Abstract: In accordance with some embodiments, systems, methods, and media for automatically localizing and diagnosing thyroid nodules are provided. In some embodiments, a system for automatically diagnosing thyroid nodules comprises: an ultrasound machine; and a processor programmed to: receive a B-mode ultrasound of a thyroid from the ultrasound machine; provide the B-mode ultrasound to a classification model trained to automatically segment B-mode ultrasound; receive an output indicating which portions of the B-mode ultrasound correspond to a nodule; provide at least a portion of the B-mode ultrasound corresponding to the nodule to a second classification model trained to automatically classify thyroid nodules based B-mode, color Doppler, and shear wave elastography ultrasound; and receive, from the second trained classification model, an output indicative of the likelihood that the nodule is malignant.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system and method of ultrasound imaging. The method includes initiating a live ultrasound scanning session and saving a first sequence of images in a volatile memory. The method includes receiving a store command while in a retrospective image capture mode during the live ultrasound scanning session. The method includes detecting that the first sequence of images does not meet a length threshold and automatically continuing to acquire a second sequence of images. The method includes detecting that the combination of the first sequence of images and the second sequence of images meets or exceeds the length threshold and saving a third sequence of images as a cineloop in a non-volatile memory, the third sequence of images including both at least a portion of the first sequence of images and at least a portion of the second sequence of images.

Abstract: Shear wave elasticity imaging methods and ultrasound imaging devices are provided. The method may include: generating a shear wave in a target area of an object being examined; transmitting a first ultrasonic wave to the target area and receiving first echo data; determining an elasticity parameter of the target area according to the first echo data; obtaining a motion parameter of the target area; and displaying the elasticity parameter and the motion parameter.

Abstract: A number of improvements are provided relating to computer aided surgery utilizing an on tool tracking system. The various improvements relate generally to both the methods used during computer aided surgery and the devices used during such procedures. Other improvements relate to the structure of the tools used during a procedure and how the tools can be controlled using the OTT device. Still other improvements relate to methods of providing feedback during a procedure to improve either the efficiency or quality, or both, for a procedure including the rate of and type of data processed depending upon a CAS mode.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical imaging apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ultrasound acquisition unit including an ultrasound probe for acquiring ultrasound image data of a patient. An image data interface is provided for receiving 3D medical image data of the patient and a position determining unit for determining a position of the ultrasound probe. A calibration unit determines a transfer function between the ultrasound image data and the 3D medical image data at a plurality of positions (C) of the ultrasound probe and provides a corresponding plurality of calibrated transfer functions and calibration positions. A computation unit synchronizes the ultrasound image data and the 3D medical image data on the basis of a position of the ultrasound probe and the plurality of calibrated transfer functions, said computation unit is further adapted to weight the calibrated transfer functions on the basis of a position of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A system and method for automatically adjusting beamformer parameters based on ultrasound image analysis to enhance ultrasound image acquisition is provided. The method includes acquiring, by an ultrasound system, an ultrasound image. The method includes segmenting, by at least one processor, the ultrasound image to identify anatomical structure(s) and/or image artifact(s) in the ultrasound image. The method includes detecting, by the at least one processor, a location of each of the identified anatomical structure(s) and/or image artifact(s). The method includes automatically adjusting, by the at least one processor, at least one beamformer parameter based on the detected location of one or more of the identified anatomical structure(s) and/or the image artifact(s). The method includes acquiring, by the ultrasound system, an enhanced ultrasound image based on the automatically adjusted at least one beamformer parameter. The method includes presenting, at a display system, the enhanced ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, a method for detecting a shear index of a vascular wall using ultrasonic waves, and a computer readable storage medium are provided. The method comprises: transmitting ultrasonic waves to an region of interest comprising a vessel; receiving the ultrasonic waves to obtain echo signals; acquiring an ultrasonic image according to the echo signals; acquiring particle jet velocities of a plurality of points in the vessel, the particle jet velocity comprising flow velocity and flow direction; determining a vascular wall in the ultrasonic image; acquiring a position to be detected of the vascular wall; calculating, according to particle jet velocities of a plurality of points near the position to be detected, the shear index of the position to be detected of the vascular wall; and displaying the ultrasonic image and the shear index of the vascular wall.

Abstract: Systems and methods for aiding users in viewing, assessing and analyzing images, especially images of lumens and medical devices contained within the lumens. Systems and methods for interacting with images of lumens and medical devices, for example through a graphical user interface.

Abstract: A transcranial scanning device and method of use is disclosed. The transcranial scanning device is for identifying a neurologic-injury-mechanism and comprises a sensing wand comprising a transducer that produces and receives sound waves. The sensing wand is passed over a head of a patent with cerebral malaria, and sound waves reflect off of blood cells in blood vessels in the head of the patient creating an output sound wave responsive to a blood flow of the patient. The output sound wave is received by the transducer. An output screen coupled to the sensing wand, displays in real time an output waveform corresponding to the output sound wave, wherein the output waveform is indicative of one or more symptoms of cerebral malaria, and wherein said symptoms identify one or more neurologic-injury-mechanism occurring within the patient.

Abstract: A system for generating ultrasound data in respect of an anatomical body being scanned makes use of a predetermined scan protocol, which specifies a sequence of types of ultrasound scan of structures of interest. These types may for example be different imaging modalities (static, dynamic, 2D, 3D etc.) which are most appropriate for viewing different structures within the anatomical body. From received ultrasound images, a model is used to identify the structures of interest within the ultrasound images. The best images for creating the types of scan of the protocol are then identified and a sequence is compiled of those best images. In this way, a sequence is created which combines different types of scan, in a structured way according to a predetermined protocol. This makes the analysis of the sequence most intuitive for a user, and simplifies comparison between different sequences.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for ultrasound imaging. In one embodiment, a method comprises acquiring, via an ultrasound probe, Doppler measurements over a plurality of cardiac cycles, evaluating a flow profile comprising the Doppler measurements to detect an abnormality in the flow profile, and displaying, via a display device, the flow profile with a reference flow profile overlaid thereon. In this way, the attention of a physician evaluating results from an ultrasound imaging examination may be directed to abnormal flow that is potentially indicative of pathologies, thereby enabling earlier and more accurate diagnosis of pathologies.

Abstract: Systems and methods for non-invasive fat reduction can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a thermal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a fat cell. The lesion can create an opening in the surface of the fat cell, which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat cell and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43 degrees and 49 degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat.

Abstract: The accuracy charged-particle beam trajectories used for radiation therapy in patients is improved by providing feedback on the beam location within a patient's body or a quality assurance phantom. Particle beams impinge on a patient or phantom in an arrangement designed to deliver radiation dose to a tumor, while avoiding as much normal tissue as can be achieved. By placing fiducial markers in the tumor or phantom that contain specific atomic constituents, a detection signal consisting of atomic fluorescence is produced by the particle beam. An algorithm can combine the detected fluorescence signal with the known location of the fiducial markers to determine the location of the particle beam in the patient or phantom.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are configures to measure an eye without contacting the eye with a patient interface, and these measurements are used to determine alignment and placement of the incisions when the patient interface contacts the eye. The pre-contact locations of one or more structures of the eye can be used to determine corresponding post-contact locations of the one or more optical structures of the eye when the patient interface has contacted the eye, such that the laser incisions are placed at locations that promote normal vision of the eye. The incisions are positioned in relation to the pre-contact optical structures of the eye, such as an astigmatic treatment axis, nodal points of the eye, and visual axis of the eye.

Abstract: A system and computer-implemented method for detecting flow of biological fluid, and facilitating the diagnosis of stenosis or other pathology of a hepatic artery or other non-carotid vasculature by using machine learning to analyze a spectral Doppler ultrasound waveform of blood flow or flow of other biological fluids. A region of interest is identified in a sonogram, a waveform envelope is generated for a waveform within the region of interest, an extracted waveform is generated based on the waveform envelope, a Fourier transform is performed on the extracted waveform, and a Fourier spectrum is generated. Machine learning is used to determine a likelihood of pathology based on waveform parameters, including the Fourier spectrum, and to determine a pathology prediction value. Additional patient information may be accessed and used in determining the likelihood of the pathology.

Abstract: A system and method of magnetic particle imaging (MPI) are disclosed. The system and method use ultrasound to drive magnetic particles (such as nanoparticles) through a magnetic field gradient to generate a signal and map the magnetic particles' distribution or concentration.

Abstract: An elongated device and a system that at the same time allow acquisition of temperature-related data of high spatial and temporal resolution from hollow structures together with other relevant data of physical or chemical variables. In a preferred embodiment infrared or visible light sensors are used to obtain thermal or color images from the inner surface during imposed change of the temperature in the lumen of the hollow structure. The disclosure makes it possible to evaluate thermal variations when the inner surface returns to pre-change thermal conditions. High-resolution data can be obtained with the disclosure. The disclosure further includes a system with rotators, injection pumps, a control unit and display operably coupled to one or more of the data acquisition and processing system.

Abstract: A method of establishing access to a hip joint is disclosed. Pre-operative images of the hip joint are processed to produce a first three-dimensional model (pelvis) and a second three-dimensional model (femur). Data from the first probe and data from the second probe are collected and processed to produce a third three-dimensional model (pelvis) and a fourth three-dimensional model (femur), respectively. The first and third three-dimensional models are aligned to produce a first aligned model (pelvis), and the second and fourth three-dimensional models are aligned to produce a second aligned model (femur). A target location is determined between the first and second aligned models, and an entry vector cone is determined from the target location. A navigated guide wire is inserted along the entry vector cone to the target location.

Abstract: The invention provides a color Doppler ultrasound imaging method. The method includes acquiring a plurality of sparse color Doppler ultrasound image frames and B-mode ultrasound image frames. The color Doppler and B-mode image frames are then pre-processed before estimating a vector flow based on said frames by means of solving a flow vector field in a whole field of view of the image frames through an optimization framework, in which a mask is adapted to define a sparse area of observed color Doppler measurements within the sparse color Doppler image frames. A new color Doppler image frame is generated based on this estimate and included in the output image.

Abstract: The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, ultrasound image generation apparatus and method transmit ultrasound waves to a subject into which a puncture tool is inserted, receive reflected waves reflected from the subject and the puncture tool, and generate echo signals of time-sequential frames based on the received reflected waves, and generate an ultrasound image of the subject based on the generated echo signals. These apparatus and method generate a differential echo signal between time-sequential frames from the echo signals, perform a tip detection process based on the differential echo signal to thereby detect at least one tip candidate including a tip end of the puncture tool, highlight a tip candidate of the puncture tool detected to thereby generate a tip image, and display the tip image of the highlighted puncture tool so as to be superimposed on the generated ultrasound image.