming processor is configured to perform beamforming by using a minimum variance that is based on the orthogonal polynomials in the transformed space.6. The beamforming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the beamforming processor comprises:a transformer configured to generate a transform signal with regard to an input signal by using the transform function;a weight value calculator configured to calculate a transform signal weight value, which is a weight value with regard to the transform signal; anda combiner configured to generate a beam signal by using the transform signal and ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD THEREFOR

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic diagnostic method are provided. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transducer for performing interconversion between an acoustic wave and an electric signal; and a transmitter for controlling the transducer so as to allow a plurality of plane waves to be transmitted through a plurality of sub-apertures. 120.-. (canceled)21. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:a transducer comprising a first transducer and a second transducer that is spatially separated from the first transducer; anda transmitter configured to control the first transducer so as to allow a first plane wave to be transmitted through a first sub-aperture of the first transducer and control the second transducer so as to allow a second plane wave to be transmitted through a second sub-aperture of the second transducer,wherein a position of the first sub-aperture is different from a position of the second sub-aperture.22. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the first and second plane waves are steered plane waves.23. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the first and second plane waves are transmitted sequentially.24. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 21 , wherein the first and second plane waves are transmitted simultaneously.25. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 21 , wherein apodization is applied to at least one of the first and second plane waves.26. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 25 , wherein a window function is applied to at least one of the first and second plane waves as the apodization.27. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 21 , wherein at least one of the first and second plane waves comprises a chirp-type plane wave.28. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 27 , wherein the first plane wave is an up-chirp type plane wave claim 27 , and the second plane wave is a down-chirp type plane wave.29. The ultrasonic diagnostic ...

BEAMFORMING MODULE, ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS USING THE SAME, BEAMFORMING METHOD USING THE BEAMFORMING MODULE, AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS USING THE BEAMFORMING MODULE

A beamforming module includes a conversion unit configured to convert an input signal to generate a converted signal using at least one conversion function, a weight calculator configured to calculate a converted signal weight as a weight for the converted signal, and a synthesizer configured to generate a result signal using the converted signal and the converted signal weight. 1. A beamforming module comprising:a conversion unit configured to convert an input signal to generate a converted signal using at least one conversion function;a weight calculator configured to calculate a converted signal weight for the converted signal; anda synthesizer configured to generate a result signal using the converted signal and the converted signal weight.2. The beamforming module according to claim 1 , wherein the converted signal weight is a weight applied to the at least one conversion function to calculate an optimal input signal weight for the input signal.3. The beamforming module according to claim 1 , wherein the weight calculator calculates the converted signal weight for the converted signal based on the input signal and the at least one conversion function.5. The beamforming module according to claim 4 , wherein the covariance Ris a converted covariance of the input signals obtained using Equation 2 below:{'br': None, 'i': R', '=V', 'RV, 'sub': '1', 'sup': 'H', 'Equation 2'}wherein V represents the at least one conversion function and R represents a covariance of the input signals.6. The beamforming module according to claim 4 , wherein the steering vector vis a converted steering vector obtained using the at least one conversion function v.7. The beamforming module according to claim 1 , wherein the converted signal is generated using Equation 3 below:{'br': None, 'i': u=V', 'x, 'sup': 'H', 'Equation 3'}wherein u represents the converted signal, V represents a conversion function, and x represents the input signal.9. The beamforming module according to claim 1 , ...

Ultrasound system and method for ultrasound data

An ultrasound system and method of forming an ultrasound data corresponding to a receive scan line independent of a synthetic aperture. The ultrasound system includes the ultrasound data forming unit configured to: form scan line data corresponding to each of the receive scan lines by using data provided from the receive channels; form accumulated data by accumulating the scan line data corresponding to the receive scan lines of the same position; set a storing start position for storing the accumulated data based on the transmit synthesizing number; and store the accumulated data by shifting the storing start position by 1, thereby forming ultrasound data corresponding to each of the receive scan linen lines.

Beamforming device, ultrasonic imaging device, and beamforming method allowing simple spatial smoothing operation

A beamforming device, an ultrasonic imaging device, and a beamforming method, which allow a simple spatial smoothing operation, are disclosed. A beamforming device according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises: a spatial smoothing unit for transforming a received signal into another space, using a transformation function configured by low frequency components, calculating a transformed signal by a spatial smoothing operation using a transformation function in a transformation space, and estimating an averaged spatial covariance matrix; a weighted value operation unit for operating a weighted value of the transformed signal from the averaged spatial covariance matrix which has been estimated by the spatial smoothing operation; and a synthesis unit for generating a beam signal, using the transformed signal and the weighted value of the transformed signal.

System of forming ultrasound image and method of forming scan line data

There are provided an ultrasound imaging system and a method of forming a plurality of scan lines and frames by using receiving signals provided by transducers in a probe. Main scan lines, which are selected among the scan lines and supplement scan lines determined with the others, are assigned to each scan line data forming unit in the ultrasound imaging system. A partial data of the main scan line and a first supplement data of the supplement scan line are formed with receive data obtained from receive signals from at least one transducer. A second supplement data provided from other scan line data forming units is applied to the partial data of the main scan line to form a scan line data of the main scan line.

Ultrasound imaging system using multi-stage pulse compression

Disclosed is an ultrasound imaging system based on a multi-stage pulse compression and multi-stage time delaying scheme. In the ultrasound imaging system, a transducer array is grouped into a predetermined number of transducer groups, and the grouped ultrasound signals are processed hierarchically via multi-stage pulse compression and multi-stage time delaying operations so that a finely receive-focused ultrasound signal can be obtained.

Ultrasonic signal focusing method and apparatus for ultrasonic imaging system

An ultrasonic signal focusing method and apparatus is provided, in which an ultrasonic signal reflected from an object is focused at all points from and to which transmission and reception are performed on a scan line. The ultrasonic signal focusing method includes an ultrasonic signal transmission step for moving, focusing and transmission-scanning the transmission scan line in turn, using an array transducer, an ultrasonic signal reception step for receiving all the ultrasonic signals transmitted along the scan lines at the transducer elements which are placed in the location at which reception is enabled, an ultrasonic storing step for storing all the received ultrasonic signals by each scan line, and an ultrasonic focusing step for interpolating an arrival delay amount of the ultrasonic signals stored after arrival at a different point in time and summing the interpolated signal. Thus, all the signals obtained by performing transmission focusing on a number of adjacent scan lines are used to thereby perform reception focusing, to thereby provide the same effect as the case where focal points exists in all the points on the scan line.

Ultrasound diagnostic device and method for forming scan line data

An ultrasound diagnostic device includes a plurality of channels configured to receive data and a scan line data forming unit including a plurality of sub-scan line data forming groups and a data summing unit. The sub-scan line data forming group forms partial data of scan lines, and the data summing unit forms scan line data of the scan lines by summing the partial data. The sub-scan line data forming group includes a plurality of sub-scan line data forming units for forming the partial data of the scan lines by using the receiving data and providing a transmission path of the receiving data. First data lines transmit the receiving data between at least one of the sub-scan data forming unit and the channels, and second data lines transfer the receiving data between the sub-scan line data forming units.

Beam forming device and method, medical image system performing the same, and computer-readable recoding medium

【課題】高解像度の診断画像をより少ない演算量で生成できるビームフォーミング装置及び方法、並びにこれを行う医療画像システムを提供する。 【解決手段】ビームフォーミング装置１００は、既測定のエコー信号のビームフォーミング係数から獲得された複数の基底ベクトルを保存する保存部１１０と、保存された複数の基底ベクトルを利用して、被写体から反射されたエコー信号に適用される加重値を算出する加重値算出部１２０と、保存された複数の基底ベクトルを利用して、被写体から反射されたエコー信号に算出された加重値を適用し、加重値が適用された信号を合成する合成部１３０と、を備える。 【選択図】図１

Ultrasound system and method for adaptively performing clutter filtering

Embodiments of adaptively performing clutter filtering are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from a target object to thereby output a plurality of ultrasound data for obtaining a color Doppler mode image, wherein the target object includes at least one of a tissue and a blood flow; and a processing unit placed in communication with the ultrasound data acquisition unit and being configured to locate the plurality of ultrasound data on a complex plane, the processing unit being further configured to perform a circle fitting upon the plurality of ultrasound data located on the complex plane and perform a downmixing and a clutter filtering upon the circle-fitted ultrasound data in consideration of speed of the tissue.

Ultrasound diagnostic system and method for forming multiple receiving scan lines

Embodiments of the present invention may provide an ultrasound imaging system and method for forming multiple receiving scan lines from one original receiving scan line. Ultrasound signals reflected from one original receiving scan line are converted into analog signals having a center frequency. The analog signals are converted into digital data. The digital data are coarsely delayed, wherein the coarsely delayed data are extracted at a rate of n-times of the center frequency. Data of the multiple receiving scan lines are formed by performing fine delay and interpolation. For the interpolation, parts of the extracted data are selected at a rate of n-times of the center frequency and the multiple receiving scan lines.

Ultrasound diagnostic system and method for forming iq data without quadrature demodulator

An ultrasound diagnostic system and a method for forming IQ data without a quadrature demodulator are disclosed. Ultrasound echoes from a target object are converted into analog signals, which have a center frequency. The analog signals are converted into digital signals and parts of the digital signals are extracted at a rate of n-times of the center frequency, wherein “n” is a positive integer. Focused-receiving signals are formed with the extracted digital signals and IQ data are obtained by selecting at least one pair of the focused-receiving signals. The focused-receiving signals in each pair have a phase difference of λ/4 with respect to each other, where “λ” is a wavelength determined with the center frequency.

Beamforming method, beamforming apparatus, and medical imaging system performing the beamforming method

A beamforming apparatus (100) includes a storage (110) for storing a plurality of basis vectors obtained from a beamforming coefficient of a previously-measured echo signal; a weight calculator (120) for calculating a weight to be applied to an echo signal reflected from a target; and a synthesizer (130) for applying the weight to the echo signal reflected from the target and synthesizing signals to which the weight is applied.

Method and device for calculating focusing delay for real-time degital focus

(57)【要約】 【課題】 超音波映像化システムの実時間ディジタル集 束のための集束遅延計算方法及びその装置を提供する。 【解決手段】 中間点アルゴリズムに基づき集束点が可 変される超音波映像化システムの配列形変換器を構成す る個別変換素子のための集束遅延時間を計算する。遅延 変数計算部はｎ番目の集束点の個別変換素子に対応する 集束基準距離、整数集束遅延距離及び決定変数を用いて ｎ＋１番目の集束点における対応遅延変数を計算する。 更新部は遅延変数計算部により計算された遅延変数を用 いて、個別変換素子に対応する整数集束遅延距離及び決 定変数を生成して遅延変数計算部に供給する。遅延変数 は小数点以下の桁を有する値で表現される。従って、可 変される集束点に対して小数点以下の精度と表現される 集束遅延距離が計算でき、この計算が簡単なハードウェ アの追加のみで実現できるので、その製作費用が低廉に なる。

Focusing delay calculation method for real-time digital focusing and apparatus adopting the same

A focusing delay calculation apparatus for real-time digital focusing_ calculates focusing delay times for individual array elements constituting an array transducer in an ultrasonic imaging system in which a focal point is varied on the basis of a midpoint algorithm. A delay variable calculator uses a focusing reference distance, integer focusing delay distances and decision variables corresponding to an array element at an n- th focal point to calculate a delay variable corresponding to the array element at an (n+1) th focal point. An updating unit uses the delay variable calculated by the delay variable calculator to produce the integer focusing delay distance and the decision variable corresponding to the array element, and then supplies the produced integer focusing delay distance and decision variable to the delay variable calculator. The delay variable is represented as a value having places below a decimal point. Thus, the present invention can calculate a focusing delay distance represented with accuracy below a decimal point with respect to a varied focal point. and implements the calculation of the focusing delay with the addition of simple hardware, accordingly, the manufacturing cost is low.

Adaptive clutter filtering in an ultrasound system

Real time digital reception focusing method and apparatus adopting the same

A real time digital reception focusing apparatus calculates a focusing delay time using information on the center of array transducing element (1A), a corresponding transducing element and a scan line. The focusing delay time with respect to each transducing element is calculated by each transducing element. To calculate the focusing delay time on a real time basis, first coefficient signals output from a plurality of coefficient generators which are disposed in parallel are input to a first multiplexer. The first multiplexer selects one among the first coefficient signals according to a select control signal corresponding to a present decision variable signal. The decision variable signal with respect to the present focal point output from the decision variable generator is used for generation of a decision variable signal in the next focal point. A sampling clock generator calculates an integer focusing delay time for the next focal point and generates a sampling clock in a sampling interval using the integer focusing delay time obtained by the above calculation. Thus, it is possible to design the digital reception focusing apparatus using simple hardware to enable a real time focusing operation. The digital focusing apparatus can be applied to a beam focusing system as well as an ultrasound reception focusing apparatus using an array transducer.

Beamforming module, ultrasonic imaging apparatus using the same, beamforming method using the beamforming module, and method of controlling the ultrasonic imaging apparatus using the beamforming module

A beamforming module includes a conversion unit configured to convert an input signal to generate a converted signal using at least one conversion function, a weight calculator configured to calculate a converted signal weight as a weight for the converted signal, and a synthesizer configured to generate a result signal using the converted signal and the converted signal weight.

Ultrasound color doppler imaging system and method for filtering clutter signal of the same

Disclosed is an ultrasound color Doppler image system. The ultrasound color Doppler image system includes a calculation unit that calculates a mean value associated with an I/Q signal corresponding to a pixel of a color image in an ultrasound image and generates a multiplication value using the calculated mean value; a comparison unit that compares the generated multiplication value with the mean value; and a masking unit that performs masking of the pixel based on a comparison result, and, the calculation unit calculates the mean value of the I/Q signal for each frame, selects a reference mean value based on scales of the calculated mean values, and generates the multiplication value by multiplying the selected reference mean value and a scale factor.

超音波撮像装置及びその方法並びに可変電力閾値決定方法

(57)【要約】 【課題】 ピクセルの位置に応じて電力閾値を異にして 設けて、受信信号から雑音を効率良く分離して良質の映 像を得るための超音波撮像方法及びその装置並びに可変 電力閾値決定方法を提供する。 【解決手段】 雑音に基づいて可変電力閾値を決め、一 つ以上のトランスデューサから超音波信号を該オブジェ クトに向けて送信し、その送信した超音波信号が該オブ ジェクトから反射される反射信号及び雑音よりなる第１ 信号を受け取り、この第１信号の電力が可変電力閾値よ り大きいと、第１信号に対応するオブジェクトの超音波 映像を形成する。

Vorrichtung zur Ultraschall-Bilddarstelllung einer Biopsiekanüle

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Ultrasonic signal focusing method for ultrasonic imaging system

A focusing method plays a big role of determining a resolution of an ultrasonic image. Focusing is performed by controlling an arrival difference of a signal up to a focal point by an electronics delay circuit. Here, the focusing method for focusing an ultrasonic signal having emitted to a focal point of an object via an array transducer including a plurality of elements, obtains an optimal focusing time delay curve according to the ultrasonic signal travelling velocity to thereby obtain an optimal ultrasonic image. Using only data obtained without any modification of the structure of an existing ultrasonic imaging system, a focusing time delay curve is estimated. Thus, a resolution can be enhanced with only a simple calculation.

位置決めセンサを採用したフリーハンド超音波探触子

(57)【要約】 【課題】 比較的簡単な構成を持ちながらも良質の３Ｄ イメージをスキャニングするフリーハンド超音波探触子 を提供すること。 【解決手段】 超音波探触子は、所定時間間隔ごとに映 像化平面に対応する超音波ビームを出射し、対象体から 超音波エコーを受信する変換素子配列１と、所定時間間 隔ごとに前記変換素子配列１の位置変化量を検出する位 置決めセンサ３０と、前記位置変化量により受信された 超音波エコーから対象体の３次元イメージを演算する３ Ｄイメージ処理器２０とを備える。これにより、使用者 が変換素子配列１を不規則な角速度で移動させる場合に も良質の３Ｄイメージをスキャンできる。

Digital beamforming apparatus with a sigma-delta A/D converter