US4662223A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and means for steering phased array scanner in ultrasound imaging system
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1985-10-31
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Granted: 1987-05-05
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Expires: 2005-10-31
Abstract
Abstract A phased array of transducer elements in an ultrasound imaging system is selectively directed by grouping transducer elements in the array to form a plurality of groups of adjacent transducer elements. Electrical signals in each group are mixed with a modulation signal of a fixed frequency, the modulation signal being selectively phased delayed for each electrical signal in the group depending on the angle of direction of a reflection point in an imaged volume. The mixed electrical signals for each group are then summed and selectively timed delayed, and then all time delayed and summed electrical signals are then summed to form an image beam.
Inventors
- 👤 James K. Riley
- 👤 Stockton M. Miller-Jones
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 12:06
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04N; H04N3/00; H04N3/10; H04N3/14; G; G10; G10K; G10K11/00; G10K11/18; G10K11/26; G10K11/34; G10K11/341; G01; G01S; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52046; G01S7/52053; G01S7/52057; G01S7/5206; G01S7/52063
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of selectively directing a phased array of transducer elements in an ultrasound imaging system comprising the steps of grouping transducer elements to form a plurality of groups of adjacent transducer elements, mixing each electrical signal from each group with a modulation signal of a fixed frequency, each modulation signal being selectively phase delayed for each electrical signal in each group depending on the angle of direction of a reflection point in an imaged volume, summing the mixed electrical signals for each group, selectively time delaying the summed electrical signals for all group, and summing the selectively time delayed and summed electrical signals.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
104 words
A method of selectively directing a phased array of transducer elements in an ultrasound imaging system comprising the steps of grouping transducer elements to form a plurality of groups of adjacent transducer elements, mixing each electrical signal from each group with a modulation signal of a fixed frequency, each modulation signal being selectively phase delayed for each electrical signal in each group depending on the angle of direction of a reflection point in an imaged volume, summing the mixed electrical signals for each group, selectively time delaying the summed electrical signals for all group, and summing the selectively time delayed and summed electrical signals.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
53 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the spacing of adjacent transducer elements is one-half wavelength of a transmitted ultrasound wave, θ is the angle of a reflection point in an imaged volume, and φ is a unit of phased delay for adjacent transducer elements in a group, and φ=180° tan θ.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined by claim 1 wherein the frequency of the modulation signals is selected for developing an intermediate frequency for signal processing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The method as defined by claim 1 wherein the frequency of the modulation signals is selected for developing a baseband signal for signal processing.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
45 words
The method as defined in claim 1 wherein the selective time delay for signals in each group is determined by the difference in the longest reflection path to a group from a reflection point and the reflection path to each group from the reflection point.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for selectively directing a phased array of transducer elements in an ultrasound imaging system comprising a plurality of groups of adjacent transducer elements, means for mixing each electrical signal from each group of transducers with a modulation signal of a fixed frequency, each modulation signal being selectively phase delayed for each electrical signal in the group depending on the angle of direction of a reflection point in an imaged volume, means for summing the mixed electrical signals for each group, means for selectively time delaying the summed electro signals for all groups, and means for summing the selectively time delayed and summed electrical signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
105 words
Apparatus for selectively directing a phased array of transducer elements in an ultrasound imaging system comprising a plurality of groups of adjacent transducer elements, means for mixing each electrical signal from each group of transducers with a modulation signal of a fixed frequency, each modulation signal being selectively phase delayed for each electrical signal in the group depending on the angle of direction of a reflection point in an imaged volume, means for summing the mixed electrical signals for each group, means for selectively time delaying the summed electro signals for all groups, and means for summing the selectively time delayed and summed electrical signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
52 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 6 wherein the spacing of adjacent transducer elements is one-half wavelength of a transmitted ultrasound wave, θ is the angle of a reflection point in the imaged volume, and φ is the unit of phase delay for adjacent transducer elements in a group, wherein φ=180° tan θ.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
22 words
Apparatus as defined in claim 1 wherein said means for mixing each electrical signal develops an intermediate frequency for subsequent signal processing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 1 wherein said means for mixing said electrical signals develops a baseband signal for subsequent processing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
41 words
Apparatus as defined by claim 6 wherein the selective time delay for said time delay means is determined by the difference in the longest reflection path from a reflection point to a group and the reflection path to each specific group.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1990-05-04 | 1990-11-03 | 1991-05-05 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-05-04 | 1994-11-03 | 1995-05-05 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-05-04 | 1998-11-03 | 1999-05-05 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |