Ultrasound imaging system memory architecture

Inventors

Call, Josef R. • Brewer, Kenneth D. • Le, Viet Nam • Ouellette, Matthew • Blake, Mathias

Abstract

A multiple aperture ultrasound imaging system may be configured to store raw, un-beamformed echo data. Stored echo data may be retrieved and re-beamformed using modified parameters in order to enhance the image or to reveal information that was not visible or not discernible in an original image. Raw echo data may also be transmitted over a network and beamformed by a remote device that is not physically proximate to the probe performing imaging. Such systems may allow physicians or other practitioners to manipulate echo data as though they were imaging the patient directly, even without the patient being present. Many unique diagnostic opportunities are made possible by such systems and methods.

Core Innovation

An ultrasound imaging system includes a multiple aperture ultrasound probe with a plurality of transmit transducer elements and a plurality of receive transducer elements. Transmit control electronics control transmission of ultrasound pulses from the transmit transducer elements, and receiver electronics receive echo signals from the receive transducer elements corresponding to echoes of the ultrasound pulses. The system generates beamformed real-time images during capture using real-time image formation parameters.

The system stores, in a raw data memory in electronic communication with the receiver electronics, a raw data set including digital data representative of an identity of at least one transmit element, a time at which the at least one transmit element sent an ultrasound pulse, and a series of data points representative of magnitudes of echoes from the ultrasound pulse. The raw data memory is used later for image generation.

A remote beamforming system separate from the multiple aperture ultrasound probe receives the raw data set from the raw data memory and re-beamforms the raw data set using user-selected image formation parameters different from the real-time image formation parameters. The beamforming processor uses stored transmit element identity information and transmission times together with the selected image formation parameters, enabling modified image formation from the captured raw data.

The remote beamforming approach supports image generation based on transmit and receive geometry, including pixel display locations and the production of complete two-dimensional sub-images using trigonometric relationships. The processing chain can combine two-dimensional sub-images into a combined image and display the combined image of a target object.

Claims Coverage

The independent claim is directed to four main inventive aspects: a multiple-aperture ultrasound probe, a raw data memory storing transmit identity, transmission time, and echo-magnitude data points, a beamforming processor that beamforms real-time images during capture using real-time image formation parameters, and a remote beamforming system that re-beamforms the stored raw data using user-selected image formation parameters different from the real-time image formation parameters.

Overall claim coverage centers on capturing and storing raw ultrasound data that identifies transmit elements and transmission times together with echo magnitudes, performing real-time beamforming during capture, and enabling a separate remote beamforming system to re-beamform the stored raw data using user-selected image formation parameters different from those used during real-time capture.

Stated Advantages

Documented Applications