Abstract: The invention relates to an MR method wherein disturbing MR signals from peripheral regions outside the isocenter are suppressed in that a location-dependent, brief, steady magnetic field is produced simultaneously with an RF pulse. When the field strength of the magnetic field in the peripheral regions is either larger or smaller than that at the isocenter, it can be achieved that exclusively the nuclear magnetization in the peripheral regions is excited, which magnetization can subsequently be dephased. The subsequent MR sequence then influences only the region around the isocenter.

Abstract: A device is provided for encoding a stream of data bits of a binary source signal (S) into a stream of data bits of a binary channel signal (C1), wherein the bit stream of the source signal is divided into n-bit source words (x1, X2). The device includes converting means adapted to convert the source words into corresponding m-bit channel words (y1, y2, y3). Each n-bit source word together with another n-bit source word forms a pair of source words. The values of the n-bit source words differ only in the value of the bit in the qth bit position, q being a constant. The pairs of source words are divided into a first part of pairs and a remaining part of pairs.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the heat of an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. In the presently preferred embodiments, the system and method controls the temperature of the transducer by changing operating system parameters based on feedback from temperature sensing elements placed in the transducer. The chosen mutable system parameters may be preset by the construction of the ultrasonic system, under the control of the ultrasonic system user, or a combination of the two. In one exemplary embodiment, a different mutable system parameter is altered based on which imaging mode the system is using. In two other exemplary embodiments, the one or more mutable system parameters are altered by an amount proportionate to the difference between the current temperature and a preferred operating temperature. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the system switches to a lower power imaging mode when the temperature feedback indicates a threshold temperature has been reached.

Abstract: A system and method for individually varying the orientation of scan lines in at least two dimensions in an ultrasound scan are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention includes a system for generating a three-dimensional ultrasound volume scan, comprising a transducer probe having elements arranged in a plurality of dimensions and a system controller capable of generating a scan line apparently emanating from a location other than the geographic center of the transducer probe.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an ultrasound imaging unit integrated into a patient monitoring system continuously generating ultrasound images from a patient and continuously extracting therefrom diagnostic data.

Abstract: In a correction device (3, 4) for correcting a text (ET) recognized by a speech recognition device (2) from a spoken text (GT), marking means (12, 15, 17) are provided for storing marking information (WMI) in memory means (8), which marking information (WMI) flags those parts of the recognized text (ET) and/or of the spoken text (GT) that were reproduced at least once by reproduction means (13) in a synchronous reproduction mode. In this way, parts of the recognized text (ET) and the spoken text (GT) that have already been reproduced once can be acoustically or visually marked, and different parts can be reproduced depending on whether reproduction takes place for the first time or is repeated.

Abstract: A method is provided for producing a grid structure using an extrusion process. In order to extrude a layered structure exhibiting a high aspect ratio, a multiplication die is used. Such a method is also suited to manufacture X-ray scatter grids, which include X-ray absorbing and X-ray transmitting regions. The X-ray scatter grid is designed to be used in an X-ray examination apparatus.

Abstract: A phased array ultrasound scanning apparatus includes a one-dimensional (1-D) array of ultrasound transducer elements having transmit and receive elements. The 1-D array is responsive to a transmitter configured to energize the transmit elements for generating a transmit acoustic beam directed into a region of interest. A receive beamformer, operatively connected to the 1-D array, synthesizes receive beams, in response to echoes of the transmit acoustic beam received from the region of interest. The receive beamformer includes analog random access memory (ARAM) delay elements configured to delay signals received from the receive elements and provide the delayed signals on an output of the receive beamformer as a beamformed RF output. The beamformed RF output is suitable for use in forming an image of the region of interest.

Abstract: An X-ray examination apparatus includes an X-ray source (1) for emitting an X-ray beam (8) having a central X-ray extending along a central beam line (4). There is also provided an X-ray detector (2) for picking up X-ray images. The X-ray source (1) and the X-ray detector (2) are rotatable together around an axis of rotation (3). The X-ray examination apparatus is provided with a calibration system (6, 7). Calibration images of the calibration phantom (6) are formed from different, preferably opposed directions of the X-ray beam (8). The zero orientation of the X-ray source (1) with the X-ray detector (2) is derived from differences in positions of the same aspect of the calibration phantom in the respective calibration images. The central beam line (4) extends perpendicularly to the axis of rotation (3) in the zero orientation.

Abstract: An ultrasound device having a transducer propagating and receiving sound signals to/from a blood vessel of a person being examined for caisson's disease where the blood vessel is at above normal surface atmospheric pressure and a controller determining onset of the caisson's disease by analyzing the received sound signals from the transducer to determine presence of naturally occurring bubbles in the blood vessel during decompression of the blood vessel.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for enabling battery packs of different sizes to be used with an ultrasound device. The apparatus of the present invention comprises an ultrasound device having a battery pack installment apparatus configured to be capable of being coupled with battery packs of different sizes. The method comprises the step of providing the ultrasound device with a battery pack installment apparatus that is configured to couple with battery packs of different sizes.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and selecting a volume of interest within a volume rendered image is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention collects acoustic data, develops a three dimensional (3D) ultrasound image from the collected acoustic data, renders the ultrasound image on a display, modifies selected portions of the acoustic data, and displays the modified acoustic data in the form of a highlighted region on the rendered ultrasound image, wherein the highlighted region defines an included volume.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a] A device for producing an image of a body part into which a contrasting agent has been introduced, the device including an image detecting device modifying the contrasting agent to provide a modified image, and a processor acquiring and processing the modified image so as to create an image which represents a rate of flow of blood or other fluid in the body part. The device may be an ultrasound imaging device or may be a magnetic resonance imaging device.

Abstract: A method for adaptive filtering of clutter from a sample stream having a blood signal component and a clutter signal component comprises the steps of (a) estimating a signal strength of the sample stream, and (b) determining an order of a filter based on a relationship between the signal strength estimate and a signal strength threshold. The filter receives the sample stream and provides an output stream having a reduced level of the clutter signal component relative to the blood signal component.

Abstract: Acoustic imaging systems are provided. A representative acoustic imaging system includes a transducer that incorporates a backing and an acoustic element extending from the backing. The acoustic element includes a piezoelectric element and a de-matching layer. The de-matching layer is arranged between the backing and the piezoelectric element and exhibits an acoustic impedance greater than that of the piezoelectric element. The piezoelectric element exhibits a thickness that is less than one-half of a wavelength to be generated by the piezoelectric element. Methods also are provided.

Abstract: In a method for acquiring an image of a plane in a magnetic resonance apparatus, the images are obtained in imaging planes which are defined directly with respect to the patient. The magnetic resonance apparatus includes an imaging volume, a patient support table which positioned in the imaging volume, a position measuring device to establish and maintain in real time the position of the patient, as well as a controller for controlling gradient coils in response to the signals provided by the position measuring device in such a manner that consecutive images are acquired from imaging planes which are defined directly with respect to the patient.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for simplifying off-line quantification of ultrasound images by displaying a graphical user interface showing a real-time ultrasound image for enabling a user to freeze the real-time ultrasound image to display an image sequence capable of being modified and played back by the user. Upon freezing the real-time image, the graphical user interface displays a tagging system having a corresponding identification tag for each ultrasound image of the image sequence. The graphical user interface further displays time intensity curves each corresponding to an ROI in the frozen image. When the user selects a particular ROI in the frozen image, the curve corresponding to the selected ROI is brightened and the other curves are dimmed.

Abstract: A method of adding a new operation stored in a new operation module to software driving an echocardiographic review station, which performs (a) detecting, by the software driving the echocardiographic review station, a presence of a new operation module not previously present in the software; and (b) executing the new operation module from the software driving the echocardiographic review station.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system including a power on self test (POST) and an extended self test (EST). The POST includes (a) a verification test, (b) a register test (c) a controller test, (d) a receive digital signal path test and (e) a basic front end test. The POST is initiated, performed and completed within a short time, such as three seconds, from power ON. The EST is performed after the POST at the discretion of an operator, and includes a transmit test, a transducer element test, a front end voltage test and a receive test.

Abstract: In interventional MRI, for example, in neurosurgical applications, the head of a patient must be positioned on a head support while allowing reproducible manipulation of the head. The head support must be made of a material that is compatible with MR. Furthermore, spatial restrictions imposed by the bore of the magnetic resonance apparatus have to be dealt with. The head support in accordance with the invention includes a support whereon the patient head or a stereotactic frame can be rested. The head support is suppored by a mounting device. Both the support and mounting device are fixed on the table top. The mounting device provides a sliding surface that enables rotation of the support relative to the mounting device. The support can be curved towards the table top thus providing a concave surface so as to lower the supporting surface for a stereotactic frame and hence to minimize the total volume of the construction.