US5601085A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ultrasound imaging
Assignee: GE Healthcare AS
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Filing: 1995-10-02
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Granted: 1997-02-11
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Expires: 2015-10-02
Abstract
Abstract Temporal variations in backscatter from an ultrasound contrast agent located in the vascular system and induced by movement of the scatterers are used to visualise the presence of contrast agent by determining areas where correlation between successive ultrasound images is poor. This low level of correlation arising from intravascular contrast agent movement permits distinction between stationary bulk tissue and moving bulk tissue since movement of the latter solid tissue scatterers is correlated.
Inventors
- 👤 Jonny Ostensen
- 👤 Morton Eriksen
- 👤 Lars Hoff
- 👤 Sigmund Frigstad
- 👤 Nils Sponheim
- 👤 Knut Dyrstad
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61B; A61B8/00; A61B8/06; A61B8/48; A61B8/481; A61B8/52; A61K; A61K49/00; A61K49/22; A61K49/222; A61K49/223; G; G01; G01S; G01S15/00; G01S15/02; G01S15/50; G01S15/52; G01S15/88; G01S15/89; G01S15/8906; G01S15/8979; G01S7/00; G01S7/52; G01S7/52017; G01S7/52023; G01S7/52036; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/14
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 9
Claim 1
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of imaging vasculated tissue of a human or non-human subject, said tissue containing an ultrasound contrast agent, which method comprises generating successive ultrasound images of said tissue, scanning a plurality of elements of each of said images for one or more image parameters, calculating correlation values in respect of said image parameter(s) for corresponding elements in said successive images, identifying any region or regions for which there is a change in said correlation values exceeding a defined level and generating a display of said region or regions.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
89 words
A method of imaging vasculated tissue of a human or non-human subject, said tissue containing an ultrasound contrast agent, which method comprises generating successive ultrasound images of said tissue, scanning a plurality of elements of each of said images for one or more image parameters, calculating correlation values in respect of said image parameter(s) for corresponding elements in said successive images, identifying any region or regions for which there is a change in said correlation values exceeding a defined level and generating a display of said region or regions.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein correlation values between successive images are determined in intensity domain.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 1 wherein intensity parameters from a B-mode image are scanned.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein correlation values between successive images are determined by time domain analysis of radio-frequency scanlines.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The method of claim 1 wherein correlation values between successive images are determined by frequency domain analysis of radio-frequency scanlines.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 1 wherein a gas-containing or gas precursor-containing ultrasound contrast agent is employed.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 1 wherein correlation values are used in combination with total signal intensity or other image parameters in respect of the same elements to determine the presence of contrast.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 1 wherein the display is stored using an electronic storage medium.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US5487390A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-11 | 2000-08-12 | 2001-02-11 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-11 | 2004-08-12 | 2005-02-11 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-11 | 2008-08-12 | 2009-02-11 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |