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 system for performing an ultrasound scan of cellular tissue includes an ultrasound scanning device having an ultrasound probe, to generate cross-sectional images of the cellular tissue. A probe enclosure houses the ultrasound probe, has a bottom formed by a flexible membrane, is configured to hold an ultrasonic coupling material, and forms a pressurizable cavity adjacent the flexible membrane. An armature supports the probe enclosure and is configured to move the probe enclosure into a position where the flexible membrane is placed adjacent to and displaced by the cellular tissue. A probe positioning assembly supports the ultrasound probe within the probe enclosure and moves the ultrasound probe over the flexible membrane with a head of the ultrasound probe submerged in the ultrasonic coupling material, the ultrasound scanning device generating the cross-sectional images of the cellular tissue as the probe positioning assembly progressively moves the ultrasound probe over the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A system for performing an ultrasound scan of cellular tissue includes an ultrasound scanning device having an ultrasound probe, to generate cross-sectional images of the cellular tissue. A probe enclosure houses the ultrasound probe, has a bottom formed by a flexible membrane, is configured to hold an ultrasonic coupling material, and forms a pressurizable cavity adjacent the flexible membrane. An armature supports the probe enclosure and is configured to move the probe enclosure into a position where the flexible membrane is placed adjacent to and displaced by the cellular tissue. A probe positioning assembly supports the ultrasound probe within the probe enclosure and moves the ultrasound probe over the flexible membrane with a head of the ultrasound probe submerged in the ultrasonic coupling material, the ultrasound scanning device generating the cross-sectional images of the cellular tissue as the probe positioning assembly progressively moves the ultrasound probe over the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A system for screening breast tissue is disclosed. The system comprises an ultrasound probe and a carrier adapted to support the ultrasound probe and to progressively move the probe over the breast tissue. A pad is employed to cover the nipple of the breast tissue, and a fabric covering is adapted to hold the breast tissue and the pad in place as the probe is moved over the breast tissue.

Abstract: A system to aid in ultrasound scanning of breast tissue includes a fabric covering, which is adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning, an ultrasonic coupling agent applied to one of the covering or the breast tissue, and a lenticular-shaped pad to cover the nipple of the breast tissue. The pad is placed beneath and held in place by the fabric covering, and the covering is capable of absorbing the coupling agent and conducting ultrasonic energy with minimal interference.

Abstract: A system for screening cellular tissue, in particular breast tissue. The system comprises an ultrasound probe that is capable of generating image data representing images of cellular tissue, one or more sensors to determine the probe's location, an image viewer, a pad, which is ultrasonically conductive and placed over the patient's nipple, and a fabric covering is placed over the breast tissue to be scanned. The pad has different ultrasonic characteristics than the cellular tissue to be scanned. The fabric covering includes an ultrasonic coupling agent and is used to hold the breast tissue in place. The fabric of the covering and the coupling agent transmit ultrasonic energy with minimal interference. The ultrasound probe is scanned over the tissue, and the one or more sensors are employed to determine the probe's location. The images representing the scanned tissue are displayed by a viewer which is capable of providing a rapid sequential display of the images.

Abstract: A computer-based 3D modeling system for constructing a virtual 3D representation from a plurality of data images of 2D cross sections having a mutual spatial relationship. The plurality of data images and the associated orientation and positioning information are extractable from a data source module. A frame creation module constructs a rectangular frame for each image slice. A texture-mapping module maps the image slice onto the associated frame as a texture. A rotation transform module rotates each frame appropriately about one or more axes based upon the orientation information associated with each data image to achieve the correct orientation in 3D space. A translation transform module translates each frame based upon the positioning information associated with each data image to achieve the correct position in 3D space.

Abstract: A method for screening cellular tissue. An ultrasound probe is moved across the cellular tissue to generate sequentially adjacent, closely spaced images. The linear position and the angular orientation of the ultrasound probe is monitored and dynamically controlled as it is moved across the cellular tissue. The images and position and orientation data are collected with an ultrasound scanning device which is associated with the ultrasound probe. The images and position and orientation data are thereafter recorded.

Abstract: A method of transmitting scan data from an ultrasonic scanning device to a computer. A desired number of individual scan images are acquired as frames within a buffer, after which the contents of the buffer are frozen. The number of frames in the frozen buffer are counted, and the dimensions and pixel format of each frame in the frozen buffer are determined. The frames from the scanning device are transmitted to the computer via a connection device, and the transmitted frames are written to an image file in a sequential manner.

Abstract: A computer-based 3D modeling system for constructing a virtual 3D representation from a plurality of data images of 2D cross sections having a mutual spatial relationship. The plurality of data images and the associated orientation and positioning information are extractable from a data source module. A frame creation module constructs a rectangular frame for each image slice. A texture-mapping module maps the image slice onto the associated frame as a texture. A rotation transform module rotates each frame appropriately about one or more axes based upon the orientation information associated with each data image to achieve the correct orientation in 3D space. A translation transform module translates each frame based upon the positioning information associated with each data image to achieve the correct position in 3D space.

Abstract: A system for screening cellular tissue, in particular breast tissue. The system comprises an ultrasound probe that is capable of generating image data representing images of cellular tissue, one or more sensors to determine the probe's location, an image viewer, a pad, which is ultrasonically conductive and placed over the patient's nipple, and a fabric covering is placed over the breast tissue to be scanned. The pad has different ultrasonic characteristics than the cellular tissue to be scanned. The fabric covering includes an ultrasonic coupling agent and is used to hold the breast tissue in place. The fabric of the covering and the coupling agent transmit ultrasonic energy with minimal interference. The ultrasound probe is scanned over the tissue, and the one or more sensors are employed to determine the probe's location. The images representing the scanned tissue are displayed by a viewer which is capable of providing a rapid sequential display of the images.

Abstract: Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions.

Abstract: Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions.

Abstract: Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions.

Abstract: Ultrasonic scanning and diagnostics for cellular tissue are disclosed. An ultrasonic probe is moved across cellular tissue at a rate that is synchronized with the image capture rate of the ultrasonic scanner, to achieve a contiguous and complete set of scan images, of the tissue. The probe can be held in a single position as it is moved across the tissue, or it can be dynamically adjusted during the scan to provide optimal contact with the scanned tissue. The image data are captured and converted to a format that is easily stored and compatible with a viewer. The viewer allows playback of the scanned images in a manner that is optimized for screening for cancers and other anomalies. A location function allows the user to select a point of interest on an individual scan image, and choose another known reference point, and the function calculates and provides the distance from the reference point to the point of interest in three dimensions.