Patent ID: 6120450
Filing Date: 2000-09-19
Classification: G01S

Abstract:
A method for correcting for phase and/or amplitude aberrations in ultrasound images comprising:converting electrical signals supplied to a transducer array comprised of elements into ultrasound signals and converting received ultrasound echo signals into electrical echo signals;producing a transmission beam from a transmitter, said transmitter operable in both an imaging mode, and an aberration-measurement mode;receiving said electrical echo signals by a receiver, said receiver operable in both an imaging mode, and an aberration-measurement mode;applying a dynamic near-field delay correction on common-midpoint signals obtained using said aberration-measurement mode by transmitting from selectable ones of said elements;calculating a set of normalized cross-correlation functions between the common-midpoint signals to generate a set of peak position .tau. and cross-correlation coefficient .rho. values;obtaining the energy E of each common-midpoint signal;deriving and storing phase-aberration .DELTA..tau. and amplitude aberration A values for each element from the measured .tau., .rho., and E values; andcoupling the aberration measurement results (.DELTA..tau., A) in said receiver and said transmitter to correct for aberrations when said imaging apparatus is switched to said imaging mode to improve the image quality.