Abstract: A method and apparatus for acquiring multi-line acquisition ultrasound data. Ultrasound signals are transmitted into an area of interest. Echo signals are acquired and analyzed to produce a first data stream associated with a first receive beam. The first data stream is decimated by removing at least two consecutive data samples therefrom, while passing at least two consecutive data samples to form a first decimated data stream. Using this decimation pattern, a bandwidth of one-half to three-quarters of the data sampling rate after decimation may be achieved.

Abstract: A ultrasound platform is used to generate, process and display ultrasound images using a probe connected via a sterilizable connector. The probe is used to take ultrasound images, and can be a sterilizable finger mounted probe. The sterilizable connector includes a connector housing which has been sealed to prevent moisture from entering it, and a multi-wire cable which is electrically coupled to the probe at a first end and coupled to the connector housing at a second end. The multi-wire cable has its second end sealed with the connector housing to prevent moisture from entering the sealing between the multi-wire cable and the connector housing. A plurality of electrical contacts are formed on at least one surface of the sterilizable connector. A mating connector is used to electrically couple the sterilizable connector to a standard connector for directly connecting to the ultrasound platform.

Abstract: An infant hydration monitor includes a hand-held probe equipped with a pair of arms extending from a housing and incorporating a broadband ultrasonic transmitter and receiver. The arms include finger openings allowing the user to adjust the distance between the transducers by manipulating the probe using fingers placed in these openings. Each transducer is mounted on a force meter so that the skin contact pressure is monitored and optionally communicated to the user using a two-color LED. Sliding distance measuring means similar to the digital caliper are incorporated into the housing to allow the probe to generate a signal indicating the distance between the transducers. A display unit optionally worn on a wrist is attached to the probe and is adapted to calculate the hydration status of an infant.

Abstract: Catheter lesion diagnostics are disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe is characterized in that a piezoelectric member 111 formed of solution-based single-crystal containing at least plumbum titanate is sandwiched between resin layers 113 and 115 having smaller acoustic impedance than the piezoelectric member and having conductivity, so processing errors are prevented from occurring during cutting and the resin layers can be used as acoustic layers or electrodes.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for automatic optimization for ultrasound medical imaging. In one approach, velocity values are unwrapped to avoid aliasing artifacts. Multi-dimensional phase unwrapping is applied to the velocity data. The unwrapped velocity information is used to optimize one or both of the velocity scale (e.g., pulse repetition frequency) and the imaging frequency. For optimizing the scale setting, the distribution of unwrapped velocities from a systolic time period of the heart cycle are used to identify the pulse repetition frequency. For optimizing the imaging frequency, a correlation as a function of depth shows the penetration depth for a given imaging frequency. In a dependent or independent approach, one or more thresholds for velocity or energy in flow imaging are adaptively selected as a function of an amount of clutter. Velocity or other energy information in addition to the clutter information may be used for selecting the thresholds.

Abstract: A method and system for examining tissue are provided in which the tissue is maintained in a position so that it may be insonified with a plurality of pulsed spherical or cylindrical acoustic waves. The insonifying acoustic waves are scattered by the tissue so that scattered acoustic radiation including a mix of reflected and transmitted acoustic waves is received. A representation of a portion of the tissue is then derived from the received scattered acoustic radiation.

Abstract: A means of assessing the internal structure of teeth based upon use of high frequency, highly localized ultrasound (acoustic waves) generated by a short laser pulse is presented. In contrast to traditional contact transducer methods, laser-generated ultrasound is non-contact and non-destructive in nature and requires no special tooth surface preparation. Optical interferometric detection of ultrasound provides a complementary non-destructive, non-contact means for obtaining data with a very small detection footprint. The combination of laser-generated ultrasound and optical interferometric detection allows for in-vivo diagnostics of tooth health that is sensitive to the enamel/dentin, dentin/pulp, and dentin/cementum interfaces as well as a region of dead tracts in the dentin within a tooth.

Abstract: A probe for electronic volume data acquisition using ultrasound incorporates a plurality of transducer elements arranged in a two dimensional array having an azimuth direction and an elevation direction. The transducer elements have a first element size in the azimuth dimension and a second element size in the elevation dimension. At least one of the first and second element sizes is at least twice a characteristic wavelength of a waveform used to drive the array of transducer elements, where the characteristic wavelength is defined as the wavelength corresponding to a center frequency of the waveform. Image data is generated in a scanning process using a CAC-BF technique in an azimuth dimension and/or an elevation dimension, to form an ultrasound image line, image plane, or image data cube.

Abstract: An ophthalmologic appliance being an ultrasound probe positioning immersion shell for use in ultrasonic measurement of axial length of the eye ophthalmology and other procedures. Support members in an upper chamber and a lower chamber each provides accommodating support along and about a central axis of the ultrasound probe positioning immersion shell and about vertically spaced regions of ultrasound probes to provide for perpendicular alignment of ultrasound probes to the corneal plane. Vents in the chamber structure allow for introduction of fluid medium and for the expelling of air from the chambers to inhibit bubble formation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ultrasonic imaging of a jaw and coupling cushions suited for use in the mouth. The system includes a specially configured ultrasonic probe, a position locator module for defining a probe location and transmitting the definition to a central processing unit (CPU) and the CPU. The CPU is capable of receiving digital data from transducers in the probe and receiving the location of the probe and producing an image of at least a portion of a jaw. The method includes providing the ultrasonic probe, defining its location and communicating the location to a CPU and transmitting an signal from a transducer and receiving at least a portion of the signal at at least one of the transducers. The CPU receives transducer data and a location of the probe and produces an image of the at least a portion of the jaw. An ultrasonic coupling cushion is further disclosed.

Abstract: A method for removing one or more artifacts from a time series of magnetic resonance (MR) images is provided. In one embodiment of the invention, an MR time series of data sets is acquired while changing the k-space that is sampled at each time frame. By using the acquired data, information is produced for a plurality of MR images at different time points, wherein the images contain desired components and one or more artifacts. Changing the k-space locations that are sampled from time frame to time frame makes the artifacts behave in a signature way through time, so that they can be identified as being artifacts and be removed through temporal analysis.

Abstract: An ultrasonograph is provided wherein the decrease of the density of the stabilized microbubble contrast agent in a desired body target area can be inhibited, radiating ultrasonic energy required for satisfactory signal-to-noise ratio and sufficient frame rate, where an ultrasonic probe transmits an ultrasonic pulse acquired by superimposing higher harmonics including a second harmonic of the fundamental onto the fundamental wave, such as a maximum positive pressure enhanced waveform or a maximum negative pressure enhanced waveform, or an acoustic pressure rise enhanced waveform or an acoustic pressure fall enhanced waveform.

Abstract: An ultrasonic observation system of the invention includes a long ultrasonic probe having an ultrasonic sending and receiving portion, which can send and receive ultrasonic, and a holding portion, as a rotation operating portion, which can rotate the ultrasonic probe around an axis, which represents an arbitrary direction of oscillation directions of ultrasonic oscillated from the ultrasonic sending and receiving portion. A grasping portion is integrated with the holding portion. A contact portion is provided at the distal end of the grasping portion 613 and has an ultrasonic vibrator inside. A fixing frame is mounted to a distal end 622 of a holding unit 621 through a bearing 625 freely rotatably around a center axis S1 of the ultrasonic probe.

Abstract: The present invention provides systems and methods for determining the coordinates of a location element mounted on a medical probe. First and second signals are transmitted between the location element and a first and second reference transducers, which may be arranged in a reference array that can be attached to a patient's skin. A transit time difference between the first and second signals is determined, e.g., using a thresholding or correlation technique. A distance difference between a first distance extending from the location element to the first reference element and a second distance extending from the location element to the second reference element is then determined based on the transit time difference. An angle between the reference array and the location element can then be determined based on the determined distance difference and a known distance between the first and second reference transducers.

Abstract: A method of spatial transformation, such as scan conversion, uses a packed data table. The raw data and the data table are read sequentially, and the resulting image is computed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic driving apparatus consists mainly of a digital oscillatory circuit, an amplifier, a detection circuit, a phase difference detection circuit, a register, a data transfer circuit, and a switching circuit. The digital oscillatory circuit is used to drive an ultrasonic transducer at the resonance frequency of the ultrasonic transducer. The amplifier amplifies a driving signal output from the digital oscillatory circuit. The detection circuit detects the phase ?v of an applied voltage and the phase ?i of an induced current from the driving signal applied to the ultrasonic transducer via the amplifier. The phase difference detection circuit detects a difference between the phases ?v and ?i. The register holds digital frequency data with which a frequency at which the digital oscillatory circuit is oscillated is determined, and changes the digital frequency data. The data transfer circuit transfers the digital frequency data to the register.

Abstract: A three dimensional ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is operated to guide or observe the operation of an invasive medical device (30) in three dimensions. The appearance of the invasive device (30) in the three dimensional ultrasonic image is enhanced to be more readily observable by a clinician. The enhancement is produced by transmitting a greater ultrasonic beam density in a subvolumetric region including the invasive device (30) than in the surrounding portion of the volumetric region (120). The beam density may be uniformly high in the subvolumetric region and uniformly low in the surrounding region, or may taper from a relatively high beam density around the invasive device (30) to a minimum beam density at distances removed from the invasive device (30).

Abstract: A new method is introduced to evaluate the flow through a constriction based on Doppler data and the principle of mass conservation. This principle, properly inserted within a combination of data rearrangements allows the extraction of the complete velocity field and the optimal evaluation of the flow through the constriction. The digital implementation of the method into electronic equipments, like an echographic machine, gives an additional capability of quantifying specific valvular flows and improves diagnostic potential.

Abstract: A guiding catheter system employs a flexible shaft having a preformed bend at a distal end. An ultrasound transducer is mounted proximal to the pre-formed bend. The ultrasound transducer has a field of view directed to a distal tip of the guiding catheter. The guiding catheter includes an open lumen adapted for the introduction of payloads through the catheter system. The guiding catheter system can be used to direct a smaller guiding catheter or guide wire into a destination vessel from a heart chamber. In one application, the guiding catheter system is used to introduce a guiding catheter into the coronary sinus ostium from the right atrium.