Patent · US Expired

Method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging of the heart

US6780152B2 · kind B2 · utility

81Cited by
11References
51Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateJun 26, 2002
Grant dateAug 24, 2004
Priority date
Expiry dateJun 26, 2022

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
  • CPC primaryA61B8/4245
  • WIPO fieldMedical technology
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

Images of the heart are formed by using multiple sets of ultrasound data. Each set of data is acquired and processed responsive to a different set of imaging parameters. The imaging parameter sets differ in at least one parameter, such as array position, temporal frequency response or transmit focal depth, so that the images formed using these data sets have, either laterally or axially, different spatial spectra. A set of images is formed responsive to a first imaging parameter set for a first cardiac cycle. Another set of images is formed responsive to a second imaging parameter set for a second cardiac cycle. The two sets of images are temporally aligned so that they correspond to the same set of phases of the cardiac cycle. Since the data acquisition and processing are distributed over multiple cycles of the motion, assuming regular periodic heart cycle, temporal resolution is maintained.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.