Abstract: A system and method from improving the image quality achievable with an ultrasound transducer by using a composite aperture for receiving ultrasound echoes. By using two receive cycles per vector, twice as many transducers may be used for receiving ultrasound imaging data than there are physical channels available in the ultrasound probe. An ultrasound probe utilizing a composite aperture can achieve high image quality from a system have reduced power, size, cost and complexity.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic imaging probe that is adapted to connect to a host computer via a passive interface cable. The probe includes an array of ultrasound transducers, a high voltage pulser for energizing transducers to emit an ultrasound pulse, analog signal processing circuitry that combines echoes detected by transducers into a single analog echo signal, am analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog echo signal into a digital echo signal; and interface circuitry that transfers the digital echo signal across the passive interface cable to the host computer.

Abstract: Disclosed is a single ultrasound imaging probe 101 comprising a single ultrasound transducer array 103 comprising a first array segment 201 comprising a K plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 103a and an orthogonally arranged second array segment 202 comprising an M plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 103b such that the first array segment 201 and the second array segment 202 comprise a K plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 103a plus an M plurality of ultrasound transducer elements 103b which are electrically connected to provide for the simultaneous display of a scan-converted transverse view ultrasound image and of a scan-converted longitudinal view ultrasound image in a video display 406 of a target scan region for three-dimensional alignment, guided by a projected light beam, of an exterior device in order to access an interior structure below the exterior target region.

Abstract: A system and method from improving the image quality achievable with an ultrasound transducer by using a composite aperture for receiving ultrasound echoes. By using two receive cycles per vector, twice as many transducers may be used for receiving ultrasound imaging data than there are physical channels available in the ultrasound probe. An ultrasound probe utilizing a composite aperture can achieve high image quality from a system have reduced power, size, cost and complexity.

Abstract: A system and method from improving the image quality achievable with an ultrasound transducer by using a composite aperture for receiving ultrasound echoes. By using two receive cycles per vector, twice as many transducers may be used for receiving ultrasound imaging data than there are physical channels available in the ultrasound probe. An ultrasound probe utilizing a composite aperture can achieve high image quality from a system have reduced power, size, cost and complexity.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic imaging probe that is adapted to connect to a host computer via a passive interface cable. The probe includes an array of ultrasound transducers, a high voltage pulser for energizing transducers to emit an ultrasound pulse, analog signal processing circuitry that combines echoes detected by transducers into a single analog echo signal, am analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog echo signal into a digital echo signal; and interface circuitry that transfers the digital echo signal across the passive interface cable to the host computer.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic imaging probe that is adapted to connect to a host computer via a passive interface cable. The probe includes an array of ultrasound transducers, a high voltage pulser for energizing transducers to emit an ultrasound pulse, analog signal processing circuitry that combines echoes detected by transducers into a single analog echo signal, am analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog echo signal into a digital echo signal; and interface circuitry that transfers the digital echo signal across the passive interface cable to the host computer. The probe includes transmit switches configured to selectively connect sets of ultrasound transducers to the HV pulser and a plurality of receive switches configured to selectively connect sets of ultrasound transducers to the analog signal processing circuitry.

Abstract: A system and method from improving the image quality achievable with an ultrasound transducer by using a composite aperture for receiving ultrasound echoes. By using two receive cycles per vector, twice as many transducers may be used for receiving ultrasound imaging data than there are physical channels available in the ultrasound probe. An ultrasound probe utilizing a composite aperture can achieve high image quality from a system have reduced power, size, cost and complexity.

Abstract: Described herein are radiolucent imaging devices and methods capable of acquiring real-time 2D, 3D, or 4D images. By using remote-actuation techniques to mechanically drive an ultrasound transducer element in multiple directions, the majority of dense metallic components typically present in the ultrasound probe itself are eliminated. Therefore the system herein achieves both CT compatibility and radiation beam compatibility.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for monitoring the extravascular lung water status of a patient. For example, an acoustic diagnostic device is provided that includes a housing configured to be worn by a patient and including a patient contact surface configured to contact the patient's skin of the patient's thorax; an acoustic transducer for transmitting acoustic energy via the patient contact surface into the patient's thorax and receiving reflected acoustic energy from the patient's thorax; and one or more processors coupled to the acoustic transducer for analyzing the reflected acoustic energy to provide an indication of extravascular lung water status of the patient.

Abstract: The invention provides a portable ultrasonic imaging probe directly connectable to an off-the-shelf laptop computer. The probe produces raw digitized data comprising envelope detected ultrasound echo data from an array of ultrasound transducers, and transmits the data to the host computer thereby enabling the host computer to form real-time ultrasonic images of human tissue without the need for any additional electronics. In particular embodiments, the probe includes a plurality of transmit switches configured to connect a transmitting group of the ultrasound transducers to a pulser; a plurality of receive switches configured to connect a receiving group of the ultrasound transducers to analog summing, amplification and signal processing circuitry; and a transmit/receive controller which selects which of said ultrasound transducers are in the transmitting group and which of said ultrasound transducers are in the receiving group.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic imaging probe that is adapted to connect to a host computer via a passive interface cable. The probe includes an array of ultrasound transducers, a high voltage pulser for energizing transducers to emit an ultrasound pulse, analog signal processing circuitry that combines echoes detected by transducers into a single analog echo signal, am analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog echo signal into a digital echo signal; and interface circuitry that transfers the digital echo signal across the passive interface cable to the host computer. The probe includes transmit switches configured to selectively connect sets of ultrasound transducers to the HV pulser and a plurality of receive switches configured to selectively connect sets of ultrasound transducers to the analog signal processing circuitry.

Abstract: An encapsulated rotary seal around a rotating shaft, the seal having an outer annular body and an inner annular body. The inner annular body engages the rotating shaft and permits free rotation of the shaft while providing a liquid tight seal around the rotating shaft. The outer annular body is molded about and permanently adhered to the inner annular body, the outer annular body permitting limited non-concentric or eccentric movement of the rotating shaft engaged to the inner annular body without affecting the integrity of the seal between the rotating shaft and the inner annular body.

Abstract: An encapsulated rotary seal around a rotating shaft, the seal having an outer annular body and an inner annular body. The inner annular body engages the rotating shaft and permits free rotation of the shaft while providing a liquid tight seal around the rotating shaft. The outer annular body is moulded about and permanently adhered to the inner annular body, the outer annular body permitting limited non-concentric or eccentric movement of the rotating shaft engaged to the inner annular body without affecting the integrity of the seal between the rotating shaft and the inner annular body.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic imaging probe is adapted to connect to a host computer via a passive interface cable, e.g., a standard USB 2.0 peripheral interface cable or a standard IEEE 1394 “Firewire” peripheral interface cable. In accordance with an embodiment, the portable ultrasound imaging probe includes a probe head, a logarithmic compressor, an envelope detector, and analog-to-digital converter and interface circuitry, all of which receive power from the host computer via the passive interface cable. To simplify the portable ultrasonic imaging probe, none of electronic beamforming, time gain compensation, gray-scale mapping and scan conversion are performed within the probe. This abstract is not intended to describe all of the various embodiments of the present invention, or to limit the scope of the invention.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system 20, including an ultrasound probe 22 and a console 26, creates a simultaneous multiplane image in real time. The system 20 includes an ultrasound probe 22 with an ultrasound transducer array 34. The probe 22 has a device 38 for causing the array to take 2-D images in multiple planes. The console 26 allows for the association of multiple 2-D images into a combined image.

Abstract: A high speed bus structure and data transfer method to provide data transfer capability between a central processing device and a plurality of electrical modules coupled to the bus. In the preferred embodiment, a central processing unit is coupled to a plurality of electrical modules for data reception and transmission. In a module "listen" cycle, the central processor (CP) device generates a function code which is transmitted on a command bus coupled to each electrical module. The CP device asserts data required by the particular module function on the data bus coupled to each electrical module. The CP device transmits an enable signal (ES) on an enable bus to enable the particular electrical module which is to receive data and asserts a clock signal on a clock line coupled to each module. The enabled electrical module receives valid data from the CP device upon sensing a deasserted clock line denoting the end of a clock cycle.