System and method for improved harmonic imaging

Abstract

Systems and methods for improving transducer response sensitivity in an ultrasound-imaging system are disclosed. One method includes selecting a desired transmit spectrum, quantifying the transmit channel impulse response, calculating a drive signal that when applied to the transmit channel will produce the desired transmit spectrum and applying the drive signal to the transducer. The method may be applied in principle to the receive channels. An improved ultrasound-imaging system in accordance with the invention includes a transducer and a switch controlled to apply an excitation signal to the transducer in a transmit mode of the ultrasound-imaging system. A signal shaper is configured to generate an excitation signal in response to the impulse response of the transmit channel such that a desired ultrasound energy waveform is generated by the transducer. An adaptable filter responsive to a desired echo spectrum and the impulse response of the receive channel of the system may be included.

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         11 . An ultrasound-imaging system, comprising: 
 means for identifying the impulse response of a receive channel of the ultrasound-imaging system;    means for selecting a desired receive channel filter function, wherein the receive channel processes a harmonic echo of ultrasound energy transmitted by the ultrasound-imaging system; and    means for formulating a receive channel filter responsive to the desired filter function and the receive channel impulse response.    
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the means for selecting identifies a desired receive channel filter that when applied to ultrasound echoes results in a receive signal that can be modeled with a symmetric function.  
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 12 , wherein the symmetric function comprises a Gaussian function.  
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the means for selecting identifies a desired receive channel filter function with a center frequency at a harmonic multiple of a fundamental frequency of an excitation signal.  
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the means for identifying determines the impulse response by measurement.  
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the means for identifying determines the impulse response by calculation.  
     
     
         17 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the means for determining formulates a receive filter as a function of the impulse response of the receive channel and the desired receive channel filter function.  
     
     
         18 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation comprises calculating an inverse Fourier transform.  
     
     
         19 . The system of  claim 17 , wherein the formulation comprises performing a deconvolution operation.  
     
     
         20 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the deconvolution operation uses a Weiner filter.  
     
     
         21 . The system of  claim 19 , wherein the deconvolution operation uses polynomial time division.  
     
     
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