Patent ID: 8197407
Filing Date: 2012-06-12
Classification: A61B,G01S

Abstract:
1. A method for measuring a non-linear response using an imaging apparatus, said apparatus comprising at least a transmitter and a transducer comprising at least N elements that are excitable by the transmitter, wherein “N” represents a first integer number, said method comprising: transmitting a first pulse from the transducer at a first amplitude, a phase, and a transmit frequency and measuring a first response to the first pulse at a sub-harmonic frequency that is based on the transmit frequency, the first pulse using an aperture that comprises the N elements; transmitting at least second and third pulses from the transducer at second and third amplitudes, the phase, and the transmit frequency, and measuring at least second and third responses to the second and third pulses at the sub-harmonic frequency, the first, second, and third pulses transmitted at a same phase with respect to each other. the second and third pulses transmitted using first and second sub-apertures that comprise different ones of the N elements; combining the first, second and third responses at the sub-harmonic frequency to suppress linear echoes and to determine a non-linear response; and displaying a representation of the non-linear response on a display.