Importance

Loading Importance Indicators...

Abstract

A method of position sensing using ultrasound that allows unconstrained motion of a scanhead or sensing probe. Combined with ultrasound echo sensing, a static, B-mode ultrasound imaging system is obtained that does not require mechanical arms or similar structures. The signal acquisition means comprises a scanhead having two or more ultrasound transducers that convert echoes from a subject into echo signals. For B-mode imaging, an image processor processes the echo signals to produce intensity data for a scan line having a known orientation with respect to the scanhead. The echo signals are Doppler processed to produce position data representing the relative positions of a series of scan lines, and a scan converter combines the intensity and position data to produce a two-dimensional image of the subject. The scan converter first processes samples along each scan line to produce intermediate intensity values, and then combines intermediate intensity values for adjacent scan lines to produce the output image.

Loading the Abstract Image...

First Claim