Abstract: Disclosed is a three-dimensional ultrasound image display method comprising the following steps: S1: obtaining a series of original two-dimensional images having spatial position and angle information by means of automatic or manual scanning; S2: performing image reconstruction on the basis of the original two-dimensional images to obtain three-dimensional volumetric images; S3: obtaining, from the three-dimensional volumetric images, one or more section images intersecting the original two-dimensional images, and obtaining one or more reconstructed two-dimensional images by means of image processing; S4: displaying together the one or more original two-dimensional images and the one or more section images in a three-dimensional space; and S5: selecting and displaying feature points, feature lines, and feature surfaces in the three-dimensional space on the basis of the original two-dimensional volumetric images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes: a probe including a plurality of elements; a transmission unit that transmits an ultrasonic beam by performing transmission focusing in a first direction from the plurality of elements; a reception unit that generates element data by processing reception signals output from the plurality of elements that has received an ultrasonic echo generated by the transmitted ultrasonic beam; an element data processing unit that generates reflection component removal data by removing a reflection component generated from the first direction from the element data; an image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image by performing reception focusing for the element data; and a control unit that controls the image generation unit to generate an image signal along a second direction different from the first direction by performing reception focusing in the second direction for the reflection component removal data generated by the element data processing unit.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus (10) for tracking a position of an interventional device (11) respective an image plane (12) of an ultrasound field. The position includes an out-of-plane distance (Dop). A geometry-providing unit (GPU) includes a plurality of transducer-to-distal-end lengths (Ltde1 . . . n), each length corresponding to a predetermined distance (Ltde) between a distal end (17, 47) of an interventional device (11, 41) and an ultrasound detector (16, 46) attached to the interventional device, for each of a plurality of interventional device types (T1 . . . N).

Abstract: Method for verifying registration of a model of an internal-body-part with the internal-body-part in a reference coordinate system. The internal-body-part is at least partially unseen directly by a user. The method includes the procedures of continuously determining a position and orientation of a head-mounted-display in the reference coordinate system, determining a display location of at least one virtual marker, and displaying the virtual marker according to the display location. The display location of the virtual marker is determined according to the expected position of a respective at least one reference point relative to the head-mounted-display. The reference point is directly visible to the user. The relative position between the reference point and the internal-body-part is substantially constant. The position of the reference point in the reference coordinate system is predetermined.

Abstract: A medical image diagnostic apparatus according to the embodiment includes a scanner, image generating circuitry, marker generating circuitry, and control circuitry. The scanner performs scanning to generate an image of the inside of a subject. The image generating circuitry generates an image based on the result of scanning performed by the scanner. The marker generating circuitry generates a marker provided with information at a position serving as a reference for comparison with a certain structure. The control circuitry displays the image and the marker on the same screen of a display.

Abstract: A system comprising a multi-modal ultrasound probe configured to operate in a plurality of operating modes associated with a respective plurality of configuration profiles; and a computing device coupled to the handheld multi-modal ultrasound probe and configured to, in response to receiving input indicating an operating mode selected by a user, cause the multi-modal ultrasound probe to operate in the selected operating mode.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes: a probe including a plurality of elements; a transmission unit that transmits an ultrasonic beam by performing transmission focusing in a first direction from the plurality of elements; a reception unit that generates element data by processing reception signals output from the plurality of elements that has received an ultrasonic echo generated by the transmitted ultrasonic beam; an element data processing unit that generates reflection component removal data by removing a reflection component generated from the first direction from the element data; an image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image by performing reception focusing for the element data; and a control unit that controls the image generation unit to generate an image signal along a second direction different from the first direction by performing reception focusing in the second direction for the reflection component removal data generated by the element data processing unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for enlarging the optical scan angle of imaging probes are provided. The optical scan angle of endoscopic probes can be increased by employing the “Snell's Window” effect. An endoscopic probe can include an endoscope shell, a device for capturing electromagnetic radiation, and a liquid or gel provided between the device for capturing electromagnetic radiation and the endoscope shell. The endoscope probe can further include a first mirror placed such that electromagnetic radiation entering through the endoscope shell can bounce off the first mirror and enter the device for capturing electromagnetic radiation. The first mirror can be a microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) mirror.

Abstract: A body tissue to be detected is automatically detected certainly with high precision. An ultrasonic body tissue detecting device may include a transmission/reception unit, a two-dimensional data acquisition unit, a spatial frequency distribution calculation unit and a determination unit. The transmission/reception unit may transmit an ultrasonic signal into a body of a sample and receive an echo signal of the ultrasonic signal. The two-dimensional data acquisition unit may form two-dimensional echo image in a transmitting direction of the ultrasonic signal and in a scanning direction. The spatial frequency distribution calculation unit may perform a spatial frequency conversion of the two-dimensional echo image and calculate a spatial frequency distribution for a determining position.

Abstract: A passive compression wave imaging system comprises an array of sensor elements arranged in a sparse array and a processor arranged to: store a plurality of samples of the output from each of the sensor elements over a sample period; derive from the stored samples a value for each of a set of image pixels; wherein for each of the image pixels the processing means is arranged to: define a plurality of different sets of weights for the elements of the sparse array; calculate a component of a pixel value from each of the sets of weights and the stored samples; and sum the components of the pixel value to produce a final pixel value.

Abstract: Provided is a wireless ultrasound probe configured to detect a state in which the wireless ultrasound probe is detached from a charging terminal of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, causing supply of the charging power to the wireless ultrasound probe to be discontinued, and the wireless ultrasound probe is paired with the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus by using a wireless communication scheme when supply of the charging power is discontinued. Also provided are an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and an operating method of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus configured to be automatically paired with a wireless ultrasound probe in a state in which the wireless ultrasound probe is detached from a charging terminal of the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, causing supply of the charging power to the wireless ultrasound probe to be discontinued.

Abstract: The invention generally relates to intravascular imaging system and particularly to processing in multimodal systems. The invention provides an imaging system that splits incoming image data into two signals and performs the same processing step on each of the split signals. The system can then send the two signals down two processing pathways. Methods include receiving an analog image signal, transmitting the received signal to a processing system, splitting the signal to produce a first image signal and a second image signal, and performing a processing operation on the first image signal and the second image signal. The first and second signal include substantially the same information as one another.

Abstract: Provided are an ultrasound probe, an ultrasound imaging apparatus, an ultrasound imaging system including the ultrasound imaging apparatus, and a method of controlling the ultrasound imaging apparatus. In accordance with one aspect, the ultrasound probe includes a transducer configured to receive an echo ultrasound signal by emitting a plane wave at least three times at different emission angles or at emission angles which are dependent on each other; and a probe controller configured to obtain an ultrasound image by determining a Doppler shift frequency from the received echo ultrasound signal and calculating at least one of a speed of an object and a speed of the object in each of directions on the basis of the determined Doppler shift frequency and either the different emission angles or the dependent emission angles.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus (10), in particular for analyzing a fetus (62). An ultrasound data interface (66) is configured to receive 3D (three dimensional) ultrasound data from an object (12). The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus further comprises a measurement unit (70) for measuring anatomical structures of the object based on the segmentation data and a calculation unit (72) configured to calculate at least one biometric parameter based on the 3D ultrasound data.

Abstract: In an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of the present invention, the controller writes and reads element data of one frame into and out from two or more buffer memories 21a, 21b, . . . 21i sequentially frame by frame and assigns the element data of one frame sequentially read out from the buffer memories to a plurality of arithmetic blocks of a signal processor, wherein the element data assigned is subjected to processing by each of a plurality of arithmetic cores in the plurality of arithmetic blocks to produce an image signal.

Abstract: A method for display processing of 3D image data includes obtaining 3D volume data of the head of a target body; detecting a transverse section at an anatomical position from the 3D volume data according to image characteristic of the head of the target body in a transverse section related to the anatomical position; and displaying the transverse section.

Abstract: An analysis apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry performs registration between first ultrasound image data obtained at a first phase by an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and first medical image data obtained by a medical image diagnostic apparatus other than the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and performs registration between the first ultrasound image data and second ultrasound image data obtained at a second phase different from the first phase by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, to generate second medical image data registered with the second ultrasound image data; and combines the second ultrasound image data and the second medical image data to generate a single image, thereby performing registration between ultrasound image data by the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and medical image data by the medical image diagnostic apparatus.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ultrasound imaging apparatus capable of setting a region of interest having a shape corresponding to a shape of the cervix canal in an elasticity image of the cervix and displaying the region of interest, and a control method thereof. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes a display unit configured to display an ultrasound elasticity image and a controller configured to select a point included in a path corresponding to the cervix canal in the elasticity image of the cervix displayed on the display unit, configured to set a region of interest having a shape corresponding to a shape of at least one portion of the cervix canal based on the selected point, and configured to display the region of interest on the display unit.

Abstract: An image processing method and device, storage medium and computer device are provided. The method includes: generating an original gray scale image of an original image; performing a histogram equalization process on the original gray scale image to obtain an equalized gray scale image; generating decision factor distribution image, wherein the decision factor distribution image includes a first marked region including a region where pixels that are adjacent in position and have standard deviations smaller than set value in the original image are located, and second marked region; obtaining final gray scale image according to original gray scale image, equalized gray scale image and decision factor distribution image. Gray scale values of pixel corresponding to second marked region and first marked region in final gray scale image are respectively gray scale values of corresponding pixel in equalized gray scale image and original gray scale image; and restoring a processed image.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to estimating an interior diameter of a hollow organ. As such, one aspect of the present disclosure relates to a system that can include a light-based distance sensor and a device housing the light-based distance sensor located within the hollow organ. The light-based distance sensor can include an emitter and a detector. The emitter can transmit a conical beam of light to an inner surface of a hollow organ. The detector can receive a portion of the light back-reflected from the inner surface of the hollow organ. The device can determine a volume of the hollow organ based on a signal related to the back-reflected portion of the light, which can be based on a distance between the light-based distance sensor and the inner surface of the hollow organ.

Abstract: The present invention discloses an interface ultrasonic reflectivity-pressure relation curve establishment method and a loading testbed. The loading testbed comprises a force displayer, a control terminal, an oscilloscope, an immersion ultrasonic transducer, a large cylinder, a small cylinder, an upper panel, a movable plate, a force sensor, a lower panel, an ultrasonic transceiver and a small cylinder connecting plate. Compared with the existing schemes, the interface ultrasonic reflectivity-pressure relation curve establishment method and the loading testbed provided by the present invention can construct a more accurate ultrasonic reflectivity-pressure relation curve, and are high in detection precision.

Abstract: A physical layer (PHY) device comprises a phase interpolator to generate a set of sampler clocks. A sampler of the PHY device samples a calibration data pattern based on the set of sampler clocks. A data alignment system of the PHY device performs a coarse calibration and a fine calibration on the sampler clock signals. During the coarse calibration, the data alignment system moves the sampler clock signals earlier or later in time relative to the sampled data based on a first bit of the sampled data. During the fine calibration, the data alignment system moves the sampler clock signals earlier or later in time relative to the sampled data based on the first bit, a second bit, and a third bit in the sampled data.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes an external scenery sensor that images at least one target, and an image generation unit that generates a virtual image corresponding to at least one of the targets which are moving among the imaged targets.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an image memory, an operation unit, a measurement item designation receiving unit for receiving a designation of a measurement item, a detection measurement algorithm setting unit that sets a detection measurement algorithm, a frame designation receiving unit that receives a designation of a frame to be used for the measurement among a plurality of frames in the image memory, a measurement position designation receiving unit that receives a designation of a position of a measurement target on a first measurement frame received by the frame designation receiving unit, a measurement position setting unit that sets the position of the measurement target on a frame other than the first measurement frame, a measurement unit that detects the measurement target on the plurality of frames to calculate the measurement value, and a final measurement value calculation unit that calculates a final measurement value.

Abstract: A segmentation selection system includes a transducer (14) configured to transmit and receive imaging energy for imaging a subject. A signal processor (26) is configured to process imaging data received to generate processed image data. A segmentation module (50) is configured to generate a plurality of segmentations of the subject based on features or combinations of features of the imaging data and/or the processed image data. A selection mechanism (52) is configured to select one of the plurality of segmentations that best meets a criterion for performing a task.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present application disclose time division display control methods and apparatus and display devices, wherein a time division display control method disclosed comprises: displaying a first image by a display device; and changing display pixel distribution of the display device at least once within a preset permitted staying duration of vision of human eyes and displaying the first image by the display device changed each time, to cause the displayed first images to be displayed in human eyes as a second image in an overlapped manner. According to the present application, utilization of display pixels of a display device and a display quality of at least a local part of an image can be improved, thereby better meeting diversified actual application demands of users.

Abstract: To lessen the examination time in an Ultrasound system in a vascular Exam routine, it is desirable to: automatically position in the best way Color Doppler ROI and/or Sample Gate; select the best Color Doppler/Beamline Steering angle; and set the Doppler Correction angle. An algorithm is provided that is able to process in real time the Doppler Signal to identify the Doppler Area where the most significant flow is present, and then it analyzes the ‘Shape’ of such Color Doppler Area identifying the Position and direction of the “main” Flow. The vascular Examination routine can therefore be made easier and faster.

Abstract: Disclosed are techniques for handling of radio frequency (RF) front-end group delays for round trip time (RTT) estimation. In an aspect, a network entity determines a network total group delay (GD) and a user equipment (UE) determines a UE total GD. The network entity transmits one or more RTT measurement (RTTM) signals to the UE. Each RTTM signal includes a RTTM waveform. The UE determines one or more one or more RTT response (RTTR) payloads for one or more RTTR signals. Each RTTR signal also includes a RTTR waveform. The UE transmits the RTTR signal(s) to the network entity. For each RTTR signal, a transmission time of the RTTR waveform and/or the RTTR payload is/are determined based on the UE total GD. The network entity determines a RTT between the UE and the network entity based on the RTTM signal(s), the RTTR signal(s), and the network total GD.

Abstract: This invention relates to estimating the window width and window level (center) which are typically used to view and then transform diagnostic imaging data to grayscale images. These grayscale images are then used to check the presence of diseases or abnormalities. For each individual diagnostic image, this invention automatically estimates the most appropriate values. This automatic estimation is done by a specialized module added on to a convolutional neural network-based disease detection system.

Abstract: A basic image generation unit generates a base frame by synthesizing a reception frame sequence obtained by transmission/reception of ultrasonic waves, and an edge-enhanced image generation unit generates a compensation frame where an edge component of an object is emphasized based on the reception frame sequence. A synthesis unit generates an output frame by synthesizing the base frame and the compensation frame.

Abstract: Kalman filtering, including a model of system dynamics, is used to identify flash artifact. The Kalman filtering predicts the velocity or powers based on a past sequence of velocity or power. The prediction defines a confidence interval. Any current measures surpassing the confidence interval are identified as flash artifact and suppressed.

Abstract: A histotripsy therapy system configured for the treatment of brain tissue is provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, the system includes an ultrasound therapy transducer, a drainage catheter, and a plurality of piezoelectric sensors disposed in the drainage catheter. The ultrasound therapy is configured to transmit ultrasound pulses into the brain to generate cavitation that liquefies a target tissue in the brain. The drainage catheter is configured to detect the ultrasound pulses. An aberration correction algorithm can be executed by the system based on the ultrasound pulses measured by the drainage catheter to automatically correct for an aberration effect caused by the ultrasound pulses passing through a skullcap of the patient.

Abstract: An analyzing apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a tissue characteristic parameter value with respect to each of a plurality of positions within a region of interest, by analyzing a result of a scan performed on a patient. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a measurement region in the region of interest by performing an analysis while using the tissue characteristic parameter values. The processing circuitry is configured to calculate a statistic value of the tissue characteristic parameter values in the measurement region.

Abstract: Ultrasound adaptive imaging methods and/or systems provide for modification of waveform generation to drive a plurality of transducer elements. The modification may be based on at least one of contrast ratio or signal to noise ratio as determined with respect to control points in a region of interest. Further, image reconstruction may be performed upon separating, from pulse echo data received, at least a portion thereof received at each ultrasound transducer element from the region of interest in response to the delivered ultrasound energy corresponding to a single frequency of one or more image frequencies within a transducer apparatus bandwidth. The image reconstructed from the separated pulse-echo data corresponding to the single frequency of the one or more image frequencies may be used alone or combined with like image data (e.g., to provide an image representative of one or more properties in the region of interest).

Abstract: A method includes registering a region of interest in 3-D imaging data with an initial ultrasound image so that the region of interest is in an imaging plane of the initial ultrasound image. The method further includes acquiring a subsequent ultrasound image with a transducer array. The method further includes comparing the initial ultrasound image and the subsequent ultrasound image. The method further includes steering at least one of the transducer array or an instrument based on a result of the comparing so that at least one of the region of interest or the instrument is in the imaging plane.

Abstract: Various embodiments include a system and method that enhance the visualization of selected individual images from a real-time scan. The method can include acquiring ultrasound image data at an ultrasound system. The method may include processing the acquired ultrasound image data according to cine sequence processing parameters to generate a cine sequence. The cine sequence includes a plurality of frames, each of the frames having a first resolution. The method can include receiving a trigger. The method may include processing the acquired ultrasound image data according to still image processing parameters in response to the trigger to generate a still image. The still image has a second resolution that is higher than the first resolution.

Abstract: Real time strain imaging is provided by acquiring a sequence of cardiac image frames and estimating tissue displacement in the myocardium over a heart cycle. The displacements may be estimated using speckle tracking and are used to calculate strain over the myocardium. A color map is formed of the strain values. During the next heart cycle the color map is warped to fit the myocardium in each image frame and the warped color map is displayed as a color overlay over the myocardium of each image of the new heart cycle as they are displayed in real time. A new color map is also produced over the new heart cycle for use with the following heart cycle. An ultrasound system which performs real time strain imaging is also described.

Abstract: A method for generating an ultrasound image, comprising displaying a rendered image of a target from an edge of a full box encompassing the target. An input regarding a selection of a half box may be received from a user. When the half box is not selected, the rendered image may continue to be displayed. When the half box is selected, a new image may be rendered from a reference of the full box, and the rendered image may be displayed.

Abstract: A basic image generation unit generates a base frame by synthesizing a reception frame sequence obtained by transmission/reception of ultrasonic waves, and an edge-enhanced image generation unit generates a compensation frame where an edge component of an object is emphasized based on the reception frame sequence. A synthesis unit generates an output frame by synthesizing the base frame and the compensation frame.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe configured to be equipped with plural transducers arranged in a first direction and a second direction perpendicular to the first direction and be able to perform a two-dimensional scan in the first and second directions; a moving device configured to support the probe and mechanically move the probe in the second direction; a receiving circuit configured to generate first reception signals for respective moving positions of the probe in the second direction by performing receiving phase-compensation and summation processing on respective reflected signals received by the plurality of transducers at each of the moving positions; and processing circuitry configured to generate a second reception signal by performing moving aperture synthesis on the first reception signals generated for the respective moving positions of the probe based on positional information of the probe and generate image data from the second reception signal.

Abstract: A method of performing an ultrasound scan of cellular tissue by placing a flexible membrane overlaid with ultrasonic coupling material as part of a probe enclosure adjacent the cellular tissue, pressurizing the probe enclosure, moving an ultrasound probe within the probe enclosure over the flexible membrane with the head of the ultrasound probe submerged in the ultrasonic coupling material and displaced from the flexible membrane and generating a plurality of cross-sectional images of the cellular tissue as the ultrasound probe moves over the flexible membrane. The ultrasonic probe may be driven by a programmable controller. A flat surface of an axilla pad may be placed adjacent the flexible membrane and an examination wedge may be placed under one lateral side of a patient to raise the one lateral side of the patient above the other lateral side of the patient when the flexible membrane is placed adjacent to the cellular tissue.

Abstract: A combination of an ultrasonic scanner and an omnidirectional receive transducer for producing a two-dimensional image from received echoes is described. Two-dimensional images with different noise components can be constructed from the echoes received by additional transducers. These can be combined to produce images with better signal to noise ratios and lateral resolution. Also disclosed is a method based on information content to compensate for the different delays for different paths through intervening tissue is described. The disclosed techniques have broad application in medical imaging but are ideally suited to multi-aperture cardiac imaging using two or more intercostal spaces. Since lateral resolution is determined primarily by the aperture defined by the end elements, it is not necessary to fill the entire aperture with equally spaced elements. Multiple slices using these methods can be combined to form three-dimensional images.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (100) includes a transducer array (102) with a plurality of transducer elements (106) configured to transmit an ultrasound signal, receive echo signals produced in response to the ultrasound signal interacting with structure, and generate electrical signals indicative of the echo signals. The system further includes a beamformer (112) configured to process the electrical signals and generate radio frequency data, an in-phase quadrature processor (114) configured to process the radio frequency data and generate in-phase quadrature data, and a frame processor (116) configured to envelope detect and log compress the in-phase quadrature data, producing compressed envelope data. The system further includes a time gain compensation controller (120) configured to continuously process the in-phase quadrature data and the compressed envelope data and continuously and automatically apply time gain compensation data to an envelope data image.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic device includes: a probe including plural elements that generate and transmit ultrasound waves and receive ultrasound waves reflected from an inspection target; a transmission unit that transmits ultrasound waves from the plural elements so as to transmit an ultrasound beam by forming a transmission focus in a first direction set in advance; and a second reception focusing unit that performs reception focusing for each reception signal received by each element of the probe according to reflection on a path in a second direction other than the first direction, among transmission wave paths of the ultrasound beam transmitted into the inspection target by the transmission unit.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes an array of ultrasound transducer elements chat send ultrasound energy into an object when energized for respective transmission time periods and provide responses to ultrasound energy emitted from the object for respective reception time periods, a reception modulation circuit modulating the responses with irregular sequences of modulation coefficients, a combiner circuit combining the modulated responses, and an image reconstruction processor configured to computer-process the combined modulated responses into one or more images of the object.

Abstract: A method for cardiac treatment, which includes acquiring and saving an initial map of a chamber of a heart of a patient in an initial ablation procedure, with locations of ablation lesions marked on the initial map. In preparation for a redo ablation procedure, subsequent to the initial ablation procedure, a current map of the chamber is acquired, the initial map is registered with the current map, and the locations of the ablation lesions from the registered initial map are marked and displayed on the current map.

Abstract: A control apparatus for controlling a display module, the control apparatus includes: at least one memory and at least one processor which function as: acquiring information which is added to input image data and relates to at least one of a maximum brightness of an input image represented by the input image data and an upper limit brightness being an upper limit value of a dynamic range of the input image, and controlling the display module so as to display a setting image for setting a target range to be displayed on the display module among the dynamic range of the input image data, wherein the setting image includes an index indicating a brightness determined based on the information.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes an ultrasound contrast agent (UCA) sensor configured to determine whether an UCA flows in an object based on an echo signal that is reflected by the object in a mechanical index environment. The ultrasound imaging apparatus further includes a controller configured to obtain at least one among an UCA image and a tissue image of the object in another mechanical index environment lower than the mechanical index environment in response to the UCA sensor determining that the UCA flows in the object.

Abstract: An acoustic wave detector detects photoacoustic waves generated by absorbing measurement light emitted toward a subject, and reflected acoustic waves with respect to acoustic waves transmitted toward the subject. A preamplifier amplifies a detection signal output by the acoustic wave detector. A bypass unit is intended to output the detection signal without passing through the preamplifier. Controller causes the preamplifier to enter an operating state and selects a first path along which the detection signal is amplified by the preamplifier and then is input to the reception circuit as a signal path in a case where the photoacoustic waves are detected. The controller stops an amplification operation in the preamplifier and selects a second path along which the detection signal is input to the reception circuit via a bypass unit as the signal path in a case where reflected acoustic waves are detected.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method in which ultrasound signals are transmitted into a living organism, reflected from fluid flowing along a path within the organism, and received by an ultrasound transceiver system with a resolution limit in a first direction. These signals are used to generate data representing a sequence of images over time; each image including a speckle pattern arising from interference within the reflected ultrasound signals. A peak-sharpening operation is applied to the image data, generating data representing a sequence of resolution-enhanced images, each having a resolution in the first direction finer than the resolution limit of the transceiver system in that direction, and including a respective peak-sharpened speckle pattern. A combining operation is applied to generate data representing an output image in which the path of the fluid is represented by a superimposition of the peak-sharpened speckle patterns from the resolution-enhanced images.