Abstract: Labeling, such as with radio pharmaceuticals, fluorescence emitting compounds or other probe detectable materials, of diseased or malfunctioning candidate cells for subsequent treatment with a medicinal compound, the identification in situ of the candidate cells using a probe sensitive to the presence of the label and then treatment of the identified cell is disclosed. The invention also covers in situ gene therapy using a beta or gamma radiation detection probe to locate radio-labeled cells, and the delivery of corrective or therapeutic genes to the candidate cells identified by the radiation detection probe while the probe is positioned adjacent to the labeled and located cells. Also covered is the identification of vulnerable plaque in atherosclerotic vessels and diseased myocardial tissue in the heart, treatment of that plaque or diseased tissue and the subsequent determination of the efficacy of the treatment.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a probe, a controller, a processor, and an output unit. The probe is configured to perform an interleaving scan in Doppler groups of ultrasound beam directions so as to acquire first and second Doppler-mode image frames. The controller is coupled to the probe and configured to control the first probe to treat a last group of the ultrasound beam directions for the first Doppler-mode image frame and an initial group of the ultrasound beam directions for the second Doppler-mode image frame as one Doppler group of the ultrasound beam directions. The processor is coupled to the probe and configured to detect a Doppler-mode signal based on the interleaving scan so as to prepare the first and second Doppler-mode image frames. The output unit is coupled to the processor and configured to output the prepared first and second Doppler-mode image frames.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound system provides immersive viewing of images. A small, lightweight scope includes a transducer and a display. The display is adapted for viewing ultrasound images close to the eye of the user, such as within five inches or a couple feet of the eye. By adapting the system for close viewing, the ultrasound system is sensory immersive, such as an otoscope or endoscope. A magnifying lens is positioned adjacent to a display screen. The magnifying lens adapts the small display screen for viewing close to the user's eye. A shade or eyepiece extends away from and at least partly around the display screen. The shade allows viewing in many different lighting conditions. Alternatively, the ultrasound image is viewed on a head mounted display attached to glasses or a helmet.

Abstract: A method of monitoring heat damage to a tissue during a heat ablation procedure is disclosed. The method comprising: providing images of the tissue, extracting at least one parameter being indicative of a biological response to heat, and using the parameter(s) for determining the heat damage to the tissue.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to contrast imaging. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to apparatus and methods for contrast imaging in which the elevation beamwidth is controlled to reduce image artifacts, which result from contrast agent being carried into the image region by motion or respiration and not by reperfusion.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe configured for sensing and transmitting ultrasound signals. The ultrasound system further includes an optical conduit configured for coupling a light source and an optical detector in an optical path. The optical conduit includes electro-optic modulators configured for modulating optical signals on the optical conduit with at least one of the electrical signals configured to generate corresponding optically modulated analog signals on the optical conduit. In one example, the electro-optic modulators comprise electro-optic polymer modulators.

Abstract: A medical device is described, which comprises a basic device and at least one replaceable component connected therewith, said component having an item belonging to the device that is subjected to high wear or consumption. A storage medium is connected to the component, which stores component-specific data and can be read independently of the basic device.

Abstract: A method for creating sensory experiences operates by scanning the acoustical signal across the human neural cortex to create the desired sensory perceptions. The acoustic signal is scanned in a predetermined pattern. The pattern is then modified to fill in spaces in the predetermined pattern so that over a short time period, the desired signal is scanned across the intended region of the neural cortex. In one exemplary embodiment, the pattern begins with an array of points on the cortex. Thus, an acoustic signal in an array of points is directed towards the cortex. The acoustic pattern is then shaped to expand in radius about each point. Thus, the acoustic signal scans the visual cortex in an array of expanding circles. Varying the signal at each point along the radius as it expands produces neural firing differences in the neural tissue. When the circles expand to where they begin to touch, the pattern changes to fill in the areas between the original array of points.

Abstract: A needle guide for use with an imaging instrument is disclosed. The needle guide is suitable for delivery of a needle at a shallow angle into a patient during imaging analysis. Thus, the needle guide is well suited to the controlled collection of biopsy tissue or other sample material near the surface of a patient.

Abstract: The reconfigurable ultrasound array disclosed herein is one that allows groups of subelements to be connected together dynamically so that the shape of the resulting element can be made to match the shape of the wave front. This can lead to improved performance and/or reduced channel count. Reconfigurability can be achieved using a switching network. A methodology and an algorithm are disclosed that allows the performance of this switching network to be improved by properly choosing the configuration of the switching network.

Abstract: A method is described for automatically and accurately defining tissue borders within ultrasound imaging. A preferred embodiment described provides for accurately delineating endocardial and epicardial tissue borders during ultrasound imaging of the heart using contrast agents. The inventive method requires first defining a set of threshold values corresponding to various imaging depths and correlated within the image. The invention further uses the set of threshold values and a maximization function to accurately identify the tissue boundaries.

Abstract: Multiple layer elements for a transducer array are provided. Each element comprises two or more layers of transducer material. Various of the elements include one or more of: (1) multiple-layer, multiple-dimensional arrays where the layers are polymericly bonded together and electrically connected through asperity contact, (2) multiple layer array of elements where air or gas separates at least two elements, (3) an even number of layers where each layer is electrically connected through asperity contact, (4) multiple-layers where each layer comprises transducer material and electrodes in a substantially same configuration, and (5) electrically isolating electrodes on layers by kerfing or cutting after bonding the layers together.

Abstract: A method of delivering ultrasound signals using shear waves includes applying a portion of at least a first ultrasound beam to a subject at at least a first incident angle relative to the surface of the subject to induce shear waves in the subject, energy in the shear waves forming a substantial part of energy of first ultrasound waves at a desired region in the subject at a therapeutic level.

Abstract: A method and system for assessing fetal abnormality based on landmarks. According to one embodiment, at least two coordinates are received for each of a plurality of points identifying a configuration of landmarks in a fetal image, and any of the received coordinates of any of the plurality of points are utilized as markers to assess fetal abnormality. According to another embodiment, at least two coordinates are received for each of a plurality of points identifying a configuration of landmarks in a fetal image, and one or more values resulting from a linear combination of any of the received coordinates of any of the plurality of points are utilized as markers to assess fetal abnormality.

Abstract: A location within a volume is determined from medical images. A region of interest or other location is examined from two different viewing directions. The user or processor indicates the region or point of interest in each of the different images. The desired point or region within the three-dimensional volume is determined from the intersection of two lines, each line parallel to the viewing direction of a respective image and passing through the selected point or region of each image. The identified location within the volume is used for any of various purposes, such as for measurements associated with a distance between two points or selection of a region of interest including the selected point as part of a border or within the region.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic system according to the present invention has an ultrasonic transducer mounted on a catheter, an instantaneous distortion value calculator which calculates an instantaneous distortion value at the location to be evaluated in the blood vessel based on received signal representative of received reflection by the ultrasonic transducer, an analyzer which analyzes a state of the location to be evaluated using time-series data of instantaneous distortion values which are calculated at a plurality of times in a chronological sequence by the distortion value calculator, and a display which displays an analyzed result produced by the analyzer.

Abstract: An apparatus for measuring physiologic tissues perfusion information including: a first device producing a first output indicative of blood flow of a patient; a second device producing a second output indicative of oxygen content of the blood; and a processor combining said first and said second outputs to produce a third output indicative of tissue perefusion.

Abstract: The ultrasonic scatterer of the invention comprises gas-containing particles having an average particle size of 0.01 ?m to 10 ?m, the ultrasonic imaging method of the invention comprises transmitting an ultrasonic wave continuing for ten cycles or more; transmitting an ultrasonic wave continuing for four cycles or more and less than ten cycles after a predetermined period passes, and the ultrasonic imaging apparatus of the invention comprises transmitting means for sending a driving signal to the ultrasonic probe so as to transmit, to a subject, an ultrasonic wave continuing for four cycles or more and less than ten cycles after a predetermined period passes subsequently to transmitting, to the subject, of an ultrasonic wave continuing for ten cycles or more.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an ultrasound system are provided. The method includes receiving scanning information from an ultrasound system, with the scanning information including at least one of image information and spectral information. The method further includes controlling power to a transducer of the ultrasound system based on the scanning information.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a system and method for improved compound imaging using a plurality of imaging modes. In an embodiment, a plurality of echo signals are received in response to a plurality of beams formed based on different imaging modes corresponding to different steering angles, such as steered or non-steered angles. The plurality of echo signals is compounded to form a compound image. In an embodiment, the imaging mode includes at least one of harmonic, fundamental, coded harmonic, and variable frequency imaging. Parameters may be generated for the plurality of beams formed based on different imaging modes corresponding to different steering angles. Additionally, the parameters may be stored. The echo signals may be filtered. Imaging mode may be controlled based on steering angle. Employing different imaging modes based on steering angles for spatial compound imaging helps reduce grating lobe artifacts while improving speckle reduction effect.