Patent · US Active

Ultrasound color flow imaging at high frame rates

US7946990B2 · kind B2 · utility

4Cited by
13References
51Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateSep 30, 2005
Grant dateMay 24, 2011
Priority date
Expiry dateMar 22, 2030

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01S15/8979
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A method is provided to improve the frame-rate in color-flow ultrasound imaging using simultaneous spatially-distinct transmit beams with one or more frequency bands per transmit beam. Pulses of different center frequencies are used simultaneously in different (lateral and/or elevational) directions, thereby reducing the scanning time and improving the frame-rates. Optionally, a multi-modal pulse is used, and flow is estimated separately for the different frequencies. The flow estimates for these pulses are appropriately combined to improve low-velocity sensitivity and to reduce aliasing. A flow sample count with two or more different pulse repetition intervals can be used to further improve low-flow sensitivity and minimize aliasing.

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