Synchronized Power Supply for Medical Imaging

Abstract

An ultrasonic image scanning system for scanning an organic object by projecting ultrasound signals with a transmit carrier frequency. The ultrasonic image scanning system includes a switching mode power supply operated with a programmable clock in synchronization with the transmit carrier frequency. The switching mode power supply further provided with circuits for generating a low voltage and a high voltage. The ultrasonic image scanning system further includes transducers for projecting ultrasound signals wherein the transducers are connected to and electrically excited by the high voltage generated by the switching mode power supply. The switching mode power supply further includes a DC-to-DC switcher having an external clock input for clock synchronization. The programmable clock further provided for receiving a user command to operate with the switching mode power supply in synchronization with the transmit carrier frequency

1 . An ultrasound system comprising:
 a plurality of transducers configured to project an ultrasound signal having a transmit carrier frequency or a changed transmit carrier frequency;   a switching mode power supply having a switching clock, the switching mode power supply in electrical communication with the plurality of transducers and configured to electrically excite the plurality of transducers with high voltage signals; and   a programmable clock generator comprising a transmit carrier frequency input, the programmable clock generator output controls the switching that the e switching clock is in sync with the transmit carrier such that a change in the transmit carrier frequency causes the programmable clock generator to sync the switching mode power supply to the changed transmit carrier frequency.   
     
     
         2 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 said switching mode power supply further comprising one or more circuits to generate a low voltage signal and a high voltage signal. 
 
     
     
         3 . The ultrasound system of  claim 2 ,
 wherein said transducers are connected to and electrically excited by said high voltage signal generated by said switching mode power supply.   
     
     
         4 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  wherein:
 said switching mode power supply further comprising a DC-to-DC switcher having an external clock input for clock synchronization. 
 
     
     
         5 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  wherein:
 said programmable clock generator configured to receive a user command for operating with said switching mode power supply in synchronization with said transmit carrier frequency. 
 
     
     
         6 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  wherein:
 said programmable clock generator configured to synchronize clocks depending on a pulse repetition period. 
 
     
     
         7 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  wherein:
 said programmable clock generator configured to synchronize clocks depending on an image depth. 
 
     
     
         8 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  wherein:
 said programmable clock generator further provided for synchronizing clocks depending on a mode setting. 
 
     
     
         9 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a linear voltage regulator for stabilizing and minimizing ripples in an output voltage. 
 
     
     
         10 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  wherein:
 said switching mode power supply further comprising a DC-to-DC switcher having an external clock; and 
 said ultrasonic image scanning system further comprising a system controller for controlling said programmable synchronization clock and said external clock for synchronizing said DC-to DC switcher. 
 
     
     
         11 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a system controller for controlling said programmable clock generator for synchronizing clocks depending on a pulse repetition period. 
 
     
     
         12 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a system controller for controlling said programmable clock generator for synchronizing clocks depending on an image depth. 
 
     
     
         13 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a system controller for controlling said programmable clock generator for synchronizing clocks depending on a ultrasound mode setting. 
 
     
     
         14 . The ultrasound system of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a filter for removing a substantially coherent interference signal generated by said switching mode power supply. 
 
     
     
         15 .- 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An ultrasound system comprising:
 a probe comprising a plurality of transducers configured to project an ultrasound signal having a transmit carrier frequency or a changed transmit carrier frequency;   a switching mode power supply in electrical communication with the plurality of transducers, the switching mode power supply configured to electrically excite the plurality of transducers, the switching mode power supply having a switching clock; and   a programmable clock generator comprising a transmit carrier frequency input, the programmable clock generator output controls the switching mode power supply such that the switching clock is in sync with the transmit carrier such that a change in the transmit carrier frequency causes the programmable clock to sync the switching mode power supply to the changed transmit carrier frequency.   
     
     
         22 . The ultrasound system of  claim 21  further comprising:
 a filter for removing a substantially coherent interference signal generated by said switching mode power supply. 
 
     
     
         23 . The ultrasound system of  claim 21  further comprising a system controller configured to control the programmable clock generator such that clock synchronization occurs in response to changes in image depth, ultrasound mode or a pulse repetition period. 
     
     
         24 . The ultrasound system of  claim 23  further comprising a digital programmable counter in electrical communication with the system controller and the switching mode power supply. 
     
     
         25 . The ultrasound system of  claim 24  wherein the digital programmable counter is configured to output the pulse repetition period. 
     
     
         26 . The ultrasound system of  claim 23  wherein the programmable clock generator is configured to prevent beat frequencies by synching the switching clock and harmonics thereof with the carrier frequency.