Abstract: Computed tomography (CT) data (28) is collected for a plurality of slices by a CT scanner (10). At least a portion of the CT data is reconstructed (32) to form a volume image (34) defined by a plurality of two-dimensional image slices. At least one starting point is identified (72) within a blood vessel imaged in the three-dimensional image volume (34). The blood vessel is recursively tracked (70) to form a blood vessel representation (92).

Abstract: Three dimensional ultrasonic images are formed by volume rendering using a 3D ultrasonic image data set. The data set may be acquired by rocking, sweeping, fanning or rotating a 2D image plane through the volume being scanned, or by steering beams in different angular directions from a two dimensional array of transducer elements. The polar data is volume rendered to form a 3D image by means of projected raylines which are warped to account for the angular geometry of the acquisition.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in an ultrasonic imaging system adapted for generating synthetic focus images in real-time. The apparatus employs an integrated circuit architecture which is scalable and can be employed to construct real-time synthetic focus ultrasonic imaging systems having a large number of transducer array elements. The apparatus utilizes one field programmable gate array per image channel for data storage and sub-image generation. Each field programmable gate array includes on-chip block memories to store digitized ultrasonic signal return echo data and at least one block memory used to store data associated with each ultrasonic transmitter-receiver array pair. Logic inside the field programmable gate array calculates memory addresses during image generation to generate a time-of-flight surface and to form sub-images.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for localizing an ultrasound imaging transducer. The ultrasound imaging transducer is operated in a first resonant mode to transmit an ultrasound imaging signal. Image data is generated based on this transmitted ultrasound imaging signal. The ultrasound imaging transducer is also operated in a second resonant mode to transmit or receive an ultrasound positioning signal. The position of the imaging transducer can then be determined based on the transmitted or received ultrasound positioning signal.

Abstract: Adhesive hydrogel films as ultrasound couplants wherein such hydrogels are adhesive on both sides for adhering to an ultrasound probe and to a protective sleeve or probe cover which facilitates acoustic coupling between an object such as between the human body and the active area of an ultrasound probe, thereby eliminating the requirement for coupling gels and fluids within the sleeve or cover.

Abstract: An adaptive multidimensional beamformer having near-instantaneous convergence for ultrasound imaging systems deploying multidimensional sensor arrays is disclosed. In a first step, the multidimensional beamformer is decomposed into sub-apertures. Each sub-aperture is then again decomposed into two coherent subsets of circular and/or line array beamformers in different coordinate directions of the multidimensional array. Implementation of the multidimensional beamformer according to the present invention provides the basis for a 3D ultrasound imaging system according to the present invention comprising a compact multidimensional sensor array and a compact processing unit that is field deployable and generates high resolution three-dimensional images in real time. It is also possible to capture four-dimensional images, the fourth dimension being time and the resulting images forming a video image of a volume of a moving organ.

Abstract: A device for use in placing a non-sterile sensor probe such as an ultrasound scanning transducer in a desired position within a patient. A flexible probe-receiving tube has a closed distal end so that a probe inserted within the tube through an open end located outside the patient is isolated from contact with the interior of the patient's body. The probe-receiving tube is attached to and extends alongside a chest drain tube which supports the probe-receiving tube in a location proximate an organ to be observed. An attached sterile sensor may be attached directly to an interior blood vessel, and sensors such as an ultrasonic sensor, a light emitting sensor, or a multi-function combination sensor may be used in the probe-receiving tube.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system with a patient support surface. In one preferred embodiment, a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system is provided that is integrated with a base coupled with a patient support surface. In another preferred embodiment, a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system is carried by a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system cart that is detachably coupled with a base coupled with a patient support surface. In yet another preferred embodiment, a first medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system assembly is provided that is integrated with a base coupled with a patient support surface. A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system cart is also provided that carries a second medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system assembly and is detachably and electrically coupled with the base.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a region of interest indictor is positioned over a first portion of an ultrasound image, and the first portion and at least some other portion of the ultrasound image are saved in a post-scan-converted format. The stored ultrasound image is played, and a region of interest indicator is positioned over a second portion of the played ultrasound image. In another embodiment, an ultrasound image is stored in a post-scan-converted format. The ultrasound image is played, and a region of interest indicator is positioned over a portion of the ultrasound image. In yet another embodiment, a user requests storage of a multi-frame ultrasound image for a first length of time. The ultrasound system instead stores the multi-frame ultrasound image for a second length of time, which is longer than the first length of time.

Abstract: A computer assisted surgery system is described for assisting a surgeon in aligning a drill with the interlocking holes of an implanted intramedullary (IM) rod used for fixation of long bone fractures. With the IM rod inserted, a localizing device measures the pose of a tracked adapter attached to the rod's exposed end. Approximate AP and lateral fluoroscopic x-ray images are acquired of the end of the rod with the interlocking holes. Image processing algorithms determine the actual position of the rod and calculate an adjustment to the pose of the tracked adapter and IM rod. Using the adjusted pose information, the system displays, in three roughly orthogonal views, a representation of the drill trajectory relative to the images of the IM rod and relative to a graphic representation of the IM rod.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging technique and apparatus with a portable scanning head. In one form of the scanning head, a reflective scanner is provided with a variable focus, and in another form the scanning head has several reflective facts of respectively different focal lengths.

Abstract: For the purpose of reducing the numbers of members and molds to reduce the cost of manufacture, and improving grippability in an ultrasonic probe, a fixing member 6 fitted with an ultrasonic element 3, a broad cable 4, a connector 5, and a connection cable 2 is inserted into a mold, and an ultrasonic lens portion 11, a case 12, and a bushing portion 13 are integrally molded by insert molding. Since an ultrasonic probe 10 is made using a single mold, the number of members is reduced, the number of assembly steps is reduced, and reduction in the cost of manufacture can thus be achieved.

Abstract: An ultrasound cavital probe suitable for transrectal or other usage, includes an ultrasound probe, having an outer housing, a pair of motors within one end of the housing, a first shaft operatively associated with one of the motors to provide longitudinal movement to the ultrasound transducer, while a second shaft operatively associated with the second motor, and which extends through the hollow interior of the first said shaft, provides for pivotal or rotary movement to the ultrasound transducer and probe, to furnish a 2-dimensional view of the surrounding anatomy, and which in combination with the movement from the first shaft, furnishes a 3-dimensional volumetric scan of the surrounding anatomy, along with facilitating the image plane movements normally obtained by a standard probe while used in a stepping device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, a transmitter for transmitting an ultrasonic wave pulse having peaks at fundamental frequencys, and a receiver for receiving an echo signal corresponding to the ultrasonic wave pulse. The echo signal contains a difference frequency component as well as a fundamental frequency component centered on a fundamental frequency. A difference frequency component is extracted by attenuating the fundamental frequency component of the echo signal. Ultrasonic image data is generated on the basis of the extracted difference frequency component.

Abstract: Systems and/or methods provide for ultrasound imaging through the use of a dynamic nonlinear post-beamforming filter (e.g., based on a pth-order Volterra model) capable of separating the linear and nonlinear components of image data. A coefficient identification algorithm for deriving coefficients for filter is also provided.

Abstract: A method of imaging a site of interest in a body using an ultrasound probe comprising a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements comprises obtaining an ultrasound image of a pass zone between the ultrasound probe and the site of interest. The image includes the site of interest and a plurality of tissue regions in a pass zone between the site of interest and the ultrasound probe. Boundaries of a selected tissue region in the pass zone are determined from the image. Focusing delay times are then computed for each ultrasound transducer element based in part on the speed of sound in the selected tissue region other than an average speed of sound in body tissue, and the boundaries of the selected tissue region. Preferably, a speed about the speed of sound in the selected tissue region is used and more preferably the speed of sound in the selected tissue region is used. Refraction may be considered, as well. Ultrasound imaging of the site of interest is then conducted employing the computed delay times.

Abstract: An ultrasound system for assessment of distance between an area of interest and a known location of a non-bone canal for use in drilling in an implant receiving cavity in the alveolar bone of a human subject's posterior mandible or posterior maxilla. The system comprises an ultrasound probe capable of being introduced at the area of interest and transceiving pulse echo ultrasound signal to the alveolar bone and therefrom and an electronic circuitry for processing the ultrasound signal and providing an indication of the remaining alveolar bone distance between said ultrasound probe and a canal within the alveolar bone.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe is placed on the head of a patient, and is used to generate an ultrasound pulse which propagates through the skull and brain of the patient, and is reflected off of the skull and soft tissue lying in a path perpendicular to the ultrasound probe. A portion of a generated Echo EG signal is then selected, and the Echo EG signal is integrated over the selected portion to generate an echo pulsograph (EPG) signal. Using an ECG signal as a reference, the EPG signal is used to provide information regarding the physiological state of the tissue at a depth from the ultrasound probe corresponding to the selected portion of the Echo EG signal.

Abstract: A connector assembly connects an ultrasound transducer to an ultrasound catheter that has an ultrasound transmission member extending longitudinally therethrough. The connector assembly has an ultrasound transducer having a transducer housing, and an extension having a proximal end attached to the distal end of the transducer housing. The connector assembly also includes a ring assembly having an inner ring and an outer ring that is received inside the bore of the outer ring. The connector assembly also includes a catheter knob having a proximal end that is removably coupled to the extension. The inner ring is moved from a non-supporting position with the extension positioned inside the bore of the inner ring, to a supporting position with the catheter knob positioned inside the bore of the inner ring.

Abstract: Aberrations in ultrasound imaging are modeled as a linear filter bank. The response of each linear filter is determined through blind system identification and is used to correct the aberration by applying a predistortion to the transmit signals and a compensation to the receive signals. To reduce computation, the blind system identification can be done through multiple levels. In a two-level implementation, the transducers in the array are grouped into subapertures. The blind system identification is applied in each of the subapertures to obtain the first-level response to each element. Using these responses, a common input is found for each subaperture, and blind system identification is applied to find the second-level responses. From the first-level and second-level responses, the response at each filter in the bank is determined.