Analog Storage of M-Mode Echocardiograph Signals Using Video Tape

Wide-band electrical signals representing the intensity of returning ultrasound echoes as a function of time may be stored and reproduced with excellent fidelity using standard videotape equipment, by adding appropriate synchronization pulses during intervals when the echo signal itself is quiescent. These pulses control the speed of the tape heads relative to the tape during recording, and the generation of a transverse sweep signal during playback. This technique permits repetitive generation of variously formatted displays of the same information, and computer editing of long echocardiograph records to produce abridged displays showing features chosen by appropriate selection algorithms. It may also be used to facilitate the digitization of echocardiograph signals for computer analysis.