Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method
US7666139B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Oct 10, 2003 |
| Grant date | Feb 23, 2010 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 30, 2025 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61B8/481
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, including an ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic vibration element configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave in a scanning direction in an object in which a contrast media has been injected; a transmission unit configured to apply successive drive pulses to the probe so as to transmit respective ultrasonic signals in respective rate sections; a reception unit configured to receive reflected ultrasonic signals, including first reflected ultrasonic signals produced by a first drive pulse in a first rate section and reflected back to the probe in the first rate section and in a second rate section subsequent to the first rate section; an operation unit configured to perform an operation including at least one of addition and subtraction of at least two of the first ultrasonic signals received during different rate sections; and a signal processor configured to produce image data based on the result of the operation performed by the operation unit. Plural driving pulses having alternating polarity may be applied to the probe in a same scan direction.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.