The present invention relates to an
ultrasound imaging apparatus having a function of selecting transmit focal points and method thereof, in which an operator may select at least one transmit focal point, allowing for transmit-focusing
ultrasound signals upon the selected focal point to create an
ultrasound image of a target object. The
ultrasound imaging apparatus includes an ultrasound
transducer array, a
pulse generator, a controller, a
database, an
input device, an analog-to-
digital converter (ADC), a beam former, a
signal processor, and a
display device. The method for
ultrasound imaging comprises the steps of: a) transmitting to a target object ultrasound signals in accordance with a predetermined initial time-
delay profile; b) receiving and
processing the reflected ultrasound signals from the target object to create an
ultrasound image of the target object; c) displaying the created
ultrasound image to allow an operator to select at least one
region of interest within the displayed
ultrasound image; d) in response to the operator's selection, detecting coordinates of the selected
region of interest; e) determining at least one transmit focal point corresponding to the detected coordinates of the selected
region of interest; f) determining at least one new time-
delay profile based on each of the transmit focal points; and g) transmitting the ultrasound signals in accordance with the new time-
delay profile to the target object; h) receiving and
processing the reflected ultrasound signals off the target object to create an updated ultrasound image of the target object.