Patent ID: 7874990
Filing Date: 2011-01-25
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A method of acquiring ultrasound response data for vascular tissue, comprising: maneuvering at least a portion of a catheter through a vascular structure to a first location for acquiring ultrasound echoes from a first portion of vascular tissue; transmitting an ultrasound signal toward the first portion of vascular tissue and acquiring first backscattered ultrasound data therefrom; using at least a portion of said first backscattered ultrasound data and an algorithm incorporating an estimate of a tissue component of backscattered ultrasound data to estimate a first transfer function of said catheter; calculating first ultrasound response data using at least said first transfer function, said first ultrasound response data being (i) indicative of data that is backscattered from vascular tissue and (ii) substantially independent from ultrasound data modifications resulting from said catheter; repositioning the at least a portion of the catheter through the vascular structure to a second location for acquiring ultrasound echoes from a second portion of vascular tissue; transmitting an ultrasound signal toward the second portion of vascular tissue and acquiring second backscattered ultrasound data therefrom; using at least a portion of said second backscattered ultrasound data and an algorithm incorporating an estimate of a tissue component of backscattered ultrasound data to estimate a second transfer function of said catheter; and calculating second ultrasound response data using at least said second transfer function, said second ultrasound response data being (i) indicative of data that is backscattered from vascular tissue and (ii) substantially independent from ultrasound data modifications resulting from said catheter.