Ultrasound imaging methods and systems
US5882306A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Apr 11, 1997 |
| Grant date | Mar 16, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 11, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S7/52063
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasound imaging system generates a legend on a display device. This legend includes at least two axes and an array of display indicia, and the indicia are responsive to a mapping function used to generate a displayed ultrasonic image as a modulated, non-linear, multi-bit function of at least first and second image signals. At least one of the axes of the legend varies as a function of a B-mode value range. Preferably, one axis of the legend varies as a function of a fundamental image signal, and the other axis varies as a function of a harmonic image signal. The imaging system can be controlled such that a B-mode processor automatically alternates between a fundamental mode of operation and a harmonic mode of operation on a line-by-line, group-of-lines by group-of-lines, or frame-by-frame basis. A user selects the desired mapping function as one of a series of alternative mapping functions included in a selected family of mapping functions, and the user also selects the family of mapping functions from a plurality of available families.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.