Abstract: Disclosed is a method for non-invasively detecting narrowing in a lumen in the body. This is done using sonic signals, e.g. ultrasound, that are directed through the wall and into the lumen of the tube, such that they travel axially and backscatter is returned and read. This method can be used in a number of applications including both naturally-occurring vessels and artificial catheters.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system capable of providing a plurality of M-mode images corresponding to M-mode lines without moving a probe. A volume data forming and reconstructing unit of the present invention forms volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals, the volume data forming and reconstructing unit being configured to determine a beat period of the moving object and reconstruct the volume data based on the beat period. A processor forms at least one reference image based on the reconstructed volume data and one or more M-mode images corresponding to one or more M-mode lines set on the reference image. A display unit displays the reference image, the M-mode lines and the M-mode images.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a method of determining elasticity index reliability control transmission and reception of an ultrasonic beam, track displacements in a transmission direction of a plurality of points of a blood vessel in the transmission direction of the ultrasonic beam, calculate an elasticity index of the blood vessel based on the tracking result, acquire the direction of a displacement or the amount of displacement in the transmission direction of a specific point of the blood vessel, and determine reliability of the elasticity index based on the acquisition result. A program for determining elasticity index reliability causes a computer to execute the respective steps of the method. A computer readable storage medium stores the program.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measurement apparatus includes a transceiver unit that controls an ultrasonic transducer device, a processing unit that performs processing for analyzing a body tissue layer of a subject based on a signal received by the transceiver unit, and a notification information output unit that outputs notification information based on a result of the analysis processing. The processing unit performs the analysis processing by specifying a plurality of body tissue layers of the subject, based on a first reception signal of a first timing within a measurement period and a second reception signal of a second timing within the measurement period at which a deformation state of the body tissue layers differs from the deformation state at the first timing, and analyzing thickness information of each of the specified body tissue layers, and the notification information output unit outputs the result of the analysis processing.

Abstract: An apparatus uses a steered ultrasound beam to assess microstructure of the cervix revealed by backscatter power variation at a range of angles and depth. Analysis of a distribution of power loss at different angles and depths referenced to the structure of the cervix may be used to characterize cervical tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic device to which an ultrasound probe is connectable, measuring an IMT of a vascular wall in a carotid artery, including: a transmission unit supplying a transmission signal to the probe for causing ultrasound transmission along a longitudinal cross-section of the carotid artery; a reception unit receiving a signal based on a reflected ultrasound received by the probe, and generating a reception signal; a vascular feature calculation unit extracting position information from the reception signal, including at least one of: piece positions for vascular wall pieces; and a relative relationship between piece positions, and detecting a boundary between a CCA and a CCA bulb according to variation in the position information with respect to the longitudinal direction of the carotid artery; a ROI determination unit determining a ROI defining an IMT measurement range with respect to the boundary; and an IMT measurement unit measuring the IMT.

Abstract: A diagnosis aiding apparatus and method to provide diagnosis information is provided. The diagnosis aiding apparatus includes an information display unit configured to display a reference cross-section of an image, display diagnosis information belonging to the reference cross-section, and display diagnosis information corresponding to a different cross-section within the reference cross-section displayed.

Abstract: Disclosed are an ultrasound apparatus and a control method thereof, in which the thickness of subcutaneous tissue is measured using an ultrasound probe or vital data regarding a subject is acquired to select an appropriate injection needle and determine suitability of injection to a corresponding body region, which ensures safe and effective drug administration. In the ultrasound apparatus and the control method thereof, a map containing results of selection of an appropriate injection needle and determination of injection suitability is generated and provided to a patient, which ensures safe self-administration by the patient without a hospital visit. The ultrasound apparatus includes a data acquirer to acquire ultrasound data regarding a subject, a thickness calculator to calculate the thickness of subcutaneous tissue inside the subject based on the ultrasound data, and a needle selector to select a needle corresponding to the calculated thickness of subcutaneous tissue.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the apparent intima-media thickness (IMT) of arteries through acquisition and analysis of ultrasound images comprising an array of pixel intensities. A datum, or datums, may be established across multiple columns of pixels bounding the portion of the image containing either the lumen/intima boundary, the media/adventitia boundary, or both. The datums may be approximate the shape of one more of the lumen, intima, media, and adventitia. Within a bounded portion of the image, a method may search for intensity gradients having characteristics indicating the gradients represent probable locations of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries. An IMT measurement is calculated based on the location of the lumen/intima and media/adventitia boundaries. An IMT measurement may be adjusted for sloping or tapering of an artery wall.

Abstract: System and method for assessment of demineralization of a bone of a subject. The acoustic wave, propagating along the bone as a result of generation, at the bone, of the ultrasound radiation force by a transducer of the ultrasound system, is outcoupled at a predetermined location along the bone and detected with an acoustic receiver. Time-dependent frequency and temporal characteristics of so detected wave contain data representing a bone demineralization characteristic.

Abstract: A system for registration of a bone structure includes a registration probe and a processing circuit. The registration probe includes a two-dimensional array of a plurality of ultrasonic transducers coupled to a rounded tip of the probe, wherein the ultrasonic transducers are configured to provide ultrasonic data. The processing circuit is configured to receive ultrasonic data from the ultrasonic transducers, determine which of the ultrasonic transducers are in contact with anatomy of a patient, generate registration points based on the ultrasonic data and the determination of which of the ultrasonic transducers are in contact with the anatomy of the patient, and register the anatomy of the patient to a model of bone using the registration points.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining and processing data collected using a multi-site intravascular sensing device are provided. Some embodiments are directed to locating a structure within a vessel and performing an examination of the structure once it has been located. In one embodiment, an elongate member has a plurality of sensors and set of measurements is obtained using the plurality of sensors, the set of measurements including at least one measurement from each sensor of the plurality of sensors. The various sensor measurements are compared and a difference in a vascular characteristic is determined from the compared measurements. The location of the structure may be determined based on the adjacent sensors.

Abstract: A method for Tissue Doppler Imaging is provided. The method for Tissue, Doppler Imaging comprises steps of: a) transmitting ultrasound signals to a target area including the tissue to be imaged, and receiving the echo signals returned from the target area; b) performing Doppler estimation on Doppler signals extracted from the echo signals, to acquire Doppler parameters of stationary tissue or nonstationary tissue or blood flow within the target area, wherein the Doppler parameters comprise at least velocity and power; c) processing the acquired power of the Doppler parameters to obtain the power related to the nonstationary tissue within the target area, so as to display the tissue motion.

Abstract: An elastic image suitable for diagnosis is easily acquired without depending on the examiner's pressure technique. The displacement of tissue in a tomographic portion of an object is measured on the basis of a pair of RF signal frame data items regarding the tomographic portion, which are obtained at different times by transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave to and from the object (b). The average displacement of each beam line (d0 to dn) of an ultrasonic wave is calculated (c), and a displacement gradient (50) in the scanning direction of an ultrasonic probe is calculated on the basis of the displacement average (d). A correction coefficient (52) with respect to the displacement of each beam line is calculated on the basis of the calculated displacement gradient (e), and the displacement distribution measured on the basis of the calculated correction coefficient is corrected (f).

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a system and method for assuring validity of monitoring parameters in combination with a therapeutic device. An exemplary embodiment of the present technique comprises perturbing a treatment administered to a patient, measuring at least one parameter of the patient reflecting the underlying physiological state and associated with the treatment, and comparing the perturbations of the treatment to measurements of the at least one parameter to determine if the perturbations to the treatment are reflected by the parameter.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and media for determining carotid intima-media thickness are provided. In some embodiments, a method for determining carotid intima-media thickness of a carotid artery is provided, the method comprising: receiving a frame from a plurality of images, wherein each of the plurality of images includes a portion of the carotid artery; receiving a user selection of a location with the frame; setting a region of interest, based on the received user selection; detecting a first border and a second border within the region of interest; applying one or more active contour models to the first border and the second border to generate a smoothed first border and a smoothed second border; and calculating the intima-media thickness based at least in part on the smoothed first border and the second smoothed border.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system capable of providing a plurality of M-mode images corresponding to M-mode lines without moving a probe. A volume data forming and reconstructing unit of the present invention forms volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals, the volume data forming and reconstructing unit being configured to determine a beat period of the moving object and reconstruct the volume data based on the beat period. A processor forms at least one reference image based on the reconstructed volume data and one or more M-mode images corresponding to one or more M-mode lines set on the reference image and a display unit displays the reference image, the M-mode lines and the M-mode images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic measuring device includes an ultrasonic transducer device, and a processing device that performs processing based on a reception signal from the ultrasonic transducer device. The processing device includes a data acquisition unit that, based on the reception signal, acquires 1st to K-th (K being an integer greater than or equal to 2) A-mode waveform data groups that correspond to cases where the direction of the scanning plane relative to a measurement location surface is 1st to K-th directions; a selection unit that selects a measurement result A-mode waveform data piece based on the 1st to K-th A-mode waveform data groups; and a notification control unit that generates notification data based on the at least one of the measurement result A-mode waveform data piece and a measurement result A-mode waveform data group that corresponds to the measurement result A-mode waveform data piece, and outputs the generated notification data.

Abstract: A measuring apparatus is provided. The measuring apparatus includes a measurement value calculating unit configured to calculate a measurement value, based on each of a plurality of measurement reference points set to an ultrasound image that is generated based on echo signals of ultrasound obtained from a subject, an evaluation value calculating unit configured to calculate an evaluation value related to one of a rate of reflection of each of the echo signals and an azimuth of a biological tissue structure in the subject, the evaluation value calculated with respect to each of the measurement reference points, and a determination unit configured to determine a reliability for the measurement value, based on the evaluation value.

Abstract: A non-contact measuring method in pediatrics is disclosed. An infant model is established by acquiring a human image and a depth image of a subject infant; updating the infant model by acquiring a plurality of anthropometric characteristic points and finally obtaining an anthropometric data of the subject infant from the updated infant model. This invention also provides an apparatus to achieve the above mentioned measuring method. An infant model which includes anthropometric characteristic points and 3D surface models is established based on a human image acquired by an image acquisition module and a depth image acquired by a depth information acquisition module in conjunction with an algorithm program built in a data acquisition and processing module. Human anthropometric data is obtained by analyzing the infant model. The non-contact measuring method and measuring apparatus in pediatrics make the measuring process more humane without contacting a subject body.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system capable of providing a plurality of M-mode images corresponding to M-mode lines without moving a probe. A volume data forming and reconstructing unit of the present invention forms volume data based on the ultrasound echo signals, the volume data forming and reconstructing unit being configured to determine a beat period of the moving object and reconstruct the volume data based on the beat period. A processor forms at least one reference image based on the reconstructed volume data and one or more M-mode images corresponding to one or more M-mode lines set on the reference image and a display unit displays the reference image, the M-mode lines and the M-mode images.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for measuring thicknesses of materials of multilayered structure. This method includes transmitting one or more ultrasound signals including different frequencies into a multilayered structure consisting of two or more materials with one or more ultrasound transducers, measuring materials, acoustic properties for which are different at the frequencies in use, measuring ultrasound signals reflected from the front surface and back surface of the multilayered structure with one or more ultrasound transducer and determining thicknesses of the materials within multilayered structure from the reflected ultrasound signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to an image processing method for estimating a risk of atheroma plaque breakage, that includes the step of receiving (40) a so-called elastogram image representing the inner deformation resulting from the compression of an analyzed blood vessel tissue based on blood pressure, the step of pre-segmenting (50) the elastogram in order to obtain a pre-segmented image including a plurality of areas, and the step of calculating an elasticity image (60) representing the elasticity of at least one region of the elastogram, the region corresponding to an area selected among the plurality of areas of the pre-segmented image, and the elasticity image enabling the user to estimate the risk of atheroma plaque breakage, wherein said method is characterized in that: the pre-segmentation is carried out while considering the tissue as being a non-compressible elastic solid in order to determine the Young modulus gradient as equal to the sum of the Lagrange multiplier gradient and of a space depending vect

Abstract: The method of accurately measuring the volume of urine in a bladder includes generating a plurality of ultrasound scan planes using the received ultrasound signals; detecting distances between the front and back walls of the bladder for each scan line in the ultrasound scan planes; determining an area of the bladder using the detected distances of the scan lines for each ultrasound scan plane; generating a virtual radius of the bladder using the determined area of the bladder for each ultrasound scan plane; determining a calibration coefficient for each ultrasound scan plane using the detected distances of the scan lines; calibrating the virtual radius of the bladder for each ultrasound scan plane using the calibration coefficient; determining the volume of urine in the bladder by calculating the volume of a sphere of which the radius is the average of the calibrated virtual radii for the ultrasound scan planes.

Abstract: In a radiation-pressure elastography technique for transmitting a ultrasound focused beam into a test object body and diagnosing the hardness thereof, it is required to consider high sensitivity and safety. In the present invention, the focused beam is transmitted to two positions as a means for displacing a tissue and exciting a shear wave. In addition, time control is performed in such a manner that a transmit beam serves as a burst-chirp signal, and ultrasound waves are transmitted and received while sweeping a transmit frequency. On this occasion, when the distance between the two focused points and the transmit frequency become integral multiple of the wavelength, two waves interfere with each other, thereby obtaining a large amplitude. Furthermore, when the transmit frequency becomes equal to a resonance frequency peculiar to the tissue, the amplitude also becomes larger. Accordingly, a small intensity of transmit waveform enhances sensitivity.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic measuring apparatus, an addition/averaging-period setting unit determines a blood vessel diameter stable period in which a blood vessel diameter is in a stable state in one heartbeat period and sets the blood vessel diameter stable period as an addition and averaging period. An adding and averaging unit adds up and averages reflected wave measurement data measured in the addition and averaging period set by the addition/averaging-period setting unit. A blood-vessel-diameter calculating unit calculates a blood vessel inner diameter of a blood vessel using combined data obtained by the addition and averaging of the adding and averaging unit.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for detecting a maturing arterio-venous fistula comprising a vein. An exemplary method comprises determining a wall thickness of the fistula and a lumen diameter of the fistula vein using a high frequency ultrasound imaging system. A blood pressure of the subject is determined. A circumferential vessel wall stress is determined from the measured blood pressure, the wall thickness of the fistula and a determined radius of the measured diameter of the fistula. The determined circumferential vessel stress is compared to a predetermined threshold stress to determine if the fistula is mature.

Abstract: An object is to provide a pressing member, an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic diagnosing device that enhance the efficiency of uniformly pressing a subject and achieve a high-precision elastic image. Therefore, the contact surface of the pressing member with the subject is formed so that the vertical direction of the face of at least a part of the contact surface is different from the vertical direction of the face of the other part. The pressing member is detachably mounted on the probe or formed integrally with the probe.

Abstract: A transducer is used to send an ultrasound pulse toward a stone and to receive ultrasound reflections from the stone. The recorded time between a pulse that is reflected from the proximal surface and a pulse that is reflected either from the distal surface of the stone or from a surface supporting the stone is used to calculate the stone size. The size of the stone is a function of the time between the two pulses and the speed of sound through the stone (or through the surrounding fluid if the second pulse was reflected by the surface supporting the stone). This technique is equally applicable to measure the size of other in vivo objects, including soft tissue masses, cysts, uterine fibroids, tumors, and polyps.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to an ultrasound device, system and a method for determination of cardiac and/or hemodynamic parameters, and in particular, to such a system, and method in which the cardiac and/or hemodynamic parameters are determined in a non-invasive manner that is both automatic and autonomous and, therefore, does not depend on ultrasound imagery and/or a skilled caregiver analysis thereof.

Abstract: An automated 3D ultrasound abdominal vessel monitor is capable of providing automated anatomical and physiological data on the large abdominal vessels, for example the Inferior Vena Cava (IVC). The 3D ultrasound abdominal vessel monitor includes one or more ultrasound transducers built into a housing or frame that in use sits on the upper abdomen, just below the ribcage. A disposable component can serve to secure the 3D ultrasound abdominal vessel monitor to the patient and provide a coupling medium between the 3D ultrasound abdominal vessel monitor and the skin of the patient.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention allow more full characterization of a stenotic lesion by measuring both pressure drop across the stenotic lesion and the size of the vessel lumen adjacent the stenotic lesion, both with sensors delivered intravascularly to the stenotic lesion site. In preferred embodiments, the size (e.g., inner diameter, cross-sectional profile) of the vessel lumen adjacent the stenotic lesion can be measured via one or more intravascular ultrasound transducers. In preferred embodiments, the intravascular ultrasound transducer(s) can be delivered to the site of the stenotic lesion with the same delivery device that carries the pressure transducer(s).

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (8) for determining tissue layer boundaries of a body (14), comprising a probe (10) for acquiring (S12) two or more ultrasound images (36) at adjacent positions of a surface (12) of the body (14), a converter (44) for converting (S14) said ultrasound images (36) separately to depth signals (46), wherein a depth signal (46) is obtained by summing intensities of one of said ultrasound images (36) along a line (66) of substantially constant depth in the body (14), a detector (48) for detecting (S16) a set of candidate tissue layer boundaries (50) for an ultrasound image (36) by thresholding the depth signal (46) obtained for said ultrasound image (36), a selection means (52) for selecting (S18) from a set of candidate tissue layer boundaries (50) a nearest candidate tissue layer boundary (54) that is nearest to the surface (12) of the body (14), and a processing means (56) for determining (S20) an actual tissue layer boundary (58) from the nearest candidate tissue layer

Abstract: A 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound system and a method for operating a 3D ultrasound system are provided. A 3D ultrasound system includes an extractor, a processor, and a controller. The extractor scans an image of an object in a human body, and extracts a region of interest (ROI) image in an inputted ROI with respect to a selected image. The processor detects edges from a plurality of side images of the object with respect to the ROI image. The controller measures the thickness of the image using the detected edges.

Abstract: Systems and related methods for measuring pelvic organ prolapse are disclosed. A plurality of positioning devices, such as RFID tags, ultrasound reflectors or magnetic field sensors, which may be active or passive, and which are preferably disposable, are set at predetermined positions within the patient and their relative positions recorded with one or more corresponding external receiving devices fixed to the patient while the patient is in a relaxed state. The patient is then instructed to perform an action (such as a valsalva maneuver) that causes the positioning devices to move and their movement relative to their initial recorded positions is measured.

Abstract: Non-invasive methods for determining the cardiovascular status of an individual comprising measuring the thickness of the artery intima layer and/or the artery media layer and determining the cardiovascular status of the individual based on the thickness of the intima layer and/or the intima to media (I/M) thickness ratio are provided.

Abstract: The invention is a differential 3D Quantitative-Imaging Ultrasonic Tomography method for inspecting a layered system that is comprised of a heterogeneous object embedded in a volume of space that comprises layers having an acoustic impedance gradient between the layers providing non-linear beams travels. A transducer grid is attached to the surface of the layered system in a unilateral manner. By sequentially changing the distance between transmitter and receiver the fastest travel times of the ultrasonic oscillations are measured. A differential approach provides from the data the longitudinal wave velocities values for each elementary volume that make up an inspected volume. These values are used to construct two and three-dimensional maps of the longitudinal wave velocity values distribution in the inspected volume and the porosity values distribution in the heterogeneous object.

Abstract: A structure for adjusting the positional relationship between an ultrasonic transducer and a blood vessel such that an acoustic line from the ultrasonic transducer passes the center of a cross-section of the blood vessel for measuring an elasticity characteristic is provided.—An ultrasonic probe includes a transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by a biological tissue; and a driving device for physically moving the transducer. For measuring the elasticity characteristic, the driving device moves the transducer based on a control signal to change at least one of a direction and a position at which the ultrasonic wave is to be transmitted. A determination section specifies a position of the transducer at which the reflection intensity is maximum based on intensity information representing an intensity of the reflected wave. A calculation section calculates the elasticity characteristic at the specified position.

Abstract: Provided are methods and systems for detecting a maturing arterio-venous fistula comprising a vein. An exemplary method comprises determining a wall thickness of the fistula and a lumen diameter of the fistula vein using a high frequency ultrasound imaging system. A blood pressure of the subject is determined. A circumferential vessel wall stress is determined from the measured blood pressure, the wall thickness of the fistula and a determined radius of the measured diameter of the fistula. The determined circumferential vessel stress is compared to a predetermined threshold stress to determine if the fistula is mature.

Abstract: A physical evaluation apparatus includes a kinematic data capture device, the kinematic data capture device being configured and disposed to obtain whole body kinematic data from a subject. The kinematic data capture device is further configured to obtain dimensions of at least one body segment. A mass data capture device is configured and disposed to obtain mass data on the subject, the mass data being separable according to body segments of a subject to yield segment mass data. A processor, is configured to calculate the force being generated by a subject of the evaluation apparatus at selectable positions or in a selectable direction. The force is calculated without a force plate.

Abstract: Systems, apparatus, and method of monitoring a position of a joint. An inertial monitoring unit is configured to be coupled to a portion of a patient, such as a thigh. Another inertial monitoring unit is configured to be attached to another portion of the patient, such as a shank, that is connected to the other portion by a joint, such as a knee. The inertial monitoring units detect motion of their respective portions of the patient and transmit data indicative of this motion. These transmissions may be received by a computer and used to determine an orientation of the joint. The inertial monitoring units may also be coupled to vibration detection units and/or ultrasound modules that provide additional data regarding a condition of the joint.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a transmitting section for driving an ultrasonic probe that sends out an ultrasonic transmitted wave toward a vital tissue; a receiving section for amplifying an ultrasonic reflected wave, produced by getting the ultrasonic transmitted wave reflected by the vital tissue and then received at the ultrasonic probe, to generate a received signal; a reference point shift measuring section for measuring the magnitude of shift of a reference point that has been set on the received signal; a received signal adjusting section for adjusting the position of the received signal in a distance direction according to the magnitude of shift of the reference point; and a shape variation calculating section for determining the magnitudes of positional displacements at multiple measuring points that have been set in the vital tissue by the received signal adjusted.

Abstract: Ultrasound acquisition Information about a structure (701) within a body is acquired by providing data defining a non-straight line (42b), at least a part of which corresponds to the structure (701); transmitting an ultrasound transmit signal (44b) into the body; receiving reflections (400-402) of the transmit signal (44b); processing the received reflections (400-402) so as to trace the focal point (403-405) of a receive beam along the path of the non-straight line (42b); using reflections (400-402) of the transmit signal (44b) from along the non-straight line (42a) to acquire information about the structure (701).

Abstract: An apparatus for minimally invasive length measurement within a hollow organ is provided. The apparatus has an endoscopic instrument, an ultrasound head having an ultrasound transmitter and ultrasound receiver, an ultrasound reflector, an electrical connection, a control and display device and a mechanical connection. The ultrasound reflector is arranged at one end of the endoscopic instrument. The ultrasound head is arranged at one end of the mechanical connection extending into a channel of the endoscopic instrument and is guided herein. The ultrasound head is aligned with the ultrasound reflector and the distance between the two can be changed. The ultrasound head and the control and display device are connected by the electrical connection to exchange electrical signals. The control and display device generates an ultrasound wave and detects the wave reflected at the ultrasound reflector using the ultrasound receiver and determines the delay time of the wave.

Abstract: A method of determining a location (x,z) of a subsurface boundary (38) of a body (30), comprising providing a wave source (34) and a receiver (36) on a surface (32) of body (30); measuring a travel time of a wave from source (34) reflected to receiver (36) via the boundary (38); and determining horizontal slowness of the wave at the receiver (36) and/or the source (34), as well as the curvature of the wave at the receiver or the source. The location (x,z) is determined on the basis of the measured travel time and the determined horizontal slowness(es) and/or curvature of the wave. The wave may be a seismic wave for geophysical surveying purposes, or an ultrasound wave for medical diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus for monitoring the bladder volume in humans or animals. The monitoring measurements are based on the analysis of ultrasound signals from at least two individual ultrasound transducer arrays. Each one individual ultrasound transducer array has a contact face, which is arranged in order to transmit an ultrasonic signal through an abdominal surface of an individual being monitored. The method and apparatus includes the arranging of each individual transducer array on the abdominal surface around an axis which extends from a point on the abdominal surface through a point on or within the urinary bladder. The method and apparatus further comprises that each individual transducer array is arranged to scan the bladder using a two-dimensional scan plane which extends radially from the transducer array through the bladder.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image creating unit, an image-creation control unit and a display control unit. The image creating unit creates an ultrasound image from data created by adding a reflected wave signal of an ultrasound wave transmitted to an imaging target portion of a subject by using a reception delay time calculated from a set sound velocity set as a sound velocity in the imaging target portion. The image-creation control unit switches a set sound velocity set at a present moment in a variable range, and controls the image creating unit so as to create a plurality of ultrasound images each using a reception delay time corresponding to each of the set sound velocities to be switched. The display control unit controls display such that the ultrasound images created are displayed on a certain display unit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention includes: a transmitting section 102 that drives an ultrasonic probe to transmit an ultrasonic wave toward a measuring region of a subject including an arterial vascular wall; a receiving section 101 that receives a reflected wave, produced by getting the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject, at the ultrasonic probe to generate a received signal; a movement information deriving section 110 for deriving information about at least the axial movement of the arterial vascular wall based on the received signal; and a boundary locating section 109 for locating at least one of the blood flow-intima boundary, the media-adventitia boundary and the adventitia-body's connective tissue boundary of the arterial vascular wall in the measuring region based on the movement information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method and apparatus for non-invasive bone fracture detection and accelerated healing, that simultaneously maps, via a paired phased array ultrasound scanning apparatus having multi-element transducers, three dimensional bone surface topology at opposite surfaces along an ultrasound wave pathway; that measures, using the mapped three dimensional topology, a thickness of the mapped bone; that detects, using the mapped three dimensional topology, a region of interest with bone deterioration or fracture; that calculates an ultrasonic wave velocity and attenuation as the ultrasound wave passes through the detected region of interest; and that applies a low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) pulse to the region of interest. The paired phased array ultrasound scanning apparatus focuses the application of the LIPUS pulse.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using ultrasound data backscattered from vascular tissue to estimate the transfer function of a catheter and/or substantially synchronizing the acquisition of blood-vessel data to an identifiable portion of heartbeat data. In one embodiment, a computing device and catheter acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure. The backscattered ultrasound data is then used to estimate at least one transfer function. The transfer function(s) can then be used to calculate response data for the vascular tissue. Another embodiment includes an IVUS console connected to a catheter and a computing device that acquires RF backscattered data from a vascular structure. Based on the backscattered data, the computing device estimates the catheter's transfer function and to calculate response data for the vascular tissue. The response data and histology data are then used to characterize at least a portion of the vascular tissue.