Abstract: Guidance and visualization for three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging is provided. Anatomical B-mode images and live three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound images (3D-DCE-US) of an anatomical region of interest are acquired. An ultrasound imaging probe tracker tracks six degrees of freedom position and orientation data of the ultrasound imaging probe. With reference to the common three-dimensional coordinate frame, and for each of the acquired images, the anatomical B-mode images, the live 3D-DCE-US images, and a three-dimensional computer-generated model are visualized and overlaid with each other. The visualization provides guidance and feedback to a user of the ultrasound imaging probe during three-dimensional dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: A passive cavitation mapping method is provided that includes capturing a channel signal from at least one ultrasound transducer in an array of ultrasound transducers, isolating a cavitation signal in the channel signal, time-gating the channel signal about the cavitation signal, computing a time-delay between neighboring the cavitation signals in adjacent the channel signals, computing a modified parabolic fit to the square of the arrival times, where the modified parabolic fit includes a coordinate transformation using an x location of a leading edge of wavefronts of the cavitation signal and a maximum arrival time of the cavitation signal, extracting a location of a cavitation signal source at point (x, z) in the coordinate transformation, computing a cavitation magnitude for each non-eliminated cavitation signal, creating a passive cavitation map by convolving the cavitation magnitude and the source location with an uncertainty function, and using the cavitation map for therapeutic ultrasound applications

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging is performed by constructing spatial coherence images of a target having microbubbles in it. The basis for this approach is the observation that the spatial coherence of microbubbles differs from the spatial coherence of tissue and the spatial coherence of image noise. Therefore, imaging based on spatial coherence provides a way to suppress noise signals and tissue signals relative to the microbubble signals.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for guiding a surgical instrument based on information obtained using enhanced contrast-mode ultrasound. The enhanced information can be added to information or images obtained in one or more imaging modes. Various pieces of information can be combined and composited, including information regarding tumors, blood vessels, location information, confidence levels, and other information, and can be composited into operative imaging.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for enhancing images acquired by an ultrasound scanner. The system and method employs novel techniques that are compatible with the real-world constraints (i.e. energy levels, duration of exam, geometries involved, etc.) of imaging in mammalian tissue (e.g. tissues of human organs containing lesions/tumors), while providing the dramatically image quality.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for background removal from images acquired by an ultrasound scanner in the presence of molecularly bound contrast agent. The system and method employs novel techniques that are compatible with the real-world constraints (i.e. energy levels, duration of exam, geometries involved, etc.) of imaging in mammalian tissue (e.g. tissues of human organs containing lesions/tumors), while providing the dramatically improved signal clarity required to reliably disambiguate contrast agent from other sources of signal intensity.

Abstract: This invention provides a system and method for background removal from images acquired by an ultrasound scanner in the presence of molecularly bound contrast agent. The system and method employs novel techniques that are compatible with the real-world constraints (i.e. energy levels, duration of exam, geometries involved, etc.) of imaging in mammalian tissue (e.g. tissues of human organs containing lesions/tumors), while providing the dramatically improved signal clarity required to reliably disambiguate contrast agent from other sources of signal intensity.

Abstract: A passive cavitation mapping method is provided that includes capturing a channel signal from at least one ultrasound transducer in an array of ultrasound transducers, isolating a cavitation signal in the channel signal, time-gating the channel signal about the cavitation signal, computing a time-delay between neighboring the cavitation signals in adjacent the channel signals, computing a modified parabolic fit to the square of the arrival times, where the modified parabolic fit includes a coordinate transformation using an x location of a leading edge of wavefronts of the cavitation signal and a maximum arrival time of the cavitation signal, extracting a location of a cavitation signal source at point (x, z) in the coordinate transformation, computing a cavitation magnitude for each non-eliminated cavitation signal, creating a passive cavitation map by convolving the cavitation magnitude and the source location with an uncertainty function, and using the cavitation map for therapeutic ultrasound applications

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging is performed by constructing spatial coherence images of a target having microbubbles in it. The basis for this approach is the observation that the spatial coherence of microbubbles differs from the spatial coherence of tissue and the spatial coherence of image noise. Therefore, imaging based on spatial coherence provides a way to suppress noise signals and tissue signals relative to the microbubble signals.