公开(公告)号：EP0480086A1

公开(公告)日：1992-04-15

申请号：EP90119389.6

申请日：1990-10-10

Applicant: ACOUSTIC IMAGING TECHNOLOGIES CORPORATION

Inventor： Harrison, William Vanbrooks, Jr. ,  Vogt, David Erhard ,  Malinowski, Walter J.

IPC: G10K11/34

CPC classification number: G10K11/346

Abstract: The train of echoes received in an ultrasound imaging system having an array of ultrasound transducers is shaped and/or focused by first and second programmable beam focusing modules (16-24) in a dynamic receive focus mode. The elemental ultrasound echo signals from a plurality of channels connected to the elements of the transducer array are selectively attenuated and/or phased shifted according to the programs prescribed for the focus zones and combined by each module. The combined echo signals are further processed in conventional fashion (34-38). The modules operates alternately. One module is being programmed, while the other module is combining the elemental echo signals for processing. Each beam focusing module comprises a delay line (56-60) having a plurality of input taps and a cross point switch (52) selectively connecting the channels to the input taps. The module is programmed by selectively closing the individual cross points of the cross point switch. Beam shaping i.e. apodizing, is accomplished by selectively attenuating the echoes (A,-A4$) prior to application to the input taps of the delay line in each module. The modules can be reconfigured to connect the modules in series in a composite focus mode.

Abstract translation: 在具有超声波换能器阵列的超声成像系统中接收的回波序列以动态接收对焦模式由第一和第二可编程束聚焦模块（16-24）成形和/或聚焦。 根据针对聚焦区规定的程序并且由每个模块组合，来自连接到换能器阵列的元件的多个通道的元素超声回波信号被选择性地衰减和/或相移。 组合的回波信号以常规方式进一步处理（34-38）。 模块交替工作。 正在编程一个模块，而另一个模块正在组合基本回波信号进行处理。 每个光束聚焦模块包括具有多个输入抽头的延迟线（56-60）和选择性地将通道连接到输入抽头的交叉点开关（52）。 通过选择性地关闭交叉点开关的各个交叉点来对模块进行编程。 通过在应用到每个模块中的延迟线的输入抽头之前选择性地衰减回波（A1-A48）来实现光束成形，即变迹。 可以将模块重新配置为以组合对焦模式串联连接模块。