Abstract: A three-dimensional ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe to direct ultrasound waves to and to receive reflected ultrasound waves from a target volume of a subject under examination. The ultrasound probe is swept over the target volume along a linear scanning path and the reflected ultrasound waves are conveyed to a computer wherein successive two-dimensional images of the target volume are digitized. The digitized two-dimensional images can be used to generate a three-dimensional image with virtually no delay. A user interface allows a user to manipulate the displayed image. Specifically, the entire displayed image may be rotated about an arbitrary axis, a surface of the displayed image may be translated to provide different cross-sectional views of the image and a selected surface of the displayed image may be rotated about an arbitrary axis. All of these manipulations can be achieved via a single graphical input device such as a mouse connected to the computer.

Abstract: A three-dimensional ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe to direct ultrasound waves to and to receive reflected ultrasound waves from a target volume of a subject under examination. The ultrasound probe is swept over the target volume along a linear scanning path and the reflected ultrasound waves are conveyed to a computer wherein successive two-dimensional images of the target volume are digitized. The digitized two-dimensional images can be used to generate a three-dimensional image with virtually no delay. A user interface allows a user to manipulate the displayed image. Specifically, the entire displayed image may be rotated about an arbitrary axis, a surface of the displayed image may be translated to provide different cross-sectional views of the image and a selected surface of the displayed image may be rotated about an arbitrary axis. All of these manipulations can be achieved via a single graphical input device such as a mouse connected to the computer.

Abstract: A 3-D ultrasound imaging system for the eye, prostate and other organs, comprising an assembly onto which an ultrasound probe may be mounted, a motor and drive for either rotating or scanning the probe relative to the human organ under investigation, and a computer for executing proprietary software for controlling movement of the assembly to rotate or scan the probe. Ultrasound signals from the probe are processed via a clinical ultrasound machine for generating multiple images of the organ. The proprietary software being executed on the computer collects the 2-D ultrasound images of the clinical ultrasound machine and reconstructs these images to form a 3-D display which can be viewed and manipulated in real time, or stored for later retrieval.

Abstract: A volume flow meter for displaying two-dimensional volume flow through a vessel, comprising an ultrasound instrument with scan head, a location and orientation sensor mounted to the scan head, and a computer connected to the ultrasound instrument and the sensor. The scan head is adapted to be positioned adjacent the vessel under investigation, for generating a raster of pixels which defines a color image representing flow velocities in the vessel through an image plane of the scan head. The sensor measures position and orientation of the scan head in three dimensions and generates a signal representative thereof to the computer. The computer receives said raster of pixels and the signal from the sensor and in response calculates the position and orientation of the vessel axis in three-dimensions responsive to orientation of the image plane longitudinally of the vessel. The computer then determines an angle .theta.

Abstract: A technique for pulsed-injection of radiographic contrast agent uses a pressurized source of contrast agent interrupted by a rotary valve at rates ranging from 1 to 30 Hz. This produces well-defined boli at the end of the catheter. The position of these boli is recorded by a digital radiographic system and analyzed to produce quantitative measurements of blood velocity and flow rate throughout the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: A three-dimensional ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe to direct ultrasound waves to and to receive reflected ultrasound waves from a target volume of a subject under examination. The ultrasound probe is swept over the target volume and the reflected ultrasound waves are conveyed to a computer wherein successive two-dimensional images of the target volume are reconstructed to form a three-dimensional image of the target volume. The three-dimensional image is displayed on the monitor of the computer. A user interface allows a user to manipulate the displayed image. Specifically, the entire displayed image may be rotated about an arbitrary axis, a surface of the displayed image may be translated to provide different cross-sectional views of the image and a selected surface of the displayed image may be rotated about an arbitrary axis. All of these manipulations can be achieved via a single graphical input device such as a mouse connected to the computer.

Abstract: A clutter and sensitivity phantom for calibrating an acoustic beam generating clinical Doppler ultrasound instrument, comprising: a fluid-filled tank into which the ultrasound instrument probe is immersed; first and second sound scattering belts; an acoustic beam splitter intermediate the ultrasound probe and the first and second sound scattering belts, the acoustic beam splitter being oriented at a predetermined angle relative to the ultrasound instrument and to respective ones of the first and second signal scattering belts for splitting and directing the acoustic beam generated by the ultrasound instrument so as to be reflected off both of the first and second sound scattering belts at an identical angle, whereby portions of the acoustic beam reflected off of the first and second sound scattering belts may be separately or simultaneously monitored.

Abstract: A positive displacement pump includes a reservoir for storing fluid, a cylinder for receiving and discharging the fluid and a piston within the cylinder for forcing the fluid into and out of the cylinder. The pump further includes a four-way valve having an inlet port connected to a reservoir, a pair of bidirectional ports connected to the opposite ends of the cylinder and an outlet port. Mechanisms are provided for receiving a user flow waveform expressed in terms of predetermined flow rate as a function of time and in response moving the piston and configuring the four-way valve to provide fluid flow from the reservoir through the valve and into one of the opposite ends of the cylinder, and from the other one of the opposite ends of the cylinder through the valve to the outlet port in accordance with the user flow waveform.

Abstract: Apparatus for the generation of an image of a blood vessel comprises an x-ray source to irradiate the vessel. X-ray image collection means receive the x-ray image of the vessel and conversion means convert the x-ray image into a visible image of the vessel. A collimator selects an elongate field of illimunation representative of a section of the blood vessel. A light detecting array receives the field of illumination and has a plurality of discreet detectors spaced along the axis of the elongated field. Each detector has a length at least equal to the width f the elongate field produces a signal upon impingement by the elongate field. The array is scanned sequentially to output the signals in series. The signals are then displayed as one line of a video display.

Abstract: An improved computer assisted tomographic scanner is disclosed. The scanner includes a source of X-radiation and an array of detectors for determining X-ray intensity once that radiation has passed through a patient. The source emits a spread of radiation which is filtered to comprise a spread of two distinct energy ranges before the radiation reaches the patient. This filtering produces multiple intensity readings for a given X-ray path: thereby allowing imaging electronics within the scanner to reduce chromatic artifacts and provide electron density and atomic number mappings to the diagnostician.