Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe and a display. The apparatus includes a power supply including at least one voltage converting circuit converting input voltage to a predetermined power voltage for output. The voltage converting circuit includes a coil and a switching element performing a switching operation for switching routes of current flowing in the coil in response to a predetermined switching control signal, and the voltage converting circuit outputs the power voltage through the repeated switching operations under supply of the input voltage. The power supply is provided with a plurality of coils, and the coils are disposed such that a leakage magnetic field in a vicinity of an aperture of at least one of the coils is partially negated by a leakage magnetic field from one or more of the other coils.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides systems and methods for ultrasound imaging using a modified variable sampling beamforming technique. Unlike conventional methods of variable sampling beamforming, in which in-phase and quadrature samples are obtained for each pixel location, in various example embodiments of the present disclosure, the pixel locations are quadrature-spaced such that for each 5 sample point, an adjacent sample point along an A-line is employed as the quadrature sample. The samples at each array element may be triggered according to the time of flight between a first pixel location and the location of the array element, such that successive samples, corresponding to successive pixel locations along the selected A-line, are obtained such that adjacent samples are spaced by a 10 time interval corresponding to a quarter of an odd number of wavelenghths of the beamformed transmit pulse, and such that only one sample is acquired per pixel.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus and systems magnetic resonance imaging. The system may acquire images associated with a target region the body part including the target region moves, using a series of imaging planes correlated with the motion. The images are then displayed in time order sequence to provide a motion picture. The system may also provide for imaging in multiple planes such as mutually-perpendicular planes with rapid and facile switching between these planes. The multi-plane views can be used, for example, to monitor insertion of an instrument into the patient.

Abstract: Techniques exist for measuring local blood velocity of flow rate waveforms in, for example, mammalian vascular segments. A method and system for deriving information on disease in vascular segments, for example mean pressure, drop in mean pressure and/or hydraulic resistance, from such measured waveforms is described. The waveforms can, for example, be measured non-invasively using Doppler ultrasound or magnetic resonance techniques. Form factors (Vff, Pff) for the velocity waveform and the central arterial pressure are determined. Stenosis may be detected by detecting changes e.g in Vff/Pff.

Abstract: When delineating anatomical structures in a medical image of a patient for radiotherapy planning, a processor (18) detects landmarks (24) in a low-resolution image (e.g., MRI or low-dose CT) and maps the detected landmarks to reference landmarks (28) in a reference contour of the anatomical structure. The mapped landmarks facilitate adjusting the reference contour to fit the anatomical structure. The adjusted reference contour data is transformed and applied to a second image using a thin-plate spline, and the adjusted high-resolution image is used for radiotherapy planning.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging diagnosis apparatus and a method for supporting safe and exact puncturing into a target region in a patient's body are provided. In the apparatus, a regions setting unit sets a target tumor region for puncturing, blood vessel and organ regions that are located near the tumor region based on 3-D volume data. To avoid insertions into blood vessel and organ regions, a needle position detecting unit detects the tip position and inserting direction of the needle before and during insertion. An expected inserting position calculating unit calculates an expected inserting position and an insertion error region to the tumor region based on the tip position data, inserting direction data and needle characteristic data. A puncturing navigation data generating unit generates puncturing navigation data by composing tumor region data, organ region and blood vessel regions data, and data relating to the expected inserting position and insertion error region.

Abstract: A method of visualization, characterization, and detection of objects within an image by applying a local micro-contrast convergence algorithm to a first image to produce a second image that is different from the first image, wherein all like objects converge into similar patterns or colors in the second image.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods for detecting the presence of a metallic surgical instrument. A metal detector for detecting insertion of a metallic surgical device into a hollow tube may include a switch, resonant circuit and a controller. The resonant circuit has a capacitor and a coil mounted to the hollow tube. The controller turn on the switch for a preselected time to temporarily provide a current to the resonant circuit and analyzes a resulting decaying voltage waveform originating from the resonant circuit when the switch is turned off in order to determine the presence and longitudinal depth of the metallic surgical device in the hollow tube.

Abstract: An apparatus for medical examinations includes a first arm that is rotatable about an axis, the first arm being configured to carry a radiation source or a radiation detector. The apparatus for medical examinations also includes a second arm that is rotatable about the axis, the second arm being configured to carry a radiation source or a radiation detector. The second arm is attached to the first arm and is rotatable relative to the first arm.

Abstract: An ultrasound measurement method includes: providing a first object and a second object within an ultrasound image displayed on a touch screen; activating the first object and the second object, to be movable to perform a measurement on the ultrasound image; receiving a touch-and-drag input with respect to at least one of the first and second objects; and displacing a corresponding one of the first and second objects on the ultrasound image in correspondence with the received touch-and-drag input.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a Micro-machined Ultrasonic Transducer (MUT), such as a Piezoelectric MUT (PMUT) or Capacitive MUT (CMUT), with a transmitting mode and a receiving mode for generating and sensing acoustic pressure in imaging applications. During transmission in a PMUT the inverse piezoelectric effect on the piezo layer causes transverse stress, which causes a bending moment in the PMUT structure leading to out-of-plane deflection. Different applied signs of voltage generates different signs of stress inside the piezo that in turn cause oscillating motion generating an acoustic pressure wave. During signal reception, incident pressure waves deflect the PMUT creating transverse stress, resulting in a charge determined through measuring voltage between electrodes. The apparatus is particularly well-suited for use in health care, such as measuring fat/muscle thickness, blood-flow, and blood pressure.

Abstract: Three embodiments of flexible covers for an ultrasound probe are disclosed. The first embodiment comprises a flexible sheath applied with a ring applicator and elastic bands. The second embodiment comprises a flexible sheath applied with a dual-walled foldable applicator. The third embodiment comprises a folded-over flexible sheath which is then rolled, incorporating in the roll a flexible band. Each of the embodiments is designed to facilitate easy application of a sterile sheath over an ultrasound probe.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound device for measuring blood flow velocity in a blood vessel of a subject without imaging functionality in the device. The measurement depends upon reflections of a collimated beam of ultrasound from a subject's body part. Received electrical signals representative of the reflected ultrasound energy is used for generating a representation of blood flow at a plurality of predetermined locations in the volume and calculating a first blood flow velocity at each of the locations. The representation of flow is used for delineating the blood flow in the blood vessel in the volume. An angle calculating unit calculates the Doppler angle between the direction of the radiated collimated beam in the delineated blood flow at each point. A velocity calculator calculates a second blood flow velocity at the plurality of points based on the calculated first velocities and the calculated angle at the point.

Abstract: Systems and method for positioning a neonate within an imaging device are provided. A capsule incubator, a cart, and a docking incubator are used to move a baby between an imaging device and a incubator, such that a baby can be imagined without having to move the baby from its environment.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting at least one of a heart rate and a respiratory rate of a subject are disclosed. In one aspect, the method includes transmitting a signal towards the subject and receiving a reflected signal from the subject being Doppler-shifted due to at least one of the heart rate and the respiratory rate. The method also includes providing the reflected signal to a first input of a phase comparator, providing an adjustible reference signal to a second input of the phase comparator, and generating an output signal by the phase comparator based on the reflected signal and the reference signal. The method includes varying, by the reference signal generator, at least one of a phase and a frequency of the adjustable reference signal based on the output signal of the phase comparator to track a phase of the reflected signal.

Abstract: An image processing module includes a beamforming unit configured to provide a beamformed signal based on an input signal; a point spread function (PSF) database comprising at least one two-dimensional point spread function obtained based on at least one situational variable of the beamformed signal; and an image generation unit configured to select at least one two-dimensional point spread function from the point spread function database and perform deconvolution using the beamformed signal and the selected at least one two-dimensional point spread function to generate an image of a target portion of an object.

Abstract: An information processing apparatus includes a first acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of positions, in a three-dimensional image of a subject, obtained based on a sternum of the subject, a second acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of positions, in the subject, obtained based on the sternum of the subject, and a calculation unit configured to calculate a correspondence relationship in position between the subject and the three-dimensional image based on the plurality of positions acquired by the first acquisition unit and the plurality of positions acquired by the second acquisition unit.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus generating an ultrasound image of inside of a test object based on ultrasound signals reflected and received from the inside of the test object includes: a candidate region extracting unit which extracts a plurality of candidate detection regions in a needle position range corresponding to a position of a puncture needle inserted into the test object; a needle identification range setting unit which determines a needle identification range including the needle position range from the ultrasound image based on the extracted candidate detection regions; a needle position range estimating unit which determines an estimated range of the needle position range in the needle identification range based on a value indicating an aggregation state related to a distribution of the candidate detection regions in the needle identification range; and a needle emphasizing unit which performs a process for emphasizing the estimated range in the ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound measurement method includes: providing a first object and a second object within an ultrasound image displayed on a touch screen; activating the first object and the second object, to be movable to perform a measurement on the ultrasound image; receiving a touch-and-drag input with respect to at least one of the first and second objects; and displacing a corresponding one of the first and second objects on the ultrasound image in correspondence with the received touch-and-drag input.

Abstract: Systems and methods for performing shear wave elastography using push and/or detection ultrasound beams that are generated by subsets of the available number of transducer elements in an ultrasound transducer. These techniques provide several advantages over currently available approaches to shear wave elastography, including the ability to use a standard, low frame rate ultrasound imaging system and the ability to measure shear wave speed throughout the entire field-of-view rather than only those regions where the push beams are not generated.