US Patent 7297118 Ultrasound method and apparatus for multi-line acquisition

A method and apparatus for acquiring multi-line acquisition ultrasound data. Ultrasound signals are transmitted into an area of interest. Echo signals are acquired and analyzed to produce a first data stream associated with a first receive beam. The first data stream is decimated by removing at least two consecutive data samples therefrom, while passing at least two consecutive data samples to form a first decimated data stream. Using this decimation pattern, a bandwidth of one-half to three-quarters of the data sampling rate after decimation may be achieved.