Abstract: A method for detection of ultrasound contrast agent in soft tissue according to the present invention includes utilizing an ultrasound transmit beam former and transducer array assembly for transmitting directive, focussed ultrasound pressure pulses with steerable transmit amplitude, transmit aperture, transmit focus, and transmit direction, and with temporal frequency components within a limited band B centered at a frequency f0, towards a region of soft tissue that contains ultrasound contrast agent bubbles. The transmit pulse parameters are arranged, preferably using multiple transmit pulses, so that the incident pressure pulse that is utilized for imaging of the contrast agent for a particular depth, has minimal variation over the actual image range.

Abstract: An ultrasound inspection apparatus detachably connected to an endoscope comprises an ultrasonic scanning portion in the front-end side having an ultrasound transducer for performing ultrasonic scanning by arranging a number of transducer chips in a rectangular arrangement. The ultrasonic scanning portion is detachably attached to a distal end portion of an insertion unit in the endoscope so as to protrude ahead the distal end portion by a predetermined length. In order to hold the ultrasonic scanning portion in a fixed state, an endoscope-placing portion for placing the distal end portion is connected to the base end of the ultrasonic scanning portion, and an endoscope-fixing portion for detachably fixing the distal end portion thereto is arranged with the endoscope-placing portion. A predetermined number of wires connected to each transducer chip is inserted into a signal cable from a base end position of the endoscope-placing portion so as to bundle the wires.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus, a first transmission signal including both of two fundamentals of frequencies f0 and 2f0 is transmitted, and then a second transmission signal having a polarity reverse that of the first transmission signal is transmitted. A receiving beam processor 22 generates a signal in which the echoes of the two transmission signals are added, and a signal in which the echoes are subtracted. The fundamental components are canceled out by addition and a secondary harmonic component A2 generated by the non-linear interaction remains in the sum signal. In the subtraction signal, the fundamental component remains while the secondary harmonic component is canceled out by subtraction. The fundamental component AII of the frequency 2f0 is extracted from the subtraction signal, and a ratio (A2/AII) is calculated by a divider 44. A differentiating process is then executed by an HPF 46 to obtain the evaluation value reflecting the non-linear parameter at each depth of the body.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention comprises an ultrasonic probe, a transmitting/receiving unit for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave to and from a subject via an ultrasonic probe, an image generating unit for generating an ultrasonic image based on a signal obtained from the transmitted and received waves, an input means for selecting a desired measuring item and desired calculating item from a plurality of measuring items and calculating items, a measurement processor for performing measurement processing on the measuring item and measuring item necessary to calculation processing on the calculating item with the use of the ultrasonic image and performing calculation processing on the selected calculating item from the measured value of the measuring item necessary to the calculation processing on the selected calculating item, and a measurement managing processor for specifying a measuring item in a not-yet-measured state in the selected measuring item and mea

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasound apparatus is provided for obtaining an image of an object into which an ultrasound contrast agent is injected. The apparatus has a transducer 1 for transmitting and receiving an ultrasound wave to and from the object and transmitting means (2, 81, 83) transmitting an ultrasound pulse into the object by driving the transducer under a first transmitting condition exerting a given destruction capability on the ultrasound contrast agent and a second transmitting condition having a destruction capability lower than that of the first condition. First image producing (3, 5) receive an ultrasound echo of the ultrasound pulse transmitted under the first transmitting condition and produce a first color-displayed image based on phase displacement information about the ultrasound echo. Additionally, second image producing means (3, 4) receive an ultrasound echo of the transmitted ultrasound pulse and produce a second image based on amplitude information about the ultrasound echo.

Abstract: An acoustoelectronic method and apparatus for generating real-time three-dimensional images of an object and characterizing such object are provided. The object is insonified with an incident acoustic signal derived from an electrical signal. Acoustic signals scattered from the object are collected by an acoustic receiver, which generates analog electrical signals that are subsequently converted to digital electronic signals. The digital electronic signals are used in both direct-imaging and holographic methods to produce a three-dimensional representation of the object from which images and characterizations can be generated.

Abstract: An apparatus for sonographically observing a location and condition of the body. The apparatus has a pump assembly and a catheter assembly fluidly coupled to the pump assembly. The pump assembly includes a first pump for pumping a solution of sterile saline into the catheter assembly and a second pump for pumping micro-filtered air into the catheter assembly. The catheter assembly injects the solution of sterile saline and the sterile saline mixed with micro-filtered air into a location of a body. Further, a method for sonographically observing a location and condition of a body using the above apparatus.

Abstract: A process for selective graphic representation and/or evaluation of the Doppler spectrum of objects limitedly resistant to sonic intensity, for example biological organs and tissues, by an ultrasonic process wherein an examination area is acoustically irradiated, nonlinear oscillations are produced in the examination area by irradiated ultrasonic waves and the signal is evaluated by an ultrasonic converter. Also, a circuit for carrying out the above process is disclosed.

Abstract: A vascular catheter system comprises a catheter body having a proximal and distal portion and a single common lumen therebetween. The catheter body includes a first connector secured to the distal end of the proximal portion and a second connector secured to the proximal end of the distal portion. The connectors can be selectively connected to each other to join the lumens of the proximal and distal portions together in a continuous, axially fixed relationship. Disposed within the lumens, when the proximal and distal portions are joined together, is a drive cable. The drive cable may be movably, rotatable about its own longitudinal axis and carries at its distal end, a work element, which is typically an ultrasonic imaging transducer or interventional device. The lumen carrying the cable will be sufficiently large along a proximal portion to permit preferential collapse of the cable should rotation of the distal end become impeded.

Abstract: A method and system for mapping surface data onto a geometrical representation of a structure for 3D imaging is provided. A boundary of a structure is determined from one type of data, such as Doppler energy data. Another type of data, such as B-mode data, representing the boundary or an area adjacent the boundary is extracted or identified. The B-mode data is then rendered as a function of the boundary, such as by texture mapping the B-mode data onto or adjacent the boundary. As the user examines the structure representation, the texture mapped data may provide texture details based on an optimally determined representation. The boundary may alternatively be used to select data for volume rendering.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method for transferring ultrasound examination data to a portable computing device. In one preferred embodiment, ultrasound examination data is transferred from a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system to a portable computing device, such as a personal digital assistant. The ultrasound examination data can be viewed on the portable computing device or further transferred to a review station or another portable computing device for review. In some preferred embodiments, the examination data is converted from a form readable by the ultrasound system to a form readable by the portable computing device or review station. The ultrasound examination data can be transferred using a wired connection or using wireless technology, such an infrared communications link. The preferred embodiments can also be used with other medical acquisition devices and medical examination data.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for the intravascular placement of a vena cava filter includes an outer sheath, an intravascular ultrasound catheter with an ultrasonic imaging element, a guide wire, and the vena cava filter that is to be deployed. The outer sheath, ultrasound catheter, and guide wire share a common central axis. The ultrasound catheter is enclosed by and is moveable relative to the outer sheath, and the guide wire is enclosed by and is moveable relative to the ultrasound catheter. In the stored position, the filter is secured between the outer sheath and the ultrasound catheter. When the apparatus is introduced into a vein, the ultrasound catheter provides real-time imaging of the vein for identifying the appropriate location for placement of the filter. Once such a location has been identified, the outer sheath is drawn back relative to the ultrasound catheter, exposing the legs of the filter, allowing the legs of the filter to spring free and attach themselves to the wall of the vein.

Abstract: A peripheral ultrasound imaging system for connection to a personal computing device or a computer network which enables real time ultrasound imaging without additional modules and without the need to modify, augment or replace the existing central processing unit. The peripheral ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound probe, an electronic apparatus capable of sending and receiving signals to and from the ultrasound probe, a hardware link connecting the electronic apparatus to a personal computer or computer network, and a software program for controlling the ultrasound probe, the electronic apparatus, and the hardware link. The ultrasound probe is connected to the electronic apparatus and the electronic apparatus is in turn connected to a personal computing device or a computer network.

Abstract: An improved method for suppressing fundamental or desired harmonic orders in an ultrasonic medical imaging system transmits at least one reverberation-suppression pulse prior to the transmission of a multiple-pulse sequence. Receive signals associated with the pulses of the multiple-pulse sequence are acquired and combined using receive weights selected to suppress energy at either the fundamental or a desired harmonic of the fundamental.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for imaging the coronary arteries of the heart. The vascular system is infused with an ultrasonic contrast agent. A volumetric region of the heart wall including a coronary artery is three dimensionally scanned. A projection image of the volumetric region is produced from the scanning, providing a two dimensional contrast image of the coronary artery with the appearance of an angiogram. Preferably the coronary artery signals are segmented from contrast signals emanating from the myocardium and the heart blood pool so that the coronary arteries are clearly highlighted and distinct in the ultrasonic angiogram.

Abstract: An ultrasound array imaging system (50) and method for improving beamforming quality and ultimately for improving an ultrasound image are disclosed. The ultrasound array imaging system (50) includes a transducer (52), a first beamformer (54), a second beamformer (56) and a comparator (58). The first beamformer (44) receives a first electronic echo signal from the transducer (52) and produces a first apodized beam signal in accordance with a first beamforming apodization function. The second beamformer (56) receives the same electronic echo signal from the transducer (52) and produces a second apodized beam signal in accordance with a second beamforming apodization function. The first and second apodized beam signals are compared in the comparator (58) which then combines the first and second apodized beam signals to create a combined apodized beam signal for producing an image that has its lateral and contrast resolution simultaneously optimized.

Abstract: The invention concerns an ultrasonic signal processing method and system for constructing and displaying a composite image sequence wherein an image includes at least an ultrasonic grayscale 2-D image (A), representing a cross-section of an artery having a longitudinal axis (X) perpendicular to the grayscale image lines (Z), and a dilation curve image (B) of the artery along a grayscale image line coupled to the grayscale image (A). A movable pattern (AP) on the grayscale image (A) indicates a grayscale image line, so as to automatically generate the construction of the image (B) of the coupled dilation curve (&Dgr;(X,n)).

Abstract: In ultrasound diagnosis, a contrast echo technique on three-dimensional scanning is used with a contrast agent injected into an object. Before injecting the contrast agent and under the injection thereof, a blood vessel is continuously and securely targeted and depicted in displayed images. To realize this, a diagnostic ultrasound apparatus has means for acquiring an echo signal by scanning a three-dimensional region of an object with an ultrasound beam, means for producing three-dimensional image data based on the echo signal, means for displaying the three-dimensional image data, means for specifying, for example, from the echo signal, a timing at which injecting an ultrasound contrast agent into a region to be scanned of the object is started, and means for switching over at the specified timing display states of the three-dimensional image data to be displayed by the displaying means.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic imaging system generates a compounded beam signal C by combining first and second beam signals B1, B2 subsequent to detection and a synthesized beam signal S by combining the first and second beam signals B1, B2 prior to detection. The compounded signal C and the synthesized signal S are then adaptively weighted in response to a selection signal and combined to form an image signal. In this way, the compounded signal C is made to dominate in regions of the image that benefit from increased contrast resolution and the synthesized signal S is made to dominate in regions of the same image that benefit from increased detail resolution.

Abstract: A three-state, pulse width modulated, bipolar waveform is constructed by summing a first component with an inverted, time-shifted version of the first component. By properly selecting the time interval for the time shift of the second component, frequency filtering benefits can be obtained. The three-state waveform is generated by a switched voltage source that provides a low, constant source impedance for all three voltage states.