Abstract: A method for extracting anatomical M-Mode displays of tissue velocity information along arbitrary curved polygons that can track curved organs such as myocard is described. The generated images can display the temporal velocity variations in a curved organ such as myocard in a single view. Time delays between events can be measured from these images. Furthermore, the invention describes how the time delay of characteristic events in temporal velocity evolutions and information derived from these velocity evolutions can be integrated into spatial time delay images that show the spatial propagation of the selected phenomenon. The characteristic events include switch in velocity direction, peak velocity, peak acceleration and similar aspects of tissue thickening. These characteristic events will be almost angle independent even if the tissue velocity is estimated with a Doppler technique along the propagation direction of the ultrasound beam.

Abstract: A modular transducer system includes a small, hand held adapter which remains permanently attached to an ultrasound system console and permits the rapid connection and disconnection of individual, sterilizable ultrasound transducers. In a preferred embodiment, the hand held adapter is connected to the system by a retractable cable. In another preferred embodiment, the individual transducers are identifiable by the system using transducer generated binary codes. The individual transducers are submersible in a wide variety of liquids including cleaning solutions and disinfectants. The small transducers are easily stored at the site of the ultrasound examination. Bulky, awkward, time consuming cables and connectors are eliminated.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus is suitably configured such that certain ultrasound beams from a probe are diffused perpendicular to the scanning direction to thereby enable an ultrasonic image to be produced which approximates a surface image while certain other ultrasound beams are focused to thereby enable a two-dimensional ultrasonic image to be produced. A conventional ultrasonic imaging apparatus and process can be used.

Abstract: A computerised boundary estimation technique (using prostate as an example) in medical images (ultrasound in particular), called Radial Bas-Relief. An imaging probe can be carried by a robot and shares the same reference frame as the robot. The prostate is scanned and the ultrasound images are fed into a computer which provides computational images processing. Such a method is employed to allow a quick and robust extract of the boundary of interest from transverse images taken transurethrally or transrectally.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring over a period of time a foetus in a pregnant mammalian animal. A piezoelectric synthetic plastics material detector is applied to the abdomen of the pregnant animal and produces an electrical signal as a result of foetal activity such as foetal body movement, breathing movement and heart rate. This signal is received in receiver means and is compared with previously determined signals characteristic of various types of foetal activity. Output means produce an output indicative of the activities of the foetus over the monitored period from which can be gauged foetal development and/or well being.

Abstract: A method for measuring the speed of sound in a tissue such as bone. First, the transducer covers of a pair of transducer units are pressed together under a predetermined pressure, ultrasound is transmitted and received, and the time taken by the ultrasound to travel from one to the other of the transducers is measured. Next, the tissue is held between the pair of transducer units under the same predetermined pressure, ultrasound is transmitted and received, the time taken for the ultrasound to travel from one to the other of the transducers is measured, and the distance between the two transducers is measured. The speed of sound in the tissue is then computed based on the propagation time of ultrasound when the transducer units are directly pressed together, the propagation time of ultrasound and the distance between the transducers when the tissue is held between the pair of transducer units.

Abstract: A device for providing data as a guide to health management which is capable of highly accurate measurements measures various characteristics of the body of a subject by electrical measurements of the subject while he or she is grasping handgrips with which the device is equipped. Once measurement has begun, the impedance variability measured by the device is calculated at every sampling period, and if the value of this variability is continuously less than a predetermined amount over a number of samplings, it is concluded that the electrodes which apply a fixed current and the electrodes which detect voltage are making good contact with the subject's hands.

Abstract: Disclosed is a physiological electrical signal connector system which one connector connected to an electrode set and another connector connected to a digital signal convertor which leads to a patient monitor. Each type of electrode set has a specific code identified with it and when connected to the digital signal convertor, the connector code is recognized by the digital signal convertor. The connector code is then relayed to the monitor which will self-configure based on the identified code.

Abstract: A ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, which is used to inspect the functioning of heart based on ultrasonic images sampled in the expansion period and the contraction period of the heart, includes means of sampling a ultrasonic image of the heart, means of picking up a bionomic signal from the heart, means of memorizing the bionomic signal and ultrasonic image data, means of identifying automatically a time point of inspection to be of the expansion period or the contraction period of the heart based on the bionomic signal read out of the memory means, and means of analyzing the heart functioning based on the ultrasonic images sampled at the time points of inspection and the result of time phase identification.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for localizing and treating a patient's prostate by radiation therapy. The system includes an ultrasound probe for generating an ultrasound image of the prostate with the probe having at least two fiducial end points as landmarks. In addition, the system includes a CT apparatus to generate X-ray simulator images of the anatomical region near the prostate and further includes a computer executing computer software to transform the ultrasound image to the simulator image enabling accurate localization of the prostate relative to proximate anatomical features enabling accurate radiation therapy to be carried out on the prostate.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic prove, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements are set in array. Each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements has an outer surface consisting of a front surface for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal, a back surface opposite to the front surface, and a side surface connecting between the front surface and the back surface. Each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements is driven by a driving electric signal so as to transmit and receive the ultrasonic signal. The ultrasonic prove is comprised of a pair of electrodes covered with at least a portion of at least the front surface of each of the plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements and the side surface thereof and a pair of conductors joined to the pair of electrode of each of the transducer elements respectively. The joined positions of the pair of conductors are positioned on at least one of sides of the front surface of each of the transducer elements and side surface thereof.

Abstract: A bone assessment apparatus for assessing bone by ultrasonic waves. A slider mechanism for supporting a platform is provided such that it is free to be given a parallel displacement. When a foot is placed on the platform and a pair of measuring units are brought close together, the platform starts to slide from when one of the units comes in contact with the foot. When the contact pressures of the two units are identical, the sliding motion stops. The center line of the foot is thereby made to coincide with the center line between transducers, and in this situation, ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system and method for visualizing internal images of an anatomical body. Internal images of the body are acquired by an ultrasound imaging transducer. The position and orientation of the ultrasound imaging transducer is tracked in a frame of reference by a spatial determinator. The position of the images in the frame of reference is determined by calibrating the ultrasound imaging transducer to produce a vector position of the images with respect to a fixed point on the transducer. This vector position can then be added to the position and orientation of the fixed point of the transducer in the frame of reference determined by the spatial determinator. The position and orientation of a medical instrument used on the patient are also tracked in the frame of reference by spatial determinators. The position and orientation of the instrument is mapped onto the position and orientation of the images.

Abstract: A parameter indicative of the status of fluid flow is remotely monitored in a vessel, a natural graft, or a synthetic graft. One or more transducers are provided either in a wall of a synthetic graft or adjacent to a vessel or natural graft to monitor the parameter. A conformal array transducer or a tilted element is used to monitor fluid flow or velocity through the graft or vessel based on the effect of the fluid on ultrasonic waves produced by the transducers. The conformal array transducer comprises a plurality of elements that curve around the graft or vessel and are excited with an input signal provided by an implantable electronics circuit, producing ultrasonic waves that propagate into the fluid flowing within the graft or vessel. Transit time or Doppler measurements are made using an appropriate number of these transducer to determine either fluid flow or velocity.

Abstract: An ultrasonic continuous wave doppler blood flow-meter deflects an ultrasonic continuous wave to an arbitrary angle and transmits it into an organism, thereby measuring a blood flow speed of the organism. Two continuous sine wave signals of different phases and a plurality of sets of pairs of coefficients are generated. One of each of the pairs of coefficients is multiplied to one of the two sine wave signals. The other one of each of the pairs of coefficients is multiplied to the other one of the two sine wave coefficients. After that, two sine wave signals after the multiplication are added, so that a plurality of synthesis sine wave signals are generated. When a plurality of micro vibrators are driven by the plurality of synthesis sine wave signals, the ultrasonic continuous wave is deflected to an arbitrary angle and is transmitted into the organism.

Abstract: A method for the in vivo evaluation and characterization of the mechanical or architectural properties of bones relies on the propagation of an ultrasound wave through the bone and subsequently studying the interaction of this wave with the bone. The bone is scanned using an ultrasound beam obtained from focused transducers. Then, the signals transmitted through the bone and/or reflected by the faces of the bone and/or scattered by the internal structures of the bone are collected. The signals obtained are stored in memory. The signals thus stored are processed for measuring: the propagation velocity of the ultrasound beam in the bone; the thickness of the bone; the transmission attenuation coefficient of the ultrasound beam; and the reflection parameters for estimating the backscatter and attenuation coefficients.

Abstract: An impedance spectroscopy tissue status monitoring and measurement system is disclosed. The system uses a synthesizer to generates electrical signals of selected frequencies. An electrical current source is responsive to the synthesizer and generates electrical currents for transmission through tissue. Electrodes or inductive coils of the system apply the electrical current to the tissue and sense voltages generated in the tissue in response to the electrical current. A controller determines the spectral response of the tissue by detecting magnitude and phase information of the electrical energy transmitted through the tissue. The information is then used to determine volumes of compartments within the tissue and ionic concentrations of compartmental fluids. Capacitive effects derived from the phase information are used to determine cell membrane functionality within the tissue. From this analysis, status, specifically, ischemia, may be determined on an absolute basis.

Abstract: A transmyocardial revascularization (TMR) enhanced treatment for coronary artery disease and other medical procedures utilizing a source of laser energy and a laser delivery means attached thereto, the treatment or other medical procedure being one in which the coronary artery is temporarily occluded during a surgical procedure, the enhanced treatment comprising the steps of positioning the laser delivery means adjacent the distal anatomy of the heart muscle, delivering laser energy to the distal anatomy of the heart muscle through the laser delivery means to create at least one TMR channel communicating oxygenated blood from the left ventricle to myocardium of the distal anatomy of the heart muscle, such that during treatment or other medical procedure in which the coronary artery is temporarily occluded, the distal anatomy of the heart is essentially continuously supplied with oxygenated blood, and performing the treatment or other medical procedure in which the coronary artery is temporarily occluded durin

Abstract: A steerable guiding catheter having an ultrasound imaging distal tip for use in guiding an electrophysiology catheter. The guiding catheter includes a steering mechanism in order to steer the tip of the catheter so that the electrophysiology catheter may be steered to a desired location within the body of a patient.

Abstract: A heat flux sensor is used in conjunction with a patient sensor, such as a patient temperature sensor, and which is secured to the patient in close proximity to the patient sensor. The heat flux sensor monitors the heat flux between the patient and the environment. Upon dislodgement of the patient probe, the heat flux sensor senses a change in heat flux that is of a predetermined amount and provides a signal indicating that the patient probe has become partially or fully dislodged from the patient. In the case of a patient heat sensor, the use of a heat flux sensor provides a quicker and larger signal than would be seen by merely monitoring the change in temperature due to partial or full probe dislodgement.