Method and apparatus for coherent image formation

Abstract

Abstract This invention is an apparatus for imaging an object using a transducer array (1) for transmitting one or more beams (2a, 2b) that are steered and/or translated to transmit scan lines for multiple excitation events, so as to scan a field of view of the object for sensing received signals reflected from the object after each excitation event on one or more receive beams on receive scan lines, and for transducing those sensed received signals into corresponding electrical signals. The method and apparatus is additionally for acquiring and storing coherent samples retaining both phase and amplitude information of those electrical signals obtained on the receive scan lines throughout at least a portion of the field of view, and for combining stored coherent samples associated with distinct receive beams to synthesize new coherent image samples aligned on synthetic scan lines, which are distinct from any one of (a) receive scan lines on which a signal was sensed, (b) transmit scan lines on which a signal was directed, or (c) transmit scan lines and receive scan lines. The method and apparatus is further for detecting the synthesized coherent image samples, and displaying or recording the resulting image field.

Inventors

• 👤 J. Nelson Wright
• 👤 Samuel H. Maslak
• 👤 David J. Finger
• 👤 Albert Gee

Bibliographic Details