Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are provided in which aberration corrections are computed by comparing harmonic and non-harmonic images to derive aberration correction estimates. In a preferred embodiment the harmonic image provides a reference image against which aberrations in the non-harmonic image are compared. A preferred acquisition technique is to transmit at a frequency f and receive at a frequency n*f to acquire the harmonic image and to transmit at a frequency n*f and receive at a frequency n*f to acquire the non-harmonic image. In a preferred embodiment the aberration correction estimates are produced by back-propagating the image data to find the aperture correction data for the two images.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for ultrasound imaging with improved spatial sampling. The device includes a plurality of ultrasound imaging elements each having a pitch defined by the center to center spacing of the ultrasound imaging elements; and a motion mechanism operatively connected to the plurality of ultrasound imaging elements and adapted to move the plurality of ultrasound imaging elements over a distance to increase the spatial sampling of the plurality of ultrasound imaging elements. The method of the present invention includes transducing a signal from one or multiple ultrasound imaging elements within an array of ultrasound imaging elements; moving the array of ultrasound imaging elements a distance less than the pitch; and transducing at least one additional signal from the ultrasound imaging element.

Abstract: Elevation fold-in artifact is reduced by combining Doppler and B-mode image signals. The B-mode image signals and Doppler image signals are combined using a modulated, non-linear function. Portions of the B-mode image signal associated with stationary tissue are intact while portions of the B-mode image signal associated with flow are substantially suppressed. The suppression is gradual rather than binary to avoid flash artifacts, such as providing an adaptive modulated, non-linear combination function. Doppler or flow image signals are less sensitive than tissue or B-mode signals to elevation beam width. Suppressing the B-mode image signal where flow exists better identifies small vessels that would otherwise be characterized as tissue. Small vessel or other small structure information associated with moving fluid is inserted within the gray-scale or B-mode image. Clutter within large vessels is more likely mapped to black or removed.

Abstract: A synthetic focus ultrasound system is described in which individual transducer elements are activated to insonify the image field and the resultant echoes are received by a plurality of elements of the array. The echo signals are stored and the complete echo set is used to produce motion maps for different velocity vectors over the image field. Various ones of the motion maps are used to produce a wide variety of ultrasound image modes, including grey-scale images, colorflow images, and spectral flow displays.

Abstract: A semi-invasive ultrasound imaging system for imaging biological tissue includes a transesophageal probe or a transnasal, transesophageal probe connected to a two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array, a transmit beamformer, a receive beamformer, and an image generator. The two-dimensional transducer array is disposed on a distal portion of the probe's elongated body. The transmit beamformer is connected to the transducer array and is constructed to transmit several ultrasound beams over a selected pattern defined by azimuthal and elevation orientations. The receive beamformer is connected to the transducer array and is constructed to acquire ultrasound data from the echoes reflected over a selected tissue volume. The tissue volume is defined by the azimuthal and elevation orientations and a selected scan range. The receive beamformer is constructed to synthesize image data from the acquired ultrasound data.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasonic imaging system acquires receive beams from spatially distinct transmit beams. The receive beams alternate in type between at least first and second types across the region being imaged. The first and second types of receive beams differ in at least one scan parameter other than transmit and receive line geometry, and can for example differ in transmit phase, transmit or receive aperture, system frequency, transmit focus, complex phase angle, transmit code or transmit gain. Receive beams associated with spatially distinct ones of the transmit beams (including at least one beam of the first type and at least one beam of the second type) are then combined. In this way, many two-pulse techniques, including, for example, phase inversion techniques, synthetic aperture techniques, synthetic frequency techniques, and synthetic focus techniques, can be used while substantially reducing the frame rate penalty normally associated with such techniques.

Abstract: The gain for multiple mode imaging and/or contrast agent imaging is automatically adjusted. The gain algorithm separately determines gain parameters for two different types of imaging, such as tissue and contrast agent imaging. The gain based on the contrast agent image may be optimized to provide maximum sensitivity, such as by mapping noise values measured prior to injection of contrast agent to low values within the dynamic range or somewhat below the display dynamic range. The automatic gain based on the contrast agent image may be free of variance calculations. One of the two gain parameters is selected as the system gain, or the two gain parameters are combined to form the system gain. The presence of contrast agents within the image may be determined, and different gain parameters used based on the presence or absence of contrast agents. Various ones or combinations of the gain adjustments summarized above may be used.

Abstract: A device for stabilizing the breast during a medical procedure having a base plate secured to support members, a column held by the support members and extending vertically upward beyond the base plate, a frictional engagement device releasably gripping the column and attached to a pressure plate, the pressure plate being positioned parallel to and above the base plate and movable along the column toward and away from the base plate using the frictional engagement device, the pressure plate having an aperture providing access to the breast, the aperture having internal beveled walls to guide a medical instrument. The breast is placed on the base plate and the frictional engagement device is used to move the pressure plate, allowing the pressure plate to contact the breast to securely hold the breast between the pressure plate and the base plate, making the medical procedure more accurate and efficient.

Abstract: A catheter system is disclosed. The catheter system includes a catheter body having an external surface and an ultrasound transducer having a side between a first end and a second end. A first medium is positioned adjacent to the first end of the ultrasound transducer and a second medium is positioned adjacent to the external side of the ultrasound transducer. The second medium is harder than the first medium to encourage flexibility of the catheter body adjacent to the first end of the ultrasound transducer and efficient transmission of ultrasound energy from the external side of the ultrasound transducer.

Abstract: Methods and systems for electronically scanning within a three dimensional volume while minimizing the number of system channels and associated cables connecting a two-dimensional array of elements to an ultrasound system are provided. An array of semiconductor or micro-machined switches electronically interconnect various elements of the two-dimensional array. Elements associated with a substantially same time delay are connected together as a macro element, reducing the number of independent elements to be connected to beamforming or system channels. To beam form in the desired direction, the macro elements are configured as a phased array or along substantially straight lines in at least two dimensions (i.e. along the face of the two-dimensional transducer). Such macro elements allow transmission and reception along beams that are at an angle other than normal to the two-dimensional transducer array.

Abstract: A sensor assembly used for the measurement of one or more physiologic parameters of a living subject which is capable of storing both data obtained dynamically during use as well as that programmed into the device. In one embodiment, the sensor assembly comprises a disposable combined pressure and ultrasonic transducer incorporating an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), the assembly being used for the non-invasive measurement of arterial blood pressure. The sensor EEPROM has a variety of information relating to the manufacture, run time, calibration, and operation of the sensor, as well as application specific data such as patient or health care facility identification. Portions of the data are encrypted to prevent tampering. In a second embodiment, one or more additional storage devices (EEPROMs) are included within the host system to permit the storage of data relating to the system and a variety of different sensors used therewith.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method for calculation and display of tissue deformation parameters are disclosed. Tissue velocity may be estimated by filtering a received ultrasound signal at three center frequencies related to the second harmonic of the ultrasound signal, estimating a reference tissue velocity from the two signals filtered at the outside center frequencies and using the reference tissue velocity to choose a tissue velocity from tissue velocities estimated using the middle center frequency. Estimation of strain rate in any direction, not necessarily along the ultrasound beam, is disclosed. Quantitative tissue deformation parameters may be presented as functions of time and/or spatial position for applications such as stress echo. For example, strain rate or strain values for three different stress levels may be plotted together with respect to time over a cardiac cycle. Parameters derived from strain rate or strain velocity may be plotted with respect to various stress levels.

Abstract: In a diagnostic ultrasound apparatus, an ultrasound pulse signal is transmitted two times in each of the rasters on a region to be scanned. Subtraction between echo signals received at each time of transmission is made to obtain a difference signal. Either one of the echo signals and the difference signal are produced into individual tomographic images, independently of each other. The produced individual tomographic images are displayed with a superposed manner one on the other or parallel-arranged manner. This allows contrast echo imaging to be conducted on a rate subtraction imaging technique. Minute blood flows are depicted distinguishably from tissue surrounding those flows in a steady manner.

Abstract: A video-based surgical targeting system for targeting anatomical structures within a patient.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for use in a diagnostic ultrasound system are disclosed. A display device has a first window for displaying live ultrasound images and a second window for displaying a reference cine image. The reference cine image is an image captured prior to the currently displayed live ultrasound images. The images of the first and second windows are synchronized by ECG gating. The apparatus and methods may be employed to image the heart, providing operators with a way to monitor the heart and detect subtle changes in heart condition from the time that a reference image was captured.

Abstract: In order to provide an ultrasonic imaging apparatus that responds to the requirement for both portability and versatility, the ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a portable imaging apparatus 100 comprising ultrasonic imaging means, and a support apparatus 500 which comprises supporting means for supporting extension of functions of the imaging apparatus, and which is electrically connected to and mechanically joined to the imaging apparatus so that it can be removably combined with the imaging apparatus.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system cart is provided with an articulation mechanism for the image display. The articulation mechanism is pivotally mounted to the cart and to the display and includes an intermediate pivot elbow which allows the display to be moved laterally and forward and back from its nominal home position. One arm of the articulating mechanism is inclined to allow the display to clear other components of the cart when articulated and to prevent the development of pinch points. One of the joints of the articulating mechanism includes a locking device which selectively locks the joint to alter the articulation characteristic of the mechanism.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound imaging system based on a multi-stage pulse compression and multi-stage time delaying scheme. In the ultrasound imaging system, a transducer array is grouped into a predetermined number of transducer groups, and the grouped ultrasound signals are processed hierarchically via multi-stage pulse compression and multi-stage time delaying operations so that a finely receive-focused ultrasound signal can be obtained.

Abstract: Conventional ultrasound imaging systems typically include a hand-held probe coupled to a processing and display unit. Typical controls in an ultrasound imaging system require that the operator continually focus on the controls, rather than the ultrasonic image of the area of interest, and manually manipulate the controls by moving their hand along the control panel. By controlling an ultrasonic imaging system from a unitary operating position, defining ultrasonic imaging operations and defining a ranges of values corresponding to each of the ultrasonic imaging operations, ultrasonic image processing is facilitated. An operator selects, via a first control, one of the ultrasonic imaging operations, and then selects, via a second control, a parameter in the range of values corresponding to the selected ultrasonic imaging operation. The ultrasonic imaging system applies the selected ultrasonic imaging operation employing the selected parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer employs a silicon acoustic matching layer closest to the piezoelectric layer in order to achieve improved resolution. A silicon wafer, ground to an appropriate thickness, is included in the acoustic stack with other matching layer materials during transducer construction. The exact thickness is determined by the details of the design, but is nominally a quarter wavelength in the silicon.