Transmit and receive isolation for ultrasound scanning and methods of use
US6806623B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 27, 2002 |
| Grant date | Oct 19, 2004 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Feb 16, 2023 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG01S15/8961
- WIPO fieldMeasurement
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
Methods and systems for isolating transmit and receive circuitry at an ultrasound transducer element are provided. Separate electrodes or electrodes on opposite sides of a transducer element are connected to the separate transmit and receive paths or channels. Instead of high voltage transmit and receive switching, the transducer element isolates the transmit channel from the receive channel. The transmit channel includes circuitry for limiting the voltage at one electrode during receive processing, such as a switch operable to connect the electrode to ground. The receive channel includes circuitry for limiting the voltage at an electrode during transmit processing, such as a diode clamp preventing voltage swings greater than diode voltage at the electrode. Limiting the voltage provides virtual grounding or a direct current for either of the transmit or receive operation. Using a transmit channel discussed above or other transmit channels, a unipolar pulse may be generated starting at one voltage and ending at a different voltage. For example, a unipolar pulse is generated starting at a zero voltage value and ending on a positive voltage value. A subsequent unipolar pulse is transm…
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.