System and method for non-linear detection of ultrasonic contrast agents at a fundamental frequency

US6652463B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV · NL

Inventors

• Thomas J. Hunt · Pelham, US
• Patrick G. Rafter · Windham, US
• George Brock-Fisher · Andover, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Oct 29, 2002
• Grant date: Nov 25, 2003
• Expiry date: Oct 29, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S7/52038
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A system and method for fundamental real-time imaging of the non-linear response of tissue perfused with a contrast agent are disclosed. An image with increased sensitivity to non-linear responses can be achieved by detecting the ultrasound response at the fundamental frequency from tissue perfused with a contrast agent and excited by multiple excitation levels. The responses detected from the multiple excitation levels may be gain corrected in an amount corresponding to the difference in magnitude of the excitation levels, then mathematically combined. The mathematical manipulation serves to remove linear responses to the fundamental excitation from the detected image. An ultrasonic contrast agent and tissue imaging system can be implemented with a transducer, first and second transmitters, a receiver, a control system, a processing system and a display. The transmitters generate electrical signals that are translated by the transducer into first and second pressure waves respectively, the respective pressure waves being of different power magnitudes. A control system electrically coupled to the transmitters, the transducer, and a receiver, coordinates pressure wave transmissions …