Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging apparatus and method are provided for segmenting signals from nonlinear targets such as microbubble contrast agents. Received echo signals are separated into their constituent linear and nonlinear components by a Doppler filter using pulse inversion separation. A threshold level is derived from an estimate made of the contributions to the echo signal from linear scattering and noise. Echo signals which exceed the threshold level are segmented as nonlinear (microbubble-originating) signals and displayed as such, whereas signals not exceeding the threshold are suppressed in the image display.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasound probe and a beam-former configured to scan an object to be examined with ultrasound waves through the ultrasound probe. A B-mode processor generates B-mode image data on the basis of a reception signal output from the beam-former. A power Doppler processor generates power Doppler data on the basis of the reception signal output from the beam-former. The power Doppler data is generated on the basis of the reception signal acquired under transmission conditions that the burst wave number is equal or substantially equal to that for the B-mode data, and the ensemble size is set to one of 2 to 10. The B-mode image data and power Doppler data are partly synthesized.

Abstract: Medical devices that are coated with an echogenic material that includes an electrically insulative base layer and an echogenic layer demonstrate both improved ultrasonic imaging and protection against RF electrical breakdown. The echogenic layer includes a polymeric matrix that (i) defines a plurality of void spaces, (ii) includes glass microsphere particles, or (iii) both defines a plurality of void spaces and includes glass microsphere particles. Medical instruments exhibit enhanced ultrasonic imaging even when viewed along their lengths.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and associated apparatus for improving the accuracy with which the speed of a fluid, such as a liquid, in particular blood flowing in a duct, such as a blood vessel, in particular the aorta, is measured by means of a signal emitted by a Doppler transducer (4). In characteristic manner, according to the method, the Doppler transducer is associated with a programmable memory (50) which contains at least one correction data item for correcting the Doppler signal transmitted by the transducer (4) to a transducer control and computer unit (8). Said computer unit (8) incorporates said signal correction data item in its computation (at 16) of each speed measurement on the basis of each signal emitted by the Doppler transducer, and it computes the speed value while taking account of said correction data item so as to provide a corrected measurement of the speed of said fluid, thereby improving its accuracy.

Abstract: A dual ultrasonic transducer probe and a method of utilizing the probe to determine a blood vessel diameter are presented. The probe comprises first and second ultrasound transducers whose ultrasound beams intercept at an acute angle, and which can be so disposed relative to a blood vessel's longitudinal axis that both their ultrasound beam axes intercept the blood vessel's longitudinal axis. The blood vessel diameter determination method is based on the creation of a two-dimensional matrix of complex reflection amplitude values for each of the beams along an axis of its propagation.

Abstract: A simple, low cost ultrasound beamforming system uses an analog random access memory (RAM) element for each beamforming channel. The system includes a processor and an ultrasonic transducer array. The ultrasonic transducer array includes a plurality of transducer elements, each transducer element associated with one of a plurality of channels. The system also includes a beamformer adapted to receive an output signal from each of the plurality of transducer elements, and a delay element located in the beamformer and associated with each of the channels, where the delay element comprises an analog random access memory element.

Abstract: A rendering system includes a rendering unit (2) and a data processing unit (1) for the processing of a multi-dimensional object data set. The data processing unit is arranged to sample a surface model of the object data set. The successive representations of the surface model from the respective viewing directions are shown on the rendering unit. For the last viewing direction indicated, that is, the final direction, the representation of the multi-dimensional object data set is shown as viewed from the final direction.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for imaging the coronary arteries of the heart. The vascular system is infused with an ultrasonic contrast agent. A volumetric region of the heart wall including a coronary artery is three dimensionally scanned. A projection image of the volumetric region is produced from the scanning, providing a two dimensional contrast image of the coronary artery with the appearance of an angiogram. Preferably the coronary artery signals are segmented from contrast signals emanating from the myocardium and the heart blood pool so that the coronary arteries are clearly highlighted and distinct in the ultrasonic angiogram.

Abstract: A method for providing intravascular brachytherapy includes the step of positioning a radiation source within a target area to be radiation and orienting the attenuator found on the catheter. Once the attenuator or shield is properly oriented, a reference or normalization point or marker (508) is selected. This reference marker (508) can placed, as one example, on the external elastic lamina closest to catheter (100) and can serve as a reference point for the brachytherapy treatment. Several other points of interest can be is selected (504, 506, 510) on the image (500) or images that have been gathered of the treatment site, with dosage levels (512, 522, 520 and 518) being display automatically on the display (406) close to the IVUS image (500).

Abstract: This invention describes automatically tracing a tissue border in an ultrasonic image which is accomplished by acquiring one or more images, locating anatomical landmarks in the image, fitting a border trace to the anatomical landmarks, and displaying an ultrasonic image in which a tissue border has been automatically traced. Adjustable control points are located on the displayed border, enabling the automatically drawn border to be manually adjusted by a rubberbanding technique.

Abstract: An apparatus for ultrasound scanning of the eye is provided comprising a virtual center translocation mechanism that facilitates precise arcuate motion of an ultrasonic transducer to maintain focal distance from the eye and to maintain normality of the ultrasound beam with surfaces of the eye. The invention also provides a radius adjust mechanism for changing the radius of ultrasound scanning to facilitate positioning of the transducer focal point on selected surfaces of the eye. Centration optics are also provided, for aligning the ultrasound transducer with the Purkinje (or other optical or geometric) axis of a patient's eye.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to assess the compressibility of blood includes a combination of ultrasound transducers attached to tubing in which blood is flowing. An indicator medium is injected into the bloodstream of the subject over one or more time points and ultrasound waves are transmitted and monitored using transducers and phase lock amplifier to assess transmission time. Using a linear relationship between compressibility and density, changes in blood density are calculated from changes in transmission time to predict blood density changes and then the blood volume and microvascular pooling. This information allows prediction of complications that can occur during hemodialysis or because of post-traumatic fluid replacement and development of therapy to alleviate the complications.

Abstract: Multiline acquisition is used to acquire groups of beams in response to transmit pulses. At least some of the beams from spatially adjacent groups are coaxially aligned. The echo information is detected and coaxially aligned beams are blended together using weighting functions which vary as a function of the time and location of the blended beams from their transmit beam apertures to gradually blend the aligned beams together spatially, thereby reducing multiline image artifacts. Echoes from moving objects in coaxially aligned beams may be aligned axially before the beams are blended together.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging catheter is used to generate a three-dimensional image of an organ having a relatively large cavity, such as, e.g., a heart. The catheter includes an elongate catheter body having an acoustic window formed at its distal end. The catheter further includes an imaging core, which includes a drive cable with a distally mounted ultrasonic transducer. The transducer is disposed in the acoustic window and is rotationally and longitudinally translatable relative thereto, providing the catheter with longitudinal scanning capability. The catheter further includes a pull wire, which is connected to the distal end of the catheter body, such that longitudinal displacement of the pull wire causes the acoustic window to bend into a known and repeatable arc. The catheter can then be operated to generate a longitudinal scan of the organ through the arc, i.e.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system 18 for the generation of image data at a first location 16 that sends said data to a main ultrasound diagnostic imaging machine 10 for processing or viewing of the image data. The data may be processed up to the capabilities of the main machine 10 and then formatted in the format capabilities of the main machine 10 (duplex scan, color enhanced images, etc.) where the digital data can be sent via hard wire or wireless transmission to a network for viewing (image or processed data) or to the portable hand carry satellite ultrasound imaging machine.

Abstract: G.E. DOCKET NUMBER 15-DS-00536A system and method for measuring a position of an imaging element located within a scanhead of an imaging probe, such as transesophageal ultrasound probe, is provided. The imaging probe may be used in a medical imaging system and/or a three-dimensional imaging system. The probe includes an articulating portion having a scanhead. The scanhead includes an imaging element, such as a transducer, and a position sensor positioned within the scanhead. Preferably, the position sensor is connected to the imaging element via an axle. Therefore, the rotation of the position sensor is synchronized to the rotation of the imaging element. The location of the position sensor within the imaging element provides accurate measurement of the position of the imaging element. The position sensor preferably includes a code disk having apertures and a system of light emitters and detectors.

Abstract: In order to obtain an optimum PRF, the velocity distribution of an echo source is calculated based on the Doppler shift of an ultrasonic wave echo, the profile of the velocity distribution is calculated (172), the reflection of the profile is corrected (174), the maximum value of the velocity in the corrected profile is detected (176), and the PRF of the ultrasonic wave transmission is adjusted based thereon (178).

Abstract: An system and method for incorporating the functionality of a personal digital assistant (“PDA”) with a diagnostic medical ultrasound imaging system is disclosed. The PDA is capable of controlling the ultrasound system via a wired or wireless communications link. In addition, the personal information management (“PIM”) functions of the PDA are integrated together and with the system control functionality to permit automated control and configuration of the ultrasound system based on data stored by the PIM applications.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic diagnostic instrument including an array transducer, a beamformer, signal processing and imaging circuitry, and a display for the processed echo signals operates on no more than 25 watts of electrical power. Circuit functions can be selecting attend depending on mode of operation of the instrument to thereby reduce power consumption. Further, a power monitor and control can monitor electrical current from a battery power source, and when power consumption reaches a pre-determined level the power monitor and control further alters one or more functional units in the instrument including display mode of operation, clock frequency for analog to digital conversion and signal processing, color signal processing, and 3D signal processing. Power consumption can be monitored against two or more pre-determined levels wherein instrument functional units or mode of operation are altered depending on which level of power consumption has been reached.

Abstract: A software program executing externally to an ultrasound imaging device. The software program enters user control values for the ultrasound imaging device and calculates parameters based on the entered user control values. The parameters are then transferred to and stored in the ultrasound imaging device. The ultrasound imaging device includes parametrically defined machines controlled by the stored parameters to generate ultrasound images.