Importance

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Abstract

A configuration of slices of a volume, such as B slices, I slices, and/or C slices, is selected. Subsequently, the volume is scanned based on the selected configuration of slices. For example, transmit ultrasound beams are transmitted from an ultrasound transducer downstream into the volume through a selected slice. The transmit ultrasound beams are tracked downstream in the volume until the transmit ultrasound beams reach points that lie in a plane that corresponds to the selected slice of the volume. The tracking is used to form ultrasound scan lines which represent the portion of the volume through which the transmit ultrasound beams were tracked. The ultrasound scan lines are used to provide a view of the plane that corresponds to the selected slice. The transmit ultrasound beams are not tracked downstream from the plane in the volume that corresponds to the selected slice. Alternately, B slices of the volume are selected. Transmit ultrasound beams are transmitted into the volume until two planes of the volume which represent the selected B slices are scanned. Consequently, a 3D ultrasound imaging system which operates as described above may be capable of reducing the time needed to provide a view of the selected slice compared to conventional systems. The time reduction may allow an increase in the data acquisition rate.

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