U.S. patent application number 14/244011 was filed with the patent office on 2015-01-08 for intuitive ultrasonic imaging system and related method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to University of Virginia Patent Foundation. The applicant listed for this patent is University of Virginia Patent Foundation. Invention is credited to Travis N. Blalock, John A. Hossack, William F. Walker.
Application Number | 20150011884 14/244011 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 27805227 |
Filed Date | 2015-01-08 |
United States Patent
Application |
20150011884 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Walker; William F. ; et
al. |
January 8, 2015 |
INTUITIVE ULTRASONIC IMAGING SYSTEM AND RELATED METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A hand held ultrasonic instrument (10) is provided in a portable
unit that performs C-Mode imaging and collects 3D image data. In a
preferred embodiment a transducer array (60), display unit (20),
beamformer (40), power system, and image processor are integrated
in one enclosure weighing less than three pounds. In operation, the
portable unit is scanned across a target and the displayed image is
conveniently presented to the operator whereby the displayed image
corresponds exactly to the target, or a scaled fashion if
desired.
Inventors: |
Walker; William F.;
(Charlettesville, VA) ; Hossack; John A.;
(Charlottesville, VA) ; Blalock; Travis N.;
(Charlottesville, VA) |
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Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
University of Virginia Patent Foundation |
Charlottesville |
VA |
US |
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|
Assignee: |
University of Virginia Patent
Foundation
Charlottesville
VA
|
Family ID: |
27805227 |
Appl. No.: |
14/244011 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2014 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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12762135 |
Apr 16, 2010 |
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14244011 |
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10506722 |
Sep 7, 2004 |
7699776 |
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PCT/US03/06607 |
Mar 6, 2003 |
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12762135 |
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60362763 |
Mar 8, 2002 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
600/447 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61B 5/418 20130101;
A61B 8/06 20130101; A61B 2562/028 20130101; A61B 8/483 20130101;
G01S 15/8925 20130101; A61B 8/0841 20130101; A61B 5/4818 20130101;
G01S 7/52061 20130101; A61B 5/415 20130101; A61B 8/488 20130101;
A61B 8/14 20130101; A61B 8/462 20130101; A61B 8/0833 20130101; A61B
8/4427 20130101; A61B 8/4455 20130101; G01S 7/52071 20130101; G01S
15/8993 20130101; G01S 15/8995 20130101; G01S 7/5208 20130101; A61B
8/5215 20130101; A61B 8/13 20130101; A61B 8/466 20130101; A61B 8/08
20130101; G01S 7/52038 20130101; A61B 2017/3413 20130101; G01S
15/8979 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
600/447 |
International
Class: |
A61B 8/08 20060101
A61B008/08; A61B 8/00 20060101 A61B008/00; A61B 8/06 20060101
A61B008/06; A61B 8/14 20060101 A61B008/14 |
Claims
1. (canceled)
2. An ultrasonic imaging system for producing images of a target,
the system comprising: a housing; a two-dimensional transducer
array disposed on the housing; a display unit disposed on the
housing, the display unit defining a planar region, wherein the
transducer array and the display unit are integrated with the
housing, wherein the display unit is configured to display a
three-dimensional image; a beamformer disposed within the housing,
the beamformer in communication with the two-dimensional transducer
array, and configured to generate focused echo data obtained from
adjacent planes parallel to a surface of the transducer array; and
an image processor disposed within the housing, the image processor
configured to: receive focused echo data obtained from the adjacent
planes; and generate a three-dimensional image of an image region
located below the plane of the display, the three-dimensional image
generated using adjacent image planes located at different depths,
and using envelope-detected images from the adjacent planes
combined to yield the three-dimensional image.
3. The system of claim 2, further comprising a control to select
the depth of the three-dimensional image region.
4. The system of claim 2, wherein the image processor is configured
to generate a three-dimensional image for display on the display
unit scaled so that dimensions of the three-dimensional image
presented to the user include actual dimensions of the target as
would be perceived from the perspective of the user if the target
were visible to the user.
5. The system of claim 2, wherein the image processor is configured
to generate a three-dimensional image including estimated blood
flow velocities represented by respective colors.
6. The system of claim 2, wherein the display unit is adjustably
mounted to the housing to provide an adjustable angle between the
display and the housing, and wherein the adjustable angle of the
display unit controls an image region angle.
7. The system of claim 2, wherein the image processor is configured
to generate a three-dimensional image to be displayed on the
display including an animated series of images.
8. The system of claim 2, wherein the image processor is configured
to generate a three-dimensional image based on a dataset obtained
by averaging at least two envelope detected images to provide
reduced speckle.
9. The system of claim 2, wherein the image processor is configured
to perform speckle pattern decorrelation over time to identify
tissue or blood motion.
10. The system of claim 2, wherein the two-dimensional transducer
array is configured to transmit ultrasonic energy into a target,
and wherein the ultrasonic energy transmitted one or more focused
transmit beams.
11. The system of claim 2, wherein the two-dimensional transducer
array is configured to transmit ultrasonic energy into a target,
and the two-dimensional transducer array is configured to receive
ultrasonic echo signals from the target, the two-dimensional
transducer array configured to provide and receive coded excitation
to increase an effective signal to noise ratio of received echo
signals.
12. The system of claim 2, wherein the image processor is
configured to form the three-dimensional image using receive-only
spatial compounding.
13. The system of claim 2, the image processor is configured to
form the three-dimensional image using transmit-receive
compounding.
14. The system of claim 2, wherein the image processor is
configured to form the three-dimensional image by frequency
compounding.
15. The system of claim 2, wherein the image processor is
configured to form the three dimensional image including using
tissue harmonic information.
16. The system of claim 2, wherein at least one of said housing,
display, and two-dimensional transducer array is curved.
17. An ultrasonic imaging system for producing images of a target,
the system comprising: a housing; a two-dimensional transducer
array disposed on the housing; a display unit disposed on the
housing, the display unit defining a planar region, wherein the
transducer array and the display unit are integrated with the
housing, wherein the display unit is configured to display a
three-dimensional image, wherein the display unit is adjustably
mounted to the housing to provide an adjustable angle between the
display and the housing, and wherein the adjustable angle of the
display unit controls an image region angle; a beamformer disposed
within the housing, the beamformer in communication with the
two-dimensional transducer array, and configured to generate
focused echo data obtained from adjacent planes parallel to a
surface of the transducer array; and an image processor disposed
within the housing, the image processor configured to: receive
focused echo data obtained from the adjacent planes; and generate a
three-dimensional image of an image region located below the plane
of the display, the three-dimensional image generated using
adjacent image planes located at different depths, and using
envelope-detected images from the adjacent planes combined to yield
the three-dimensional image, and the three dimensional image scaled
so that dimensions of the three-dimensional image presented to the
user include actual dimensions of the target as would be perceived
from the perspective of the user if the target were visible to the
user.
18. A method of imaging a target to produce ultrasonic images
comprising: obtaining ultrasonic echo signals from a target using a
two-dimensional transducer array; generating a three-dimensional
image via an image processor using the ultrasonic echo signals for
presentation on a display unit, wherein echo signals include
focused echo data obtained from adjacent planes parallel to a
surface of the two-dimensional transducer array, wherein the
display unit is in alignment with the two-dimensional transducer,
and wherein the display unit, the three-dimensional image processor
and the two-dimensional transducer are collocated within a housing;
and wherein the three-dimensional image includes an image region
located underneath the two-dimensional transducer array and located
below the plane of the display, the three-dimensional image
generated using adjacent image planes located at different depths,
and using envelope-detected images from the adjacent planes
combined to yield the three-dimensional image.
19. The method of claim 17, wherein the three-dimensional image
region is located at a depth beneath the two-dimensional transducer
array, wherein the depth is selectable.
20. The method of claim 17, wherein the three-dimensional image is
formed by averaging at least two envelope detected images to
provide reduced speckle.
21. The method of claim 17, wherein the three-dimensional image
comprises an animation including a series of images from image
planes having different depths within the target.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 12/762,135 filed on Apr. 16, 2010, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/506,722 filed
on Sep. 7, 2004, and issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,699,776 on Apr. 20,
2010, which is a National Stage Filing under 35 U.S.C. 371 of
International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/US2003/006607 filed
on Mar. 6, 2003, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S.
Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/362,763 filed on Mar. 8,
2002, the benefit of priority of each of which is claimed hereby,
and each of which are incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention is directed to ultrasonic diagnostic
systems and methods and, in particular, a substantially integrated
hand held ultrasonic diagnostic instrument.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Medical imaging is a field dominated by high cost systems
that are so complex as to require specialized technicians for
operation and the services of experienced medical doctors and
nurses for image interpretation. Medical ultrasound, which is a
considered a low cost modality, utilizes imaging systems costing as
much as $250K. These systems are operated by technicians with two
years of training or specialized physicians. This high-tech,
high-cost approach works very well for critical diagnostic
procedures. However it makes ultrasound impractical for many of the
routine tasks for which it would be clinically useful.
[0004] A number of companies have attempted to develop low cost,
easy to use systems for more routine use. The most notable effort
is that by Sonosite. Their system produces very high quality images
at a system cost of approximately $20,000. While far less expensive
than high-end systems, these systems are still very sophisticated
and require a well-trained operator. Furthermore, at this price few
new applications are opened.
[0005] The applicability of conventional ultrasound is further
limited by the typical image format used. Images are produced in
what is commonly referred to as a B-Mode format, representing a
tomographic slice through the body perpendicular to the skin
surface. This image format is non-intuitive and the simple act or
process of mentally registering the B-Mode image to the patient's
anatomy requires significant experience.
[0006] Most existing ultrasonic imaging systems utilize an array
transducer that is connected to beamformer circuitry through a
cable, and a display that is usually connected directly to or
integrated with the beamformer. This approach is attractive because
it allows the beamformer electronics to be as large as is needed to
produce an economical system. In addition, the display may be of a
very high quality. Unfortunately this configuration is not
intuitive for most users because the image appears far from the
patient. Furthermore, these systems typically acquire B-mode
images, that is, images consisting of a tomographic slice taken
perpendicular to the face of the transducer array. Most new users
find images in this format very difficult to interpret and to
register mentally with the tissue geometry. Conventional system
configurations can be awkward to use because of the lengthy cable
involved. Finally, the typical large size of the beamformer limits
the system's portability.
[0007] Some conventional system architectures have been improved
upon through reductions in beamformer size. One of the most notable
efforts has been undertaken by Advanced Technologies Laboratories
and then continued by a spin-off company, Sonosite. U.S. Pat. No.
6,135,961 to Pflugrath et al., entitled "Ultrasonic Signal
Processor for a Hand Held Ultrasonic Diagnostic Instrument," hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, describes some of
the signal processing employed to produce a highly portable
ultrasonic imaging system. The Pflugrath '961 patent makes
reference to an earlier patent, U.S. Pat. No. 5,817,024 to Ogle et
al., entitled, "Hand Held Ultrasonic Diagnostic Instrument with
Digital Beamformer," hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. While the titles of these patents refer to a hand-held
ultrasound system, neither integrates the display and transducer
unit. In U.S. Pat. No. 6,203,498 to Bunce et al., entitled
"Ultrasonic Imaging Device with Integral Display," hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, however, the
transducer, beamformer, and display are all integrated to produce a
very small and convenient imaging system. The Bunce '498 system,
however, has some imitations. For example, but not limited thereto,
Bunce '498 continues to use the confusing b-mode image format and
its configuration is not intuitive for some users making it
difficult for an untrained user to interpret the image and connect
it to the organ, target, or subject under investigation.
[0008] The present invention ultrasonic imaging system and method
provides the opportunity to be a common component of nearly every
medical examination and procedure. The present invention provides a
system and method which shall be referred to as "sonic window".
[0009] The present invention system may be produced, and the
related method performed, at a low cost and will be nearly as easy
to use as a magnifying glass.
[0010] The present invention ultrasonic imaging system and method
provides the potential to have a broad and significant impact in
healthcare. The instant document identifies various clinical
applications of the present invention sonic window, but should not
be limited thereto, and other applications will become attained as
clinicians gain access to the system and method.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0011] The present invention comprises a hand held ultrasonic
instrument that is provided in a portable unit which performs
C-Mode imaging and collects 3D image data. In a preferred
embodiment a transducer array, display unit, beamformer, power
system, and image processor are integrated in one enclosure
weighing less than three pounds. In operation, the portable unit is
scanned across a target and the displayed image is conveniently
presented to the operator whereby the dimension of the displayed
image corresponds exactly to the dimension of the target.
Alternatively, the displayed image is a scaled version of the
target. If scaled, then the image may be magnified or reduced
accordingly.
[0012] In one aspect, the present invention provides an ultrasonic
imaging system capable of producing C-Mode images and/or collecting
3D image data of a target. The system comprising: a housing; a
transducer array disposed on the housing; a display unit disposed
on the housing, wherein the transducer array and the display unit
are integrated with the housing; and a beamformer is in
communication with the system. Alternatively, the beamformer may be
integrated within the housing.
[0013] In another aspect, the present invention provides a method
of imaging a target to produce C-Mode ultrasonic images and/or
collect ultrasonic 3D image data. The method comprising the steps
of providing a housing; providing a transducer array disposed on
the housing, the transducer for transmitting ultrasonic energy into
the target and receiving ultrasonic echo signals from the target;
beamforming the received echo signals to provide data; processing
the beamformed data; and providing a display unit disposed on the
housing, the display unit displaying the processed data.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The foregoing and other objects, features and advantages of
the present invention, as well as the invention itself, will be
more fully understood from the following description of preferred
embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings in
which:
[0015] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate schematic representations of the
present invention ultrasonic imaging system having an integrated
beamformer and a stand alone beamformer, respectively.
[0016] FIGS. 2A-2B schematically illustrate top and bottom
perspective views, respectively, of the hand held ultrasonic
imaging system of the present invention.
[0017] FIGS. 3A-3C schematically illustrate various embodiments of
the access ports, access outlets, and passages of the hand held
ultrasonic imaging system of the present invention.
[0018] FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an adjustable display unit
of the hand held ultrasonic imaging system of the present
invention.
[0019] FIGS. 5A-5B schematically illustrate top and bottom
perspective views, respectively, of the hand held ultrasonic
imaging system of the present invention having a cover thereon, as
well as adhesive devices on the housing and/or cover.
[0020] FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a top perspective view of
the hand held ultrasonic imaging system of the present invention
having a retaining device thereon.
[0021] FIG. 7 illustrates in block diagram form the architecture of
an embodiment of the ultrasonic imaging system of the present
invention.
[0022] FIGS. 8A-8B, show a schematic longitudinal perspective view
and lateral side view, respectively, of the hand held ultrasonic
system wherein the curve of the display, housing, and/or transducer
is in the longitudinal direction.
[0023] FIGS. 9A-9B, show a schematic longitudinal perspective view
and lateral side view, respectively, of the hand held ultrasonic
system wherein the curve of the display, housing, and/or transducer
is in the lateral direction.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention provides a new ultrasound system
architecture and related method thereof that eliminates many of the
problems and limitations associated with conventional
architectures. The present invention system and method, termed the
sonic window, integrates the transducer array and the display unit
so that the ultrasound image is displayed at the location it is
acquired. More significantly, the sonic window obtains C-Mode
images, that is, images in which the image plane is parallel to the
surface of the transducer.
[0025] Novice ultrasound users, among other types of users, would
find the present invention system and method very useful and
beneficial. C-Mode image formats are discussed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,245,017 to Hashimoto et al., entitled "3D Ultrasonic Diagnostic
Apparatus," hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety, as well numerous other patents. The present invention
sonic window may also acquire and display 3-D images (and/or
transmit the images to exterior devices for display).
[0026] The C-Mode image of the present invention and method may be
selected from an arbitrary depth depending upon user preference and
the specific target or tissue of interest. A preferred embodiment
would include a simple user control, such as a thumbwheel, to
select the depth of image acquisition. Likewise, a preferred
embodiment would also include a simple display indicating the depth
selected.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1A, the present invention imaging system
utilizes a transducer array 60 that is in communication with
beamformer circuitry 40 and a display 20 in communication to the
beamformer 40. The transducer 60, beamformer circuitry 40, and
display 20, are integrated whereby they are located in the same
general housing (enclosure) or on same general platform or board.
Images are formed by transmitting a series of acoustic pulses from
the transducer array 60 and displaying the magnitude of the echoes
received from these pulses. The beamformer 40 applies delays needed
to steer and focus the acoustic pulses and echoes.
[0028] While full integration of the transducer, beamformer, and
display is preferred, it should be appreciated that in some
instances only the transducer and display are integrated, keeping a
cable 50 to connect the transducer unit 60 and display unit 20 to a
separate beamformer unit 40, as show in FIG. 1B. Rather than a
cable, a channel that carries signals may be implemented using wire
or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone link, an RF
link, an infrared link, blue tooth and other communications
channels.
[0029] The beamforming operations of the present invention system
and method may be distributed between the transducer/display unit
and a separate beamforming unit. Such a design would be
intermediate between the fully integrated approach and the separate
beamformer approach described above. This approach has the
advantage of limiting the amount of data which must be passed
between the transducer/display unit and the beamformer unit.
[0030] As the present invention system and method provides an
integrated transducer unit 60 and a C-Mode or 3-D display 20, a
variety of tissue information may be obtained through judicious
pulse transmission and signal processing of received echoes. Such
information could be displayed in conjunction with or instead of
the aforementioned echo information. One such type of information
is referred to as color flow Doppler as described in U.S. Pat. No.
4,573,477 to Namekawa et al., entitled "Ultrasonic Diagnostic
Apparatus," hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. Another useful type of information is harmonic image data
as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,251,074 to Averkiou et al.,
entitled "Ultrasonic Tissue Harmonic Imaging" and U.S. Pat. No.
5,632,277 to Chapman et al., entitled "Ultrasound Imaging System
Employing Phase Inversion Subtraction to Enhance the Image," both
of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein in their
entirety. Yet another type of information that may be obtained and
displayed is known as Power Doppler as described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,471,990 to Thirsk, entitled "Ultrasonic Doppler Power Measurement
and Display System," hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety. Angular scatter information might also be displayed. Such
data could be acquired using a method described in a co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/030,958, entitled "Angular
Scatter Imaging System Using Translating Apertures Algorithm and
Method Thereof," filed Jun. 3, 2002, of which is hereby
incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
[0031] Speckle is a common feature of ultrasound images. While it
is fundamental to the imaging process, many users find its
appearance confusing and it has been shown to limit target
detectability. A variety of so called compounding techniques have
been described which could be valuable for reducing the appearance
of speckle in sonic window images. These techniques include spatial
compounding and frequency compounding, both of which are well
described in the literature.
[0032] The present invention acquisition of 3-D data sets also
allows a new type of compounding that might be termed "C-Mode
compounding." In this technique a number of envelope detected
C-Mode images from adjacent planes would be summed to yield a
single speckle reduced image. While some resolution in the slice
thickness dimension would be lost by this averaging, the
improvement in effective signal to noise ratio achieved by reducing
the speckle might outweigh that cost.
[0033] One skilled in the art would appreciate that the common
practice of frequency compounding could be readily applied to the
current invention. By transmitting a plurality of pulses at
different frequencies and forming separate detected images using
the pulses one may obtain multiple unique speckle patterns from the
same target. These patterns may then be averaged to reduce the
overall appearance of speckle.
[0034] The well known techniques of spatial compounding may also be
applied to the current invention. The most conventional form of
spatial compounding, which we call two-way or transmit-receive
spatial compounding, entails the acquisition of multiple images
with the active transmit and receive apertures shifted spatially
between image acquisitions. This shifting operation causes the
speckle patterns obtained to differ from one image to the next,
enabling image averaging to reduce the speckle pattern. In another
technique, which we term one-way or receive-only spatial
compounding, the transmit aperture is held constant between image
acquisitions while the receive aperture is shifted between image
acquisitions. As with two-way spatial compounding, this technique
reduces the appearance of speckle in the final image.
[0035] In many ultrasound applications the received echoes from
tissue have very small amplitude, resulting in an image with poor
signal to noise ratio. This problem may be addressed through the
use of a technique known as coded excitation. In this method the
transmitted pulse is long in time and designed so that it has a
very short autocorrelation length. In this manner the pulse is
transmitted and received signals are correlated with the
transmitted pulse to yield a resultant signal with good signal to
noise ratio, but high axial resolution (short correlation length).
This method could be readily applied in the present invention sonic
window device and method to improve the effective signal to noise
ratio. The coded excitation technique is described in U.S. Pat. No.
5,014,712 to O'Donnell, entitled "Coded Excitation for Transmission
Dynamic Focusing of Vibratory Energy Beam," hereby incorporated by
reference herein in its entirety.
[0036] An aspect in fabricating a system like the present invention
sonic window is in construction of the transducer array. Both cost
and complexity could be reduced by incorporating a transducer
fabricated using photolithographic techniques, i.e. the transducer
is formed using microelectromechanical systems (MEMS). One
particularly attractive approach has been described in U.S. Pat.
No. 6,262,946 to Khuri-Yakub et al., entitled "Capacitive
Micromachined Ultrasonic Transducer Arrays with Reduced
Cross-Coupling," hereby incorporated by reference herein in its
entirety.
[0037] In an embodiment, the present invention ultrasound system
and method proves particularly valuable for guiding the insertion
of needles and catheters. Currently, technicians attempt to insert
needles based on the surface visibility of veins coupled with their
knowledge of anatomy. This approach works quite well in thin,
healthy individuals, but can prove extremely difficult in patients
who are ill or obese. The low cost, easy to use present invention
imaging system and related method provides additional guidance in
these cases, increasing the efficiency of treatment, reducing
patient discomfort, and improving patient outcomes by speeding
treatment. Such a low cost, easy to use system would undoubtedly
find additional medical applications.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 3A through 3C, the system 10 may have an
access port 65 that is configured to receive a medical instrument,
medical tool, other instruments, other tools, other needles,
probes, or the like. In clinical use an instrument or needle could
be inserted into the access port entry 63, pass through the device
through a passage 65, and enter the tissue near the outlet 64. An
instrument inserted through the passage 65 will intersect with the
image plane 3 at the intersection point 4. The displayed image
could readily indicate the location where an inserted needle or the
like would enter the tissue or other target. The displayed image
could show where the needle, instrument, and/or tool would
intersect with the image, even if it doesn't actually show the
needle, instrument, and/or tool. Likewise, the image could have an
intersection point indicator 21 to show or indicate the location of
the intersection point 4 within a given image. The location of the
access port 63 is not limited to the upper surface of the device,
but could also be located on any of the device sides 12, 13, 14,
15. A device may include multiple access ports 63 to enable access
from different locations or simultaneous use of multiple tools. A
system with multiple access ports 63 might include internal sensors
(not shown) to determine which ports were in use at a given time
and thereby provide appropriate indicators on the display. The
outlet(s) 64 or access port entry (entries) 63 might be located
within the transducer array 60 or at a location outside or adjacent
to the transducer array 60, for example on the sides 12, 13, 14,
15, top 6 or bottom 8 of the housing 2, or other available
components of the system 10.
[0039] It should be recognized that the access port 63, access
outlet 64, and passage 65 may in combination in whole or in part
include, but not limited thereto, the following: recess, aperture,
port, duct, conduit, channel, pipe, tube, hose, tunnel, channel,
flute, fiber optic, or equivalent structure.
[0040] For example, but not intended to be limiting, FIG. 3A
schematically shows the passage 65 running from the top 6 to the
bottom 8. Next, for example, but not intended to be limiting, FIG.
3B schematically shows the passage 65 running from the top 6
through transducer array 60. Still further, for example, but not
intended to be limiting, FIG. 3C schematically shows the passage 65
running from one of the sides 13 (or optionally from another side
12, 14,15) to the bottom 8 (or optionally could have been through
the transducer array 60 as well).
[0041] Also shown in FIG. 2B, the system may also have a transducer
60 or housing 2 incorporating a marking devices or mechanisms 67
wherein when the devices or mechanisms 67 come in contact or near
contact with the target 1 (e.g., skin or surface), or when the user
so instructs the system, then the marking devices or mechanisms 67
place or apply one or more marks on the target 1. Such marks may
include raised bumps, indentations, dye, or other suitable means.
Marks formed in this manner may be useful for guiding surgical or
other interventions which will occur without the sonic window
device in place. Additionally, the marks might provide useful for
maintaining device registration while surgical or other medical
procedures are performed with the sonic window in place. Likewise
permanent or semi-permanent marks might be used to guide the sonic
window to the same location during later imaging sessions. Such
alignment would be facilitated by the inclusion of optical or other
sensing devices (not shown) on the face of the sonic window
containing the transducer array.
[0042] Still referring to FIGS. 2A-2B and 3A-3C, an embodiment of
the hand held imaging system 10 is described. The system 10
comprises a housing 2 (or platform, board, enclosure, casing or the
alike) preferably formed of plastic or metal or other desirable
materials appreciated by those skilled in the art. The enclosure
has four sides 12, 13, 14, 15 (but may be more or less according as
desired), a top side 6, and a bottom side 8. The display unit 20 is
on the top side 6 and transducer array 60 is on the bottom side 8,
substantially or exactly parallel with the display 20. The system
10 may also have various controls for the user, for example, roller
ball or toggle stick 19, alphanumeric keyboard 18, and or menu
buttons 7.
[0043] As best shown in FIG. 2B, the system 10 also has a
communication interface 87 that is operable with a communication
path or channel 88 (shown in FIG. 7). The communications interface
87, for example, allows software and data to be transferred between
the system 10 and external devices. Examples of communications
interface 87 may include a modem, a network interface (such as an
Ethernet card), a communications port, a PCMCIA slot and card, etc.
Software and data transferred via communications interface 87 are
in the form of signals which may be electronic, electromagnetic,
optical, or other signals capable of being received by
communications interface 87. Signals are provided to communications
interface 87 via a communications path (i.e., channel) 88 (as shown
in FIG. 7). The Channel 88 carries signals and may be implemented
using wire or cable, fiber optics, a phone line, a cellular phone
link, an RF link, infrared link, blue tooth, and other
communications channels. It should be noted that in general other
transmission channels associated with the system may utilize
similar architecture.
[0044] As best shown in FIG. 2A and FIG. 4, the system 10 may have
a display unit 20 that may be adjustable relative to the housing 2
or other suitable structure of the system 10. In one preferred
embodiment, adjustment of the angle of the display 20 would alter
the angle of an image slice selected from a 3D volume of space. The
user would thus be able to select the image plane of most interest
by simply adjusting the display angle (e.g., from about zero to
about 135 degrees), as depicted by arrow A, until that slice was
displayed. This approach should provide a useful mode of navigation
for novice users. FIG. 2A illustrates the display 20 in a position
substantially or exactly parallel with the transducer array 60.
FIG. 4 illustrates the display 20 that may be rotated in any
desired angle relative to the transducer array 60. The adjustment
device 22 or devices may be a variety of devices or combinations
thereof including, but not limited thereto, the following: gimbal,
spindle, core, axle, shaft, rod, arbor, mandrel, axis, pin, pintle,
bar, journal, and bearing.
[0045] FIGS. 5A-5B schematically illustrate top and bottom
perspective views, respectively, of the hand held ultrasonic
imaging system of the present invention. In particular, a cover 31
or covers (removable, semi-permanent, or permanent) are provided on
the bottom 8, for example, or at least a portion of the bottom 8,
that is/are applied to achieve a clean, sterile, or antiseptic
condition. The cover 31 would be the portion of the device in
contact with the patient or target. Optionally, the cover 31 could
be disposed on other areas of the housing 2 or system 10. In
addition, the cover 31 may require intakes 34 or via for objects to
pass through the cover 31 to the marking mechanisms 67 and/or
access outlets 64. It could include portions meant to extend
through the passages 65 to the access ports 63. The intakes 34 may
include, but is not limited thereto, the following: perforated
holes, seams, covers, plugs, lids, punch outs, doors, windows,
slits, gaskets, diaphragms, valves, or other intake/access
mechanisms.
[0046] The cover 31 could serve as personal protection glove. The
cover 31 may be a variety of materials such as plastics, polymers,
rubber, latex, metal, or any desired material. The cover 31 may
include, but not limited thereto, the following: sheath, casing,
well, case, shell, envelope, sleeve, or glove. Moreover, besides
protecting the target or patient, the cover 31 may be used to
protect the rest of the device from damage or dirt from the target
or environment.
[0047] Still referring to FIGS. 5A-5B, there is schematically
illustrated an adhesive device 33 or adhesive devices that may be
disposed, for example on the top 6 (shown in FIG. 5A) or
alternatively on the cover 33 (shown in FIG. 5B) or both to hold
the system 10 in place during treatment and pre or post treatment.
Optionally, the adhesive device 33 could be disposed on other areas
of the housing 2 or system 10. The adhesive device 33 may include,
but not limited thereto, the following: glue, adhesive, VELCRO,
tape, mirco-machined spikes, catch, latch or other holding
mechanisms. In addition the adhesive device 33 may be incorporated
entirely within the cover 31 to form an integrated cover/adhesive
device.
[0048] Next, turning to FIG. 6, FIG. 6 schematically illustrates a
top perspective view of the hand held ultrasonic imaging system of
the present invention having a retaining device 32 or retaining
devices that may disposed, for example on side 13 and/or side 15
(or optionally could be disposed on other areas of the housing 2 or
system 10). The retaining device 32 may include, but not limited
thereto, the following: strap, belt, latch, clamp, coupling, joint,
keeper, connection, VELCRO, tape, or other retaining mechanisms or
structures.
[0049] An advantage of the present invention ultrasonic imaging
system is that it may be compact and light weight. For example, the
hand held imaging system shown in FIGS. 2A-2B, 3A-3C, 4, 5A-5B, and
6, can have a variety of sizes. In one instance it may have a
housing 2 with the dimensions (height, length and width) in inches
of about 1.times.2.times.2, respectively. In another instance, the
dimensions (height, length and width) in inches may be about
2.times.6.times.4, respectively. Of course one should appreciate
that the housing size may be larger or smaller. Moreover, the hand
held system 10 may be lightweight weighing less than about 2
pounds. Of course one should appreciate that it may be heavier or
lighter.
[0050] The present invention hand held system may be curved so as
to fit the shape of the target or a partial area of the target,
such as a patient or inanimate object. For example, FIGS. 8A-8B,
show a schematic longitudinal perspective view and lateral side
view, respectively, of the hand held ultrasonic system 10 wherein
the curve of the display 20, housing 2, and/or transducer array 60
is in the longitudinal direction (any select one of these
components or combination thereof, as well as other system
components may be curved). Some components Whereas, FIGS. 9A-9B,
show a schematic longitudinal perspective view and lateral side
view, respectively, of the hand held ultrasonic system 10 wherein
the curve of the display 20, housing 2, and/or transducer array 60
is in the lateral direction (any select one of these components or
combination thereof, as well as other system components may be
curved). One should appreciate that the longitudinal and lateral
curves may be combined to form various shapes and contours.
[0051] In an embodiment, the present invention ultrasound system
and method proves particularly valuable for continuous monitoring
of obstructive sleep apnea. Sleep apnea (obstruction of the air
passage in the throat) is highly prevalent, affecting more than
eighteen million Americans. Amongst the variants of sleep apnea,
obstructive sleep apnea is by far the most common. It is difficult
and expensive to diagnose and represents a significant risk to the
patient. Typical diagnostic methods require an overnight hospital
stay in an instrumented laboratory. Many at risk patients refuse
this inconvenient testing regime and thus go undiagnosed. The
present invention low cost sonic window can be coupled with
relatively simple image processing to directly diagnose obstructive
sleep apnea in a minimally obtrusive manner. Such an approach could
be used in both initial diagnosis and as a warning device in
chronic cases.
[0052] In an embodiment, the present invention ultrasound system
and method proves particularly valuable as an adjunct to palpation.
Manual palpation is an exceedingly common diagnostic procedure.
Clinicians use their sense of touch to feel for subcutaneous lumps
or even to estimate the size of lymph nodes or other masses. While
palpation undoubtedly yields valuable qualitative information,
numerous studies have shown it to have extremely poor sensitivity
and that quantitative size estimates are completely unreliable. The
present invention sonic window would offer a new method and system
of observing subcutaneous tissues. It can be appreciated that
various applications can be utilized, including providing more
reliable and quantitative information than simple manual
palpation.
[0053] In an embodiment, the present invention ultrasound system
and method proves particularly valuable for non-destructive
evaluation. In a broad variety of industrial applications
ultrasound is used to search for internal defects in metallic or
ceramic parts. Current systems are cost effective, but are unwieldy
and acquire limited data, making it difficult to ensure that a
thorough search has been performed. The present invention sonic
window allows for more rapid and thorough examination than current
techniques, and at a competitive cost.
EXAMPLES
[0054] The following example is intended for illustrative purposes
only and is not intended to be limiting in any manner.
Example No. 1
[0055] Referring to FIG. 7, a schematic block diagram of an
embodiment of the invention is shown, whereby a two-dimensional
piezoelectric transducer array 60 is utilized. The transducer array
60 consists of a 32.times.32 element array of 500.times.500 um
elements 62. These elements can be constructed by using a
commercially available wafer dicing saw to cut a Lead Zirconate
Titanate (PZT) ceramic that had been mounted to a printed circuit
board. While the printed circuit board does not provide optimal
acoustic properties, it can be easily fabricated at a low cost.
Selection of non-standard materials as the substrate for the
printed circuit board (such as a thermoplastic) will enable some
control over the acoustic response of the transducer. The printed
circuit board provides the connection to one side of the elements
62. The other side of the elements is tied to a common ground plane
by adhering a foil layer to the surface using an electrically
conductive epoxy.
[0056] A transmit-receive switch 70 would be connected directly to
the transducer elements. This switch acts 70 to ensure that either
transmit or receive circuitry 75 is connected to the transducer
elements 62, but never both simultaneously. This is essential since
the high transmit voltages (on the order of about 50-200 Volts)
would damage the sensitive amplifiers used in echo reception.
Furthermore, the preferred embodiment utilizes a CMOS integrated
circuit. Such CMOS processes are relatively easily damaged by the
application of high voltage.
[0057] In one embodiment of this invention the transmit-receive
switch and transmit circuitry are integrated in such a manner as to
reduce cost and complexity.
[0058] A preferred embodiment maintains low cost and system
performance by integrating the preamplifiers 71, amplifiers 72, A/D
converters 73, buffer RAM 74, and beamformer 40 into a single CMOS
integrated circuit. A single integrated circuit could include a
large number of channels, that is, all the circuitry required for
reception and focusing of some large number of elements. A
preferred embodiment would include all these circuit components for
all 1024 elements on a single integrated circuit.
[0059] The preamplifiers 71 provide electrical impedance matching
between the transducer elements 62 and the receiving electronics.
They also provide some small amount of fixed gain. The amplifier
stage provides a more significant level of gain that is adjustable
to account for signal losses due to frequency dependant
attenuation. The analog to digital converters (A/D converters) 73
digitize the received echoes at 8 bits and a nominal sampling
frequency of 40 MHz. Sampled data is then stored temporarily in the
buffer RAM 74. Sampled data is read from this buffer RAM by the
beamformer 40. The beamformer delays the echo signals
differentially to focus the signals on the location of interest.
These delays may have a smaller interval than the sampling interval
by employing digital interpolation filters. Once the echo signals
have been appropriately delayed they may be summed together to
yield the focused signal for a single line through the tissue. One
skilled in the art would appreciate that the aforementioned focal
delays might be updated at rapid intervals to perform what is
commonly known as "dynamic focusing."
[0060] Focused echo data coming out of the beamformer would be
processed further by a general purpose digital signal processor
(DSP) 41 such as the Texas Instruments TMS320C55 DSP processor.
This DSP 41 processes the focused line data by performing envelope
detection and mapping the envelope detected data to the appropriate
location in the image display. Finally, the image data would be
displayed using an LCD screen 20 such as those employed in handheld
televisions, personal digital assistants, or laptop computers.
[0061] Transmit timing, focal parameters, image depth, image gain,
and other parameters could be determined by a system control unit
80. This control unit 80 could consist of a second DSP chip like
the one described above. This chip would read user controls and
update system settings to implement user adjustments. This control
unit might also employ an interface to an external storage device
and an interface to an external printer.
[0062] The following U.S. Patents are hereby incorporated by
reference herein in their entirety:
[0063] U.S. Pat. No. 4,240,295 to Uranishi, entitled "Ultrasonic
Diagnosing Apparatus;"
[0064] U.S. Pat. No. 5,065,740 to Itoh, entitled "Ultrasonic
Medical Treatment Apparatus;"
[0065] U.S. Pat. No. 5,097,709 to Masuzawa et al., entitled
"Ultrasonic Imaging System;"
[0066] U.S. Pat. No. 5,722,412 to Pflugrath et al., entitled "Hand
Held Ultrasonic Diagnostic Instrument;"
[0067] U.S. Pat. No. 5,879,303 to Averkiou et al., entitled
"Ultrasonic Diagnostic Imaging of Response Frequency Differing from
Transmit Frequency;"
[0068] U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,613 to Averkiou et al., entitled
"Ultrasonic Diagnostic Imaging with Contrast Agents;"
[0069] U.S. Pat. No. 5,893,363 to Little et al., entitled
"Ultrasonic Array Transducer Transceiver for a Hand Held Ultrasonic
Diagnostic Instrument;"
[0070] U.S. Pat. No. 6,106,472 to Chiang, et al., entitled
"Portable Ultrasound Imaging System;"
[0071] U.S. Pat. No. 6,241,673 to Williams, entitled "Diagnostic
Medical Ultrasound System with Wireless Communication Device;"
[0072] U.S. Pat. No. 6,283,919 to Roundhill et al., entitled
"Ultrasonic Diagnostic Imaging with Blended Tissue Harmonic
Signals;"
[0073] U.S. Pat. No. 6,383,139 to Hwang et al., entitled
"Ultrasonic Signal Processor for Power Doppler Imaging in a Hand
Held Ultrasonic Diagnostic Instrument;"
[0074] U.S. Pat. No. 6,436,040 to Collamore et al., entitled
"Intuitive User Interface and Control Circuitry Including Linear
Distance Measurement and User Localization in a Portable Ultrasound
Diagnostic Device;"
[0075] U.S. Pat. No. 6,440,072 to Schuman et al., entitled "Medical
Diagnostic Ultrasound Imaging System and Method for Transferring
Ultrasound Examination Data to a Portable Computing Device;"
[0076] U.S. Pat. No. 6,488,625 to Randall et al., entitled "Medical
Diagnostic Ultrasound System and Method;"
[0077] U.S. Pat. No. 6,497,661 to Brock-Fisher, entitled "Portable
Ultrasound Diagnostic Device with Automatic Data Transmission."
[0078] In conclusion, in view of the foregoing, an advantage of the
present invention ultrasonic imaging system and method provides is
ease of use, whereby acquiring and displaying data in the intuitive
C-Mode format little or no training will be necessary for
clinicians to make use of the device.
[0079] Another advantage of the present invention ultrasonic
imaging system and method is low cost, whereby large scale
integration of the beamformer will enable the system to be produced
at a very low cost. This will open numerous applications for which
ultrasound was previously cost prohibitive.
[0080] Still yet, another advantage of the present invention
ultrasonic imaging system and method is portability, whereby the
small size of the system will make it easy to carry in a pocket or
on a belt attachment. This will make the system or device as
available as a stethoscope and will thus open new applications.
[0081] Further, another advantage of the present invention
ultrasonic imaging system and method is that there are no low cost,
portable systems that produce C-Mode displays.
[0082] Moreover, another advantage of the present invention is that
it can be battery operated without a power cord or the like.
[0083] Finally, another advantage of the present invention is that
entanglement of transducer cable is avoided.
[0084] The present invention may be embodied in other specific
forms without departing from the spirit or essential
characteristics thereof. The foregoing embodiments are therefore to
be considered in all respects illustrative rather than limiting of
the invention described herein. Scope of the invention is thus
indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing
description, and all changes which come within the meaning and
range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be
embraced herein.
* * * * *