Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for shading a 2D ultrasound image, generated from ultrasound data, using a gradient determined from scalar values of the ultrasound image data. As one example, a method includes correlating image values of a dataset acquired with an ultrasound imaging system to height values; determining a gradient of the height values; applying shading to a 2D image generated from the dataset using the determined gradient; and displaying the shaded 2D image.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system and method that provide support for acquiring secondary ultrasound image snapshots with primary real-time ultrasound image data. The method can include acquiring first image data at an ultrasound system in a primary acquisition mode based on primary acquisition mode imaging parameters. The method may include receiving a trigger to switch from the primary acquisition mode to a secondary acquisition mode. The method can include acquiring second image data at the ultrasound system in a secondary acquisition mode based on secondary acquisition mode imaging parameters in response to the trigger. The method may include displaying a replay cine sequence that includes the first image data and the second image data. The replay cine sequence can include a tag identifying the second image data in the replay cine sequence.

Abstract: A method and system for applying shading to descriptors that are presented with 2D ultrasound images having corresponding shading is provided. The method may include mapping, by a processor, height values of a synthetic map to pixels of a descriptor. The method may include determining, by the processor, a gradient of the height values for each of the pixels of the descriptor. The method may include applying, by the processor, shading to the descriptor based on shading parameters and the gradient of the height values for each of the pixels of the descriptor to create a shaded descriptor. The method may include presenting, by the processor, the shaded descriptor at a display system with a 2D ultrasound image having shading corresponding with the shading applied to the shaded descriptor.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for shading a 2D ultrasound image, generated from ultrasound data, using a gradient determined from scalar values of the ultrasound image data. As one example, a method includes correlating image values of a dataset acquired with an ultrasound imaging system to height values; determining a gradient of the height values; applying shading to a 2D image generated from the dataset using the determined gradient; and displaying the shaded 2D image.

Abstract: Embodiments for aligning a volume to a standard alignment are provided. One example method of aligning a volume constructed from captured image data to a standard orientation includes determining an orientation and a scale of the volume based on a comparison of a volume model representing the volume to captured image data of the volume over time and adjusting the volume according to the determined orientation and scale.

Abstract: Various embodiments include systems and methods for gain auto-correction. Automatic gain optimization or correction may be applied in an ultrasound system, during an automatic gain mode. The automatic gain optimization or correction may comprise automatic time gain compensation (TGC) and/or lateral gain compensation (LGC) optimization or correction. The applying of the gain optimization or correction may comprise determining an optimal gain, such as based on processing input ultrasound images; determining, based on the optimal gain, settings for a plurality of user controls of the ultrasound system (e.g., slides, knobs, etc.), corresponding to the optimal gain; and providing feedback to a user of the ultrasound system, relating to (e.g., showing) the settings for the plurality of user controls that correspond to the optimal gain. The plurality of user controls may be adjustable manually and automatically. The user controls may be physical or virtual.

Abstract: A method and system for applying shading to descriptors that are presented with 2D ultrasound images having corresponding shading is provided. The method may include mapping, by a processor, height values of a synthetic map to pixels of a descriptor. The method may include determining, by the processor, a gradient of the height values for each of the pixels of the descriptor. The method may include applying, by the processor, shading to the descriptor based on shading parameters and the gradient of the height values for each of the pixels of the descriptor to create a shaded descriptor. The method may include presenting, by the processor, the shaded descriptor at a display system with a 2D ultrasound image having shading corresponding with the shading applied to the shaded descriptor.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for shading a 2D ultrasound image, generated from ultrasound data, using a gradient determined from scalar values of the ultrasound image data. As one example, a method includes correlating image values of a dataset acquired with an ultrasound imaging system to height values; determining a gradient of the height values; applying shading to a 2D image generated from the dataset using the determined gradient; and displaying the shaded 2D image.

Abstract: Embodiments for aligning a volume to a standard alignment are provided. One example method of aligning a volume constructed from captured image data to a standard orientation includes determining an orientation and a scale of the volume based on a comparison of a volume model representing the volume to captured image data of the volume over time and adjusting the volume according to the determined orientation and scale.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method includes acquiring motion data for a region-of-interest (ROI). The system and method includes calculating a quality parameter based on the motion data, wherein the quality parameter represents an amount of unwanted motion in the ROI. The system and method includes performing an action based on the quality parameter.

Abstract: Methods and system for visualizing 3D ultrasound data are provided. One method includes obtaining image slices from a volumetric image data set and generating a ray profile using one or more rays through at least one of the image slices, wherein the one or more rays extend along a depth of the volumetric image data set. The method further includes identifying one or more seed points along the one or more rays and defining a clipping surface using the one or more seed points, wherein the clipping surface defines a rendering region within the volumetric image data set. The method also includes rendering a 3D image of the rendering region within the volumetric image data set.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ultrasound beamforming are provided. One method includes obtaining ultrasound data using receive line spacing that changes as a function of depth, determining a number of transmit events to combine at each of a plurality of points for use in combining the obtained ultrasound data, and aligning the ultrasound data with time delays computed from a probe geometry used to obtain the ultrasound data. The method also includes combining the aligned ultrasound data to generate an ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method includes acquiring first 4D ultrasound data of a first partial volume for a first period of time that is longer than an estimated cardiac period and acquiring second 4D ultrasound data of a second partial volume for a second period of time that is longer than the estimated cardiac period. The system and method includes combining the first 4D ultrasound data with the second 4D ultrasound data to generate 4D ultrasound data of a region-of-interest. The system and method also includes generating and displaying an image based on the 4D ultrasound data.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system and method that provide support for acquiring secondary ultrasound image snapshots with primary real-time ultrasound image data. The method can include acquiring first image data at an ultrasound system in a primary acquisition mode based on primary acquisition mode imaging parameters. The method may include receiving a trigger to switch from the primary acquisition mode to a secondary acquisition mode. The method can include acquiring second image data at the ultrasound system in a secondary acquisition mode based on secondary acquisition mode imaging parameters in response to the trigger. The method may include displaying a replay cine sequence that includes the first image data and the second image data. The replay cine sequence can include a tag identifying the second image data in the replay cine sequence.

Abstract: Various embodiments include systems and methods for gain auto-correction. Automatic gain optimization or correction may be applied in an ultrasound system, during an automatic gain mode. The automatic gain optimization or correction may comprise automatic time gain compensation (TGC) and/or lateral gain compensation (LGC) optimization or correction. The applying of the gain optimization or correction may comprise determining an optimal gain, such as based on processing input ultrasound images; determining, based on the optimal gain, settings for a plurality of user controls of the ultrasound system (e.g., slides, knobs, etc.), corresponding to the optimal gain; and providing feedback to a user of the ultrasound system, relating to (e.g., showing) the settings for the plurality of user controls that correspond to the optimal gain. The plurality of user controls may be adjustable manually and automatically. The user controls may be physical or virtual.

Abstract: Methods and system for visualizing 3D ultrasound data are provided. One method includes obtaining image slices from a volumetric image data set and generating a ray profile using one or more rays through at least one of the image slices, wherein the one or more rays extend along a depth of the volumetric image data set. The method further includes identifying one or more seed points along the one or more rays and defining a clipping surface using the one or more seed points, wherein the clipping surface defines a rendering region within the volumetric image data set. The method also includes rendering a 3D image of the rendering region within the volumetric image data set.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ultrasound beamforming are provided. One method includes obtaining ultrasound data using receive line spacing that changes as a function of depth, determining a number of transmit events to combine at each of a plurality of points for use in combining the obtained ultrasound data, and aligning the ultrasound data with time delays computed from a probe geometry used to obtain the ultrasound data. The method also includes combining the aligned ultrasound data to generate an ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method includes acquiring first 4D ultrasound data of a first partial volume for a first period of time that is longer than an estimated cardiac period and acquiring second 4D ultrasound data of a second partial volume for a second period of time that is longer than the estimated cardiac period. The system and method includes combining the first 4D ultrasound data with the second 4D ultrasound data to generate 4D ultrasound data of a region-of-interest. The system and method also includes generating and displaying an image based on the 4D ultrasound data.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method includes acquiring motion data for a region-of-interest (ROI). The system and method includes calculating a quality parameter based on the motion data, wherein the quality parameter represents an amount of unwanted motion in the ROI. The system and method includes performing an action based on the quality parameter.