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Abstract

A parallel, frequency domain filter (50) for providing frequency-dependent phase delay for real data includes a fast Fourier transform (FFT) device (52), a complex multiplier (54), a filter memory (56) and an inverse fast Fourier transform (IFFT) device (58). The FFT and IFFT devices (52) and (58) are shown with two inputs and two outputs each. The filter (50) of the present invention allows for increased throughput by filtering two real signals in parallel, one being applied to the real input of FFT device (52) and the other being applied to the imaginary input of FFT device (52). The filter memory 56 of FIG. 2 is provided with sufficient capacity to store several filter frequency characteristics. The appropriate filter frequency characteristic for the particular digitized rf signal being processed can be selected based on factors such as beam focus depth. The parallel, frequency domain filter (50) allows the use of coded waveforms to improve signal to noise ratio in ultrasound images.

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First Claim