Point source transmission and speed-of-sound correction using multi-aperture ultrasound imaging
Inventors
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Assignees
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MAUI ImagingMAUI Imaging develops ultrasound-based medical imaging solutions designed to overcome the limitations of traditional ultrasound, particularly in visualizing anatomy beyond bone, air, and metal barriers. Founded in 2006, the company has pioneered Computed Echo Tomography (CET) to enable diagnostic imaging in settings where conventional CT or MRI are impractical. With over 160 patents granted and FDA clearance for its K3900 system, MAUI Imaging targets applications in trauma medicine, critical care, neurosurgery, and interventional radiology, aiming to enhance timely diagnostics and interventions in both civilian and military environments.
MAUI Imaging develops ultrasound-based medical imaging solutions designed to overcome the limitations of traditional ultrasound, particularly in visualizing anatomy beyond bone, air, and metal barriers. Founded in 2006, the company has pioneered Computed Echo Tomography (CET) to enable diagnostic imaging in settings where conventional CT or MRI are impractical. With over 160 patents granted and FDA clearance for its K3900 system, MAUI Imaging targets applications in trauma medicine, critical care, neurosurgery, and interventional radiology, aiming to enhance timely diagnostics and interventions in both civilian and military environments.
Publication Number
US-11464492-B2
Publication Date
2022-10-11
Expiration Date
Abstract
A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.
Core Innovation
The invention provides a method of constructing an ultrasound image using omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform transmission through a target region with a transmit aperture, and echo reception with first and second receive apertures. The first and second receive apertures are configured to receive ultrasonic energy arriving from all directions, and the transmit aperture and the first and second receive apertures are not located in a single plane. A time is determined for propagation from the transmit aperture to a pixel location and then to each receive aperture using position information defining positions of the transmit aperture and the receive apertures.
An ultrasound image for the pixel location is formed by combining a first echo and a second echo received at the respective determined times. The approach enables multi-aperture imaging by timing propagation to pixel locations based on known transmit/receive aperture positions, rather than relying on a single-plane aperture arrangement. Coherent and/or incoherent combinations of echoes from different receive apertures are described to form imaging contributions for a common pixel location grid/no scan conversion.
Because the transmit and receive apertures can be on different planes, the effective aperture size is increased, which is described as improving lateral resolution. The document also describes speed-of-sound variation correction based on cross-correlation and image comparison to estimate and correct frame displacement, with optional localized sub-image analysis and warping. Further embodiments include extending imaging to 3D by constructing a 3D image from ultrasound images, including optional 2D-to-3D reconstruction using a rocking/rotator mechanism with sensor-equipped probes or direct 3D acquisition when apertures are not coplanar.
Claims Coverage
The partial content includes one independent claim directed to constructing an ultrasound image using omni-directional unfocused transmission and non-coplanar transmit/receive apertures, with echo combination based on propagation times computed from position information. The dependent claims further define additional propagation modeling, optional displacement correction and 3D reconstruction, and a resolution-improving angle relationship.
Non-coplanar multi-aperture ultrasound imaging with omni-directional unfocused transmit
Transmitting an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform through a target region with a transmit aperture; receiving ultrasound echoes from the target region with first and second receive apertures configured to receive ultrasonic energy arriving from all directions, wherein the transmit aperture and the first and second receive apertures are not located in a single plane.
Propagation time determination to pixel locations using aperture position information
Determining times for the omni-directional unfocused waveform to propagate from the transmit aperture to a pixel location in the target region to each receive aperture using position information defining positions of the transmit aperture and the receive apertures.
Pixel formation by combining echoes at propagation times
Forming an ultrasound image of the pixel location by combining a first echo and a second echo received at the respective determined times.
Assuming a uniform speed of sound for time determination
Determining the times by assuming a uniform speed of sound.
Displacement estimation by comparing ultrasound images
Comparing a first ultrasound image with a second ultrasound image to determine the displacement of the second image relative to the first.
3D image construction from ultrasound images
Constructing a 3D image from the ultrasound images.
Resolution improvement by increasing aperture angle
Improving resolution by increasing the angle between the transmit aperture and the receive aperture.
Overall, the claims center on forming an ultrasound image using omni-directional unfocused transmission and non-coplanar transmit/receive apertures, with pixel-wise propagation time determination from transmit/receive position information and echo combination at those times. Additional inventive features refine the propagation model with a uniform speed of sound, optionally estimate displacement by comparing images, optionally construct a 3D image, and optionally improve resolution by increasing the angle between transmit and receive apertures.
Stated Advantages
Improves resolution.
Enables increased effective aperture size for improved lateral resolution.
Allows practical imaging performance across tissue types, as described in the partial content.
Enables 3D imaging by constructing a 3D image from ultrasound images.
Documented Applications
Imaging of a target region using a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging approach with transmit and receive apertures not located in a single plane.
Speed-of-sound variation correction during ultrasound imaging using cross-correlation and image comparison to estimate and correct frame displacement.
3D ultrasound imaging via constructing a 3D image from ultrasound images, including optional 2D-to-3D reconstruction using a rocking/rotator mechanism or direct 3D acquisition when apertures are not coplanar.
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