公开(公告)号：US08500639B2

公开(公告)日：2013-08-06

申请号：US12878346

申请日：2010-09-09

Applicant: Lin Xin Yao

Inventor： Lin Xin Yao

IPC: A61B8/00

CPC classification number: G01S7/52042 ,  A61B8/08 ,  A61B8/0833 ,  A61B8/485 ,  G01S7/52036

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system provides dynamic control of a shear wave front used to image viscoelasticity in a biological tissue. The system receives an indication of a region of interest and selects a shear wave front shape. The system also selects, based on the selected shear wave front shape, focus locations for a plurality of push pulses and a sequence for moving a shear wave source among the focus locations. The system transmits a series of push pulses according to the selected sequence, and determines a speed of the shear wave front as it passes through the region of interest. Changes in the speed of the shear wave front are related to changes in stiffness within the tissue.

Abstract translation: 超声成像系统提供用于在生物组织中成像粘弹性的剪切波前的动态控制。 系统接收感兴趣区域的指示并选择剪切波前形状。 该系统还基于所选择的剪切波前形状选择多个推送脉冲的焦点位置和用于在对焦位置之间移动剪切波源的序列。 系统根据所选择的序列传输一系列推进脉冲，并确定剪切波前沿通过感兴趣区域的速度。 剪切波前速度的变化与组织内刚度的变化有关。

公开(公告)号：US5676149A

公开(公告)日：1997-10-14

申请号：US710924

申请日：1996-09-24

Applicant: Lin-Xin Yao

Inventor： Lin-Xin Yao

IPC: B06B1/02 ,  A61B8/00

CPC classification number: B06B1/0207 ,  B06B2201/20

Abstract: A method for compensating for inoperative transducer elements in an ultrasound transducer. The transmit voltage of the driving signals applied to transducer elements that are adjacent an inoperative element is increased to compensate for the inoperative element. Preferably, a linear interpolation used whereby the power/gain of the signals to be applied to the inoperative element is divided equally among the adjacent operative elements. If an inoperative transducer element is adjacent more than one inoperative element, then the gain of the operative transducer element is increased accordingly for each such inoperative element. In addition, the gain of the echo signals produced by the adjacent transducer elements is increased to compete for the inoperative element.

Abstract translation: 一种用于补偿超声换能器中的不可操作的换能器元件的方法。 施加到与不活动元件相邻的换能器元件的驱动信号的发射电压被增加以补偿不起作用的元件。 优选地，使用的线性内插，其中施加到不操作元件的信号的功率/增益在相邻的操作元件之间被平均地分配。 如果不合适的换能器元件相邻多于一个不起作用的元件，则对于每个这样的不操作元件，操作换能器元件的增益相应地增加。 此外，由相邻的换能器元件产生的回波信号的增益增加以竞争不起作用的元件。

公开(公告)号：US06409670B1

公开(公告)日：2002-06-25

申请号：US09559492

申请日：2000-04-27

Applicant: Lin Xin Yao ,  Gan Yao

Inventor： Lin Xin Yao ,  Gan Yao

IPC: A61B806

CPC classification number: G01S15/8979 ,  A61B8/06 ,  A61B8/08 ,  A61B8/488

Abstract: A method for receiving Doppler ultra sound signals at a high sample rate, at greater depths and from a large range gate size by increasing the length of time during which echoes can be received with respect to the time required to transmit the Doppler pulses that cause the echo signals to be created. According to a first embodiment of the invention, a Doppler pulse is transmitted for a time equal to the time required for an ultrasonic sound wave to travel from a transducer to a top of a range gate and back. Echo signals created in response to the long Doppler pulse are received for a time equal to the transmit time plus the time required for an ultrasonic sound wave to travel from the top of the range gate to a bottom of the range gate and back to the top of the range gate. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, each transducer element transmits a phase-shifted Doppler pulse, wherein the phase-shift is selected according to the time required for an ultrasonic sound wave to travel from the transducer element to a desired focal point. By simultaneously transmitting the phase-shifted Doppler pulses, the pulses arrive at different times at the focal point and constructively add. Echo signals created in response to the sum of the phase-shifted Doppler pulses can be sampled at substantially any rate to analyze the moving blood flow in the area of tissue defined by a range gat.

Abstract translation: 一种用于以更高的采样率，更大的深度和大范围的门尺寸来接收多普勒超声信号的方法，该方法通过增加可以接收到回波的时间长度相对于导致多普勒脉冲的传输所需的时间 要产生回波信号。 根据本发明的第一实施例，多普勒脉冲的传输时间等于超声波从换能器行进到门和门的范围的顶部所需的时间。 接收响应于长多普勒脉冲产生的回波信号等待发射时间加上超声波从范围门顶部行进到范围门底部并返回顶部所需的时间 的范围门。 根据本发明的另一方面，每个换能器元件发射相移多普勒脉冲，其中根据超声波从换能器元件行进到所需焦点所需的时间来选择相移。 通过同时发送相移多普勒脉冲，脉冲在焦点处的不同时间到达，并建设性地添加。 响应于相移多普勒脉冲之和产生的回波信号可以以基本上任何速率进行采样，以分析由范围gat定义的组织区域中的移动血流。

公开(公告)号：US06730033B2

公开(公告)日：2004-05-04

申请号：US10147423

申请日：2002-05-16

Applicant: Lin Xin Yao ,  Todor Sheljaskow

Inventor： Lin Xin Yao ,  Todor Sheljaskow

IPC: A61B800

CPC classification number: A61B8/483 ,  A61B8/00 ,  B06B1/0629 ,  G01S7/52041 ,  G01S7/52095 ,  G01S15/8925 ,  G01S15/8993

Abstract: A two-dimensional array allows rapid three-dimensional ultrasound scanning. A high volume-per-second scan rate using a limited number of system channels (e.g. 192, 256 or other number of channels) is provided by a transducer array without beamforming circuitry in the probe. A fan beam of acoustic energy is transmitted along a scan plane from transducer elements that extend lengthwise over a substantial portion of the lateral aperture. Rows of these long transmit elements are provided along the elevation aperture for electronic steering of the fan beam in the elevation dimension. One or more rows of smaller receive elements are used for forming beams each representing a scan line along the lateral dimension in response to each transmission of a fan beam. Elevation resolution is provided primarily from the elevationally spaced transmit elements and partially from two or more rows of laterally spaced receive elements. The lateral resolution is responsive to the lateral spacing of the receive elements.

Abstract translation: 二维阵列允许快速三维超声扫描。 使用有限数量的系统通道（例如192,256或其它通道数）的高体积每秒扫描速率由探针中没有波束成形电路的换能器阵列提供。 扇形光束的声能沿着扫描平面传播，该换能器元件在横向孔的大部分上纵向延伸。 这些长传输元件的行沿着仰角提供，用于在仰角尺寸下风扇光束的电子转向。 响应于风扇光束的每次传输，使用一行或多行更小的接收元件来形成每个表示横向尺寸的扫描线的光束。 高度分辨率主要由高度间隔的发射元件提供，部分地由两行或更多行横向间隔的接收元件提供。 横向分辨率响应于接收元件的横向间隔。

公开(公告)号：US06666823B2

公开(公告)日：2003-12-23

申请号：US10106566

申请日：2002-03-26

Applicant: Lin Xin Yao

Inventor： Lin Xin Yao

IPC: A61B800

CPC classification number: G01S7/52085 ,  G01S7/52034 ,  G01S7/52046 ,  G01S7/52095 ,  G10K11/34

Abstract: Methods are described for parallel beamforming with beam combination of formed beams from different transmit beams in an ultrasound imaging system. The methods provide advantages because the combination of receive beams that are produced from different transmit beams enables the production of an ultrasonic image at faster frame rates that does not suffer from the image quality degradation normally associated with parallel beamforming, and does not require process intensive interpolation.

公开(公告)号：US5718230A

公开(公告)日：1998-02-17

申请号：US721300

申请日：1996-09-26

Applicant: Christopher S. Chapman ,  Ricardo Ahumada ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Lin-Xin Yao

Inventor： Christopher S. Chapman ,  Ricardo Ahumada ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Lin-Xin Yao

IPC: G01S7/52 ,  A61B8/00

CPC classification number: G01S7/52095 ,  G01S7/52044 ,  G01S7/52046 ,  G01S7/52057

Abstract: An ultrasound system creates ultrasound images at faster frame rate by eliminating ultrasonic transmissions along every beam line. Preferably, ultrasound images are created by alternately transmitting ultrasonic signals on the even and odd transmit beam lines. Parallel beam forming is used where transmissions along a single transmit beam line create echo signals on a pair of receive beam lines. To eliminate the artifact caused by the round-trip beam line sensitivities, echo signals created in response to transmissions along the even transmit beam lines are averaged with echo signals created in response to transmissions on the odd transmit beam lines. The averaged echo signals are used to create an ultrasound image without artifacts.

Abstract translation: 超声系统通过消除沿着每条束线的超声波传输，以更快的帧速率创建超声图像。 优选地，通过在偶数和奇数的发射波束线上交替地发送超声波信号来产生超声图像。 使用平行波束形成，其中沿着单个发射波束线的传输在一对接收波束线上产生回波信号。 为了消除由往返波束线灵敏度引起的伪影，响应于沿着偶数发射波束线路的传输而产生的回波信号被平均，响应于奇数发射波束线路上的传输而产生的回波信号。 平均回波信号用于创建没有伪像的超声波图像。

公开(公告)号：US5638820A

公开(公告)日：1997-06-17

申请号：US674652

申请日：1996-06-25

Applicant: Jian-Feng Chen ,  Lin-Xin Yao ,  Patrick L. Von Behren

Inventor： Jian-Feng Chen ,  Lin-Xin Yao ,  Patrick L. Von Behren

IPC: G01H5/00 ,  G01N29/07 ,  G01N29/44 ,  G01N29/50 ,  G01S7/52 ,  A61B8/00

CPC classification number: G01N29/4427 ,  G01H5/00 ,  G01N29/07 ,  G01N29/50 ,  G01S7/52049 ,  G01N2291/011 ,  G01N2291/02475 ,  G01S7/5205 ,  G01S7/52071

Abstract: An ultrasound system (50) estimates the speed of sound in the tissue (60) under examination. The ultrasound system obtains a series of test images (150) using different estimates of the speed of sound in the body tissue. For each image produced, the ultrasound system computes a function that is indicative of image quality for one or more regions of interest (152) in the test image. The image quality function exhibits a minimum or maximum when computed for a region of interest obtained at a speed of sound substantially equal to a true speed of sound in the tissue. The ultrasound system selects the test image having the minimum or maximum function value and obtains subsequent images of the tissue using the speed of sound used to obtain the test image selected.

Abstract translation: 超声系统（50）估计检查中的组织（60）中的声音速度。 超声系统使用不同的身体组织中声速的估计来获得一系列测试图像（150）。 对于所产生的每个图像，超声系统计算在测试图像中指示一个或多个感兴趣区域（152）的图像质量的函数。 当以基本上等于组织中的真实速度的声音的速度获得的感兴趣区域计算时，图像质量函数表现出最小或最大值。 超声系统选择具有最小或最大功能值的测试图像，并使用用于获得所选择的测试图像的声速来获得组织的后续图像。

公开(公告)号：US5564424A

公开(公告)日：1996-10-15

申请号：US497061

申请日：1995-06-30

Applicant: Lin-Xin Yao

Inventor： Lin-Xin Yao

IPC: A61B8/06 ,  G01S7/52 ,  G01S15/18 ,  G01S15/58

CPC classification number: A61B8/06 ,  G01S15/582 ,  G01S7/52046 ,  G01S15/18

Abstract: This invention addresses the aliasing and range ambiguity artifact trade-off occurring in pulsed doppler ultrasound applications. By increasing pulse repetition frequency to avoid aliasing and by implementing non-coinciding transmit and receive beam-patterns, range ambiguity effects are reduced. Separate transmit and receive apertures define respective transmit and receive beam-patterns. These separate transmit and receive beam-patterns intersect at a primary range gate. Secondary range gates may occur along the receive beam-pattern. The transmit beam-pattern does not intersect such secondary gates. Weaker dispersed ultrasound energy may intersect the secondary gates, however, and reflect back to the receive aperture. Relatively stronger samples are obtained from the primary range gate than from the secondary range gates. In effect the geometry of the transmit and receive beam-patterns maximizes the strength of the response from the primary gate and reduces the strength of the response from the secondary gates.

Abstract translation: 本发明解决在脉冲多普勒超声应用中发生的混叠和范围模糊伪影权衡。 通过增加脉冲重复频率以避免混叠和通过实现不一致的发送和接收波束图案，减小了范围模糊度的影响。 单独的发射和接收孔限定相应的发射和接收波束图案。 这些单独的发射和接收波束图案在主范围门口相交。 次级范围门可以沿着接收波束图案发生。 发射波束图案不与这种二级门相交。 然而，较弱的分散超声能量可能与次级门相交，并反射回接收孔径。 从一级范围栅极获得的相对强度比二级范围栅极更强。 实际上，发射和接收波束图案的几何形状使得来自主栅极的响应的强度最大化并且减小了来自次级栅极的响应的强度。

公开(公告)号：US06599245B1

公开(公告)日：2003-07-29

申请号：US09604568

申请日：2000-06-27

Applicant: Qinglin Ma ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Lin Xin Yao ,  Bruce A. McDermott ,  David A. Petersen

Inventor： Qinglin Ma ,  John C. Lazenby ,  Lin Xin Yao ,  Bruce A. McDermott ,  David A. Petersen

IPC: A61B800

CPC classification number: G10K11/346 ,  G01S7/52046

Abstract: A system for controlling the point spread function of an ultrasound signal transmitted into a patient. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, only a selected number of the transducer elements transmit a transmit pulse. The elements which do not transmit the pulse are selected in accordance with an apodization probability density function. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each transducer element transmits a variable portion of a transmit pulse in order to control the acoustic power of the signal transmitted from each element.

Abstract translation: 一种用于控制发送到患者体内的超声信号的点扩散功能的系统。 根据本发明的一个实施例，只有选定数量的换能器元件发送发射脉冲。 根据变迹概率密度函数选择不发送脉冲的元件。 根据本发明的另一方面，每个换能器元件发送发射脉冲的可变部分，以便控制从每个元件发送的信号的声功率。

公开(公告)号：US6110113A

公开(公告)日：2000-08-29

申请号：US212015

申请日：1998-12-15

Applicant: Zoran Banjamin ,  Lin-Xin Yao

Inventor： Zoran Banjamin ,  Lin-Xin Yao

IPC: G01S7/52 ,  A61B8/06

CPC classification number: G01S7/52026

Abstract: A method for increasing the valid data points produced by a digital filter. Input data is applied to a pair of filters that produce transients in response to different input data values. Output data from each of the filters is then combined to produce a data set with no transients. In one embodiment, the pair of filters have the same impulse response but the input data is applied to one filter in a first direction and to the other filter in an opposite direction. In another embodiment, the input data is applied to both filters in the same direction but the filters have inverted impulse responses. The present invention is particularly useful for minimizing a gap created when an ultrasound system alternates between different imaging modes. In addition, the present invention, can be used to increase the number of valid data points that are analyzed during color flow ultrasound imaging.

Abstract translation: 一种用于增加由数字滤波器产生的有效数据点的方法。 输入数据被应用于响应不同输入数据值产生瞬变的一对滤波器。 然后将来自每个滤波器的输出数据组合以产生没有瞬变的数据集。 在一个实施例中，该对滤波器具有相同的脉冲响应，但是输入数据在第一方向上被施加到一个滤波器，并且在相反方向上被施加到另一个滤波器。 在另一个实施例中，输入数据以相同方向应用于两个滤波器，但是滤波器具有反相脉冲响应。 本发明对于最小化当超声系统在不同成像模式之间交替时产生的间隙是特别有用的。 此外，本发明可以用于增加在彩色流超声成像期间分析的有效数据点的数量。