Abstract: Systems and methods which operate to identify interventional instruments and/or other objects in images are shown. Embodiments operate to extract relevant information regarding interventional instruments from a multi-dimensional volume for presenting the information to a user in near real-time with little or no user interaction. Objects may be identified by segmenting a multi-dimensional volume, identifying a putative object of interest in multiple multi-dimensional volume segments, and determining a position of the object of interest within the multi-dimensional volume using the putative object of interest segment identifications. Identification of objects of interest according to embodiments may be utilized to determine an image plane for use in displaying the objects within a generated image, to track the objects within the multi-dimensional volume, etc., such as for medical examination, interventional procedures, diagnosis treatment, and/or the like.

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: The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable. The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand.

Abstract: Systems and methods which determine the position of an instrument internal to an object using an opto-mechanical sensor are shown. Embodiments utilize an opto-mechanical sensor system in which a mechanical instrument interface provides instrument movement information to a corresponding optical sensor system to determine instrument movement. Determinations of instrument movement preferably provide information regarding movement direction and speed. Such information, when used in combination with other information such as starting position or starting position offset, insertion angle or angle of attack, and/or insertion plane, is utilized by embodiments of the invention to determine the position of an instrument or portion thereof. Embodiments are adapted to accommodate different instrument configurations. Position information may be utilized in combination with an ultrasound image to display a visual representation of the instrument, or portion thereof, within a object being imaged.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for producing a signal filter to block clutter. An embodiment includes the steps of acquiring samples of a clutter signal, calculating eigenvectors and eigenvalues representing the clutter signal, comparing said eigenvalues to a threshold to distinguish between eigenvectors representing clutter and those representing noise or signal, and determining filter parameters using the comparison results. Embodiments of the invention allow for optimization of wall filters for different anatomical applications, such as different body parts, in ultrasound imaging. The clutter signal may include Doppler data, and may be acquired using a pulsed wave (PW) mode, although the filter itself may be used in scanning Doppler color mode. The resulting wall filter is optimized for blocking clutter that is comparable to the clutter of the sampled clutter signal.

Abstract: Adjustment of operation of an ultrasound imaging system may be based at least in part on one or more characteristics represented in ultrasound return signals from two or more sample volumes. Adjustment may include adjusting a principal sample volume location or selecting a new principal sample volume. For example, a location of a principal sample volume may be adjusted or new principal sample volume selected so as to remain focused on an identified region of interest or to maintain the principal sample volume relative to some structure or reference. The principal sample volume may be maintained in the center or along a centerline of an artery or other structure, as the transducer array is moved along the artery or structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a hand held ultrasound system having a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable.

Abstract: A medical device includes a control interface for operating the medical device in a hands-free mode. To control the medical device in a hands-free mode, the control interface includes multiple proximity sensors, each sensor associated with a level of adjustment. For example, a sensor located on a top portion of the medical device is used to increase the level of adjustment. And similarly, a sensor located on a bottom portion of the medical device is used to decrease the level of adjustment. The magnitude of the level of adjustment applied to a parameter of the medical device is controlled based at least in part on the length of time an object remains in proximity to a respective sensor. In one embodiment, the longer the object is held over a respective sensor the more adjustment the control interface will make to the parameter.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which establishes physically fixed charger stations that work in conjunction with a medical cart, such as an ultrasound cart. The medial cart contains a power supply, such as a large battery, with the capacity to keep the system going for a full day's use. Each docking station provides a fixed location for one or more carts and allows each cart to plug directly into a source of premises power. The docking stations allow the plugged-in cart to recharge while the cart is not in use. In one embodiment, a large Class C battery capable of powering not only the medical device but its associated peripherals as well. Thus, when the cart is removed from the docking station and taken to a patient's location, the equipment on the cart can be operated without the need for plugging the cart into a wall outlet thereby eliminating the need for a long power cord. The fixed locations of the docking station also eliminates the need for hunting “misplaced” carts.

Abstract: A cable management system for use with electrical devices, such as, for example, a ultrasound imaging system, is provided comprising a rotatable reel coupled to an end of each of an elongated flexible circuit member and an elongated cable. Each of a plurality of wires of the cable is electrically coupled to a respective conductor of the flexible circuit member to create separate conductive paths or signal channels. The cable management system is configured such that, as the cable moves from a generally retracted configuration in which a majority of the cable is wound about the reel to a generally extended configuration, the flexible circuit member simultaneously contracts about the reel. As a corollary, the flexible circuit member relaxes or unwinds as the cable moves from the extended configuration towards the retracted configuration.

Abstract: Systems and methods which facilitate the correct placement of an instrument internal to an object aided by an overlay superimposed on an image are disclosed. Exemplary embodiments facilitate placement of a needle tip within a patient's body using on overlay superimposed on a sonographic image. A superimposed overlay of embodiments is created by monitoring a fixed point of an external portion of the instrument in relation to an imaging transducer. Superimposed overlays provided according to embodiments provide one or more graphical target designator and one or more graphical instrument designator which, when controlled to be disposed in a predetermined position, indicate proper placement of the instrument.

Abstract: Systems and methods which provide volume imaging by implementing survey and target imaging modes are shown. According to embodiments, a survey imaging mode is implemented to provide a volume image of a relatively large survey area. A target of interest is preferably identified within the survey area for use in a target imaging mode. Embodiments implement a target imaging mode to provide a volume image of a relatively small target area corresponding to the identified target of interest. The target imaging mode preferably adapts the beamforming, volume field of view, and/or other signal and image processing algorithms to the target area. In operation according to embodiments, the target imaging mode provides a volume image of a target area with improved volume rate and image quality.

Abstract: Systems and methods providing clocking between various components or sub-components are shown. Embodiments implement an implied clock technique which reduces the number of signal lines, signaling overhead required for an encoded clock signal, and/or and power consumption for a high speed communication link. In accordance with embodiments efficient communication is provided between a core device and a remote device by the core device providing both clock and data signals to the remote device and the remote device providing a data signal at a predetermined clock rate without communicating its clock signal. The core device of this embodiment determines an “implied clock” suitable for accurately receiving data from the remote device.

Abstract: A modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus is provided comprising a core unit, system electronics and an I/O port. The core unit comprises a housing and a system electronics package within the housing. The system electronics has one or more concatenated filters, including a front end transmit/receive circuit, a processor, a back end circuit for scan conversion, a system clock and a programmable system memory device. There is at least one I/O port connected to the front end and the back end of the system electronics package and extending through the core unit housing wherein all system data processing information is transmitted or received through the I/O port.

Abstract: A hand held ultrasound system includes a balance body incorporating system electronics and a transducer assembly connected to the balance body. The hand held ultrasound system also includes control elements that are arranged in an ergonomic fashion on the balance body so that a user can hold the system and operate at least one of the control elements with the same hand. The system may also include a user interface that comprises a D-controller and a touch screen.

Abstract: Beam enhancement through sidelobe reduction and/or mainlobe sharpening is shown. Embodiments utilize dynamic resolution, improved dynamic resolution, and/or enhanced dynamic resolution techniques to synthesize beams, such as ultrasonic beams used in ultrasonic imaging, having desired attributes. Embodiments simultaneously form a first sample beam and a second or auxiliary sample beam for every sample to synthesize enhanced scan beams. According to a dynamic resolution techniques herein a new beam may be formed from the sum of the two sample beams. A synthesized dynamic resolution beam of embodiments has reduced sidelobes with relatively little or no spread of the mainlobe. An enhanced dynamic resolution beam sharpening function can be applied to provide a further enhanced beam, such as to further narrow the mainlobe.

Abstract: A hand held ultrasonic instrument is provided in a portable unit which performs both B mode and Doppler imaging. The instrument includes a transducer array mounted in a hand-held enclosure, with an integrated circuit transceiver connected to the elements of the array for the reception of echo signals. A digital signal processing circuit performs both B mode and Doppler signal processing such as filtering, detection and Doppler estimation, as well as advanced functions such as assembly of multiple zone focused scanlines, synthetic aperture formation, depth dependent filtering, speckle reduction, flash suppression, and frame averaging.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method in which real-time ubiquitous imaging is feasible in local areas, such as inside a clinic, hospital room or doctor office. This is achieved by designing a wireless network having a central processing server with, for example, distributed broadband acquisition and video bus capability. Remote access is possible using store-and-forward image transfer over a wide area network. With these capabilities, a physician can use a handheld transducer (such as an ultrasound transducer) as a basic tool to facilitate diagnostic decisions similar to the way a stethoscope is used today.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a system and method which allows a device user who is within a sterile environment to interact remotely with a device physically located outside of the sterile zone. In one embodiment, the remote link is wireless and allows the operator to adjust critical controls without breaking the sterile environment. The remote device is designed to be sheathed in sterile sheaths and further designed, in one embodiment, to keep the remote control element from physically interacting with the patient and in some cases with the device operator. In one embodiment, the remote device operator interacts with the remote device verbally.

Abstract: Disclosed are systems and methods which efficiently control storage of and/or access to data which includes repetitive data or data which is used by different modes, processes, etcetera. Embodiments provide control for storage of and/or access to large amounts of data used in ultrasound system beam forming for image generation using a hierarchy of sequencers for controlling storage of and/or access to data. A frame sequencer may provide control at a frame level while an address sequencer is implemented to provide control at a data access level.