Patent ID: 6080107
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: A61B

Abstract:
In an acoustic echographic imaging system including a transducer for transmitting an acoustic imaging signal and receiving a return signal representing an image along a scan line, the return signal including contributions from a contrast agent, and a processor for generating the acoustic imaging signal and extracting from the return signal information representing the concentration of contrast agent along the scan line wherein the contrast agent is depleted by an amount related to the power level of the acoustic imaging signal insonicating the contrast agent, a method for controlling the concentration of contrast agent within a range of generally linear response, comprising the steps of:determining from the return signal the relative concentration of contrast agent along the scan line, andfrom the relative concentration of the contrast agent, adjusting the characteristics of the acoustic imaging signal to increase depletion of the contrast agent when the concentration of contrast agent is higher than the linear range of response and decreasing the depletion of the contrast agent when the concentration of contrast agent is lower than the linear range of response.