Marshall P Robinson

US Patent:

60366435, Mar 14, 2000

Filed:

May 14, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/079139

Inventors:

Aline Laure Criton - Seattle WA
Marshall Taylor Robinson - Snohomish WA
Thanasis Loupas - Seattle WA
Roy Beck Peterson - Redmond WA
Patrick Rene' Pesque - Bothell WA
Helen Frances Routh - Seattle WA

Assignee:

Advanced Technology Laboratories, Inc. - Bothell WA

International Classification:

A61B 800

US Classification:

600454

Abstract:

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are described by which a fundamental frequency signal is transmitted into the body and harmonic (nonlinear) echo returns are received from the transmission. The harmonic echo signals are Doppler processed and displayed. The harmonic Doppler signals may be displayed alone, or in combination with a fundamental frequency or harmonic grayscale image. In a preferred embodiment harmonic signals returned from moving tissue are segmented on an intensity or frequency basis and displayed. The inventive apparatus and method provide highly resolved ultrasonic images of moving tissue which are substantially unobscured by image clutter from structures or tissue in the near field.