Ultrasound system and signal processing unit configured for time gain and lateral gain compensation
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Publication Number
US-12193879-B2
Publication Date
2025-01-14
Expiration Date
Abstract
The present invention provides an ultrasound system, which comprises: a signal acquiring unit to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object and acquire an echo signal reflected from the object; a signal processing unit to control TGC (Time Gain Compensation) and LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) of the echo signal; a TGC/LGC setup unit adapted to set TGC and LGC values based on TGC and LGC curves inputted by a user; and an image producing unit adapted to produce an ultrasound image of the object based on the echo signal. The signal processing unit is further adapted to control the TGC and the LGC of the echo signal based on the TGC and LGC values set by the TGC/LGC setup unit.
Core Innovation
The invention relates to an ultrasound system that performs time gain compensation (TGC) and lateral gain compensation (LGC) for received echo signals. A setup unit includes a touch panel that displays setup screens for user input of TGC and LGC curves, and a processor and a signal processing unit cooperate so that compensation setting values are determined from the user input and then used to control amplification and generate an ultrasound image.
The touch panel displays multiple straight references corresponding to two or more positions of the ultrasound image. A single touch input successively intersects the displayed straight references, and the processor generates a plurality of values based on positions of the intersections. The generated plurality of values corresponds to multiple different ultrasound image positions, each corresponding to one of the displayed straight references including the corresponding intersection.
The processor adjusts a plurality of compensation setting values for the two or more ultrasound image positions based on the generated intersection-derived values. The compensation setting values comprise at least one of a time gain compensation (TGC) value or a lateral gain compensation (LGC) value, and the processor distinguishes whether the touch corresponds to TGC or LGC by analyzing intersection comparisons with first and second reference line groups. The determined compensation setting values are provided to the signal processing unit so that an ultrasound image is generated using the updated compensation.
Claims Coverage
The partial content contains three independent claims (clm-00001, clm-00011, clm-00013). Across these independent claims, the inventive features center on using a touch panel to display multiple straight reference graphics and using a single successive touch input to generate intersection-based values that adjust compensation setting values, where the compensation setting values include at least one of TGC or LGC.
Touch-panel multiple straight references for ultrasound image positions
An ultrasound system wherein, via a touch panel, multiple straight references are visually present, each corresponding to two or more positions of the ultrasound image.
Single touch input generating multiple intersection-based values
The touch panel receives a single touch input in a region where the multiple straight references are displayed, with successive intersections between the touch input and the displayed straight references used to generate a plurality of values based on a plurality of intersection positions.
Adjusting plural compensation setting values from intersection values
The processor adjusts a plurality of compensation setting values of the two or more positions of the ultrasound image based on the generated plurality of values, where the compensation setting values comprise at least one of a time gain compensation (TGC) value or a lateral gain compensation (LGC) value.
Touch input related to TGC or LGC with compensation values shown or adjusted
An ultrasound system where the touch panel displays multiple straight references and a single touch input crossing the multiple straight references is used to adjust a plurality of compensation setting values corresponding to multiple different positions of the displayed ultrasound image, and where the touch input is related to time gain compensation (TGC) or a lateral gain compensation (LGC).
Multiple straight references aligned in parallel with touch crossing shape
The multiple straight references are lines aligned in parallel, and the single touch input is received as a shape crossing the multiple straight references.
Scanner transmitting ultrasound signal and processor executing touch-based compensation adjustment
An ultrasound system comprising a scanner configured for transmitting an ultrasound signal to an object and receiving echo signals reflected from the object, and a processor configured to display the multiple straight references on the touch panel, generate values based on intersection positions with a single touch input, and adjust compensation setting values that include at least one of a time gain compensation (TGC) value or a lateral gain compensation (LGC) value.
Across the independent claims, the core coverage is a touch-panel user interface that displays multiple straight reference lines over an ultrasound image, receives a single touch input whose intersections generate multiple values, and uses those values to adjust compensation setting values for multiple ultrasound image positions. The compensation setting values are explicitly time gain compensation (TGC) and/or lateral gain compensation (LGC).
Stated Advantages
Improved operational accuracy and ease of operation.
Reduced control panel size compared to conventional separate slide-key controls.
Documented Applications
Used in an ultrasound system to generate an ultrasound image by controlling amplification and gain based on touch-based TGC and LGC compensation values.
Used as a touch-panel compensation setup approach in coarse and fine time gain compensation and lateral gain compensation modes.
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