DETAILED ACTION
Notice of Pre-AIA or AIA Status
The present application, filed on or after March 16, 2013, is being examined under the first inventor to file provisions of the AIA .
Priority
Acknowledgment is made of applicant’s claim for foreign priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 (a)-(d). The certified copy has been filed in parent Application No. JP 2024-104920 filed on 07/01/2024.
Information Disclosure Statement
The information disclosure statement (IDS) submitted on 06/24/2025 was filed in compliance with the provisions of 37 CFR 1.97. Accordingly, the information disclosure statement is being considered by the examiner.
Specification
The disclosure is objected to because of the following informalities:
[0017]: As written it reads “an S/N evaluation unit 34”. However, this is the first indication of the acronym “S/N”, therefore, the term should be spelled out to provide clarity.
[0022]: As written it reads “A display device such as a liquid crystal panel or an organic EL panel, or a portable information processing device such as a tablet computer having a function as a display device may be used as the display 18”. However, this is the first indication of the acronym “EL”, therefore the term should be spelled out to provide clarity.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Objections
Claim 11 is objected to because of the following informalities:
Regarding claim 11, as written it reads “The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim9, […}”. However, to correct the typo “claim9” should be “claim 9”.
Appropriate correction is required.
Claim Interpretation
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(f) Element in Claim for a Combination. – An element in a claim for a combination may be expressed as a means or step for performing a specified function without the recital of structure, material, or acts in support thereof, and such claim shall be construed to cover the corresponding structure, material, or acts described in the specification and equivalents thereof.
The claims in this application are given their broadest reasonable interpretation using the plain meaning of the claim language in light of the specification as it would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The broadest reasonable interpretation of a claim element (also commonly referred to as a claim limitation) is limited by the description in the specification when 35 U.S.C. 112(f) is invoked.
As explained in MPEP § 2181, subsection I, claim limitations that meet the following three-prong test will be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f):
(A) the claim limitation uses the term “means” or “step” or a term used as a substitute for “means” that is a generic placeholder (also called a nonce term or a non-structural term having no specific structural meaning) for performing the claimed function;
(B) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is modified by functional language, typically, but not always linked by the transition word “for” (e.g., “means for”) or another linking word or phrase, such as “configured to” or “so that”; and
(C) the term “means” or “step” or the generic placeholder is not modified by sufficient structure, material, or acts for performing the claimed function.
Use of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim with functional language creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f). The presumption that the claim limitation is interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) is rebutted when the claim limitation recites sufficient structure, material, or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Absence of the word “means” (or “step”) in a claim creates a rebuttable presumption that the claim limitation is not to be treated in accordance with 35 U.S.C. 112(f). The presumption that the claim limitation is not interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) is rebutted when the claim limitation recites function without reciting sufficient structure, material or acts to entirely perform the recited function.
Claim limitations in this application that use the word “means” (or “step”) are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) except as otherwise indicated in an Office action. Conversely, claim limitations in this application that do not use the word “means” (or “step”) are not being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) except as otherwise indicated in an Office action.
This application includes one or more claim limitations that do not use the word “means,” but are nonetheless being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) because the claim limitation(s) uses a generic placeholder that is coupled with functional language without reciting sufficient structure to perform the recited function and the generic placeholder is not preceded by a structural modifier. Such claim limitation(s) is/are: the information processing unit in claims 1-2, 4, and 6-10, and the transmission and reception unit in claims 1, 3, 5 and 9.
Because this/these claim limitation(s) is/are being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) it/they is/are being interpreted to cover the corresponding structure described in the specification as performing the claimed function, and equivalents thereof. That being said, the information processing unit is described in the specification when it states “The information processing unit 14 may comprise processors constituting a B-mode image generation processing unit 22, an image forming unit 24, a display processing unit 26, a transmission and reception condition determination unit 28, a wall filter processing unit 30, a color Doppler processing unit 32, an S/N evaluation unit 34, and a controller 36 by executing a program” [0017]; “The information processing unit 14 comprises a wall filter processing unit 30 and a color Doppler processing unit 32 as components for executing the operation in the color Doppler mode” [0025]; “That is, the information processing unit 14 executes the B-mode image generation processing, the wall filter processing, the color Doppler processing, the evaluation processing, and the measurement condition setting processing” [0044]. Therefore, the examiner is interpreting the information processing unit to be a processor configured to perform B-mode image generation processing, wall filter processing, color Doppler processing, evaluation processing and measurement condition setting. Thus, claims 1-2, 4, and 6-10 are not subject to further rejection under 35 U.S.C. 112 with respect to the information processing unit.
Furthermore, the transmission and reception unit is described in the specification when it states “The transmission and reception unit 12 outputs a transmission signal to each ultrasound transducer provided in the ultrasound probe 10. Each ultrasound transducer generates an ultrasonic wave in response to the transmission signal. The transmission and reception unit 12 adjusts a delay time of the transmission signal output to each ultrasound transducer such that an ultrasound transmission beam is directed in a specific direction and a focus is formed. In addition, the transmission and reception unit 12 scans the subject with the ultrasound transmission beam by changing the delay time of the transmission signal output to each ultrasound transducer” [0019]; “The transmission and reception unit 12 scans the ultrasound transmission beam and the ultrasound reception beam (hereinafter, the ultrasound transmission beam and the ultrasound reception beam are collectively referred to as an ultrasound beam) and outputs the reception signal obtained for each direction or each position of the ultrasound beam to the B-mode image generation processing unit 22 and the wall filter processing unit 30” [0021]. Therefore, the examiner is interpreting the transmission and reception unit 12 to be a controller which is configured to output a transmission signal, adjust delay time, acquire an ultrasound reception beam and provide it to the information processing unit (i.e. processor). Thus, claims 1, 3, 5 and 9 are not subject to further rejection under 35 U.S.C. 112 with respect to the transmission and reception unit.
If applicant does not intend to have this/these limitation(s) interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) applicant may: (1) amend the claim limitation(s) to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) (e.g., by reciting sufficient structure to perform the claimed function); or (2) present a sufficient showing that the claim limitation(s) recite(s) sufficient structure to perform the claimed function so as to avoid it/them being interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f).
Claim Rejections - 35 USC § 103
In the event the determination of the status of the application as subject to AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103 (or as subject to pre-AIA 35 U.S.C. 102 and 103) is incorrect, any correction of the statutory basis (i.e., changing from AIA to pre-AIA ) for the rejection will not be considered a new ground of rejection if the prior art relied upon, and the rationale supporting the rejection, would be the same under either status.
The following is a quotation of 35 U.S.C. 103 which forms the basis for all obviousness rejections set forth in this Office action:
A patent for a claimed invention may not be obtained, notwithstanding that the claimed invention is not identically disclosed as set forth in section 102, if the differences between the claimed invention and the prior art are such that the claimed invention as a whole would have been obvious before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to a person having ordinary skill in the art to which the claimed invention pertains. Patentability shall not be negated by the manner in which the invention was made.
The factual inquiries for establishing a background for determining obviousness under 35 U.S.C. 103 are summarized as follows:
1. Determining the scope and contents of the prior art.
2. Ascertaining the differences between the prior art and the claims at issue.
3. Resolving the level of ordinary skill in the pertinent art.
4. Considering objective evidence present in the application indicating obviousness or nonobviousness.
Claim(s) 1-12 is/are rejected under 35 U.S.C. 103 as being unpatentable over Tanaka et al. US 2022/0413136 A1 “Tanaka” and further in view of Mo et al. US 6,296,612 B1 “Mo”.
Regarding claims 1 and 9, Tanaka teaches “An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:” (Claims 1 and 9) (“As illustrated in FIG. 1, an ultrasound imaging device 1 according to the present embodiment includes: an ultrasonic signal generator 12 and an ultrasonic wave reception unit 13, as an ultrasonic wave transmission and reception unit, to which an ultrasonic probe 2 is connected; a signal processing unit 20 that executes various types of signal processing and calculation on an ultrasonic signal (a reception signal) received by the ultrasonic wave reception unit 13; and a control unit 10 that controls operations of the ultrasonic wave transmission and reception unit and the signal processing unit 20. The ultrasound imaging device 1 may further includes an input unit 11 for inputting information, a condition, a command, and the like, which are necessary for the signal processing and control, to the control unit 10 and a display unit 14 that displays an ultrasonic image or the like being a processing result of the signal processing unit 20” [0023]. Therefore, FIG. 1 displays an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.);
“a transmission and reception unit that transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject through an ultrasound probe and receives a reflected wave reflected by the subject through the ultrasound probe” (Claims 1 and 9) (See ultrasonic signal generator 12, ultrasonic wave reception unit 13 and ultrasonic probe 2 in [0023] and “A function of the ultrasonic wave transmission and reception unit is the same as that of a general ultrasound imaging device. The ultrasonic signal generator 12 generates an ultrasonic pulse having a predetermined frequency (a transmission frequency) and transmits the ultrasonic pulse to each element of the ultrasonic probe 2 at a predetermined timing. The ultrasonic wave reception unit 13 includes a phasing unit and an A/D converting circuit (which are not illustrated) and a reception data memory, and executes phasing for each frame, stores a reception signal after A/D conversion in the reception data memory, and transmits the reception signal to the signal processing unit 20” [0025]. Therefore, the ultrasonic signal generator 12 in combination with the ultrasonic wave reception unit 13 represents a transmission and reception unit that transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject (i.e. see subject 3 in FIG. 1) through an ultrasound probe (i.e. ultrasonic probe 2 in FIG. 1) and receives a reflected wave reflected by the subject through the ultrasound probe.); and
“an information processing unit, wherein the information processing unit executes” (Claims 1 and 9) (“The signal processing unit 20 includes: a tomogram forming unit 21; a Doppler velocity calculating unit 22; a display image forming unit 23; a memory 24; and a clutter processing unit 25 that executes processing for clutter reduction on the reception signal [0026]. In this case, the signal processing unit 20 represents an information processing unit which is configured to execute specific functions.);
“B-mode image generation processing of generating B-mode image data based on a reception signal generated by the transmission and reception unit” (Claim 1) (“Briefly, the tomogram forming unit 21 receives a reception signal for each frame from the reception data memory of the ultrasonic wave reception unit 13, and sends the reception signal as a packet signal to the display image forming unit 23. […] The display image forming unit 23 includes a digital scan converter (DSC), and generates, by using a digital signal from the tomogram forming unit 21, a tomogram (a B-mode image) to be displayed on the display unit 14” [0026]. As shown in FIG. 1, the tomogram forming unit 21 and the display image forming unit 23 are included within the signal processing unit 20 (i.e. information processing unit). Therefore, since the tomogram forming unit 21 receives a reception signal and sends it to the display image forming unit 23 such that a tomogram (i.e. a B-mode image) is generated for display, the information processing unit executes B-mode image generation processing of generating B-mode image data based on a reception signal generated by the transmission and reception unit (i.e. ultrasonic signal generator 12 in combination with the ultrasonic wave reception unit).);
“evaluation area setting processing of setting a blood flow evaluation area and a clutter evaluation area in a region where the B-mode image data is generated” (Claim 1) (“In the clutter reduction processing, as illustrated in FIG. 4, first, the feature detecting unit 251 detects, based on the signals or the data, a feature for determining a blood flow and a clutter (S41). The feature may be a single feature, or may be detected for each of a plurality of items (for example, an amplitude, a velocity, a variance, Or a standard deviation). The determining unit 252 determines whether one or each of a plurality of features is a clutter (S42), and the reduction map generating unit 253 combines the features to generate a map of clutter estimated values based on a clutter determination result (S43). The map is a map representing the clutter estimated values at respective positions where the packet signal is obtained, and may take a binary value of 1 or 0 regarding whether the packet signal is a clutter, or may take an intermediate value between 0 and 1 when the determination includes a gray zone” [0040]. Therefore, since the feature detecting unit 251 detects a feature for determining a blood flow and a clutter (i.e. the feature for determining blood flow representing a blood flow evaluation area and the feature for determining clutter being a clutter evaluation area) and the determining unit 252 identifies whether one or each of a plurality of features is a clutter such that a map of estimated values is generated, the feature detecting unit 251 in combination with the determining unit 252 (i.e. each present within the clutter processing unit 25 of the signal processing unit 20) executes evaluation area setting processing of setting a blood flow evaluation area (i.e. corresponding to blood flow) and a clutter evaluation area (i.e. with estimated values, see [0040]) in a region where the B-mode image data is generated.);
“wall filter processing on a Doppler reception signal generated by the transmission and reception unit” (Claims 1 and 9) (“The filter unit 255 includes a low-pass filter such as a known wall filter or MIT filter, and removes a clutter in the data processed by the clutter reducing unit 254. The processing by the filter unit 255 may be executed at a stage before the feature detecting unit 251” [0033]. As shown in FIG. 1, the Doppler velocity calculating unit 22 outputs to both the memory 24 and the clutter processing unit 25. Therefore, The Doppler velocity calculating unit 22 outputs Doppler reception signals to the memory 24 and clutter processing unit 25. Furthermore, FIG. 2 shows that the filter unit 255 (i.e. which includes a low-pass filter such as a wall filter) is included within the clutter processing unit. Therefore, the information processing unit (i.e. signal processing unit 20) executes wall filter processing on a Doppler reception signal generated by the transmission and reception unit (i.e. ultrasonic signal generator 12 in combination with the ultrasonic wave reception unit 13).);
“color Doppler processing of generating color mapping data for the B-mode image data based on the Doppler reception signal subjected to the wall filter processing” (Claims 1 and 9) (“The display image forming unit 23 generates a color Doppler image by superimposing information relating to the blood flow velocity calculated by the Doppler velocity calculating unit on the B-mode tomogram” [0027]. Therefore, the information processing unit executes color Doppler processing of generating color mapping data for the B-mode image data based on the Doppler reception signal subjected to the wall filter processing.),
“evaluation processing of obtaining a pixel evaluation value for each of the blood flow evaluation area and the clutter evaluation area” (Claim 1) (See [0040] above and “The calculated blood flow velocity information is input to the display image forming unit 23 as color Doppler information to which different colors are added depending on an angle with respect to a direction of a transmitted ultrasonic signal, is converted into a color Doppler image superimposed on the tomogram in the display image forming unit 23, and is displayed on the display unit 14 (S7)” [0042]. In this case since the feature detecting unit 251 detects a feature for determining blood flow (i.e. in blood flow evaluation area) and clutter (i.e. clutter evaluation area) and the feature may be a plurality of items including amplitude, velocity, variance or standard deviation and calculated blood flow velocity information is converted into a color Doppler image superimposed on the tomogram (see [0042]), the information processing unit (i.e. signal processor 20) executes evaluation processing of obtaining a pixel evaluation value (i.e. amplitude, velocity, variance, standard deviation) for each of the blood flow evaluation area and the clutter evaluation area.).
However, Tanaka does not teach that the information processing unit executes “measurement condition setting processing of setting at least one of a transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit or a characteristic of the wall filter processing according to each pixel evaluation value” (Claim 1); “measurement condition processing of setting a transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit and a characteristic of the wall filter processing according to an observation site” (Claim 9).
Mo is within the same field of endeavor as the claimed invention because it involves a method and an apparatus for adaptive wall filtering to remove low-frequency clutter in spectral Doppler I/Q data prior to FFT processing (see [Abstract]).
Mo teaches that the information processing unit executes “measurement condition setting processing of setting at least one of a transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit or a characteristic of the wall filter processing according to each pixel evaluation value” (Claim 1); “measurement condition processing of setting a transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit and a characteristic of the wall filter processing according to an observation site” (Claim 9) (“The transmitter provides a transmit ultrasound burst which is fired repeatedly at a pulse repetition frequency (PRF). The PRF is typically in the kilohertz range” [Column 3, Lines 8-10]; “Typically, the wall filter cutoff frequency is manually selected via a front-panel control key 20. Usually the wall filter cutoff frequency is increased when bright, low-frequency clutter is seen in the spectral image. Each time the wall filter cutoff setting is changed, a corresponding set of filter coefficient values are read out of the LUT 22 and loaded into the wall filters 10. To minimize transient noise, the y(n-1) and y(n-2) values for each filter stage can be assumed to be zero right after the new filter coefficient set is loaded” [Column 3, Lines 52-61]; “The present invention is an improvement over the manual wall filter cutoff frequency technique shown in FIG. 2. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, low-frequency clutter is removed in the Doppler I/Q data prior to FFT processing. As shown in FIG. 3, the I/Q data is passed through a low-pass filter (LPF) 26 whose cutoff frequency is set at the highest anticipated clutter frequency (e.g. 40% of PRF) for the current Doppler application” [Column 3, Line 62-Column 4, Line 2]; “In the first alternative, the system is pre-calibrated by trying different combinations of gain settings, recording the resulting noise values and storing those gain settings and corresponding noise values in a LUT” [Column 4, Lines 37-40]; “computing the total power of the output of said low pass filter; comparing the total power of said low pass filter output to an estimated mean system noise power in said low pass filter output; selecting filter coefficients for said wall filter which are a function of the results of comparing the total power to the mean system noise power; setting said wall filter in accordance with said selected wall filter coefficients” [Claim 18].
Therefore, since the wall filter cutoff frequency is either manually selected or set at the highest anticipated clutter frequency for the current Doppler application (i.e. each Doppler application having a specific pulse repetition frequency PRF), the system is pre-calibrated by trying different combinations of gain setting and storing those gain setting with their corresponding noise (i.e. clutter values), and the system sets the wall filter in accordance with selected wall filter coefficients (see [Claim 18]), the information processing unit executes measurement condition setting processing of setting at least one of a transmission and reception condition (i.e. PRF, see [Column 3, Lines 8-10], [Column 3, Line 62-Column 4, Line 2]) in the transmission and reception unit or a characteristic of the wall filter processing (i.e. specifically, the characteristic of the wall filter processing, such as the cutoff frequency or wall coefficients) according to each pixel evaluation value (i.e. the brightness/amplitude of the low-frequency clutter). Furthermore, the information processing unit executes measurement condition setting processing of setting a transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit and a characteristic of the wall filter processing according to an observation site (i.e. its corresponding clutter, for example).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Tanaka such that the information processing unit executes measurement condition setting processing of setting at least one of a transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit or a characteristic of the wall filter processing (i.e. setting wall filter coefficients, for example) according to each pixel evaluation value or to an observation site as disclosed in Mo in order to effectively remove clutter from B-mode images. Changing characteristics of the wall filter such as the wall filter coefficients in response to comparing the total power of said low pass filter output to an estimated mean system noise power in said low pass filter output (See Mo: Claim 18) is one of a finite number of techniques which can be used to improve the removal of clutter with a reasonable expectation of success. Additionally, setting a transmission and reception condition (i.e. such as PRF) is one of a finite number of techniques which can produce different responses within tissue and thus lead to different clutter amount within tissue with a reasonable expectation of success. Thus, modifying the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Tanaka such that the information processing unit executes measurement condition setting processing of setting at least one of a transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit or a characteristic of the wall filter processing (i.e. setting wall filter coefficients, for example) according to each pixel evaluation value as disclosed in Mo would yield the predictable result of adjusting wall filter settings and/or transmission and reception conditions such that it can effectively remove clutter from B-mode images.
Regarding claim 2, Tanaka in view of Mo discloses all features of the claimed invention as discussed with respect to claim 1 above, and Tanaka further teaches “wherein the information processing unit executes display processing of displaying a B-mode image based on the B-mode image data on a display device” (“The display image forming unit 23 includes a digital scan converter (DSC), and generates, by using a digital signal from the tomogram forming unit 21, a tomogram (a B-mode image) to be displayed on the display unit 14” [0026]. Therefore, since the tomogram (B-mode image) is displayed on the display unit 14, the information processing unit executes display processing of displaying a B-mode image based on the B-mode image data on a display device.), and
“the evaluation area setting processing includes processing of setting the blood flow evaluation area and the clutter evaluation area according to an operation performed while the B-mode image is displayed” (“Next, the reduction map generating unit 253 generates a final clutter reduction map using reduction filters generated for the plurality of features, here, the IQ standard deviation and the velocity variance value. A final clutter reduction map 700 has, for example, coefficients from 0 to 1 at the respective positions, and may be obtained by simply multiplying a plurality of reduction filters 700A and 700B as illustrated in FIG. 7, or may be obtained by weighting” [0052]. In this case, the clutter reduction maps are displayed on the B-mode image (see [0032]: “The reduction map to be generated is determined as a map of a space corresponding to an image space of the B-mode image”). As shown in FIG. 7, the rectangles represented in gray represent clutter evaluation areas, while the region displayed in black represents the blood flow evaluation area (i.e. a blood vessel). Therefore, the evaluation area setting processing includes processing of setting the blood flow evaluation area and the clutter evaluation area according to an operation performed while the B-mode image is displayed.).
Regarding claims 3 and 5, Tanaka in view of Mo discloses all features of the claimed invention as discussed with respect to claims 1 and 2 above, and Mo further teaches “wherein the measurement condition setting processing includes processing of setting at least one of the transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit or the characteristic of the wall filter processing within a range determined according to an observation site” (See [Column 3, Line 62-Column 4, Line 2] as discussed in claim 1 above. Therefore, since the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter (i.e. wall filter) is set at the highest anticipated clutter frequency (e.g., 40% of PRF) for the current Doppler application, the measurement condition setting processing includes processing of setting at least one of the transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit or the characteristic of the wall filter (i.e. cutoff frequency) processing within a range determined according to an observation site (i.e. within the subject 3, see FIG. 1).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Tanaka such that the information processing unit executes the measurement condition setting processing including processing of setting at least one of the transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit or the characteristic of the wall filter processing within a range determined according to an observation site as disclosed in Mo in order to effectively remove clutter from B-mode images. Changing characteristics of the wall filter such as the wall filter coefficients and cutoff frequency in response to comparing the total power of said low pass filter output to an estimated mean system noise power in said low pass filter output (See Mo: Claim 18) is one of a finite number of techniques which can be used to improve the removal of clutter with a reasonable expectation of success. Thus, modifying the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Tanaka such that the information processing unit executes the measurement condition setting processing including processing of setting at least one of the transmission and reception condition in the transmission and reception unit or the characteristic of the wall filter processing within a range determined according to an observation site as disclosed in Mo would yield the predictable result of adjusting wall filter settings and/or transmission and reception conditions such that it can effectively remove clutter from B-mode images.
Regarding claims 4, 6 and 10, Tanaka in view of Mo discloses all features of the claimed invention as discussed with respect to claims 3, 5 and 9 above, and Tanaka further teaches “wherein the information processing unit specifies the observation site according to a preset operation of setting each control parameter for each function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus” (“The ultrasound imaging device 1 may further includes an input unit 11 for inputting information, a condition, a command, and the like, which are necessary for the signal processing and control, to the control unit 10 and a display unit 14 that displays an ultrasonic image or the like being a processing result of the signal processing unit 20” [0023]; “First, the ultrasonic probe 2 is brought into contact with a body surface of the subject 3, and packet transmission and reception are repeated while a tissue or an organ, which is an inspection target 30, is scanned with the ultrasonic probe 2 at a predetermined angle” [0036]. Therefore, since the input unit 11 receives information, a condition, a command and the like, and transmission and reception are repeated within an inspection target 30, the information processing unit specified the observation site (i.e. inspection target 30) according to a preset operation of setting each control parameter (i.e. by the control unit 10) for each function of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus.).
Regarding claims 7 and 8, Tanaka in view of Mo discloses all features of the claimed invention as discussed with respect to claims 1 and 2 above, and Mo further teaches “wherein the information processing unit executes the evaluation processing a plurality of times while changing at least one of the transmission and reception condition or the characteristic of the wall filter processing” (“The reduction map generating unit 253 calculates a clutter estimated value as a ratio of estimating a signal as a clutter signal using the threshold value of the feature determined by the determining unit 252, and determines a reduction map having the clutter estimated value as a coefficient. The clutter estimated value may be determined using only one feature, and is preferably calculated by combining a plurality of features. Accordingly, as compared with the case of using one feature, an accuracy of the reduction map is improved, that is, an accuracy of identifying the clutter and the blood flow is improved” [0031]. In order for the reduction map generating unit to be able to combine a plurality of features (i.e. each of features being obtained at different times), the information processing unit must execute the evacuation processing a plurality of times while changing at least one of the transmission and reception condition or characteristic of the wall filter processing.), and
“searches for the transmission and reception condition and the characteristic of the wall filter processing in a case where a ratio of the pixel evaluation value for the blood flow evaluation area to the pixel evaluation value for the clutter evaluation area satisfies a predetermined condition” (See [0031] above. Therefore, since the reduction map generating unit calculates a clutter estimated value as a ratio of estimating a signal as a clutter signal using the threshold value, the information processing unit searches for the transmission and reception condition and the characteristic of the wall filter processing in a case where a ratio of the pixel evaluation value for the blood flow evaluation area to the pixel evaluation value of the clutter evaluation area satisfies a predetermined condition (i.e. threshold value).); and
Mo further teaches “the measurement condition setting processing includes processing of setting at least one of the transmission and reception condition or the characteristic of the wall filter processing such that the ratio satisfies the predetermined condition” (“wherein said selection logic selects wall filter coefficients corresponding to the lowest cutoff frequency stored in said memory when said comparing means determine that the total power does not exceed the mean system noise power by at least a predetermined amount” [Claim 4]. Therefore, since the selection logic selects wall filter coefficients corresponding to the lowest cutoff frequency such that the total power does not exceed the mean system noise power by at least a predetermined amount (i.e. predetermined condition), the information processing unit executes the measurement condition setting processing includes processing of setting at least one of the transmission and reception condition or the characteristic of the wall filter (i.e. wall filter coefficient) processing such that the ratio satisfies the predetermined condition (i.e. predetermined amount).).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Tanaka such that the information processing unit executes measurement condition setting processing of setting at least one of the transmission and reception condition or the characteristic of the wall filter processing such that the ratio satisfies the predetermined condition as disclosed in Mo in order to effectively remove clutter from B-mode images. Changing characteristics of the wall filter such as the wall filter coefficients in response to comparing the total power of said low pass filter output to an estimated mean system noise power in said low pass filter output (See Mo: Claim 18) is one of a finite number of techniques which can be used to improve the removal of clutter with a reasonable expectation of success. Thus, modifying the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Tanaka such that the information processing unit executes measurement condition setting processing of setting at least one of the transmission and reception condition or the characteristic of the wall filter processing such that the ratio satisfies the predetermined condition would yield the predictable result of adjusting wall filter settings and/or transmission and reception conditions such that it can effectively remove clutter from B-mode images.
Regarding claims 11 and 12, Tanaka in view of Mo discloses all features of the claimed invention as discussed with respect to claims 9 and 10 above, and Mo further teaches “wherein a cutoff frequency of the characteristic of the wall filter processing is set to a predetermined frequency with respect to the observation site” (“The present invention is an improvement over the manual wall filter cutoff frequency technique shown in FIG. 2. In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, low-frequency clutter is removed in the Doppler I/Q data prior to FFT processing. As shown in FIG. 3, the I/Q data is passed through a low-pass filter (LPF) 26 whose cutoff frequency is set at the highest anticipated clutter frequency (e.g. 40% of PRF) for the current Doppler application” [Column 3, Line 62-Column 4, Line 2]. Therefore, since the cutoff frequency of the low-pass filter (LPF) (i.e. wall filter) is set at the highest anticipated clutter frequency (e.g., 40% PRF), a cutoff frequency of the characteristic of the wall filter processing is set to a predetermined frequency with respect to the observation site.).
It would have been obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art before the effective filing date of the claimed invention to modify the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Tanaka such that the information processing unit sets a cutoff frequency of the characteristic of the wall filter processing to a predetermined frequency with respect to the observation site as disclosed in Mo in order to effectively remove clutter from B-mode images. Changing characteristics of the wall filter such as the wall filter coefficients and cutoff frequency in response to comparing the total power of said low pass filter output to an estimated mean system noise power in said low pass filter output (See Mo: Claim 18) is one of a finite number of techniques which can be used to improve the removal of clutter with a reasonable expectation of success. Thus, modifying the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of Tanaka such that the information processing unit sets a cutoff frequency of the characteristic of the wall filter processing to a predetermined frequency with respect to the observation sit as disclosed in Mo would yield the predictable result of adjusting wall filter settings and/or transmission and reception conditions such that it can effectively remove clutter from B-mode images.
Conclusion
The prior art made of record and not relied upon is considered pertinent to applicant's disclosure:
Li et al. US 2019/0298298 A1 “Li” is pertinent to the applicant’s disclosure because it discloses “An ultrasound imaging method includes steps of transmitting a plurality of ultrasound signals by a pulse repetition interval; receiving a plurality of reflected signals of the ultrasound signals; separating a blood flow signal and a clutter signal from the reflected signals by a neural network; calculating a blood flow parameter according to the blood flow signal; determining a blood vessel position according to the blood flow parameter; and adjusting an image signal corresponding to the reflected signals according to the blood flow parameter and the blood vessel position to generate an ultrasound image” [Abstract].
Any inquiry concerning this communication or earlier communications from the examiner should be directed to KAITLYN E SEBASTIAN whose telephone number is (571)272-6190. The examiner can normally be reached Mon.- Fri. 7:30-4:30 (Alternate Fridays Off).
Examiner interviews are available via telephone, in-person, and video conferencing using a USPTO supplied web-based collaboration tool. To schedule an interview, applicant is encouraged to use the USPTO Automated Interview Request (AIR) at http://www.uspto.gov/interviewpractice.
If attempts to reach the examiner by telephone are unsuccessful, the examiner’s supervisor, Anne M Kozak can be reached at (571) 270-0552. The fax phone number for the organization where this application or proceeding is assigned is 571-273-8300.
Information regarding the status of published or unpublished applications may be obtained from Patent Center. Unpublished application information in Patent Center is available to registered users. To file and manage patent submissions in Patent Center, visit: https://patentcenter.uspto.gov. Visit https://www.uspto.gov/patents/apply/patent-center for more information about Patent Center and https://www.uspto.gov/patents/docx for information about filing in DOCX format. For additional questions, contact the Electronic Business Center (EBC) at 866-217-9197 (toll-free). If you would like assistance from a USPTO Customer Service Representative, call 800-786-9199 (IN USA OR CANADA) or 571-272-1000.
/KAITLYN E SEBASTIAN/Examiner, Art Unit 3797
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