An ultrasound system includes a transducer array configured to generate analog ultrasound signals. The system includes one or more analog-to-digital converters (ADCs) in communication with the transducer array. The ADCs is configured to convert the analog ultrasound signals to digital ultrasound signals. The system includes a processor circuit in communication with the ADCs. The processor circuit includes digital in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) mixers configured to generate digital continuous wave (CW) Doppler signals based on the digital ultrasound signals. The processor circuit is configured to process the digital CW Doppler signals, generate a graphical representation of a distribution of blood flow velocities over a plurality of cardiac cycles, and output the graphical representation to a display in communication with the processor circuit.

Various embodiments include methods and systems having detection apparatus operable to cancel or reduce leakage signal originating from a source signal being generated and transmitted from a transmitter. A leakage cancellation signal can be generated digitally, converted to an analog signal, and then subtracted in the analog domain from a received signal to provide a leakage-reduced signal for use in detection and analysis of objects. A digital cancellation signal may be generated by generating a cancellation signal in the frequency domain and converting it to the time domain. Optionally, an estimate of a residual leakage signal can be generated and applied to reduce residual leakage remaining in the leakage-reduced signal. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.

An ultrasound probe is in communication with an ultrasound system. The ultrasound probe includes a transducer array configured to generate analog ultrasound signals. The ultrasound probe includes analog in-phase/quadrature (I/Q) mixers disposed within a housing of the ultrasound probe and in communication with the transducer array. The analog I/Q mixers are configured to generate analog continuous wave (CW) Doppler signals based on the analog ultrasound signals. The ultrasound probe includes a cable coupled to the housing, wherein the cable is configured to transmit the analog CW Doppler signals from the ultrasound probe to the ultrasound system. Associated devices, systems, and methods are also provided.

Various embodiments include methods and systems having detection apparatus operable to cancel or reduce leakage signal originating from a source signal being generated and transmitted from a transmitter. A leakage cancellation signal can be generated digitally, converted to an analog signal, and then subtracted in the analog domain from a received signal to provide a leakage-reduced signal for use in detection and analysis of objects. A digital cancellation signal may be generated by generating a cancellation signal in the frequency domain and converting it to the time domain. Optionally, an estimate of a residual leakage signal can be generated and applied to reduce residual leakage remaining in the leakage-reduced signal. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.

A controller (250) for differentiating passive ultrasound sensors for interventional medical procedures includes a memory (291) and a processor (292). When executed by the processor (292), instructions from the memory (291) cause a system (200) that includes the controller (250) to implement a process that includes receiving first signals from a first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) and receiving second signals from a second passive ultrasound sensor (S2). The first signals and second signals are generated by the passive ultrasound sensors responsive to beams emitted from an ultrasound imaging probe (210). The process also includes identifying a characteristic of the first signals and the second signals. The characteristic includes shapes of the first signals and the second signals and/or times at which the first signals and the second signals are generated as the beams from the ultrasound imaging probe are received. The first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) and the second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) are differentiated based on the characteristic.

A chirp linearity detector, integrated circuit, and method are provided. The chirp linearity detector comprises a phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency sampling circuit and a frequency sweep linearity measuring circuit. The PLL frequency sampling circuit comprises a frequency divider circuit for receiving a PLL output signal from a PLL and for providing a frequency divided output signal, a first low pass filter circuit for receiving the frequency divided output signal, for reducing harmonic mixing, and for providing a mixer input signal, a mixer circuit for receiving the mixer input signal, for mixing the mixer input signal with a local oscillator signal, and for providing a mixer output signal, a second low pass filter circuit for performing anti-aliasing filtering and for providing an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) input signal, and an ADC circuit for digitizing the ADC input signal and for providing a digital output signal.

A chirp linearity detector, integrated circuit, and method are provided. The chirp linearity detector comprises a phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency sampling circuit and a frequency sweep linearity measuring circuit. The PLL frequency sampling circuit comprises a frequency divider circuit for receiving a PLL output signal from a PLL and for providing a frequency divided output signal, a first low pass filter circuit for receiving the frequency divided output signal, for reducing harmonic mixing, and for providing a mixer input signal, a mixer circuit for receiving the mixer input signal, for mixing the mixer input signal with a local oscillator signal, and for providing a mixer output signal, a second low pass filter circuit for performing anti-aliasing filtering and for providing an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) input signal, and an ADC circuit for digitizing the ADC input signal and for providing a digital output signal.

A vibro-acoustography imaging system that generates a map of the mechanical response of a target to an acoustic radiation force, usually in low kHz range by a confocal geometry. The system generates two focused sinusoidal beams to produce a stress field at the beat frequency, which is a function of vibration and acoustic emissions field in terms of mechanical properties. A highly sensitive hydrophone is then used for detection of the acoustic emissions field, the amplitude of which may be correlated to the mechanical properties of the target tissue.

Various embodiments include methods and systems having a frequency-modulated continuous wave radar operable to compensate a return signal for nonlinearity in the associated radar signal that is transmitted. The radar signal can be mixed with a delayed version of the radar signal such that the mixed signal can be used to generate an estimate of the nonlinearity. The estimate can be used to compensate the return signal from an object that reflects the associated transmitted radar signal. Additional apparatus, systems, and methods can be implemented in a variety of applications.

A chirp linearity detector, integrated circuit, and method are provided. The chirp linearity detector comprises a phase-locked loop (PLL) frequency sampling circuit and a frequency sweep linearity measuring circuit. The PLL frequency sampling circuit comprises a frequency divider circuit for receiving a PLL output signal from a PLL and for providing a frequency divided output signal, a first low pass filter circuit for receiving the frequency divided output signal, for reducing harmonic mixing, and for providing a mixer input signal, a mixer circuit for receiving the mixer input signal, for mixing the mixer input signal with a local oscillator signal, and for providing a mixer output signal, a second low pass filter circuit for performing anti-aliasing filtering and for providing an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) input signal, and an ADC circuit for digitizing the ADC input signal and for providing a digital output signal.