Patent ID: 8998814
Filing Date: 2015-04-07
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
1. A diagnostic ultrasound apparatus for transmitting ultrasonic waves to a target object, receiving ultrasonic waves reflected from the target object and generating image data relating to the target object based on acquired echo signals, said apparatus comprising: a plurality of ultrasound probes, each being formed to include a plurality of ultrasonic transducers; delay circuitry deployed to electronically delay the timing of transmission of ultrasonic waves from said ultrasonic transducers; and position-and-orientation sensors provided respectively in said plurality of ultrasound probes to detect information as to relative position and relative angle with respect to each other of said plurality of ultrasound probes, wherein said delay circuitry controls the timing of transmission of ultrasonic waves from respective ones of said ultrasonic transducers according to the information as to relative position and relative angle with respect to each other of said plurality of ultrasound probes that was acquired from said position-and-orientation sensors so that ultrasonic waves transmitted from said plurality of ultrasound probes are in phase and combined with each other in a crossing region of the transmitted waves.