Ultrasound imaging method and system for transmit signal generation for an ultrasonic imaging system capable of harmonic imaging

US5913823A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• ACUSON · US

Inventors

• David J. Hedberg · Menlo Park, US
• Stuart L. Carp · Menlo Park, US
• Stirling S. Dodd · Monroe, US
• Samual H. Maslak · Woodside, US
• Bhaskar Ramamurthy · Los Altos, US
• Daniel E. Need · Mountain View, US
• John A. Hossack · Palo Alto, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Jul 15, 1997
• Grant date: Jun 22, 1999
• Expiry date: Jul 15, 2017

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S7/52046
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

An improvement to the method for harmonic imaging including the steps of (a) transmitting ultrasonic energy at a fundamental frequency and (b) receiving reflected ultrasonic energy at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency is provided. For the improvement, the transmitting step includes the step of transmitting a uni-polar waveform or a waveform characterized by an amplitude change rate of 8 or fewer times pre carrier cycle, said waveform comprising an envelope shape rising gradually to a respective maximum value and falling gradually from the respective maximum value.