WO2025171410A1

WO2025171410A1 - Technologies for autocompound imaging

Info

Publication number: WO2025171410A1
Application number: PCT/US2025/015310
Authority: WO
Inventors: Isaac MATTHIAS
Original assignee: Eastern Sonographics Corp
Current assignee: Eastern Sonographics Corp
Priority date: 2024-02-09
Filing date: 2025-02-10
Publication date: 2025-08-14
Anticipated expiration: 2026-08-09

Abstract

An ultrasound scanner device may transmit, at a first time, one or more ultrasonic pulse signals. The device may receive, at a subsequent time according to a time delay period, one or more echo signals from a target object in tissue during an adjustable receive period. The one or more echo signals may form one or more radiofrequency (RF) data sets. Each of the one or more echo signals may have a respectively corresponding RF data set time value. The device may generate a plurality of RF data subsets from the RF data set. Each of the plurality of RF data subsets may comprise some of the one or more echo signals from at least one RF data set. The device may change the RF data set time value for some of the one or more echo signals in some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets.

Description

TECHNOLOGIES FOR AUTOCOMPOUND IMAGING

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/551,562, filed February 9, 2024; United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/560,319, filed March 1, 2024; United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/678,818, filed August 2, 2024; United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/678,847, filed August 2, 2024; United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/678,854, filed August 2, 2024; United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/703,133, filed October 3, 2024; and United States Provisional Patent Application No. 63/703,152, filed October 3, 2024, the entire disclosures of all of which are incorporated herein by reference, for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Medical ultrasound technologies may include medical imaging, diagnostic, and/or therapeutic techniques using ultrasound energy. Ultrasound energy may be used to create an image of internal body structures such as tendons, muscles, joints, blood vessels, and internal organs. Ultrasound energy may be used to monitor the gestation process. Ultrasound energy can be used to measure/image dynamic medical variables (e.g., blood flow, etc.). Medical ultrasound techniques may be referred to as medical ultrasonography and/or medical sonography.

[0003] Ultrasound energy emissions may be composed of sound waves (e.g., ultrasound waves) with frequencies which are higher than the those in the range of human hearing (e.g., greater than 20,000 Hz). Ultrasonic imaging is conducted by sending ultrasound energy (e.g., pulses thereof) into target tissue using one or more imaging probes. The ultrasound pulses may echo off of tissues, such as the target tissues, and may be received by the one or more imaging probes. The ultrasound echo energy/pulses/signals may have different reflection properties. Medical ultrasound devices may use the ultrasound echo signals for the imaging, diagnostic, or therapeutic processes.

BRIEF SUMMARY

[0004] An image acquisition of a target object in tissue may be performed. In the image acquisition, a pulse from a transducer may generate an echo from the target object. During a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, tissue echoes dissipate, while echo radiation/signals by/from the target object persists/continue. The target object echoes/si nals may create a signal in a radiofrequency (RF) data set. Subsets may be selected from the radiofrequency data set. Time values of echo signals in the subsets may be changed to larger or smaller time values. The subsets may be used to create combined data. The combined data may be used to create an image which includes a visual indicator of the position of the acoustic radiator. Visualization of the visual indicator may be improved due to using combined data created from the subsets.

[0005] A method may be performed by an ultrasound scanner device. The device may comprise at least a transducer, a processor, and a display. One or more methods may comprise transmitting, by the transducer, at a first time, one or more ultrasonic pulse signals. The one or more ultrasonic pulse signals may be configured to cause one or more echo signals to be produced by a target object in tissue. One or more methods may comprise receiving, by the transducer, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time by one or more adjustable time delay periods, the one or more echo signals from the target object in the tissue during at least one adjustable receive period. The one or more echo signals may form one or more radiofrequency (RF) data sets. Each of the one or more echo signals that form the one or more RF data sets may have a respectively corresponding RF data set time value. At least one RF data set may have a first overall RF data set time value range. One or more methods may comprise generating, by the processor, a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets. Each of the plurality of RF data subsets may comprise at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets. One or more methods may comprise changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets. One or more methods may comprise combining, by the processor, data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form an autocompound image corresponding to the target object. One or more methods may comprise displaying, via the display, the autocompound image. [0006] An ultrasound scanner device may comprise a transducer, a display, and/or a processor. The processor may be configured to transmit, via the transducer, at a first time, one or more ultrasonic pulse signals. The one or more ultrasonic pulse signals may be configured to cause one or more echo signals to be produced by a target object in tissue. The processor may be configured to receive, via the transducer, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time by one or more adjustable time delay periods, the one or more echo signals from the target object in the tissue during at least one adjustable receive period. The one or more echo signals may form one or more radiofrequency (RF) data sets. Each of the one or more echo signals that form the one or more RF data sets may have a respectively corresponding RF data set time value. At least one RF data set may have a first overall RF data set time value range. The processor may be configured to generate a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets. Each of the plurality of RF data subsets may comprise at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets. The processor may be configured to change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets. The processor may be configured to combine data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form an autocompound image corresponding to the target object. The processor may be configured to display, via the display, the autocompound image.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0007] The present disclosure will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

[0008] FIG. 1 illustrates an example diagram of a B-mode imaging sequence.

[0009] FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram of an asynchronous resonance imaging sequence.

[0010] FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, and FIG. 3D illustrate example responses to a pulse from a transducer impacting a point source/target object.

[0011] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of an example device that may control one or more elements/devices/processes of an ultrasound scanner device.

[0012] FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D are example illustrations of an acoustic radiator signal reconstructed to ringdown artifact.

[0013] FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, and FIG. 6E illustrate an example of a compound image acquisition of an acoustic radiator combining a B-mode image and a separately acquired image with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period. [0014] FIG. 7A and FIG, 7B illustrate an example of selecting a subset from a radiofrequency data set and changing time values of echo signals in the subset to larger or smaller time values.

[0015] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of an example technique of an autocompound imaging sequence.

[0016] FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, and FIG. 9D illustrate an example of typical and oversized time value range radiofrequency data sets. [0017] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of an example technique of an autocompound imaging sequence.

[0018] FIG. HA, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, FIG. HD, FIG. HE, and FIG. HF illustrate an example use of subsets with changed echo signal time values in autocompound imaging.

[0019] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart of an example technique of an autocompound imaging sequence.

[0020] FIG. 13 A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C, FIG. 13D, FIG. 13E, and FIG. 13F illustrates an example use of reordered subsets selected from a typical time value range radiofrequency data set in autocompound imaging.

[0021] FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C, FIG. 14D, FIG. 14E, and FIG. 14F illustrates an example use of reordered subsets selected from an oversized time value range radiofrequency data set in autocompound imaging.

[0022] FIG. 15 A, FIG. 15B, FIG. 15C, FIG. 15D, FIG. 15E, and FIG. 15F illustrates an example of an autocompound imaging in which pulse transmission and the receive period start at the same time creating a nonsense image.

[0023] FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B, FIG. 16C, FIG. 16D, FIG. 16E, and FIG. 16F illustrates an example of autocompound imaging improving ringdown artifact visualization.

[0024] FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B, FIG. 17C, FIG. 17D, FIG. 17E, and FIG. 17F illustrates an example autocompound imaging using reordered subsets improving ringdown artifact visualization.

[0025] FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B, FIG. 18C, FIG. 18D, FIG. 18E, and FIG. 18F illustrates an example of an effect of time delay duration on autocompound imaging.

[0026] FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart of an example technique of an autocompound imaging sequence.

[0027] FIG. 20 illustrates an example compound image of a needle tip in tissue created using a compound imaging sequence combining a B-mode image and a separately acquired autocompound image.

[0028] The drawings represent one or more aspects of the disclosure and do not limit the scope of invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0029] The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention or inventions. The description of illustrative embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein, any reference to direction or orientation is merely intended for convenience of description and is not intended in any way to limit the scope of the present inventions. Relative terms such as “lower,” “upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “above,” “below,” “up,” “down,” “left,” “right,” “top,” “bottom,” “front” and “rear” as well as derivatives thereof (e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description only and do not require a particular orientation unless explicitly indicated as such. Terms such as “attached,” “affixed,” “connected,” “coupled,” “interconnected,” “secured” and other similar terms refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. The discussion herein describes and illustrates some possible non-limiting combinations of features that may exist alone or in other combinations of features. Furthermore, as used herein, the term “or” is to be interpreted as a logical operator that results in true whenever one or more of its operands are true. Furthermore, as used herein, the phrase “based on” is to be interpreted as meaning “based at least in part on,” and therefore is not limited to the interpretation “based entirely on.”

[0030] As used throughout, ranges are used as shorthand for describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the terminus of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties. In the event of a conflict in a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls. Medical ultrasound imaging may be used for guidance for needle procedures. [0031] FIG. 1 illustrates an example diagram 102 of a B-mode imaging sequence. For example, a pulse transmission and the receive period start at (e.g., substantially) the same time.

[0032] FIG. 2 illustrates an example block diagram 202 of an asynchronous resonance imaging sequence. A predetermined and/or adjustable time delay may be present between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a receive period of a predetermined and/or adjustable duration.

[0033] Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, in a medical ultrasound image acquisition, a pulse may be sent from a transducer. During (e.g., an adjustable) receive period of the image acquisition, echoes generated by the pulse may be received by the transducer. The received echoes may create radiofrequency data. Radiofrequency data time value 0 may correspond to a start of the receive period. The radiofrequency data may be reconstructed to an image.

[0034] In B-mode imaging, pulse transmission and the receive period may start at the same time. Ultrasound imaging in which there is a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, for example as described in World Intellectual Property Organization International Publication Number WO2023/107745, and PCT Application No. PCT/US/2025/10949, fded January 9, 2025, the entire disclosures of both of which are incorporated by reference herein, may be referred to as asynchronous resonance imaging.

[0035] FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, and FIG. 3D illustrate example responses to a pulse from a transducer impacting a point source/target object. In FIG. 3 A, an echo 303 from a scatterer 304 propagates toward a transducer 306. FIG. 3B illustrates a radiofrequency data set. The group of letters “X” is a signature created by the echo 303 in FIG. 3A. In FIG. 3C, wavefronts 308 of a continuous wave radiated by an acoustic radiator 310 propagate toward a transducer 312. FIG. 3D illustrates a radiofrequency data set. The groups of letters “X” are signatures created by wavefronts 308 in the continuous wave in FIG. 3C. The signatures make up an acoustic radiator signal. Some or all signatures in the acoustic radiator signal may have the same shape.

[0036] Referring to FIG. 3A, FIG. 3B, FIG. 3C, and FIG. 3D, a linear array ultrasound transducer may be used to record a radiofrequency data set which may be used to create a two-dimensional ultrasound image. The radiofrequency data set may be stored in a matrix, with rows corresponding to time from the start of the receive period, columns corresponding to lateral position, and an individual matrix element ‘X” having a value corresponding to the strength of a received echo.

[0037] When a pulse from a transducer impacts a scatterer, a single, discrete echo may be created. When a pulse from a transducer impacts an acoustic radiator, the acoustic radiator may absorb energy from the pulse, and then may release the energy over time by radiating a continuous wave. The continuous wave may be a type of echo.

[0038] When a point source wavefront is received by a transducer, it may create a curve shaped signature in a radiofrequency data set. For example, the shape of the signature may be a branch of a hyperbola. An echo from a scatterer may create a single signature. Wavefronts in a continuous wave radiated by an acoustic radiator may create repeated signatures, which may be referred to as an acoustic radiator signal.

[0039] The radius of a point source wavefront when it is received by a transducer may determine the shape of the corresponding signature. A deeper point source may create a larger radius wavefront, which may create a flatter signature. For a continuous wave radiated by an acoustic radiator, some or each wavefront received by the transducer may have the same radius, which may be equal to the depth of the acoustic radiator, such that some or all signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by the continuous wave may have the same shape.

[0040] FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D are example illustrations of an acoustic radiator signal reconstructed to ringdown artifact. FIG. 5A illustrates a radiofrequency data set from a B- mode image acquisition of an acoustic radiator (not shown). The groups of letters “X” are signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. The dashed lines are sampling curves. FIG. 5B illustrates an image reconstructed from the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 5A. A ringdown artifact, corresponding to the acoustic radiator signal in FIG. 5A is visualized.

[0041] FIG. 5C illustrates a radiofrequency data set from an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period. The groups of letters “X” are signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. The dashed lines are sampling curves. FIG. 5D illustrates an image reconstructed from the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 5C. A ringdown artifact, corresponding to the acoustic radiator signal in FIG. 5C is visualized.

[0042] In FIG. 5A and FIG. 5C, the signature shape may be constant, while sampling curve shapes may become flatter as time value increases. In FIG. 5 A, the acoustic radiator signal may be present starting at the time value equivalent to the depth of the acoustic radiator, where the sampling curve shape may match signature shape, corresponding to the narrowest part of the ringdown artifact in FIG. 5B. At greater time values, there is an increasing mismatch between sampling curve shape and signature shape, resulting in increasing width of the ringdown artifact as it advances toward the bottom of the image.

[0043] In FIG. 5C, the acoustic radiator signal may be present starting at a time value less than the equivalent to the depth of the acoustic radiator. Sampling curve shape may match signature shape at the time value equivalent to the depth of the acoustic radiator, corresponding to the narrowest part of the ringdown artifact in FIG. 5D. At lesser and greater time values, there may be an increasing mismatch between sampling curve shape and signature shape, perhaps resulting in increasing width of the ringdown artifact as it advances toward the top and bottom of the image. [0044] Referring to FIG. 5A, FIG. 5B, FIG. 5C, and FIG. 5D, digital receive beamforming may be used to reconstruct radiofrequency data to pixel data. In digital receive beamforming, a sampling curve selects radiofrequency data, which may be summed to determine the intensity of a pixel. Sampling curve shape for a given time value may be calibrated to match the predicted shape of a signature created by a point source with an equivalent depth, such that a flatter sampling curve may be used for a greater time value. If the shape of a sampling curve matches the shape of a signature, a point may be visualized. If the shapes do not match, a curved band may be visualized. As the mismatch increases, the width of the curved band may increase. The curved band may be concave down if the signature is flatter than the sampling curve, and/or may be concave up if the sampling curve is flatter than the signature.

[0045] A radiofrequency data set may contain an acoustic radiator signal created by an acoustic radiator. Because signature shape in the acoustic radiator signal is constant, and sampling curve shapes may change with time values to match predicted signature shapes, sampling curve shapes may match signature shape at the time value equivalent to the depth of the acoustic radiator, resulting in visualization of a point. At other time values, the changing sampling curve shape does not match the constant signature shape, resulting in visualization of a curved band. As the difference between the time value of a signature in the acoustic radiator signal and the time value equivalent to the depth of the acoustic radiator increases, the mismatch between sampling curve shape and signature shape may increase, resulting in visualization of a wider curved band. Reconstruction of the radiofrequency data set visualizes a ringdown artifact which may be narrowest at the depth of the acoustic radiator and may increase in width as it advances from the depth of the acoustic radiator. Therefore, for a ringdown artifact created by an acoustic radiator, the narrowest part of the ringdown artifact may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator.

[0046] If pulse transmission and the receive period start at the same time, as in B-mode imaging, the acoustic radiator signal may (e.g., will) be present at time values equal to and/or greater than the equivalent of the depth of the acoustic radiator. This may result in visualization of a ringdown artifact which may increase in width as it advances from its narrowest part, at the depth of the acoustic radiator, toward the bottom of the image. If there is a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, the acoustic radiator signal may (e.g., will) be present at time values less than, equal to, and greater than the equivalent of the depth of the acoustic radiator. This may result in visualization of a ringdown artifact which may increase in width as it advances from its narrowest part, at the depth of the acoustic radiator, toward the top and bottom of the image. [0047] FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, and FIG. 6E illustrate an example of a compound image acquisition of an acoustic radiator combining a B-mode image and a separately acquired image with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period. For example, FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, and FIG. 6E illustrate an example of a compound image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, combining a B-mode image and a separately acquired image with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period.

[0048] FIG. 6A illustrates a radiofrequency data set from a B-mode image acquisition. The letters “S” are signals created by tissue echoes. FIG. 6B illustrates a radiofrequency data set from an image acquisition with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the (e.g., adjustable) receive period. The groups of letters “X” are signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by a continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator (not shown).

[0049] FIG. 6C illustrates an image reconstructed from the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 6A. Tissue may be visualized. A ringdown artifact might not be visualized. FIG. 6D illustrates an image reconstructed from the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 6B. A ringdown artifact may be visualized. Tissue might not be visualized.

[0050] FIG. 6E illustrates a compound image created by combining the image in FIG. 6C, and the image in FIG. 6D. Both tissue and the ringdown artifact may be visualized. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator.

[0051] In the B-mode image acquisition, the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator might not be recorded in the radiofrequency data set in the FIG. 6A, because it is obscured by stronger echoes from tissue, which create the signals represented by the letters “S”, for example.

[0052] In the image acquisition with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, tissue echoes may dissipate during the time delay, while continuous wave radiation by the acoustic radiator may persist. This may result in recording of the continuous wave as an acoustic radiator signal in the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 6B.

[0053] Referring to FIG. 6A, FIG. 6B, FIG. 6C, FIG. 6D, and FIG. 6E, an object composed of metal, such as the tip of a hypodermic needle, may be an acoustic radiator. In an ultrasound image acquisition of the tip of a hypodermic needle, the needle tip may act as an acoustic radiator. In an image acquisition of the tip of a hypodermic needle in short axis orientation relative to the imaging plane of a linear array transducer, the needle tip may act as a point source. When a pulse from the transducer impacts the needle tip, the needle tip may absorb energy from the pulse, and then may release the energy over time by radiating a continuous wave.

[0054] In a B-mode image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator may be obscured by stronger echoes from tissue. In the B-mode image, tissue may be visualized, and/or a ringdown artifact created by the acoustic radiator might not be visualized.

[0055] In an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, tissue echoes may dissipate during the time delay, such that tissue might not be visualized. Continuous wave radiation by the acoustic radiator may persist during the time delay, such that an acoustic radiator signal may be created by the continuous wave. Reconstruction of the acoustic radiator signal may create a ringdown artifact, with a narrowest part of the ringdown artifact indicating the position of the acoustic radiator.

[0056] A compound image of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, can be created by combining a B-mode image and a separately acquired image with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period. The B-mode image may visualize tissue. The image with the time delay may visualize a ringdown artifact, with the narrowest part of the ringdown artifact indicating the position of the acoustic radiator. The compound image may visualize (e.g., both) tissue and/or the ringdown artifact, such that the position of the acoustic radiator relative to the tissue may be visualized.

[0057] FIG. 7A and FIG, 7B illustrate an example of selecting a subset from a radiofrequency data set and changing time values of echo signals in the subset to larger or smaller time values. FIG. 7A illustrates a radiofrequency data set. The time value range (e.g., an overall time value range) of the radiofrequency data set is 0 to 2i, and the time value difference of the radiofrequency data set is 2i. The dashed line circumscribes/selects a subset with a time value range of i to 2i.

[0058] In FIG. 7B, a subset may be circumscribed by the dashed line in FIG. 7A. Time values of echo signals in the subset may be changed to smaller time values, such that the time value range of the subset is 0 to i. The time value of the echo signal represented by the group of letters “X”, which is 1.5i in the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 7A, is changed to 0.5i in the subset in FIG. 7B. [0059] Referring to FIG. 7A and FIG, 7B, in an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, the quality of the acoustic radiator signal created by the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator affects the visualization of the corresponding ringdown artifact. For example, decreased strength of the acoustic radiator signal may result in a worsened visualization of the ringdown artifact. In comparison, an acoustic radiator signal that is adequate may result in improved visualization of the ringdown artifact. Increasing the strength of the continuous wave may improve the quality of the acoustic radiator signal, thereby improving visualization of the ringdown artifact.

[0060] In an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, the (e.g., adjustable) duration of the time delay may affect the acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. If the time delay is too short, tissue echoes may/will remain during the receive period, such that tissue echoes signals may/will obscure the acoustic radiator signal. If the time delay is too long, the strength of the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator may/will decrease. This may result in an acoustic radiator signal with decreased strength. A time delay that may work well/be useful may be long enough for tissue echoes to dissipate, and/or may be short enough that the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator persists, resulting in recording of an adequate acoustic radiator signal created by the continuous wave.

[0061] In an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, a plane wave pulse may be used. An advantage of using a plane wave pulse may be that a plane wave pulse delivers energy evenly across the lateral dimension of the imaging plane, such that a single plane wave pulse may be used to image an acoustic radiator at any position in the imaging plane, thus allowing a higher frame rate.

[0062] In an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator during the receive period may be weak, resulting in a weak acoustic radiator signal. It may be useful to use an increased pulse duration to improve the strength of the continuous wave. It may be useful to use signal averaging or increased gain to improve the strength of the acoustic radiator signal.

[0063] In an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, a pulse with a center frequency that matches a resonant frequency of the acoustic radiator may result in increased strength of the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator. [0064] In an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, with a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, settings that may work well/be useful may include plane wave pulse, time gain compensation maximum at some or all image levels, pixel data multiplied by a processing gain factor in the range of 1 to 250, pulse duration in the range of 1 to 100 cycles, signal averaging performed by averaging radiofrequency data from a number of individual acquisitions in the range of 2 to 50, pulse center frequency in the range of 5.0 to 6.0 megahertz, and/or a time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period greater than or equal to 40 microseconds. A time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period in the range of 40 to 5000 microseconds may work well/may be useful. Settings outside of these ranges or values may also work well/may be useful.

[0065] A subset may be selected from a radiofrequency (RF) data set. The time value range of the subset may be the range of time values from the minimum time value of the subset to the maximum time value of the subset. The time value difference of the subset may be the difference between the maximum and minimum time values of the subset. Time values of echo signals in the subset may be changed to smaller or larger time values, thus changing the time value range of the subset. [0066] FIG. 8 illustrates a flowchart of an example technique of an autocompound imaging sequence. In FIG. 8, there may be one or more time delays between the start of pulse transmission and the start of one or more receive periods. One or more subsets may be selected from one or more radiofrequency (RF) data sets. At least some of the time values of echo signals in at least some of the one or more subsets may be changed to larger or smaller time values. The subsets may be used to create/generate combined data. The combined data may be used to create/generate/render an autocompound image.

[0067] Referring to FIG. 8, a compound image may be created by combining data from one or more, or multiple, image acquisitions. A compound image created by combining one or more data subsets from a single image acquisition may be referred to as an autocompound image.

[0068] An image of a target object in tissue may be acquired using one or more time delays between the start of pulse transmission and the start of one or more receive periods. For example, the target object may be an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip. One or more radiofrequency data sets from the image acquisition may contain a signal created by one or more echoes from the target object. For example, the signal may be an acoustic radiator signal. One or more subsets may be selected from the one or more radiofrequency data sets. For example, the subsets may be selected from one or more different time value ranges in the one or more radiofrequency data sets. Time values of echo signals in the subsets may be changed to smaller or larger time values. For example, time values of echo signals in the subsets may be changed to time values corresponding to a smaller, or larger, amount of time after the start of the one or more receive periods. The subsets may be used to create combined data. For example, the subsets may be reconstructed to pixel data sets. The pixel data sets may be combined, such as being averaged, among other combinations, to create a combined pixel data set. The combined data may be used to create an image. In one more scenarios, perhaps because the image may be created by combining data subsets from one (e.g., a single) image acquisition, the image is an autocompound image, as described herein. The image may include a visual indicator of the position of the target object. For example, the visual indicator may be a ringdown artifact, with the narrowest part of the ringdown artifact indicating the position of the target object. Visualization of the visual indicator may be improved due to using autocompound imaging.

[0069] FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, and FIG. 9D illustrate an example of typical (e.g., conventional) and oversized time value range radiofrequency data sets. FIG. 9A illustrates a typical (e g., conventional) time value range radiofrequency (RF) data set. The group of letters X may be a signature created by a point source object. FIG. 9B illustrates an image reconstructed from the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 9A. The point source object may be visualized at the bottom of the image.

[0070] FIG. 9C illustrates an oversized time value range radiofrequency (RF) data set. The group of letters X may be a signature created by a point source object. FIG. 9D illustrates an image reconstructed from the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 9C. The point source object may be visualized at the bottom of the image.

[0071] The radiofrequency data set in FIG. 9A may have a typical (e.g., conventional, regular, etc.) time value range as compared to the depth range of the image in FIG. 9B. The signature composed of the letters “X”, which includes the maximum time value of the radiofrequency data set, may correspond to the point source object at the maximum depth of the image.

[0072] The time value range of the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 9C may be oversized as compared to the depth range of the image in FIG. 9D. The radiofrequency data set may include time values greater than the time values in the signature composed of the letters “X”, which may correspond to the point source object at the maximum depth of the image. [0073] Referring to FIG. 9A, FIG. 9B, FIG. 9C, and FIG. 9D, a typical (e.g., conventional, regular, etc.) radiofrequency (RF) data time value range, as compared to the depth range of an image, may include the time values of the radiofrequency data from which the image is reconstructed. An oversized radiofrequency (RF) data time value range, as compared to the depth range of an image, may include the time values of the radiofrequency (RF) data from which the image is reconstructed, as well as larger time values.

[0074] The maximum time value of the radiofrequency data set from an image acquisition may be equal to the duration of the receive period used to record the radiofrequency data set. A typical (e.g., conventional, regular, etc.) duration receive period may be used to acquire a typical (e.g., conventional, regular, etc.) time value range radiofrequency data set. An oversized duration receive period may be used to acquire an oversized time value range radiofrequency data set, for example.

[0075] FIG. 10 illustrates a flowchart of an example technique of an autocompound imaging sequence. A radiofrequency (RF) data set with an oversized time value range may be acquired. One or more subsets may be selected from the radiofrequency data set. At least some time values of one or more echo signals in at least some subsets may be changed to larger or smaller time values. At least some of the one or more subsets may be reconstructed to one or more pixel data sets. The one or more pixel data sets may be combined to create a combined pixel data set. The combined pixel data set may be used to create an autocompound image.

[0076] FIG. H A, FIG. 1 IB, FIG. 11C, FIG. 1 ID, FIG. 1 IE, and FIG. 1 IF illustrate an example use of subsets with changed echo signal time values in autocompound imaging. FIG. HA illustrates a radiofrequency (RF) data set from an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, using a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period. The radiofrequency (RF) data set may have an oversized time value range. The time value range of the radiofrequency data set may be 0 to 3z, for example. The groups of letters are signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. The time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period may be longer than the round trip time between the transducer and the acoustic radiator, such that the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator may reach the transducer before the start of the receive period, such that the acoustic radiator signal may be present from the start and continues to the end of the time value range of the radiofrequency (RF) data set. The dashed lines indicate selection of one or more subsets. The subset circumscribed/selected by the short, thick dashes has a time value range of 0 to 2i. The subset circumscribed/selected by the long, thin dashes has a time value range of i to 3z. [0077] FIG. 11B and FIG. 11C illustrate one or more subsets selected from the radiofrequency (RF) data set in FIG. 11 A. FIG. 1 IB corresponds to the subset circumscribed/selected by the short, thick dashes in FIG. 1 IB. FIG. 11C corresponds to the subset circumscribed/selected by the long, thin dashes in FIG. 11 A. At least some time values of echo signals in FIG. 11C have been changed to smaller time values, such that both subsets have a time value range of 0 to 2z. The acoustic radiator signal from FIG. 11 A may be present from the start and continues to the end of the time value range of both subsets of FIG. 1 IB and FIG. 11C.

[0078] FIG. 1 ID and FIG. 1 IE illustrate images reconstructed from the subsets in FIG. 1 IB and FIG. 11C. One or more, or each image may be reconstructed from the subset to the left of the image. One or more, or each, image may visualize a ringdown artifact corresponding to the acoustic radiator signal in the subset to the left of the image.

[0079] FIG. 1 IF illustrates an autocompound image created by averaging pixel data sets corresponding to the images in FIG. 1 ID and FIG. 1 IE. A ringdown artifact may be visualized. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator. The shape and/or position of the ringdown artifact may be the same in the images in FIG. 1 ID and FIG. 1 IE and in the image in FIG. 1 IF.

[0080] Referring to FIG. 10, FIG. HA, FIG. 11B, FIG. 11C, FIG. HD, FIG. HE, and FIG. HF, an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue may be performed using an (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a (e.g., a predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period. The image acquisition may have a receive period with an oversized time duration, such that a radiofrequency data set with an oversized time value range may be recorded. The radiofrequency data set may contain an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. One or more subsets with the same and/or different time value difference may be selected from one or more different time value ranges in the radiofrequency (RF) data set. The time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period may be greater than the round trip time between the transducer and the acoustic radiator, such that the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator may reach the transducer before the start of the receive period, such that the acoustic radiator signal may be present from the start and continues to the end of the time value range of the radiofrequency (RF) data set. Therefore, the acoustic radiator signal may be present from the start and continues to the end of the time value range of one or more, or each subset.

[0081] At least some time values of one or more echo signals in the subsets may be changed, such that one or more, or each, subset may have the same time value range. The one or more subsets may be reconstructed to one or more pixel data sets, which may be used to create images visualizing a ringdown artifact created by the acoustic radiator signal. The shape and/or position of the ringdown artifact may be the same in one or more, or each, image. The one or more pixel data sets may be combined, such as being averaged, among other combinations, to create a combined pixel data set. The one or more combined data set may be used to create an autocompound image. Because the shape and/or position of the ringdown artifact may be the same in the images, the autocompound image may visualize/render a ringdown artifact with the same shape and/or position. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact in the autocompound image may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator. Visualization of the ringdown artifact in the autocompound image may be improved due to using autocompound imaging.

[0082] FIG. 12 illustrates a flowchart of an example technique of an autocompound imaging sequence. A radiofrequency (RF) data set may be acquired. One or more subsets may be selected from the radiofrequency data set. The one or more subsets may be concatenated and/or reordered in varied orders along the time axis to create one or more reordered subsets. At least some time values of one or more echo signals in at least some of the reordered subsets may be changed to larger or smaller time values, such that the time axis of at least some of the reordered subsets proceeds from a minimum to a maximum time value. At least some of the reordered subsets may be reconstructed to one or more pixel data sets. The one or more pixel data sets may be combined to create a combined pixel data set. The combined pixel data set may be used to create an autocompound image.

[0083] FIG. 13 A, FIG. 13B, FIG. 13C, FIG. 13D, FIG. 13E, and FIG. 13F illustrates an example use of reordered subsets selected from a typical (e.g., conventional, regular, etc.) time value range radiofrequency data set in autocompound imaging. FIG. 13 A illustrates a radiofrequency (RF) data set from an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, using a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period. The radiofrequency data set may have a typical (e.g., conventional, regular, etc.) time value range. The time value range of the radiofrequency data set is 0 to i. The groups of letters are signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator (not shown). The dashed lines indicate selection of one or more subsets. The one or more subsets may be selected from time value ranges in the radiofrequency data set that may, or might not, overlap.

[0084] FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C illustrate reordered subsets created by concatenating and/or reordering the subsets selected in the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 13 A. The time value range of the reordered subsets is 0 to i. At least some time values of echo signals in the reordered subset in the FIG. 13C have been changed, such that the time axis of the reordered subset in the FIG. 13C may proceed from a minimum to a maximum time value. The acoustic radiator signal from FIG. 13 A may be present in both reordered subsets. The order that the subsets are concatenated along the time axis may be different for one or more, or each, reordered subset, such that for a signature in the radiofrequency data set, the corresponding signature may be at a different time value in one or more, or each, reordered subset.

[0085] FIG. 13D and FIG. 13E illustrate images reconstructed from the reordered subsets in FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C. One or more, or each image may be reconstructed from the reordered subset to the left of the image. Each image may visualize a ringdown artifact corresponding to the acoustic radiator signal in the reordered subset to the left of the image.

[0086] FIG. 13F illustrates an autocompound image that may be created by averaging pixel data sets corresponding to the images in FIG. 13D and FIG. 13E. A ringdown artifact may be visualized. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator.

[0087] The one or more reordered subsets in FIG. 13B and FIG. 13C may include the acoustic radiator signal from the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 13 A, with the order of individual signatures along the time axis varied among the subsets. The order of the individual signatures along the time axis does not affect the shape and position of a ringdown artifact reconstructed from the acoustic radiator signal. Therefore, the images in FIG. 13D and FIG. 13E each may visualize a ringdown artifact with the same shape and/or position. As a result, a ringdown artifact with the same shape and/or position may be visualized in the autocompound image in FIG. 13F.

[0088] FIG. 14 A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C, FIG. 14D, FIG. 14E, and FIG. 14F illustrates an example use of reordered subsets selected from an oversized time value range radiofrequency data set in autocompound imaging. FIG. 14A illustrates a radiofrequency (RF) data set from an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, using a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period. The radiofrequency data set has an oversized time value range. The time value range of the radiofrequency data set is 0 to 3z. The groups of letters are signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. The dashed lines indicate selection of one or more subsets. The one or more subsets may be selected from time value ranges in the radiofrequency data set that may, or might not, overlap.

[0089] FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C illustrate reordered subsets created by concatenating and/or reordering the subsets selected in the radiofrequency data set FIG. 14A. The time value range of the reordered subsets is 0 to 21. At least some time values of echo signals in the reordered subsets have been changed, such that the time axis of the reordered subsets proceeds from a minimum to a maximum time value. The acoustic radiator signal from FIG. 14A may be present in both reordered subsets. The order that the subsets are concatenated and/or reordered along the time axis may be different for one or more, or each reordered subset, such that for a signature in the radiofrequency data set, the corresponding signature may be at a different time value in one or more, or each, reordered subset.

[0090] FIG. 14D and FIG. 14E illustrate images reconstructed from the reordered subsets in FIG. 14B and FIG. 14C. One or more, or each image may be reconstructed from the reordered subset to the left of the image. One or more, or each image may visualize a ringdown artifact corresponding to the acoustic radiator signal in the reordered subset to the left of the image.

[0091] FIG. 14F illustrates an autocompound image created by averaging pixel data sets corresponding to the images in FIG. 14D and FIG. 14E. A ringdown artifact may be visualized. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator.

[0092] Because the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 14A has an oversized time value range, it is possible to create a reordered subset using subsets which might not together include the entire time value range of the radiofrequency (RF) data set. Therefore, the one or more subsets selected in the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 14A might not include the signature composed of the letter for example.

[0093] Referring to FIG. 12, FIG. 13A, FIG 13B, FIG. 13C, FIG. 13D, FIG. 13E, FIG. 13F, FIG. 14A, FIG. 14B, FIG. 14C, FIG. 14D, FIG. 14E, and FIG. 14F, an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue may be performed using a predetermined and/or adjustable time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a predetermined and/or adjustable receive period. A receive period with a typical (e.g., conventional, regular, etc.) duration or an oversized duration may be used, such that a radiofrequency data set with a typical time value range or an oversized time value range may be acquired. The radiofrequency data set may contain an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. One or more subsets may be selected from time value ranges in the radiofrequency data set that may, or might not, overlap. The one or more subsets may be concatenated and/or reordered in varied orders along the time axis to create one or more reordered subsets. At least some of the time values of echo signals in at least some of the reordered subsets may be changed so that the time axis of the reordered subsets proceeds from a minimum to a maximum time value, with one or more, or each, reordered subset having the same time value range. The order that the subsets may be concatenated along the time axis may be different for one or more, or each reordered subset, such that for an echo signal in the radiofrequency data set, the corresponding echo signal may be at a different time value in one or more, or each, reordered subset.

[0094] The one or more reordered subsets may include the acoustic radiator signal from the radiofrequency data set, with the order of individual signatures along the time axis varied among the one or more subsets. The order of the individual signatures along the time axis might not affect the shape and/or position of a ringdown artifact reconstructed from the acoustic radiator signal. Therefore, images created from pixel data sets reconstructed from the one or more reordered subsets each may visualize a ringdown artifact created by the acoustic radiator signal, with the shape and/or position of the ringdown artifact may be the same in one or more, or each, image. The pixel data sets may be combined, such as being averaged, among other combinations, to create a combined pixel data set, which may be used to create an autocompound image. Because the shape and/or position of the ringdown artifact may be the same in the images, the autocompound image may visualize a ringdown artifact with the same shape and/or position. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact in the autocompound image may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator. Visualization of the ringdown artifact in the autocompound image may be improved due to using autocompound imaging.

[0095] FIG. 15 A, FIG. 15B, FIG. 15C, FIG. 15D, FIG. 15E, and FIG. 15F illustrates an example of an autocompound imaging in which pulse transmission and the receive period start at the same time creating a nonsense image. FIG. 15 A illustrates a radiofrequency (RF) data set from an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, in which pulse transmission and the receive period start at the same time. The radiofrequency data set may have an oversized time value range. The time value range of the radiofrequency data set is 0 to 3z. The group of letters “X”, which has a time value of 1 ,5i, is a tissue object signal, which may be created by echoes from a tissue object. The dashed lines indicate selection of one or more subsets. The subset circumscribed/selected by the short, thick dashes has a time value range of 0 to 2z. The subset circumscribed/selected by the long, thin dashes has a time value range of i to 3z.

[0096] FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C illustrate subsets selected from the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15B may correspond to the subset circumscribed/selected by the short, thick dashes in FIG. 15A. FIG. 15C may correspond to the subset circumscribed/selected by the long, thin dashes in FIG. 15 A. At least some time values of echo signals in the subset in FIG. 15C have been changed to smaller time values, such that both subsets have a time value range of 0 to 2z. The tissue object signal from FIG. 15A has a time value of 1 5z in FIG. 15B, and a time value of 0.5z in the subset in FIG. 15C.

[0097] FIG. 15D and FIG. 15C illustrate images reconstructed from the subsets in FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C. Each image may be reconstructed from the subset to the left of the image. A tissue object, corresponding to the tissue object signal in the subsets in FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C, may be visualized at a depth of 1 ,5k in the image in FIG. 15D, and a depth of 0.5k in the image in FIG. 15E.

[0098] FIG. 15F illustrates an autocompound image created by averaging pixel data sets corresponding to the images in FIG. 15D and FIG. 15E. The tissue object may be visualized at two different depths, with the visualization at a depth of 1.5k corresponding to the tissue object in the image in FIG. 15D, and the visualization at a depth of 0.5k corresponding to the tissue object in the image in FIG. 15E.

[0099] Because there is no time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period, tissue echoes obscure the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator signal, such that no acoustic radiator signal may be recorded in the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 15 A. As a result, no ringdown artifact may be visualized in the autocompound image in FIG. 15F.

[00100] Changing time values of echo signals in the subset in FIG. 15C to smaller time values may result in the tissue object signal being at a different time value in each of the subsets in FIG. 15B and FIG. 15C. As a result, the autocompound image in FIG. 15F visualizes the tissue object at two different depths, such that the autocompound image is nonsense.

[00101] Referring to FIG. 15 A, FIG. 15B, FIG. 15C, FIG. 15D, FIG. 15E, and FIG. 15F, in an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, with pulse transmission and the receive period starting at the same time, tissue echoes obscure the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator, such that the radiofrequency data set from the image acquisition contains tissue echo signals, and does not contain an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. Echoes from a tissue object may create a single, discreet tissue object signal in the radiofrequency data set. One or more subsets may be selected from the radiofrequency data set, and at least some time values of echo signals in at least some of the subsets may be changed, such that the tissue object signal is at a different time value in one or more, or each subset. The one or more subsets may be used to create combined data, which may be used to create an autocompound image. Because the tissue object signal is at a different time value in one or more, or each subset, one or more, or each, subset may contribute a visualization of the tissue object at a different depth in the autocompound image. Therefore, the autocompound image contains multiple visualizations of the tissue object, each at a different depth, such that the autocompound image is nonsense. Therefore, an image acquisition with pulse transmission and the receive period starting at the same time, such as a B-mode image acquisition, produces a nonsense autocompound image.

[00102] FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B, FIG. 16C, FIG. 16D, FIG. 16E, and FIG. 16F illustrates an example of autocompound imaging improving ringdown artifact visualization. FIG. 16A illustrates a radiofrequency (RF) data set from an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, using a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period. The radiofrequency data set may have an oversized time value range. The time value range of the radiofrequency data set is 0 to 3z. The groups of letters are signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. The dashed lines indicate selection of one or more subsets. The subset circumscribed/selected by the short, thick dashes has a time value range of 0 to 2z. The subset circumscribed/selected by the long, thin dashes has a time value range of z to 3z.

[00103] FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C illustrate one or more subsets selected from the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 16A. FIG. 16B may correspond to the subset circumscribed/selected by the short, thick dashes in FIG. 16A. FIG. 16C may correspond to the subset circumscribed/selected by the long, thin dashes in FIG. 16A. At least some of the time values of echo signals in the subset in FIG. 16C have been changed to smaller time values, such that both subsets may have a time value range of 0 to 2z. The acoustic radiator signal from FIG. 16A is present in both subsets.

[00104] FIG. 16D and FIG. 16E illustrate images reconstructed from the subsets in FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C. Each image may be reconstructed from the subset to the left of the image. Each image may visualize a ringdown artifact corresponding to the acoustic radiator signal in the subset to the left of the image. [00105] FIG. 16F illustrates an autocompound image created by averaging pixel data sets corresponding to the images in FIG. 16D and FIG. 16E. A ringdown artifact may be visualized. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator.

[00106] In the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 16A, there is a variation/defect in the signature composed of the letter The variation/defect may be a portion absent from the right side of the signature. The variation may be included in both subsets selected by the dashed lines in FIG. 16A, such that the variation is included in both subsets in FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C. The time value of the variation is 1.5/ in FIG. 16B, and 0.5i in FIG. 16C.

[00107] In the ringdown artifact in the images in FIG. 16D and FIG. 16E, there is a defect corresponding to the variation/defect in the subsets in FIG. 16B and FIG. 16C. The defect may be a portion absent from the right side of the ringdown artifact. Because the variation/defect may be at a different time value in each subset, the defect is at a different depth in each image. The defect is at a depth of 1.5 k in FIG. 16D, and 0.5 k in FIG. 16E.

[00108] When pixel data sets corresponding to the images in FIG. 16D and FIG. 16E are averaged to create the autocompound image in FIG. 16F, the defect in the ringdown artifact in one image is averaged with an ideal portion of the ringdown artifact in the other image. As a result, the defect might not be visualized in the ringdown artifact in the autocompound image.

[00109] FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B, FIG. 17C, FIG. 17D, FIG. 17E, and FIG. 17F illustrates an example autocompound imaging using reordered subsets improving ringdown artifact visualization. FIG. 17A illustrates a radiofrequency data set from an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, using a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a (e.g., a predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period. The radiofrequency data set has a typical (e.g., conventional, regular, etc.) time value range. The time value range of the radiofrequency data set is 0 to 3/. The groups of letters are signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. The dashed lines indicate selection of one or more subsets. The subsets may be selected from time value ranges in the radiofrequency data set that may, or might not, overlap.

[00110] FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C illustrate reordered subsets created by concatenating and/or reordering the subsets selected in the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 17A. The time value range of the reordered subsets is 0 to 3z. At least some time values of echo signals in at least some of the reordered subset in FIG. 17C have been changed, such that the time axis of the reordered subset in FIG. 17C may proceed from a minimum to a maximum time value. The acoustic radiator signal from FIG. 17C may be present in both reordered subsets. The order that the subsets may be concatenated and/or reordered along the time axis may be different for one or more, or each, reordered subset, such that for a signature in the radiofrequency data set, the corresponding signature may be at a different time value in one or more, or each, reordered subset.

[00111] FIG. 17D and FIG. 17E illustrate images reconstructed from the reordered subsets in FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C. Each image may be reconstructed from the reordered subset to the left of the image. Each image may visualize a ringdown artifact corresponding to the acoustic radiator signal in the reordered subset to the left of the image.

[00112] FIG. 17F illustrates an autocompound image created by averaging pixel data sets corresponding to the images in FIG. 17D and FIG. 17E. A ringdown artifact may be visualized. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator.

[00113] In the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 17A, there is a variation/defect in the signature composed of the letter “c ”. The variation/defect may be a portion absent from the signature. The variation/defect may be included in at least one of the subsets selected by the dashed lines in FIG. 17A, such that the variation/defect may be included in both reordered subsets in FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C. The time value of the variation is 2.5/ in FIG. 17B, and 0.5/ in FIG. 17C.

[00114] In the ringdown artifact in the images in FIG. 17D and FIG. 17E, there is a defect corresponding to the variation in the reordered subsets in FIG. 17B and FIG. 17C. The defect may be a portion absent from the right side of the ringdown artifact. Because the variation may be at a different time value in each reordered subset, the defect may be at a different depth in each image. The defect is at a depth of 1.5& in FIG. 17D, and 0.5 A: in FIG. 17E.

[00115] When pixel data sets corresponding to the images in FIG. 17D and FIG. 17E are averaged to create the autocompound image in FIG. 17F, the defect in the ringdown artifact in one image is averaged with an ideal portion of the ringdown artifact in the other image, such that the defect might not be visualized in the ringdown artifact in the autocompound image.

[00116] Referring to FIG. 16A, FIG. 16B, FIG. 16C, FIG. 16D, FIG. 16E, FIG. 16F, FIG. 17A, FIG. 17B, FIG. 17C, FIG. 17D, FIG. 17E, and FIG. 17F, an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue may be performed using a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period. The radiofrequency data set from the image acquisition may contain an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. The acoustic radiator signal may contain a signature with a variation/defect. For example, the variation may be a portion of the signature that is absent, among other issues. One or more subsets may be selected from the radiofrequency data set, and at least some time values of echo signals in at least some of the subsets may be changed, such that the variation may be at a different time value in one or more, or each subset. The one or more subsets may be used to create combined data, which may be used to create an autocompound image. Because the variation is at a different time value in each subset, data corresponding to the variation in a subset may be combined, such as being averaged, among other combinations, with data corresponding to ideal portions of other subsets. As a result, in the autocompound image, visualization of a ringdown artifact created by the acoustic radiator signal may be improved. Therefore, autocompound imaging of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue may result in improved visualization of a ringdown artifact created by the acoustic radiator.

[00117] FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B, FIG. 18C, FIG. 18D, FIG. 18E, and FIG. 18F illustrates an example of an effect of time delay duration on autocompound imaging. FIG. 18A illustrates a radiofrequency data set from an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, using a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period that is less than the round trip time between the transducer and the acoustic radiator. The radiofrequency data set may have an oversized time value range. The time value range of the radiofrequency data set is 0 to 3z. The groups of letters are signatures in an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. The dashed lines indicate selection of one or more subsets. The subset circumscribed/selected by the short, thick dashes has a time value range of 0 to 2z. The subset circumscribed/selected by the long, thin dashes has a time value range of z to 3z.

[00118] FIG. 18B and FIG. 18C illustrate one or more subsets selected from the radiofrequency data set FIG. 18A. FIG. 18B may correspond to the subset circumscribed/selected by the short, thick dashes in FIG. 18A. FIG. 18C may correspond to the subset circumscribed/selected by the long, thin dashes in FIG. 18A. At least some time values of echo signals in the subset in FIG. 18C have been changed to smaller time values, such that both subsets have a time value range of 0 to 2z. The acoustic radiator signal from FIG. 18A may be present in both subsets.

[00119] FIG. 18D and FIG. 18E illustrate images reconstructed from the subsets in FIG. 18B and FIG. 18C. Each image may be reconstructed from the subset to the left of the image. Each image may visualize a ringdown artifact corresponding to the acoustic radiator signal in the subset to the left of the image. [00120] FIG. 18F illustrates an autocompound image created by averaging pixel data sets corresponding to the images in FIG. 18D and FIG. 18E. A ringdown artifact may be visualized. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact may indicate the position of the acoustic radiator.

[00121] Because the time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period may be shorter than a round trip time between the transducer and the acoustic radiator, the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator might not reach the transducer before the start of the receive period. As a result, the acoustic radiator signal might not be present at the start of the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 18A, although it does continue to the end of the radiofrequency data set.

[00122] The missing portion of the acoustic radiator signal at the start of the radiofrequency data set in FIG. 18A may result in the acoustic radiator signal being absent at the start of the subset in FIG. 18B. As a result, the top of the ringdown artifact is absent in the image in FIG. 18D. As a result, visualization of the top of the ringdown artifact in the autocompound image in FIG. 18F may be worsened, as indicated by the decreased thickness of the curves making up the top half of the ringdown artifact.

[00123] Referring to FIG. 18A, FIG. 18B, FIG. 18C, FIG. 18D, FIG. 18E, and FIG. 18F, an image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue may be performed using a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period. The radiofrequency data set from the image acquisition may contain an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. One or more subsets may be selected from one or more different time value ranges in the radiofrequency data set and may be used to create an autocompound image. If the time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the receive period is less than the round trip time between the transducer and the acoustic radiator, such that the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator does not reach the transducer before the start of the receive period, the acoustic radiator signal may/will not be present at the start of the time value range of the radiofrequency data set. Therefore, the acoustic radiator signal may/will not be present at the start of the time value range of some or all of the subsets, resulting in worsened visualization of a ringdown artifact created by the acoustic radiator signal in the autocompound image. Therefore, in autocompound imaging of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, use of a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period that is greater than the round trip time between the transducer and the acoustic radiator, such that the continuous wave radiated by the acoustic radiator reaches the transducer before the start of the receive period, may result in improved visualization of a ringdown artifact created by the acoustic radiator.

[00124] In an autocompound image acquisition of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue, a (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) time delay between the start of pulse transmission and the start of the (e.g., predetermined and/or adjustable) receive period that is long enough for tissue echoes to dissipate. This may result in recording of an adequate acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator, such that a ringdown artifact may be created by the acoustic radiator may be (e.g., well) visualized, may be typically longer than the round trip time between the transducer and the acoustic radiator.

[00125] FIG. 19 illustrates a flowchart of an example technique of an autocompound imaging sequence. A radiofrequency data set with an oversized time value range may be acquired. Three subsets may be selected from the radiofrequency data set. The time interval between consecutively selected subsets may be 3 microseconds. At least some time values of echo signals in the subsets may be changed. The subsets may be reconstructed to pixel data sets. The pixel data sets may be combined to create a combined pixel data set. The combined pixel data may be used to create an autocompound image. Echo signal time values might not changed in subset 1, because echo signal time values in subset 2 and subset 3 may be changed such that the time value range of subset 2 and subset 3 may be equal to the time value range of subset 1, for example.

[00126] Referring to FIG. 19, autocompound imaging of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue may be performed using an oversized time value range radiofrequency data set. The radiofrequency data set contains an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. Subsets with the same time value difference may be selected from different time value ranges in the radiofrequency data set. The subsets may be reconstructed to pixel data sets, which may be combined, such as being averaged, among other combinations, to create a combined pixel data set, which may be used to create an autocompound image. The number of subsets selected from the radiofrequency data set may affect visualization of a ringdown artifact created by the acoustic radiator. If too few subsets are selected, insufficient combining, such as averaging, of data may result in increased defects in the ringdown artifact. If too many subsets are selected, subsets from too large time values may be used, in which the acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator may be too weak. For example, selection of a number of subsets in the range of 2 to 8 may work well/be useful. For example, selection of a number of subsets greater than or equal to 2 may work well/be useful.

[00127] Autocompound imaging of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue may be performed using an oversized time value range radiofrequency data set. The radiofrequency data set may contain an acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator. Subsets with the same time value difference may be selected from different time value ranges in the radiofrequency data set. The subsets may be reconstructed to pixel data sets, which may be combined, such as being averaged, among other combinations, to create a combined pixel data set, which may be used to create an autocompound image. The time interval between consecutively selected subsets from the radiofrequency data set may affect visualization of a ringdown artifact created by the acoustic radiator. If the time interval is too small, a variation in consecutively selected subsets may overlap, such that the corresponding defect might not be removed in the data combining, such as averaging, process, among other combinations. If the time interval is too large, subsets from too large time values may be used, in which the acoustic radiator signal created by the acoustic radiator may be too weak. For example, a time interval of a number of microseconds in the range of 1 to 8 may work well/be useful. For example, a time interval of a number of microseconds greater than or equal to 1 may work well/be useful.

[00128] FIG. 20 illustrates an example compound image of a needle tip in tissue created using a compound imaging sequence combining a B-mode image and a separately acquired autocompound image. In FIG. 20, a compound image of a needle tip in tissue may be created using a compound imaging sequence combining a B-mode image and a separately acquired autocompound image. Tissue, visualized by the B-mode image, may be present throughout the compound image. A ringdown artifact created by the needle tip, visualized by the autocompound image, may be present at the center of the compound image. The narrowest part of the ringdown artifact may indicate the position of the needle tip. Visualization of the ringdown artifact may be improved due to using autocompound imaging.

[00129] Referring to FIG. 20, an autocompound image of an acoustic radiator, such as a needle tip, in tissue may visualize a ringdown artifact, with the narrowest part of the ringdown artifact indicating the position of the acoustic radiator. A separately acquired B-mode image of the acoustic radiator in tissue may visualize tissue. A compound image, combining the autocompound image and the B-mode image, may visualize the ringdown artifact and the tissue, that may visualize the position of the acoustic radiator relative to the tissue. Visualization of the ringdown artifact may be improved due to using autocompound imaging.

[00130] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a hardware configuration of an example device that may function as a process control device/logic controller, such as the PCB and/or processor of a powered personal care (e.g., razor, toothbrush, water pick, etc.) device, and/or a charging device, among other devices. The hardware configuration 400 may be operable to facilitate delivery of information from an internal server of a device. The hardware configuration 400 can include a processor 410, a memory 420, a storage device 430, and/or an input/output device 440. One or more of the components 410, 420, 430, and 440 can, for example, be interconnected using a system bus 450. The processor 410 can process instructions for execution within the hardware configuration 400. The processor 410 can be a single-threaded processor or the processor 410 can be a multi -threaded processor. The processor 410 can be capable of processing instructions stored in the memory 420 and/or on the storage device 430.

[00131] In one or more scenarios, a first PCB may comprise/interface with ultrasound sound system/equipment 480, and/or camera(s) 460, while a second PCB (not shown) may comprise/interface with the processor 410 and/or other circuit elements described herein. In one or more scenarios, a PCB may comprise/interface with some or all of the ultrasound sound system/equipment 480, camera 460, processor(s) 410, and other circuit elements described herein. The ultrasound scanner 480 may be in wired and/or wireless communication with the hardware configuration 400. The ultrasound scanner 480 may be any one of ultrasound scanners capable of providing/configured to provide at least the ultrasound probing and/or imaging as described herein. [00132] The memory 420 can store information within the hardware configuration 400. The memory 420 can be a computer-readable medium (CRM), for example, a non-transitoiy CRM. The memory 420 can be a volatile memory unit, and/or can be a non-volatile memory unit.

[00133] The storage device 430 can be capable of providing mass storage for the hardware configuration 400. The storage device 430 can be a computer-readable medium (CRM), for example, a non-transitory CRM. The storage device 430 can, for example, include a hard disk device, an optical disk device, flash memory and/or some other large capacity storage device. The storage device 430 can be a device external to the hardware configuration 400.

[00134] The input/output device 440 may provide input/output operations for the hardware configuration 400. The input/output device 440 (e g., a transceiver device) can include one or more of a network interface device (e.g., an Ethernet card), a serial communication device (e.g., an RS-232 port), one or more universal serial bus (USB) interfaces (e.g., a USB 2.0 port) and/or a wireless interface device (e.g., an 802.11 card). The input/output device can include driver devices configured to send communications to, and/or receive communications from one or more networks (not shown). The input/output device 400 may be in communication with one or more input/output modules (not shown) that may be proximate to the hardware configuration 400 and/or may be remote from the hardware configuration 400. The one or more output modules may provide input/output functionality in the digital signal form, discrete signal form, TTL form, analog signal form, serial communication protocol, fieldbus protocol communication and/or other open or proprietary communication protocol, and/or the like. The input/output device can include driver devices configured to send communications to, and/or receive communications from one or more networks. The input/output device 440 may be in communication with at least one display device 484. The display device 484 may display any of the ultrasound generated images described herein. [00135] The camera device 460 may provide digital video input/output capability for the hardware configuration 400. The camera device 460 may communicate with any of the elements of the hardware configuration 400, perhaps for example via system bus 450. The camera device 460 may capture digital images and/or may scan images/light of various kinds, such as Universal Product Code (UPC) codes and/or Quick Response (QR) codes, and/or sonography images, for example, among other images as described herein. In one or more scenarios, the camera device 460 may be the same and/or substantially similar to any of the other camera devices as may be described herein.

[00136] The camera device 460 may include at least one microphone device and/or at least one speaker device (not shown). The input/output of the camera device 460 may include audio signals/packets/components, perhaps for example separate/separable from, or in some (e.g., separable) combination with, the video signals/packets/components the camera device 460.

[00137] The camera device 460 may also detect the presence of one or more subjects that may be proximate to the camera device 460 and/or may be in the same general space (e.g., the same room, delimited area, etc.) as the camera device 460. The camera device 460 may gauge a general activity level (e.g., high activity, medium activity, and/or low activity) of one or more subjects that may be detected by the camera device 460. The camera device 460 may detect one or more general characteristics (e.g., height, body shape, skin color, pulse, heart rate, breathing count, etc.) of the one or more subjects detected by the camera device 460. The camera device 460 may be configured to recognize one or more specific subjects, for example. [00138] The camera device 460 may be in wired and/or wireless communication with the hardware configuration 400. In one or more scenarios, the camera device 460 may be external to the hardware configuration 400. In one or more scenarios, the camera device 460 may be internal to the hardware configuration 400.

[00139] In view of FIG. 1 to FIG. 20, one or more devices, techniques, methods, and/or systems described herein may comprise an ultrasound scanner device. The device may comprise at least: a transducer, a processor, and a display. The device may perform one or more methods. One or more methods may comprise transmitting, by the transducer, at a first time, one or more ultrasonic pulse signals. The one or more ultrasonic pulse signals may be configured to cause one or more echo signals to be produced by a target object in tissue. One or more methods may comprise receiving, by the transducer, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time by an adjustable time delay period, the one or more echo signals from the target object in the tissue during an adjustable receive period of a first duration. The one or more echo signals may form at least one radiofrequency (RF) data set. Each of the one or more echo signals that form the at least one RF data set may have a respectively corresponding RF data set time value. The at least one RF data set may have a first overall RF data set time value range.

[00140] One or more methods may comprise generating, by the processor, a plurality of RF data subsets from the at least one RF data set. Each of the plurality of RF data subsets may comprise at least some of the one or more echo signals that form the RF data set. One or more methods may comprise changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets. One or more methods may comprise combining, by the processor, data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form an autocompound image corresponding to the target object. One or more methods may comprise displaying, via the display, the autocompound image.

[00141] In one or more scenarios, the combining, by the processor, data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form an autocompound image corresponding to the target object may further comprise processing, by the processor, at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets into a respective plurality of one or more pixel data sets. One or more methods may comprise combining, by the processor, at least some of the plurality of one or more pixel data sets to form the autocompound image corresponding to the target object.

[00142] In one or more scenarios, the generating, by the processor, the plurality of RF data subsets from the at least one RF data set, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form the RF data set, may further comprise generating at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets from one or more different time value ranges in the RF data set.

[00143] In one or more scenarios, one or more methods may comprise adjusting, by the processor, the receive period to a second duration. The second duration may be different than the first duration. One or more methods may comprise changing, by the processor, the overall RF data set time value range to a second overall RF data set time value range to accommodate the receive period of the second duration. The second overall RF data set time value range may be at least one of greater than the first overall RF data set time value range, or less than the first overall RF data set time value range.

[00144] In one or more scenarios, at least one of: the first duration of the receive period, or the second duration of the receive period, may be oversized relative to a maximum depth corresponding to the autocompound image.

[00145] In one or more scenarios, at least one of: the first overall RF data set time value range, or the second overall RF data set time value range, may be oversized relative to the maximum depth corresponding to the autocompound image.

[00146] In one or more scenarios, the generating, by the processor, a plurality of RF data subsets from the at least one RF data set, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form the RF data set, may further comprise at least one of: concatenating, or reordering, at least some of the one or more echo signals along a time axis of at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets.

[00147] In one or more scenarios, in the at least one of: concatenating, or reordering, at least some of the one or more echo signals along the time axis of at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets temporally aligns at least a partially defective echo signal of the one or more echo signals in a first RF data subset of the plurality of RF data subsets with a non-defective echo signal of the one or more echo signals in a second RF data subset of the plurality of RF data subsets.

[00148] In one or more scenarios, the time delay period may be longer than a round-trip time between the one or more ultrasonic pulse signals from the transducer and the one or more echo signals from the target object.

[00149] In one or more scenarios, the time delay period may be such that the echo signals from the target object reach the transducer before a start of the receive period. [00150] In one or more scenarios, the time delay period may be such that the one or more echo signals from the target object are present at the transducer from a start of the receive period and continue to an end of at least one of: the first overall RF data set time value range, or the second overall RF data set time value range.

[00151] In one or more scenarios, wherein the changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, may further comprise changing the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of: a smaller amount of time after a start of the receive period, or a larger amount of time after the start of the receive period.

[00152] In one or more scenarios, wherein the changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, may further comprise changing the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of: a smaller time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the RF data set, or a larger time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the RF data set.

[00153] In one or more scenarios, one or more methods may comprise obtaining, by the device, a B-mode image of the target object in the tissue. One or more methods may comprise combining, by the processor, the B-mode image with the autocompound image to form a combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue. One or more methods may comprise displaying, via the display, the combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue.

[00154] In one or more scenarios, a position of the target object in the tissue may be represented by a visual indicator in the combined image.

[00155] In one or more scenarios, the visual indicator may be a ringdown artifact. The position of the target object in the tissue may be indicated as a narrowest point of the ringdown artifact in the combined image.

[00156] In one or more scenarios, the target object may be at least one of: an acoustic radiator, a needle tip, or an object composed, at least in part, of metal.

[00157] One or more devices, techniques, methods, and/or systems described herein may comprise an ultrasound scanner device. The device may comprise a transducer, a display, and/or a processor. The processor may be configured to transmit, via the transducer, at a first time, one or more ultrasonic pulse signals. The one or more ultrasonic pulse signals may be configured to cause one or more echo signals to be produced by a target object in tissue. The processor may be configured to receive, via the transducer, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time by an adjustable time delay period, the one or more echo signals from the target object in the tissue during an adjustable receive period of a first duration. The one or more echo signals may form at least one radiofrequency (RF) data set. Each of the one or more echo signals that form the at least one RF data set may have a respectively corresponding RF data set time value. The at least one RF data set may have a first overall RF data set time value range. The processor may be configured to generate a plurality of RF data subsets from the at least one RF data set. Each of the plurality of RF data subsets may comprise at least some of the one or more echo signals that form the RF data set.

[00158] The processor may be configured to change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets. The processor may be configured to combine data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form an autocompound image corresponding to the target object. The processor may be configured to display, via the display, the autocompound image.

[00159] In one or more scenarios, to combine data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form the autocompound image corresponding to the target object, the processor may be further configured to process at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets into a respective plurality of one or more pixel data sets. The processor may be configured to combine at least some of the plurality of one or more pixel data sets to form the autocompound image corresponding to the target object.

[00160] In one or more scenarios, wherein to generate the plurality of RF data subsets from the at least one RF data set, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form the RF data set, the processor may be further configured to generate at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets from one or more different time value ranges in the RF data set.

[00161] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be further configured to adjust the receive period to a second duration. The second duration may be different than the first duration. The processor may be configured to change the overall RF data set time value range to a second overall RF data set time value range to accommodate the receive period of the second duration. The second overall RF data set time value range may be at least one of: greater than the first overall RF data set time value range, or less than the first overall RF data set time value range. [00162] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be further configured such that at least one of: the first duration of the receive period, or the second duration of the receive period, may be oversized relative to a maximum depth corresponding to the autocompound image.

[00163] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be configured such that at least one of: the first overall RF data set time value range, or the second overall RF data set time value range, may be oversized relative to the maximum depth corresponding to the autocompound image.

[00164] In one or more scenarios, to generate the plurality of RF data subsets from the at least one RF data set, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form the RF data set, the processor may be further configured to at least one of: concatenating, or reordering, at least some of the one or more echo signals along a time axis of at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets.

[00165] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be further configured such that the at least one of: concatenating, or reordering, the at least some of the one or more echo signals along the time axis of at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets may temporally align at least a partially defective echo signal of the one or more echo signals in a first RF data subset of the plurality of RF data subsets with a non-defective echo signal of the one or more echo signals in a second RF data subset of the plurality of RF data subsets.

[00166] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be configured such that the time delay period may be longer than a round-trip time between the one or more ultrasonic pulse signals from the transducer and the one or more echo signals from the target object.

[00167] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be configured such that the time delay period may be such that the echo signals from the target object reach the transducer before a start of the receive period.

[00168] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be configured such that the time delay period may be such that the one or more echo signals from the target object are present at the transducer from a start of the receive period and continue to an end of at least one of: the first overall RF data set time value range, or the second overall RF data set time value range.

[00169] In one or more scenarios, to change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, the processor may be further configured to change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of: a smaller amount of time after a start of the receive period, or a larger amount of time after the start of the receive period. [00170] In one or more scenarios, to change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, the processor may be further configured to change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of a smaller time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the RF data set, or a larger time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the RF data set.

[00171] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be configured to obtain a B-mode image of the target object in the tissue. The processor may be configured to combine the B-mode image with the autocompound image to form a combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue. The processor may be configured to display, via the display, the combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue.

[00172] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be further configured such that a position of the target object in the tissue may be represented by a visual indicator in the combined image.

[00173] In one or more scenarios, the processor may be further configured such that the visual indicator may be a ringdown artifact. The position of the target object in the tissue may be indicated as a narrowest point of the ringdown artifact in the combined image.

[00174] In one or more scenarios, the target object may be at least one of an acoustic radiator, a needle tip, or an object composed, at least in part, of metal.

[00175] One or more devices, techniques, methods, and/or systems described herein may comprise an ultrasound scanner device. The device may comprise at least: a transducer, a processor, and a display. The device may perform one or more methods. One or more methods may comprise transmitting, by the transducer, at a first time, one or more ultrasonic pulse signals. The one or more ultrasonic pulse signals may be configured to cause one or more echo signals to be produced by a target object in tissue. One or more methods may comprise receiving, by the transducer, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time by one or more adjustable time delay periods, the one or more echo signals from the target object in the tissue during at least one adjustable receive period. The one or more echo signals may form one or more radiofrequency (RF) data sets. Each of the one or more echo signals that form the one or more RF data sets may have a respectively corresponding RF data set time value. At least one RF data set may have a first overall RF data set time value range.

[00176] One or more methods may comprise generating, by the processor, a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets. Each of the plurality of RF data subsets may comprise at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets. One or more methods may comprise changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets. One or more methods may comprise combining, by the processor, data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form an autocompound image corresponding to the target object. One or more methods may comprise displaying, via the display, the autocompound image. [00177] In one or more scenarios, the generating, by the processor, a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets, may further comprise generating at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets from one or more different time value ranges in the at least one of the one or more the RF data sets

[00178] In one or more scenarios, the at least one adjustable receive period may have a first duration. One or more methods may comprise adjusting, by the processor, the receive period to a second duration. The second duration may be different than the first duration. One or more methods may comprise changing, by the processor, the first overall RF data set time value range to a second overall RF data set time value range to accommodate the receive period of the second duration. The second overall RF data set time value range may be at least one of greater than the first overall RF data set time value range, or less than the first overall RF data set time value range. [00179] In more or more scenarios, the generating, by the processor, a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets, may further comprise at least one of concatenating, or reordering, at least some of the one or more echo signals along a time axis of at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets.

[00180] In one or more scenarios, the changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, may further comprise changing the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of: a smaller amount of time after a start of the receive period, or a larger amount of time after the start of the receive period.

[00181] In one or more scenarios, the changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, may further comprise changing the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of a smaller time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the one or more RF data sets, or a larger time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the one or more RF data sets.

[00182] In one or more scenarios, one or more methods may comprise obtaining, by the device, an additional ultrasound image of the target object in the tissue. One or more methods may comprise combining, by the processor, the additional ultrasound image with the autocompound image to form a combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue. One or more methods may comprise displaying, via the display, the combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue.

[00183] In one or more scenarios, the additional ultrasound image may be a B-mode ultrasound image.

[00184] While the inventions have been described with respect to specific examples including presently preferred modes of carrying out the inventions, those skilled in the art will appreciate that there are numerous variations and permutations of the herein described systems and techniques. It is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural and functional modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present inventions. Thus, the spirit and scope of the inventions should be construed broadly as set forth in the appended claims.

[00185] The subject matter of this disclosure, and components thereof, can be realized by instructions that upon execution cause one or more processing devices to carry out the processes and/or functions described herein. Such instructions can, for example, comprise interpreted instructions, such as script instructions, e.g., JavaScript or ECMAScript instructions, or executable code, and/or other instructions stored in a computer readable medium. C ++, C#, and/or C, Python scripts and/or Zephyr RTOS may be used.

[00186] Implementations of the subject matter and/or the functional operations described in this specification and/or the accompanying figures can be provided in digital electronic circuitry, in computer software, firmware, and/or hardware, including the structures disclosed in this specification and their structural equivalents, and/or in combinations of one or more of them. The subject matter described in this specification can be implemented as one or more computer program products, e.g., one or more modules of computer program instructions encoded on a tangible program carrier for execution by, and/or to control the operation of, data processing apparatus. [00187] A computer program (also known as a program, software, software application, script, or code) can be written in any form of programming language, including compiled or interpreted languages, and/or declarative or procedural languages. It can be deployed in any form, including as a stand-alone program or as a module, component, subroutine, and/or other unit suitable for use in a computing environment. A computer program may or might not correspond to a file in a file system. A program can be stored in a portion of a file that holds other programs and/or data (e.g., one or more scripts stored in a markup language document), in a single file dedicated to the program in question, and/or in multiple coordinated files (e.g., files that store one or more modules, sub programs, or portions of code). A computer program can be deployed to be executed on one computer or on multiple computers that may be located at one site or distributed across multiple sites and/or interconnected by a communication network.

[00188] Processors described herein may be any central processing unit (CPU), microprocessor, micro-controller, computational, or programmable device or circuit configured for executing computer program instructions (e.g., code). Various processors may be embodied in computer and/or server hardware of any suitable type (e.g., desktop, laptop, notebook, tablets, cellular phones, etc.) and may include all the usual ancillary components necessary to form a functional data processing device including without limitation a bus, software and data storage such as volatile and non-volatile memory, input/output devices, graphical user interfaces (GUIs), removable data storage, and wired and/or wireless communication interface devices including WiFi™, Bluetooth™, LAN, cellular, satellite, etc.

[00189] Computer-executable instructions or programs (e.g., software or code) and data described herein may be programmed into and tangibly embodied in a non-transitory computer-readable medium that is accessible to and retrievable by a respective processor as described herein which configures and directs the processor to perform the desired functions and processes by executing the instructions encoded in the medium. A device embodying a programmable processor configured to such non-transitory computer-executable instructions or programs may be referred to as a “programmable device”, or “device”, and multiple programmable devices in mutual communication may be referred to as a “programmable system.” It should be noted that non- transitory “computer-readable medium” as described herein may include, without limitation, any suitable volatile or non-volatile memory including random access memory (RAM) and various types thereof, read-only memory (ROM) and various types thereof, USB flash memory, and magnetic or optical data storage devices (e.g., intemal/extemal hard disks, floppy discs, magnetic tape CD-ROM, DVD-ROM, optical disk, ZIP™ drive, Blu-ray disk, and others), which may be written to and/or read by a processor operably connected to the medium.

[00190] The processes and/or logic flows described in this specification and/or in the accompanying figures may be performed by one or more programmable processors executing one or more computer programs to perform functions by operating on input data and/or generating output, thereby tying the process to a particular machine (e.g., a machine programmed to perform the processes described herein). The processes and/or logic flows can also be performed by, and apparatus can also be implemented as, special purpose logic circuitry, e g., an FPGA (field programmable gate array) and/or an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit).

[00191] Computer readable media suitable for storing computer program instructions and/or data may include all forms of non-volatile memory, media and memory devices, including by way of example semiconductor memory devices (e.g., EPROM, EEPROM, and/or flash memory devices); magnetic disks (e.g., internal hard disks or removable disks); magneto optical disks; and/or CD ROM and DVD ROM disks. The processor and/or the memory can be supplemented by, or incorporated in, special purpose logic circuitry.

[00192] While this specification and the accompanying figures contain many specific implementation details, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of any invention and/or of what may be claimed, but rather as descriptions of features that may be specific to described example implementations. Certain features that are described in this specification in the context of separate implementations can also be implemented in combination in perhaps one implementation. Various features that are described in the context of perhaps one implementation can also be implemented in multiple combinations separately or in any suitable sub-combination. Although features may be described above as acting in certain combinations and/or perhaps even (e g., initially) claimed as such, one or more features from a claimed combination can in some cases be excised from the combination. The claimed combination may be directed to a subcombination and/or variation of a sub-combination.

[00193] While operations may be depicted in the drawings in an order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown and/or in sequential order, and/or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve useful outcomes. The described program components and/or systems can generally be integrated together in a single software product and/or packaged into multiple software products. [00194] Examples of the subject matter described in this specification have been described. The actions recited in the claims can be performed in a different order and still achieve useful outcomes, unless expressly noted otherwise. For example, the processes depicted in the accompanying figures do not require the particular order shown, and/or sequential order, to achieve useful outcomes. Multitasking and parallel processing may be advantageous in one or more scenarios.

[00195] While the present disclosure has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only certain examples have been shown and described, and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the present disclosure are desired to be protected.

Claims

CLAIMS WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method performed by an ultrasound scanner device, the device comprising at least: a transducer, a processor, and a display, the method comprising: transmitting, by the transducer, at a first time, one or more ultrasonic pulse signals, the one or more ultrasonic pulse signals configured to cause one or more echo signals to be produced by a target object in tissue; receiving, by the transducer, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time by one or more adjustable time delay periods, the one or more echo signals from the target object in the tissue during at least one adjustable receive period, the one or more echo signals forming one or more radiofrequency (RF) data sets, each of the one or more echo signals that form the one or more RF data sets having a respectively corresponding RF data set time value, at least one RF data set having a first overall RF data set time value range; generating, by the processor, a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets; changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets; combining, by the processor, data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form an autocompound image corresponding to the target object; and displaying, via the display, the autocompound image.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the combining, by the processor, data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form an autocompound image corresponding to the target object further comprises: processing, by the processor, at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets into a respective plurality of one or more pixel data sets; and combining, by the processor, at least some of the plurality of one or more pixel data sets to form the autocompound image corresponding to the target object.

3. The method of any of claim 1 to claim 2, wherein the generating, by the processor, a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets, further comprises: generating at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets from one or more different time value ranges in the at least one of the one or more the RF data sets.

4. The method of any of claim 1 to claim 3, wherein the at least one adjustable receive period has a first duration, the method further comprising: adjusting, by the processor, the receive period to a second duration, the second duration being different than the first duration; and changing, by the processor, the first overall RF data set time value range to a second overall RF data set time value range to accommodate the receive period of the second duration, the second overall RF data set time value range being at least one of: greater than the first overall RF data set time value range, or less than the first overall RF data set time value range.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein at least one of: the first duration of the receive period, or the second duration of the receive period, is oversized relative to a maximum depth corresponding to the autocompound image.

6. The method of any of claim 4 or claim 5, wherein at least one of: the first overall RF data set time value range, or the second overall RF data set time value range, is oversized relative to the maximum depth corresponding to the autocompound image.

7. The method of any of claim 1 to claim 6, wherein, the generating, by the processor, a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets, further comprises: at least one of: concatenating, or reordering, at least some of the one or more echo signals along a time axis of at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the at least one of: concatenating, or reordering, at least some of the one or more echo signals along the time axis of at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets temporally aligns at least a partially defective echo signal of the one or more echo signals in a first RF data subset of the plurality of RF data subsets with a non-defective echo signal of the one or more echo signals in a second RF data subset of the plurality of RF data subsets.

9. The method of any of claim 1 to claim 8, wherein the time delay period is longer than a roundtrip time between the one or more ultrasonic pulse signals from the transducer and the one or more echo signals from the target object.

10. The method of any of claim 1 to claim 9, wherein the time delay period is such that the echo signals from the target object reach the transducer before a start of the receive period.

11. The method of any of claim 4 to claim 10, wherein the time delay period is such that the one or more echo signals from the target object are present at the transducer from a start of the receive period and continue to an end of at least one of: the first overall RF data set time value range, or the second overall RF data set time value range.

12. The method of any of claim 1 to claim 11, wherein the changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, further comprises: changing the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of: a smaller amount of time after a start of the receive period, or a larger amount of time after the start of the receive period.

13. The method of any of claim 1 to claim 11, wherein the changing, by the processor, the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, further comprises: changing the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of: a smaller time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the one or more RF data sets, or a larger time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the one or more RF data sets.

14. The method of any of claim 1 to claim 13, further comprising: obtaining, by the device, an additional ultrasound image of the target object in the tissue; combining, by the processor, the additional ultrasound image with the autocompound image to form a combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue; and displaying, via the display, the combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the additional ultrasound image is a B-mode ultrasound image.

16. The method of any of claim 14 to claim 15, wherein a position of the target object in the tissue is represented by a visual indicator in the combined image.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the visual indicator is a ringdown artifact, and the position of the target object in the tissue is indicated as a narrowest point of the ringdown artifact in the combined image.

18. The method of any of claim 1 to claim 17, wherein the target object is at least one of: an acoustic radiator, a needle tip, or an object composed, at least in part, of metal.

19. An ultrasound scanner device, the device comprising: a transducer; a display; and a processor, configured at least to: transmit, via the transducer, at a first time, one or more ultrasonic pulse signals, the one or more ultrasonic pulse signals configured to cause one or more echo signals to be produced by a target object in tissue; receive, via the transducer, at a second time that is subsequent to the first time by one or more adjustable time delay periods, the one or more echo signals from the target object in the tissue during at least one adjustable receive period, the one or more echo signals forming one or more radiofrequency (RF) data sets, each of the one or more echo signals that form the one or more RF data sets having a respectively corresponding RF data set time value, at least one RF data set having a first overall RF data set time value range; generate a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets; change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets; combine data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form an autocompound image corresponding to the target object; and display, via the display, the autocompound image.

20. The device of claim 19, wherein to combine data corresponding to at least some of the RF data subsets to form the autocompound image corresponding to the target object, the processor is further configured to: process at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets into a respective plurality of one or more pixel data sets; and combine at least some of the plurality of one or more pixel data sets to form the autocompound image corresponding to the target object.

21. The device of any of claim 19 to claim 20, wherein to generate a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets, the processor is further configured to: generate at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets from one or more different time value ranges in the at least one of the one or more the RF data sets.

22. The device of any of claim 19 to claim 21, wherein the at least one adjustable receive period has a first duration, and the processor is further configured to: adjust the receive period to a second duration, the second duration being different than the first duration; and change the first overall RF data set time value range to a second overall RF data set time value range to accommodate the receive period of the second duration, the second overall RF data set time value range being at least one of: greater than the first overall RF data set time value range, or less than the first overall RF data set time value range.

23. The device of claim 22, wherein the processor is further configured such that at least one of: the first duration of the receive period, or the second duration of the receive period, is oversized relative to a maximum depth corresponding to the autocompound image.

24. The device of any of claim 22 or claim 23, wherein the processor is further configured such that at least one of: the first overall RF data set time value range, or the second overall RF data set time value range, is oversized relative to the maximum depth corresponding to the autocompound image.

25. The device of any of claim 19 to claim 24, wherein to generate a plurality of RF data subsets from the one or more RF data sets, each of the plurality of RF data subsets comprising at least some of the one or more echo signals that form at least one of the one or more RF data sets, the processor is further configured to: at least one of: concatenating, or reordering, at least some of the one or more echo signals along a time axis of at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets.

26. The device of claim 25, wherein the processor is further configured such that the at least one of: concatenating, or reordering, the at least some of the one or more echo signals along the time axis of at least some of the plurality of RF data subsets temporally aligns at least a partially defective echo signal of the one or more echo signals in a first RF data subset of the plurality of RF data subsets with a non-defective echo signal of the one or more echo signals in a second RF data subset of the plurality of RF data subsets.

27. The device of any of claim 19 to claim 26, wherein the processor is further configured such that the time delay period is longer than a round-trip time between the one or more ultrasonic pulse signals from the transducer and the one or more echo signals from the target object.

28. The device of any of claim 19 to claim 27, wherein the processor is further configured such that the time delay period is such that the echo signals from the target object reach the transducer before a start of the receive period.

29. The device of any of claim 22 to claim 28, wherein the processor is further configured such that the time delay period is such that the one or more echo signals from the target object are present at the transducer from a start of the receive period and continue to an end of at least one of: the first overall RF data set time value range, or the second overall RF data set time value range.

30. The device of any of claim 19 to claim 29, wherein to change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, the processor is further configured to: change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of: a smaller amount of time after a start of the receive period, or a larger amount of time after the start of the receive period.

31. The device of any of claim 19 to claim 29, wherein change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals in at least some of the plurality of one or more RF data subsets, the processor is further configured to: change the RF data set time value for at least some of the one or more echo signals to at least one of: a smaller time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the one or more RF data sets, or a larger time value relative to the time values of the respective one or more echo signals in the one or more RF data sets.

32. The device of any of claim 19 to claim 31 , wherein the processor is further configured to: obtain an additional ultrasound image of the target object in the tissue; combine the additional ultrasound image with the autocompound image to form a combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue; and display, via the display, the combined image corresponding to the target object in the tissue.

33. The device of claim 32, wherein the additional ultrasound image is a B-mode ultrasound image.

34. The device of any of claim 32 or claim 33, wherein the processor is further configured such that a position of the target object in the tissue is represented by a visual indicator in the combined image.

35. The device of claim 34, wherein the processor is further configured such that the visual indicator is a ringdown artifact, and the position of the target object in the tissue is indicated as a narrowest point of the ringdown artifact in the combined image.

36. The device of any of claim 19 to claim 35, wherein the target object is at least one of: an acoustic radiator, a needle tip, or an object composed, at least in part, of metal.