Diagnostic ultrasonic imaging system having combined scanhead connections

US6890301B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• KONINKLIJKE PHILIPS ELECTRONICS NV · NL

Inventors

• James Robertson Jago · Seattle, US
• Gary Allen Schwartz · Seattle, US
• Derek Henderson · Mill Creek, US
• Malcolm Harnois · Brier, US
• John R. Stice · Seattle, US
• Doug Maxwell · Woodinville, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Mar 5, 2002
• Grant date: May 10, 2005
• Expiry date: Jul 18, 2022

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S15/8925
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

A diagnostic ultrasonic imaging system includes a scanhead having a plurality of transducer elements. A signal combiner, such a time-division multiplexer or a frequency-division multiplexer, is coupled to each of the transducer elements. The signal combiner combines the signals from the transducer elements into a composite signal and couples the composite signal to an ultrasonic processor through a wire or other communication link. A signal separator, such as a time-division demultiplexer or a frequency-division demultiplexer, is coupled to the link and recovers from the composite signal each of the signals from the transducer elements.