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-11998395-B2
Publication Date
2024-06-04
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 relates to a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system in which an ultrasound probe transmits unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound waveforms into tissue using a transducer array arranged in a concave shape. Transmission is performed using a transmit aperture spaced apart from a receive aperture, with the transmit aperture and receive aperture not being in a common scan plane.
Echoes are received by one or more separated receive apertures and are combined, using coherent addition and/or incoherent addition, to form high-resolution 2D and 3D images. Tissue speed-of-sound variations are addressed by cross-correlation and image-comparison alignment, including frame warping and displacement correction.
The system establishes a transmit aperture of the transducer array spaced apart from a receive aperture of the transducer array, with separation and orientation constraints including not-in-a-common-scan-plane configurations. The probe includes one or more precision position sensors located in the probe body that record position information during transmission, and a processor generates 3D ultrasound imaging datasets based on the unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound waveforms and the position information.
Claims Coverage
The document includes one independent claim that covers an ultrasound probe configured for 3D ultrasound imaging using unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound waveforms transmitted from a transmit aperture separated from a receive aperture that is not in a common scan plane, together with precision position sensing and 3D dataset generation. The claim set further includes dependent claims that refine the acquisition and processing with rocking-based 3D acquisition, speed-of-sound incongruence correction, and geometric constraints on transmit/receive separation and angle to improve resolution.
Unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound transmission from a concave transducer array
A probe body housing a transducer array arranged in a concave shape, configured to transmit unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound waveforms into tissue.
Precision position sensors recording during transmission
One or more precision position sensors located in the probe body, configured to record position information during transmission of the unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound waveforms.
3D imaging datasets from spaced transmit and receive apertures not in a common scan plane
A processor establishes a transmit aperture spaced apart from a receive aperture such that the transmit aperture and receive aperture are not in a common scan plane, and generates 3D ultrasound imaging datasets based on the unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound waveforms and the position information.
Rocking acquisition to produce 3D ultrasound imaging datasets
Generating the 3D ultrasound imaging datasets by rocking the probe body on a patient's skin.
Speed-of-sound incongruence correction
Correcting for speed-of-sound incongruences in the tissue using at least one processor.
Minimum transmit/receive aperture separation
Configuring a transmit aperture and a receive aperture separated by a distance of 10 cm or greater.
Angular increase between transmit and receive apertures to improve resolution
Configuring to increase an angle between the transmit aperture and the receive aperture to improve resolution.
Across the claim set, the core inventive coverage is the combination of unfocused two-dimensional ultrasound transmission from a concave transducer array, precision position sensors recording during transmission, and processor-based generation of 3D ultrasound imaging datasets using transmit/receive apertures spaced apart and not in a common scan plane. Dependent claims further specify rocking-based 3D dataset generation, speed-of-sound incongruence correction, and geometric constraints including minimum aperture separation and increased angle to improve resolution.
Stated Advantages
Improved lateral resolution through larger effective apertures.
Higher frame rates for moving organs.
Improved 3D imaging performance while addressing tissue speed-of-sound variations using cross-correlation/image-comparison alignment and frame warping/displacement correction.
Documented Applications
3D ultrasound imaging of tissue using a probe that performs 3D acquisition based on rocking on a patient's skin with precision position sensing.
Ultrasound imaging in the presence of tissue speed-of-sound variations, addressed using alignment and displacement correction during 2D/3D echo combination.
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