US 11,717,260 B2
Malfunction inspection method for ultrasonic imaging system, and ultrasonic imaging system
Toshihide Iwahashi, Tokyo (JP)
Assigned to LILY MEDTECH INC., Tokyo (JP)
Filed by Lily MedTech Inc., Tokyo (JP)
Filed on Nov. 30, 2022, as Appl. No. 18/71,655.
Application 18/071,655 is a continuation of application No. PCT/JP2021/035819, filed on Sep. 29, 2021.
Claims priority of application No. 2020-165677 (JP), filed on Sep. 30, 2020.
Prior Publication US 2023/0088350 A1, Mar. 23, 2023
Int. Cl. A61B 8/00 (2006.01); A61B 8/13 (2006.01); G01S 15/89 (2006.01)
CPC A61B 8/13 (2013.01) [G01S 15/8925 (2013.01)] 12 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A malfunction inspection method for an ultrasonic imaging system including an array transducer that includes a plurality of elements each performing at least one of emission or reception of ultrasonic waves, at least some of the plurality of elements being disposed so as to face each other, comprising:
specifying one emitting element among emitting elements that emit the ultrasonic waves and a group of receiving elements that are at least some of the plurality of elements and that receive transmitted waves emitted from the one emitting element and transmitted through an imaging region;
collecting measurement data of the transmitted waves via the group of receiving elements while switching the one emitting element, wherein the group of receiving elements receives the transmitted waves directly from the one emitting element;
calculating transfer characteristic values from the measurement data; and
detecting a malfunctioning element among the plurality of elements based on the transfer characteristic values.