SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ULTRASOUND PULSE SHAPING AND OUTPUT POWER ADJUSTMENT USING MULTIPLE DRIVE PULSES

摘要

The present invention provides a system and method for ultrasound pulse shaping and output power adjustment using multiple drive pulses. The multiple drive pulses are width modulated to provide the required output signal power and wave-shape characteristics. Using multiple width-modulated pulses provides control over power output that is capable of being varied much more rapidly than using a conventional voltage modulated drive pulse. Additionally, the multiple drive pulses provide better control over unwanted harmonics than does a single drive pulse. These two advantages allow multiple width modulated pulses to increase the capabilities in ultrasonic imaging devices, thereby, allowing for rapid switching between imaging techniques having widely disparate power requirements so that composite diagnostic images may be constructed combining the diagnostic benefits the various imaging techniques have to offer.