Abstract: Certain embodiments include an apparatus, system, or method for time-gain compensation control of an ultrasound system. A computer-implemented method can include providing a tactile gain control comprising a near, middle, and far gain control. The middle gain control can be configured for two-dimensional range adjustment of depth and gain. The computer-implemented method can also include adjust at least one of the near, middle, or far gain control. In addition, the computer-implemented method can include displaying an ultrasound image based on at least one of the adjusted near, middle, or far gain control.

Abstract: A high frequency ultrasound array having a number of transducer elements that are formed in sheet of piezoelectric material. A frame having a coefficient of thermal expansion similar to that of the piezoelectric material surrounds the piezoelectric material and is separated from the piezoelectric material by an epoxy material. Kerf cuts that define the individual elements in the sheet of piezoelectric material extend across a full width of the sheet. In some embodiments, sub-dice kerf cuts that divide a single transducer element into two or more sub-elements also extend all the way across the width of the sheet. A lens positioned in front of the transducer elements can have a radius machined therein to focus ultrasound signals. The frame, transducer elements and lens are bent or curved with the desired radius to focus ultrasound signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods of transmitting heat away from an ultrasound probe are disclosed within. In one embodiment, a handheld ultrasound probe includes a transducer, electronics configured to drive the transducer, and a housing surrounding the transducer assembly and the electronics. A slot extending from a first side of the housing to a second side of the housing and can allow air to pass adjacent transducer and the electronics. The slot can be sized to inhibit accessibility of an operator's finger to an inner surface of slot.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging systems for automatically identifying and saving ultrasound images relevant to a needle injection procedure, and associated systems and methods, are described herein. For example, an ultrasound imaging system includes a transducer for transmitting/receiving ultrasound signals during a needle injection procedure, and receive circuitry configured to convert the received ultrasound signals into ultrasound image data. The image data can be stored in a buffer memory. A processor can analyze the image data stored in the buffer memory to identify image data that depicts a specified injection event of the needle injection procedure, and the identified image data can be stored in a memory for archival purposes.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe and method for using the same are described. In one embodiment, the ultrasound probe comprises: a probe array assembly having a probe tip; a first enclosure disposed around a portion of the probe array assembly, where the first enclosure has first and second openings and comprises a thermally conductive material; and one or more thermally conductive fins contained within the first enclosure, each of the one or more thermally conductive fins having one end enclosed within the probe array assembly and a portion extending away from the probe array assembly and in thermal contact with an inner surface of the first enclosure to create a thermal path from the first opening to the second opening in the first enclosure.

Abstract: A dynamic power reduction method and apparatus for use in an ultrasound system are described.

Abstract: An ultrasound point-of-care system receives a worksheet from a worksheet server. The worksheet is encoded as HTML that is configured to be rendered by a browser component of system software. One or more predefined JavaScript functions in the HTML provide information that is entered by a user into the worksheet and meta-data about the worksheet. System software on the medical device uses an intermediate component or code insertion to execute the JavaScript functions to retrieve the entered information and the meta-data. The system software stores the information locally and packages the retrieved information and meta-data as a DICOM file for transmission to the worksheet server when a computer communication connection to the worksheet server becomes available.

Abstract: A method for calculating a heart parameter includes receiving a series of two-dimensional images of a heart, the series covering at least one heart cycle. The method includes calculating a volume of the heart in a first systole image based on an orientation of the heart in the first systole image and a segmentation of the heart in the first systole image, and a volume of the heart in a first diastole image based at least on an orientation of the heart in the first diastole image and a segmentation of the heart in the first diastole image; determining the heart parameter based at least on the volume of the heart in the first systole image and the volume of the heart in the first diastole image; determining a confidence score of the heart parameter; and displaying the heart parameter and the confidence score.

Abstract: A PMUT ultrasound transducer includes a number of PMUT transmitting elements in a membrane layer. Behind each PMUT transmitting element is a cavity in the membrane layer. The cavities are partially or completely filled with a damping material to reduce ringing of the PMUT transmitting elements. Suitable damping materials include polymers, e.g., soft epoxies, benzocyclobutene or polyimide that are dispersed into the cavities or a phase changing material such as Parylene that precipitates out of a gas phase as a polymer when cured.

Abstract: A dual frequency ultrasound transducer includes a high frequency ultrasound array and a low frequency transducer positioned behind or proximal to the high frequency ultrasound array. In one embodiment, a dampening material is positioned between a rear surface of the high frequency array and the a front surface of the low frequency array. The dampening preferably is high absorbing of signals at the frequency of the high frequency array but passes signals at the frequency of the low frequency transducer with little attenuation. In additional, or alternatively, the low frequency can angled with respect to the plane of the high frequency transducer to reduce inter-stack multipath reflections. Beamforming delays compensate for the differences in physical distances between the elements of the low frequency transducer and the plane of the high frequency transducer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a photoacoustic imaging system receives user input to specify one or more imaging wavelengths, and a target number of image frames to be taken of a target tissue region. The specified imaging wavelengths are set to capture at least two different photoabsorbing molecules in the target tissue. The photoacoustic imaging system takes image frames at the specified wavelengths, while the system also receives ECG and respiration data of the subject. Image frames are discarded based on the respiration data, and the other image frames are sorted into a plurality of slots corresponding to different points of the cardiac cycle from the ECG data. The system creates a composite image from the one or more wavelengths to show the target tissue of interest through the different points of the cardiac cycle.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer has an array of transducer elements that are electrically coupled to electrical conductors. In one embodiment, the conductors are included in a flex circuit and engage a conductive surface formed on a number of outwardly extending ribs on a frame that holds the ultrasound array. In one embodiment, the flex circuit includes an alignment feature that engages a corresponding registration feature on the frame so that the traces on the flex circuit align with the ribs on the frame.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system enhances the display of an ultrasound image by applying a selected style to the content of the ultrasound image. The style may be of anatomic illustrations of a particular anatomical feature such as tissue type or may be the style of a previously obtained ultrasound image that shows tissue well. The style of other imaging modes can also be applied. In some embodiments, a training mode of the ultrasound imaging system implements a style transfer technique to enhance the appearance of captured ultrasound image data.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a processor to associate an ultrasound image with one or more pictographs that correspond to the image. A processor provides ultrasound image data to one or more trained neural networks that classify the image data. The processor is programmed to select one or more pictographs that correspond to the classified image data for presentation to the operator. In some embodiments, the processor is programmed to use a neural network to determine if an ultrasound image captured during an examination corresponds to one or more required views for a particular type of examination.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging systems including transducer probes having wireless tags, and associated systems and methods, are described herein. For example, the wireless tags can store supplemental data about the transducer probes, and the ultrasound system can include a base unit configured to wirelessly communicate with nearby ones of the wireless tags to receive the supplemental data. The base unit can be further configured to display the transducer probes that are nearby. In some embodiments, the operator can filter or sort the displayed nearby transducer probes based on the supplemental data to identify a particular one of the nearby transducer devices that has one or more desired attributes.

Abstract: Provided are a photoacoustic image generation apparatus and an insert that can evaluate whether a plurality of materials with different absorption wavelengths are present in the vicinity of a puncture needle, without preparing a plurality of light sources. A puncture needle is at least partially inserted into a subject. An optical fiber guides light with a first wavelength. A light emitting portion emits the light guided by the optical fiber. A light absorption/conversion member absorbs the light with the first wavelength emitted from the light emitting portion and converts the light with the first wavelength into light with a second wavelength. In addition, the light absorption/conversion member generates photoacoustic waves with the conversion into the light with the second wavelength.

Abstract: A processor in an ultrasound imaging system identifies faults or errors in the system. In one embodiment, fault or error conditions are detected by monitoring system parameters during a self-test. In another embodiment, a processor provides ultrasound image data to a trained neural network to identify fault conditions in a transducer or the imaging system. In some embodiments, the processor makes adjustments to one or more operating parameters to compensate for the identified fault conditions so that the system continues to operate and produce images with the detected fault condition.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a thermally conductive frame and a number of electronic components and a display that are sealed within the frame. The frame further includes a plenum extending through the frame with surfaces that are thermally coupled to the electronic components and the display. An active cooling mechanism, such as one or more fans, moves air through the plenum to remove heat generated by the electronic components and display. The plenum is environmentally sealed so that moisture, dust, air or other contaminants drawn into the plenum do not contact the sealed electronic components and display in the frame.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed herein for controlling an ultrasound machine using one or more touchless inputs. In one embodiment, the method for controlling operation of the ultrasound machine comprises obtaining one or more touchless inputs; determining one or more operations to control the ultrasound machine based on the one or more touchless inputs and machine state of the ultrasound machine; and controlling the ultrasound machine using the one or more operations.

Abstract: A dual frequency ultrasound transducer includes a high frequency (HF) transducer and a low frequency (LF) transducer that is positioned behind the high frequency transducer. An intermediate layer is positioned between the low frequency transducer and the high frequency transducer to absorb high frequency ultrasound signals. An alignment feature on the low frequency transducer is positioned with respect to a fiducial that is marked at a known position with respect to high frequency transducer elements of the HF transducer to align low frequency transducer elements of the LF transducer with the HF transducer elements.