Abstract: Harmonic imaging using harmonic Golay-coded excitation that encodes the fundamental and second harmonic signals utilizes the transmit sequences encoded using QPSK implemented as quarter-cycle circular rotations or shifts of the base pulse. This is implemented by time shifting the chips of the transmit sequence encoded with a “j” or “−j” code symbol by ¼ fractional cycle at center frequency relative to the chips encoded with a “1” or “−1” code symbol. A different QPSK transmit code is used for each of four transmits A, B, C and D. The transmit codes are selected such that (A-B) and (C-D) are encoded by Y and −X, respectively, while (A2-B2) and (C2-D2) are encoded by X and Y, respectively, where X and Y form a Golay code pair. The coding and decoding technique achieves fundamental suppression and second harmonic compression for a given Golay code pair X and Y.

Abstract: A sub-beamforming method and apparatus are applied to a portable, one-dimensional ultrasonic imaging system. The sub-beamforming circuitry may be included in the probe s assembly housing the ultrasonic transducer, thus minimizing the number of signals that are communicated between the probe assembly and the portable processor included in the imaging system. Including the sub-beamformer in the probe assembly also relieves the portable processor of some of the signal processing tasks. The sub-beamforming apparatus may be implemented digitally or may be implemented using analog components.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound system is provided which is portable and capable of being carried by a built in handle from location to location by single person. The system is provided in a package which is both light and compact. Further, a medical diagnostic ultrasound system is provide in which the circuitry of the ultrasound system is distributed among several circuit boards which are interconnected directly with one another without the use of a backplane or motherboard.

Abstract: A system and a method for guiding and helping an ultrasound scanner user to acquire the correct projection/cut-plane when acquiring images of a physiological structure for comparison with previously acquired images. The ultrasound scanner screen area is divided in two parts, where one part is showing a reference image loop and the other part is showing the live image loop. The correct reference image loop is automatically retrieved from the image frame memory based on which cell in the stress protocol is active. The reference image loop is cycled with a speed which is automatically set by the software based on the current heart rate given by the live ECG acquisition. The display of the reference loop is “reset” (starting from the first image in the loop) at QRS trigger detection from the live ECG signal.

Abstract: A system records use of a structure deployed in operative association with heart tissue in a patient. An image controller generates an image of the structure while in use in the patient. An input receives data including information identifying the patient. An output processes the image in association with the data as a patient-specific, data base record for storage, retrieval, or manipulation.

Abstract: A needle guidance device for use with an ultrasound transducer is made up of a frame for housing the transducer, a needle guide unit which has a sleeve in line with an ultrasound beam and two arms which affix the frame to the needle guide unit.

Abstract: A system for assisting surgeons in performing cryosurgery of the prostate by calculating optimal positions for cryoprobes and providing display based templates for overlay over an ultrasound image display, and displaying actual cryoprobes ultrasound images together with template images so that the surgeon may compare suggested and actual placement of the cryoprobes, and adjust placement accordingly.

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: An optimized pulse waveform is used to excite contrast microbubbles such that the subharmonic signal may be easily isolated for imaging. By reducing the contribution of transmitted fundamental frequency f0 within the subharmonic band, the subharmonic imaging quality is improved. This is accomplished by transmitting an optimized pulse waveform and then filtering the received signal to isolate the subharmonic signal for imaging. The optimized pulse waveform has low spectral energy within a band of frequencies centered at f0/2 and high spectral energy within another band of frequencies centered at f0, where both bands are within the transducer passband. The contrast-generated subharmonic signal is extracted by a receive filter centered at f0/2.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer having an acoustic backing layer made of an aerogel material is disclosed. The ultrasound transducer comprises an acoustic element for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves. An aerogel acoustic backing layer is bonded to the back side of the acoustic element. A matching layer may be attached to the front side of the acoustic element. The ultrasound transducer may be electrically connected using electrodes directly connected to the acoustic element. Alternatively, the aerogel acoustic backing may be coated with a metalized layer or doped so that it is electrically conductive. Then, the electrodes may be connected directly to the aerogel acoustic backing.

Abstract: A method and system is provided for delivering drugs carried by microspheres. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system destroys microspheres in a specific localized area or at a specific time. A region of interest that is a subset of an imaged area is identified for destroying drug-carrying microspheres. The transmit beamformer is configured to transmit acoustic energy for destroying microspheres within that area while minimizing the destruction of microspheres outside of the region of interest. A multidimensional transducer array may provide focusing in three-dimensions for accurately destroying microspheres in the specific region while minimizing the destruction of microspheres outside that region. A trigger responsive to a heart or breathing cycle may control when microspheres are destroyed, providing delivery of drugs at the most opportune time in the cycle.

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: A scan converter using a re-programmable logic device provides flexibility for converting data from an acoustic grid to a display format. A set of instruction codes is provided for implementing the flexibility. By changing the instruction codes, the scan conversion process changes. A single memory stores the incoming data where read and write operations are performed sequentially. The same memory may be used for storing the scan converted data. A field programmable gate array is preferably used to scan convert the data and is programmed differently for different modes of operation.

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: A method of assessment of bone conditions comprises acquiring of unilateral sequential ultrasonic measurements along the trajectory over the surface of an examined bone. The method utilizes measurements of a set of ultrasonic parameters from a plurality of ultrasonic transfucers moved along the tested bone surface. Measured parameters are displayed as profile graphs characterizing bone conditions. The set of measured and displayed ultrasonic parameters can include: velocity of a longitudinal wave; velocity of a flexural wave; attenuation of the longitudinal wave; attenuation of the flexural wave; frequency slope of attenuation of the longitudinal wave; frequency slope of attenuation of the flexural wave; changes of spectral characteristics of propagating the longitudinal wave; and changes of spectral characteristics of propagating the flexural wave.

Abstract: The present invention provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and an ultrasonic image processing apparatus in which a three-dimensional region of interest (ROI) is clearly displayed by using a two-dimensional image while taking an advantage of a system for acquiring and displaying image data in a three-dimensional manner, and further, a three-dimensional position is set simply. This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a 2D array probe for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave for a diagnosis site of a patient's body in a three-dimensional manner, thereby obtaining a receiving signal; a apparatus main body for generating a three-dimensional image of a diagnosis site based on the thus obtained receiving signal; and a monitor for displaying a three-dimensional image thereof.

Abstract: An ultrasound system produces an image including a blood vessel. A blood flow direction indicator is displayed over the blood vessel to indicate the direction of blood flow within the vessel. The direction of blood flow is used to correct the Doppler estimate for angle of insonation. The orientation of the blood flow direction indicator is set automatically by a vector processor. The automatically calculated angle is used to display the correct flow velocity without user intervention.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for automatically maintaining the range gate inside a moving blood vessel during ultrasound imaging. The range gate can be maintained at the vessel center, or at a certain distance from one of the vessel boundaries, or at a certain ratio of the respective distances from the two boundaries. The user first places the range gate on the blood flow being examined. An algorithm processes each successive image frame and automatically updates the information about vessel boundary positions and the vessel orientation angle in the vicinity of the range gate. If the range gate position relative to the vessel boundaries is different than that in the previous frame by more than a predetermined amount, the position of the range gate graphic and the orientation of the vessel slope cursor (and the Doppler angle) are automatically adjusted to the new values.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system is provided along with a method for spatially compounding a plurality of ultrasound images in an elevation dimension. The ultrasound imaging system and method reduce image speckle. The ultrasound imaging system may include a transducer in electrical communication with an ultrasound system controller configured to generate, transmit, and receive a series of ultrasound energy pulses. The ultrasound system controller is further configured to recover image information using beamforming techniques from steered or focused ultrasound imaging planes prior to spatial compounding of a plurality of image frames. The present invention may also be broadly viewed as providing a method for ultrasound imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ovum retrieval device for retrieving an ovum and follicular fluid from a follicle. The device comprises a housing having a first end wall and a second end, the housing defining a chamber, a movable support arrangement arranged within the chamber, and a needle extending through the first end wall. The needle has a sharpened proximal end disposed within the chamber and a second sharpened distalmost end. A trigger mechanism is connected to the movable support arrangement, and at least one vacuum cartridge is arranged on the support arrangement. Displacement of the support arrangement effects mating of the cartridge and the proximal end of the needle to cause a suction at the second end of the needle to permit an ovum to be withdrawn from a follicle and suctioned into the cartridge prior to further treatment thereof.