Patent ID: 6106471
Filing Date: 2000-08-22
Classification: B82Y,G01S

Abstract:
A method of examining an object by means of ultrasound waves, which comprises the steps of(a) scanning a volume of the object by the ultrasound waves emitted from a 3D-ultrasound probe designed to produce a B-mode image during the scanning while maintaining the probe stationary,(b) moving a scanning plane in a transmitter/receiver unit in the stationary probe across the volume transversely to the scanning plane,(1) a volume-of-interest being selected by setting limits for the path of movement of the scanning plane,(c) at least substantially continuously scanning the volume-of-interest by echo pulses generated and processed during the movement of the scanning plane,(d) storing signals generated by the echo pulses in a correct position corresponding to the geometric location of the origin of the signals,(e) evaluating the stored signals by a 3D-processor to produce the B-mode image, and(f) displaying the image on a display unit.