IP Library › Granted Patent US 11,408,996
Granted Patent B2
US 11,408,996 · App. 16/524,524 · Granted Aug 9, 2022

Ultrasonic imaging apparatus and method of controlling the same

Inventors: Kang Sik Kim (Seongnam-si, KR); Tai-Kyong Song (Seoul, KR); Sung Ho Kim (Seoul, KR); Sua Bae (Seoul, KR); Hyunwoo Song (Seoul, KR); Jintae Jang (Seoul, KR)
Assignee: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO. LTD.
G01S15/46G01S7/52046G01S7/52084G01S15/8906
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 11,408,996
App. No.
16/524,524
Granted
Aug 9, 2022
Kind
B2
Abstract

Provided is an ultrasonic imaging apparatus including: an inputter configured to receive an input of a region of interest (ROI) from a user; a beamformer configured to perform transmission/reception focusing with respect to a virtual source to be used for a synthetic aperture focusing method; a display; and a main controller configured to determine a position of the virtual source on the basis of an image quality in the received ROI and control the display to display the determined position of the virtual source.

Claims (28)

1. An ultrasonic imaging apparatus comprising:

an inputter configured to receive an input of a region of interest (ROI) from a user;

a beamformer configured to perform transmission/reception focusing with respect to a virtual source to be used for a synthetic aperture focusing method; and

a main controller configured to determine a position of the virtual source on the basis of an image quality in the received ROI.

2. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a display,

wherein the main controller controls the display to display the determined position of the virtual source.

3. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the main controller determines the position of the virtual source such that at least of a resolution or a contrast of the received ROI is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value.

4. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the main controller determines the position of the virtual source on the basis of a number of beams synthesized in the received ROI.

5. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the main controller determines the position of the virtual source such that the position of the virtual source does not match a position of the received ROI.

6. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the main controller determines a lateral direction position of the virtual source in an ultrasonic image on the basis of the image quality in the received ROI.

7. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the main controller controls the display to display a position of the received ROI and display the position of the virtual source together with the position of the ROI.

8. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the main controller controls the display such that the position of the ROI is distinguished from the position of the virtual source.

9. The ultrasonic imaging apparatus of claim 7 , wherein the inputter receives an input of changing the ROI from the user,

wherein the main controller changes the position of the virtual source on the basis of an image quality of the changed ROI, and controls the display to display the changed position of the virtual source.

10. A method of controlling an ultrasonic imaging apparatus, the method comprising:

receiving an input of a region of interest (ROI) from a user; and

performing transmission/reception focusing with respect to a virtual source to be used for a synthetic aperture focusing method; and

determining a position of the virtual source on the basis of an image quality in the received ROI.

11. The method of claim 10 , further comprising displaying the determined position of the virtual source.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determining of the position of the virtual source includes determining the position of the virtual source such that at least of a resolution or a contrast of the received ROI is greater than or equal to a predetermined reference value.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determining of the position of the virtual source includes determining the position of the virtual source on the basis of a number of beams synthesized in the received ROI.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determining of the position of the virtual source includes determining the position of the virtual source such that the position of the virtual source does not match a position of the received ROI.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the determining of the position of the virtual source includes determining a lateral direction position of the virtual source in an ultrasonic image on the basis of the image quality in the received ROI.

16. The method of claim 11 , wherein the displaying of the determined position of the virtual source includes displaying a position of the received ROI and displaying the position of the virtual source together with the position of the ROI.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein the displaying of the determined position of the virtual source includes displaying the position of the ROI to be distinguished from the position of the virtual source.

18. The method of claim 16 , further comprising receiving an input of changing the ROI from the user;

changing the position of the virtual source on the basis of an image quality of the changed ROI; and

displaying the changed position of the virtual source.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ADDRESS OF THE ASSIGNEE PREVIOUSLY RECORDED ON REEL 052772 FRAME 0459. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT. Recorded Jul 9, 2020
From: KIM, KANG SIK; SONG, TAI-KYONG; KIM, SUNG HO; BAE, SUA; SONG, HYUNWOO; JANG, JINTAE
To: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO. LTD.
Reel/Frame 053789/0321 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 28, 2020
From: KIM, KANG SIK; SONG, TAI-KYONG; KIM, SUNG HO; BAE, SUA; SONG, HYUNWOO; JANG, JINTAE
To: SAMSUNG MEDISON CO. LTD.
Reel/Frame 052772/0459 →
Priority Claims (1)
KR 10-2018-0088542 · Jul 30, 2018 · national
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20200033471A1 · Jan 30, 2020