Abstract: Systems and methods for simultaneous acquisition of pulsed-wave Doppler and color Doppler for retrospective analysis of cardiovascular function are disclosed. In aspects, imaging techniques are used for acquisition of raw partly processed ultrasound data. The ultrasound data is stored in its raw form, synchronized with a simultaneously acquired physiological signal. The stored ultrasound data can then be accessed and processed according to pulsed-wave Doppler and color Doppler imaging techniques to provide both a full frame, or sequence of frames of color Doppler images and a post-acquisition pulsed-wave Doppler signal of a sample volume at one or more locations within the acquisition area using the color Doppler image. Such locations can be selected automatically or by a user, and a pulsed-wave spectrum for the selected location is displayed. As the user moves the sample volume around, the pulsed-wave spectral data is recomputed and redisplayed.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is configured to receive a set of ultrasound images of a target anatomical region. The set of ultrasound images is combined to create a composite tissue frame. The ultrasound imaging system determines whether an interventional instrument is present within the ultrasound images based on a set of trained classification algorithms based on the set of ultrasound images and the composite tissue frame. If an interventional instrument is detected, the ultrasound imaging system further determines whether an additional ultrasound frame should be captured to image the interventional instrument, and the steer angle to be used for the additional ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging system determines a linear structure corresponding to the interventional instrument, and creates a blended image showing the interventional instrument and the composite tissue frame.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system computes real time physiological parameters from measurements of anatomical features in ultrasound image data using a neural network to identify the location of the anatomical features. In one embodiment, cardiac parameters are computed from endocardial wall tracings in M-mode ultrasound image data that are identified by the neural network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for microvasculature imaging acquisition are disclosed. In aspects, a full frame corresponding to a field of view of an ultrasound scanner is divided into small portions, each of which is individually scanned for a desired period of time at a higher frame rate than the ultrasound scanner is capable of using to scan the full frame. These ultrasound data acquisition techniques enable super-resolution image processing or high-sensitivity microvascular-doppler image processing to be used to track low-intensity, slow-flow microvasculature of an anatomy of a subject.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an image processor configured to receive input data for capturing ultrasound images of a region of interest. The ultrasound images are taken along a first plane; and the input data further includes an indication that a needle will be inserted into the region of interest. The system can capture a plurality of ultrasound images of the region of interest along the first plane. The system can determine one or more high-confidence areas of the region of interest where the needle will intersect the first plane. Each high-confidence area is based on a probability that the needle will intersect the first plane at any portion of the high-confidence area; and display one or more on-screen markers corresponding to the one or more high-confidence areas in conjunction with the plurality of ultrasound images on the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for noise reduction in ultrasound images are described. These systems and methods include a noise-reduction system that provides a tensor-based approach that mitigates effects of noise processes on ultrasound images and produces “preprocessed” ultrasound images having consistent characteristics, which increases the accuracy and effectiveness of further processing (e.g., via detection and/or segmentation algorithms) of the ultrasound images. In aspects, these techniques enable neural networks, coupled to the noise-reduction system, to generate consistent inferences across different ultrasound images, thereby enhancing a workflow and user experience of an ultrasound operator. Using these techniques further enables the neural networks to be trained with fewer training images, saving time and monetary costs without sacrificing accuracy.

Abstract: Planar phased ultrasound transducer including a first layer including a sheet of piezoelectric material, a piezo frame surrounding an outer perimeter of the sheet of piezoelectric material, and an epoxy material placed between the piezo frame and the sheet of piezoelectric material. The transducer includes a flex frame secured to a back side of the first layer.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system computes real time physiological parameters from measurements of anatomical features in ultrasound image data using a neural network to identify the location of the anatomical features. In one embodiment, cardiac parameters are computed from endocardial wall tracings in M-mode ultrasound image data that are identified by the neural network.

Abstract: Systems and methods for an ultrasound scanner with an impact-resistance system are described. In some implementations, the impact-resistance system reduces acceleration components associated with an impact force applied to an enclosure of the ultrasound scanner or directly to an acoustic lens of a transducer array of the ultrasound scanner. The impact-resistance system distributes the acceleration components from the transducer array to the enclosure via couplings with soft and elastic materials. Some of the couplings may be located between the enclosure and elongated members embedded in backing material of the transducer array. Some of the couplings may be located between the enclosure and a flange that extends from the acoustic lens into a channel in the enclosure. Implementing the impact-resistance system described herein improves reliability of the transducer array without sacrificing performance or usability, particularly for ultraportable scanners.

Abstract: The disclosed technology features methods for the manufacture of electrical components such as ultrasound transducers. In particular, the disclosed technology provides methods of patterning electrodes, e.g. in the connection of an ultrasound transducer to an electrical circuit; methods of depositing metal on surfaces; and methods of making integrated matching layers for an ultrasound transducer. The disclosed technology also features ultrasound transducers produced by the methods described herein.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an image processor configured to receive input data for capturing ultrasound images of a region of interest. The ultrasound images are taken along a first plane; and the input data further includes an indication that a needle will be inserted into the region of interest. The system can capture a plurality of ultrasound images of the region of interest along the first plane. The system can determine one or more high-confidence areas of the region of interest where the needle will intersect the first plane. Each high-confidence area is based on a probability that the needle will intersect the first plane at any portion of the high-confidence area; and display one or more on-screen markers corresponding to the one or more high-confidence areas in conjunction with the plurality of ultrasound images on the display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a multi-layer flexible array interconnect for an ultrasound transducer, and methods of manufacture are disclosed. The systems and methods described herein provide consistent and controllable alignment between the odd and even flex layers. Further, ground layers are added between the signal layers to improve crosstalk performance while simplifying the construction. In some implementations, vias are introduced at the interface of an electromechanical-array element (e.g., lead zirconate titanate (PZT) element) to increase the surface area of conductive material and thereby increase the quality of the electrical and physical connections. In addition, a machining alignment and verification aid is provided through strategic use of unused and discarded board area to enable (i) alignment check of the flex circuit with the machining equipment and (ii) adjustment of the flex circuit position relative to the machining equipment to avoid the flex circuit being machined to an unusable state.

Abstract: Systems and methods for anatomy-directed ultrasound are described. In some implementations, an anatomy-directed ultrasound system generates ultrasound data from an ultrasound scan of an anatomy, which is a bodily structure of an organism (e.g., human or animal). The system identifies organs represented in the ultrasound data and information associated with the organs including position and type of organ. Using this information, the system obtains or generates new ultrasound data that includes a region in which an item of interest is likely to be located. For example, the system can crop the original ultrasound data, refocus the ultrasound scan (e.g., by adjusting imaging parameters) to image the region that is likely to include the item of interest, or generate a weight map indicating the region. The anatomy-directed ultrasound system can increase accuracy and reduce the number of false positives in comparison to the number detected by conventional ultrasound systems.

Abstract: The disclosed technology features methods for the manufacture of electrical components such as ultrasound transducers. In particular, the disclosed technology provides methods of patterning electrodes, e.g. in the connection of an ultrasound transducer to an electrical circuit; methods of depositing metal on surfaces; and methods of making integrated matching layers for an ultrasound transducer. The disclosed technology also features ultrasound transducers produced by the methods described herein.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is configured to receive a set of ultrasound images of a target anatomical region. The set of ultrasound images is combined to create a composite tissue frame. The ultrasound imaging system determines whether an interventional instrument is present within the ultrasound images based on a set of trained classification algorithms based on the set of ultrasound images and the composite tissue frame. If an interventional instrument is detected, the ultrasound imaging system further determines whether an additional ultrasound frame should be captured to image the interventional instrument, and the steer angle to be used for the additional ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging system determines a linear structure corresponding to the interventional instrument, and creates a blended image showing the interventional instrument and the composite tissue frame.

Abstract: Methods for fabricating high frequency ultrasound transducers are disclosed. The methods include fabricating an acoustic lens layer with a curved center section and two flat side sections. The curved section includes a center portion with a midpoint and an edge. The midpoint has a first thickness, and the edge has a second thickness. The center portion is fabricated so that an average of the first and second thicknesses is approximately equal to an odd multiple of a quarter-wavelength of the center frequency of the ultrasound transducer. The methods can also include bonding the lens layer to a matching layer that is operationally coupled to a transducer layer. The matching layer can include an epoxy layer and another layer. Bonding the lens layer includes bonding the other layer to the lens layer using the epoxy layer such that the other layer is positioned between the epoxy layer and the transducer layer.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is configured to receive a set of ultrasound images of a target anatomical region. The set of ultrasound images is combined to create a composite tissue frame. The ultrasound imaging system determines whether an interventional instrument is present within the ultrasound images based on a set of trained classification algorithms based on the set of ultrasound images and the composite tissue frame. If an interventional instrument is detected, the ultrasound imaging system further determines whether an additional ultrasound frame should be captured to image the interventional instrument, and the steer angle to be used for the additional ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging system determines a linear structure corresponding to the interventional instrument, and creates a blended image showing the interventional instrument and the composite tissue frame.

Abstract: Planar phased ultrasound transducer including a first layer including a sheet of piezoelectric material, a piezo frame surrounding an outer perimeter of the sheet of piezoelectric material, and an epoxy material placed between the piezo frame and the sheet of piezoelectric material. The transducer includes a flex frame secured to a back side of the first layer.

Abstract: The disclosed technology features methods for the manufacture of electrical components such as ultrasound transducers. In particular, the disclosed technology provides methods of creating an ultrasonic transducer by connecting one or more multi-layer printed circuits to an array of ultrasound transducer elements. In one embodiment, the printed circuits have traces in a single layer that are spaced by a distance that is greater than a pitch of the transducer elements to which the multi-layer printed circuit is to be connected. However the traces from all the layers in the multi-layer printed circuit are interleaved to have a pitch that is equal to the pitch of the transducer elements. The disclosed technology also features ultrasound transducers produced by the methods described herein.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing ultrasound images are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, ultrasound image data are acquired in discrete time increments at one or more positions relative to a subject. Control points are added by a user for two or more image frames and a processor interpolates the location of the control points for image frames obtained at in-between times.