Abstract: The present invention relates to medical devices; in particular, the present invention provides devices and methods for sensing thickness of cardiac tissue and the like so that medical procedures may be efficiently performed through and/or upon a discrete location having suitable tissue thickness. The invention includes an elongated resilient dilator apparatus having an ultrasound transceiver coupled thereto. When the ultrasound transceiver is disposed proximate a region of relatively thin tissue, such as a latent Fossa Ovalis valve, a clinician receives a signal. The clinician may then proceed with enhanced confidence to pierce the relatively thin tissue. Thus, in the case of a transseptal procedure, the clinician gains access to the left atrial chamber from the right atrial chamber.

Abstract: A bone densitometer accepts inputs of non-bone density patient information to provide a measure of absolute fracture risk to provide a more accurate and personal assessment of osteoporosis. A simple graphical output compares this risk to standard populations.

Abstract: An apparatus includes an ultrasound imaging unit integrated into a patient monitoring system continuously generating ultrasound images from a patient and continuously extracting therefrom diagnostic data.

Abstract: An ultrasound transmitter and/or receiver/transceiver system includes an ultrasound transducer, an ultrasound waveguide and a jacket, where said ultrasound waveguide is positioned within the jacket, the ultrasound transducer is located at one end of the ultrasound waveguide and at said end of the ultrasound waveguide, the ultrasound transducer can transfer ultrasound waves to, and receive them from, the ultrasound waveguide. An impedance step is provided between the ultrasound transducer and the area of the jacket facing away from the ultrasound transducer. In this fashion, when the ultrasound transmitter and/or receiver system per the invention is installed for instance in the measuring tube of a measuring device, undesirable cross coupling and crosstalk can be sharply reduced.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is provided with cordless scanheads which wirelessly transmit ultrasonic image signals to the imaging system. The cordless scanheads are battery powered by rechargeable batteries which are recharged by the ultrasound system when the scanheads are not in use. In preferred embodiments the charging system is protected from contaminants such as ultrasonic gel.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging data is collected at an adjustable collection image frame rate. Echoes produced from transmission of ultrasound energy into a subject's body are processed by an image frame acquisition device to produce a series of image frames. Each image frame comprises data representing an image of a portion of the subject's body at a given time. The image frames include collection image frames and interrogation image frames. The interrogation image frames are for sampling the subject's body between collection of at least some collection image frames. The difference between the current image frame and at least one preceding image frame is determined and a frame correlation coefficient is output based upon the difference. The collection image frame rate of the image frame acquisition device is adjusted in inverse proportion to the most recent frame correlation coefficient.

Abstract: A transducer array and method for medical imaging which produces an ultrasound beam upon excitation, the transducer array including a plurality of transducer elements, each of said transducer elements having a first surface facing a region of examination when the transducer is in use and a second surface opposite of the first surface wherein the second surface faces away from the region of examination when the transducer is in use, said second surface is concave in an elevation direction, and a focusing lens disposed on the first surface of each element.