Abstract: A portable ultrasonic diagnostic system includes a probe transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal to and from a region of interest, and a main unit having circuitry in communication with the probe to form an image based on the ultrasonic signal and a display displaying the formed image. The main unit has a weight which can be supported by one arm and is provided with a handle to be grasped by one hand. The main unit has a case in the form of a tablet computer, with a front side formed by a display and a rear side, and further has a handle.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for image-assisted navigation, wherein an imaging specification for imaging a point in a three-dimensional system of coordinates in a point in a two-dimensional system of coordinates is determined, wherein a location of the imaging device is detected, and wherein the location of the imaging device is displayed in the two-dimensional reference image (RB).

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a magnetic structure having two opposite and spaced apart poles and a column or wall transverse to the poles and connecting the poles; the poles defining two opposite walls delimiting a patient-imaging space, the two opposite walls extending along substantially parallel planes which are substantially parallel to a vertical plane; and a patient positioning table which is slidably connected to a supporting frame between the two poles; the table being positioned with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the two opposite parallel walls of the poles and the table being oriented with its transverse axis perpendicular to at least one of the two opposite walls.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of correcting inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field generated by the magnet of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imaging machine, wherein the magnet is flat and the magnetic field on one side of said magnet is corrected such that a volume is defined, which is bounded by a spherical cap surface, in which volume and along which surface the magnetic field is homogeneous, i.e. has field lines having equal parallel directions and equal intensities.

Abstract: Magnetic resonance imaging method and device, preferably using T2-weighted Fast Spin Echo (FSE) sequences, wherein a first set of magnetic resonance signals corresponding to predetermined phase-encoding gradients and at least one second set of received magnetic resonance signals, corresponding to further predetermined phase-encoding gradients, are acquired from the body under examination, using multi-echo sequences, such that echoes with the same echo index are assigned to different phase-encoding gradients, said first set and said at least one second set being entered into at least two corresponding k-space matrices, and the at least two k-space matrices being combined into a single k-space matrix from which an image is generated, wherein each k-space matrix is incompletely filled such that, for the same phase encoding gradients, one matrix contains the higher-intensity received signals, and at least another matrix contains no signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging of a biopsy needle or the like during an ultrasound imaging examination, including the steps of alternately performing one or more imaging scans with ultrasound transmit and receive parameters which are adapted for optimized imaging and visualization of the needle and one or more imaging scans with ultrasound transmit and receive parameters adapted for optimized imaging and visualization of the body, in which the needle is inserted, injecting contrast agents in the region to be examined before imaging, and setting ultrasound transmit and receive parameters adapted for optimized imaging and visualization of the body.

Abstract: The present invention pertains to a method for image-assisted navigation, wherein an imaging specification for imaging a point in a three-dimensional system of coordinates in a point in a two-dimensional system of coordinates is determined, wherein a location of the imaging device is detected, and wherein the location of the imaging device is displayed in the two-dimensional reference image (RB).

Abstract: Apparatus and method for detecting ultrasound images from a body under examination. The apparatus comprises a unit emitting ultrasound pulses and a unit receiving ultrasound pulses. The emitting unit and the receiving unit face each other and are spaced apart by a predetermined distance. These units are arranged at opposite sides of a cavity housing the body under examination. The ultrasound pulses emitted from the emitting unit are received by the receiving unit after passing through the body under examination and are transformed into transmission signals. Included is a control unit for the emitting unit, a unit processing the received signals, image generating device and image displaying device. The processing unit comprises a unit comparing the values of a propagation speed of ultrasound pulses and/or of the attenuation of ultrasound pulses with predetermined threshold values.

Abstract: A method of ultrasound image acquisition, generation and display includes the steps of: acquiring ultrasound image data corresponding to an anatomic region being examined using an ultrasound probe; generating an ultrasound image based on the image data; displaying the image on a display; generating a map of the outer surface of the anatomic region; detecting the position of the probe during image data acquisition; identifying on the map the point corresponding to the detected position of the probe; and displaying the map in which such point is marked, at the same time as the ultrasound image is displayed.

Abstract: A method of fusing ultrasound images with pre-acquired images includes acquiring a first 3D ultrasound image in real-time; identifying at least one known reference pattern or object within a pre-acquired 3D image and the 3D ultrasound image; registering the real-time 3D ultrasound image with the pre-acquired 3D image by using the reference pattern or object; fusing the 3D ultrasound images of a sequence of real-time 3D ultrasound images; with the pre-acquired 3D image using data of the co-registration; and displaying fusion tomographic images, each including the corresponding real-time ultrasound image and the pre-acquired image. The registration between real-time 3D ultrasound images and the pre-acquired 3D image is performed continuously in the background by continuing to acquire the real-time 3D ultrasound images and to register them with the pre-acquired 3D images using the reference pattern or patterns or the object or objects.

Abstract: An imaging system and method are disclosed for monitoring a body. The system is constructed and arranged such that the method of use includes the acquisition of a first image and the acquisition of a second image. In the exemplary embodiment the first image is a volumetric three-dimensional image and the second image is a two-dimensional image.

Abstract: A Magnetic Resonance apparatus includes a 3D structure having a cavity for receiving a body under examination, a mechanism for generating a static magnetic field in the patient receiving cavity, a mechanism for generating variable magnetic fields in the cavity, an antenna for transmitting electromagnetic nuclear spin excitation pulses, an antenna for receiving the electromagnetic signals generated by nuclear spin relaxation, a plate for locating and fixing magnetic dipoles for fine correction of magnetic field homogeneity, and a compartment for the magnetic correction dipole locating and fixing plate, the compartment being adapted to be opened for direct access to the magnetic correction dipole locating and fixing plate from the outside. The compartment may be opened either by removal of an end plate of the magnetic field generating mechanism, or via a lateral slot for insertion and removal of the magnetic correction dipole locating and fixing plate.

Abstract: A shimming method for correcting inhomogeneity of a static magnetic field generated by a magnet of a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging machine includes: measuring the magnetic field at a plurality of points over a reference surface; generating a polynomial that solves Laplace's equation with boundary conditions given on the reference surface, the polynomial representing the magnetic field on the reference surface and having a plurality of harmonic terms, each associated with a coefficient; determining the coefficients from the field sampling values; defining a grid for positioning a plurality of correction elements and relating it to the field structure; and calculating the position and magnitude parameters of the correction elements, such that the correction elements affect the coefficients of the magnetic field to obtain the desired field characteristics, wherein the reference surface is a superquadric surface, such that the magnetic field is corrected in a volume delimited by the superquadric surface.

Abstract: A method of generating 2D or 3D maps of MRI T1 and T2 relaxation times by acquiring 2D or 3D MRI gradient-echo images and extracting the T1 and T2 values from the images, wherein MRI images are acquired using a combination of gradient-echo sequences, including a first MRI image acquired using a SSFP-FID (Steady State Free Precession-Free Induction Decay) acquisition sequence; two further images acquired using a Dual-Echo SSFP acquisition sequence; and the T1 and T2 values are extracted for each image pixel or voxel from the corresponding MRI signals.

Abstract: An electroacoustic transducer assembly and probe for emitting and receiving acoustic radiation beams. The transducer assembly comprising an array of electroacoustic transducers composed of a plurality of individual transducer elements each one being composed of an electroacoustic element. A means for defocusing a radiation pulse emitted from the transducer element is associated with each transducer element. The defocusing means is constructed and arranged to cause the radiation pulse to generate a substantially cylindrical or spherical acoustic field.

Abstract: An imaging method and device for the cardiovascular system, the method including the steps of: acquiring a volumetric image having scan planes adjacent to each other of a periodically moving object; identifying at least one time interval of at least one periodic movement of that object; rearranging the scan planes of the volumetric image based on the time interval by combining with each other the scan planes that are in the same time position with respect to the time interval, the object including at least one blood vessel with periodic movements, at least constriction and dilation, and generating and displaying a virtual endo-navigation three-dimensional model by segmenting and reconstructing the volumetric image, the point of view being movable along at least one path, for determining plaques, stenoses or strictures, and/or for analyzing moving structures inside the vessel such as valve leaflets.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasound imaging of a body, particularly a breast of a patient, includes ultrasonic pulse-emitting and pulse-receiving units, disposed in facing relationship at a predetermined distance from each other on opposite sides of a compartment for receiving the body, ultrasonic pulses emitted by the emitting unit and received by the receiving unit after passing through the body being converted into transmit signals; and an ultrasonic pulse emitting and receiving unit disposed to define a scan plane substantially perpendicular to the coronal plane of the patient and having one or more electro-acoustic transducers, which emit ultrasonic pulses into the body and receive echoes generated by the anatomic structures of the body, the echoes being converted into reflection signals. An acoustic impedance adaptation medium, particularly a liquid, preferably water, is interposed between the emitting unit and/or the receiving unit and/or the emitting and receiving unit and the breast.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus includes a magnet having a two poles and a wall connecting the poles; the poles delimiting a patient-imaging space; and a table which is slidably connected to one of the two poles between the two poles and which table extends substantially parallel to the two poles; a drive for displacing the table relative to the magnet; a lock for locking the table in a selected position relative to the magnet; a drive for rotating the magnet about the axis; the table connected to the magnet such that the table rotates with the magnet when the magnet rotates about the axis; the magnet and the table being rotatable from a position in which the poles and the table are horizontal to a position in which the table and the poles are vertical.