Abstract: An apparatus and method for detecting the highest velocity of fluid flow with in a volume having multiple sources of fluid flow with different velocities. There are multiple pairs of receiving transducers arranged about a region wherein each transducer in a pair is positioned on the same axis with respect to the region. A transmitting transducer is positioned at the region to provide an output frequency signal, which frequency signal is transmitted to the fluid flow area volume. This causes Doppler shifted frequency signals to be reflected, with the Doppler shift being a function of the fluid flow velocity. Each of the receiving transducers receive the Doppler shifted signals. Signal processing means are responsive to the Doppler shifted signals and the original transmitted output frequency signal to process those signals to provide a velocity signal for each pair of transducers. One then selects the maximum velocity signal obtained from the pair.

Abstract: A dual pointing device to be used in cooperation with an imaging apparatus, a tracking system, and an object to be imaged. The dual pointing device provides a means for tracking a point on in image in both the image's frame of reference and Euclidean absolute coordinates. This is accomplished by having two tracking systems follow the dual pointing device. Since the two tracking systems follow the same physical device, and since one tracking system operates in the image coordinates while the other tracking system operates in the absolute coordinates, the device makes it possible to effect automatic transformations between the two systems. More specifically, in the preferred embodiment of the dual pointing device, which is intended for use with a magnetic resonance imager, the absolute tracking system is based on infra-red reflectors on the device that are tracked by an infrared transponder.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for assessing blood flow in blood vessels, for assessing vascular health, for conducting clinical trials, for screening therapeutic interventions for adverse effects, and for assessing the effects of risk factors, therapies and substances, including therapeutic substances, on blood vessels, especially cerebral blood vessels, all achieved by measuring various parameters of blood flow in one or more vessels and analyzing the results in a defined manner. The relevant parameters of blood flow include mean flow velocity, systolic acceleration, and pulsatility index. By measuring and analyzing these parameters, one can ascertain the vascular health of a particular vessel, multiple vessels and an individual. Such measurements can also determine whether a substance has an effect, either deleterious or advantageous, on vascular health. The present invention further provides an expert system for achieving the above.

Abstract: In order to optimize the handling of a rotating surgical tool for producing a depression in bone material, provision is made for an ultrasonic transducer which is capable of emitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to be arranged in the tool, and for the ultrasonic transducer to be connectable to an ultrasonic generator and to a receiver which generates signals in dependence upon the strength of the ultrasonic radiation received by the ultrasonic transducer and upon the length of time between the emission of ultrasonic radiation and the reception of reflected ultrasonic radiation, which are a measure of the condition of the bone material in the direction of emission.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic device has an ultrasonic sensor having a substrate, a piezoelectric element mounted on the substrate for generating an ultrasonic wave to be transmitted into a living body in accordance with an input drive signal, and an intimate contact layer having a first main surface disposed in contact with the piezoelectric element and a second main surface opposite the first main surface for contacting a part of the living body. The intimate contact layer is formed of a flexible material such that the second main surface of the intimate contact layer is brought into close contact with the part of the living body so that no air gaps exist between the second main surface of the intimate contact layer and the part of the living body. A driver circuit generates an input drive signal to drive the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A method and system for both enhancing drug uptake by application of therapeutic transmissions of acoustic energy and imaging a region for applied therapy with a same transducer and ultrasound system. An ultrasonic image of a field of view is generated while localized delivery of a drug is enhanced with ultrasound energy. Using the same transducer and ultrasound system reduces costs and increases system availability for a broader range of medical practitioners. For example, a single linear array of transducer elements is used for application of both imaging and therapeutic ultrasound. As another example, a transmitter is provided that transmits therapeutic transmissions having substantially equal positive and negative peaks at the face of the transducer and also is operable to transmit imaging acoustic energy. As yet another example, therapeutic pulses of acoustic energy are transmitted to have greater power for heating than imaging, but a mechanical index or pressure comparable to imaging transmissions.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for electronically scanning a volumetric region using a two dimensional array of transducer elements coupled to a beamformer. Elements of the array are actuated to transmit ultrasonic energy into the volumetric region. Echo signals are received by elements of the array in response to the transmitted ultrasonic energy. Beams are formed which sample the volumetric region that allows choices of size, location and geometry shapes such as in one of a circular and elliptical beam pattern.

Abstract: A stent which is adapted for placement in the vessels of a human body is provided. The stent may be in the form of a thin-walled metal cylinder having a longitudinal axis. The stent has a proximal end and a distal end and includes a number of circumferentially relatively rigid portions. The relatively rigid portions are joined to each other by one or more longitudinals which extend in a substantially longitudinal direction. At least a portion of at least one of the longitudinals has an undulating shape where a first relatively rigid portion is located at the proximal end of the stent and a second relatively rigid portion is located at the distal end of the stent.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a sheath having a distal end insertable in a body cavity or a lumen, a proximal end having an injection port allowing an ultrasonic wave propagating liquid to be injected through the injection port, and a passage extending from the proximal end to the distal end, a drive shaft, having a distal end and a proximal end, for transmitting a mechanical drive force from the proximal end to the distal end, the drive shaft being disposed in the passage of the sheath, and an ultrasonic transducer provided at the distal end of the drive shaft, wherein a gap between the inner surface of the passage and the outer periphery of the drive shaft on the distal end side of the sheath is smaller than that on the proximal end side of the sheath. Such an ultrasonic probe is advantageous in efficiently discharging bubbles remaining in the sheath with less water flow, and also reducing the diameter of the ultrasonic probe while keeping a high quality of an ultrasonic tomogram.

Abstract: A catheter-based ultrasonic transducer array is provided which includes a piezoelectric member sandwiched between matching layers and a backing member. A flexible stiffening element or elements is embedded in the backing member. The element is opaque to radio frequencies and integrated along the azimuthal axis of the array so as to enable a user to view the element in an image of the array derived from the array output and thus determine the angular position of the array. A flexible interconnection assembly provides an electrical connection between the electrodes of the piezoelectric member and external cabling. Different methods are provided for adding a surrounding protective cover to the array.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.

Abstract: An optical detection type ultrasonic receiving apparatus in which S/N ratio of the detection signal is increased while preventing the apparatus from increase of size and cost. The ultrasonic receiving apparatus includes a light source for generating broadband light, an ultrasonic detecting element including an ultrasonic sensing portion to perform intensity modulation of the light, a spectrum-separating unit for spectrum-separating the modulated light, a photo detecting unit having a plurality of photoelectric converting elements for detecting the spectrum-separated light for each of plural wavelength components to generate at least a first detection signal of a first wavelength component and a second detection signal of a second wavelength component, and processing unit for carrying out processing operation using the first detection signal and the second detection signal to obtain information about the ultrasonic wave received by the ultrasonic detecting element.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the heat of an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. In the presently preferred embodiments, the system and method controls the temperature of the transducer by changing operating system parameters based on feedback from temperature sensing elements placed in the transducer. The chosen mutable system parameters may be preset by the construction of the ultrasonic system, under the control of the ultrasonic system user, or a combination of the two. In one exemplary embodiment, a different mutable system parameter is altered based on which imaging mode the system is using. In two other exemplary embodiments, the one or more mutable system parameters are altered by an amount proportionate to the difference between the current temperature and a preferred operating temperature. In yet another exemplary embodiment, the system switches to a lower power imaging mode when the temperature feedback indicates a threshold temperature has been reached.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for assessing blood flow in blood vessels, for assessing vascular health, for conducting clinical trials, for screening therapeutic interventions for adverse effects, and for assessing the effects of risk factors, therapies and substances, including therapeutic substances, on blood vessels, especially cerebral blood vessels, all achieved by measuring various parameters of blood flow in one or more vessels and analyzing the results in a defined manner. The relevant parameters of blood flow include mean flow velocity, systolic acceleration, and pulsatility index. By measuring and analyzing these parameters, one can ascertain the vascular health of a particular vessel, multiple vessels and an individual. Such measurements can also determine whether a substance has an effect, either deleterious or advantageous, on vascular health. The present invention further provides an expert system for achieving the above.

Abstract: A method and system for displaying a parametric image showing tissue perfusion includes an ultrasonic imaging system coupled to an ECG device. The ECG device triggers the imaging system to obtain contrast image data showing tissue perfusion at a respective predetermined time during each of a plurality of heartbeats. Parametric image data for discrete locations in the area of interest such as the myocardium is determined from the temporal contrast data acquired during reperfusion of the tissue in the area of interest. The parameters are mapped to a display value such as color to produce a parametric perfusion ultrasound image. Sequences of images may be produced which depict both perfusion characteristics and dynamic wall motion of the myocardium in a common image sequence.

Abstract: A fluorescent-light image display apparatus for displaying on a monitor a fluorescent-light image emitted from a target area irradiated by a excitation light. A photo-detector inputs the output value of the excitation light into an irregularity controller, which determines whether or not the output of the excitation light is smaller than a set value. If the output of the excitation light is determined to be larger than the set value, an irregularity detection signal is output to the main controller. The main controller stops the flow of drive-current to and the emission of excitation light from the GaN semiconductor laser, and displays a message on the monitor that an irregularity has occurred in the output of the excitation light when the output of the excitation light is larger than a predetermined value, the emission of the excitation light is stopped and the patient is not irradiated by excitation light having an energy density above a predetermined value.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which enables the system operator to change the language of the graphical user interface without the need to restart the system. The software build for text, dialog boxes, symbols, icons, and other language-specific information contains this display information in multiple languages. By accessing a setup menu or other selection screen the user can change to one of the other languages stored on the system, preferably including all language-specific features. In the describe embodiments this change many be implemented without the need to reboot the system. In one embodiment the user has the ability to select multiple languages for different functions such as one language for system operation and another language for diagnostic reports.

Abstract: A method to measure spatial fluid flow components and their velocity profiles in a number of locations in a cross-sectional area of a lumen or other body cavity by using ultrasound in which the cross-sectional area is interrogated by a plurality of ultrasonic beams; the estimation of the spatial flow components is obtained from a combination of estimations of axial, lateral and total flow; the estimation of one or more flow components is obtained through any combination of time-shift and decorrelation analysis of two or more beam-signals of the interrogating ultrasound transducer; and the estimation accuracy is further improved by the use of a reference decorrelation curve obtained from experiments or beam-theory or both.

Abstract: A method and device for determining a plurality of cardiovascular parameters are described, wherein the parameters are determined from noninvasively obtained data, thereby obviating the need for invasive procedures such as cardiac catheterization. These determinations are enabled by incorporating fluid dynamics and thermodynamics equations with noninvasively obtained mechanical cardiac event data to estimate a desired cardiovascular parameter. Exemplary parameters obtainable with the method and device include aoritc and mitral valve areas, cardiac left ventricular stroke volume, and aortic and mitral valve pressure gradients.

Abstract: A method, system, and computer program product for providing textual ultrasound probe position information corresponding to an ultrasound image of a target is described. Based on a user's graphical manipulations of a probe icon relative to a breast icon, a text sequence corresponding to the user's estimate of the position of an ultrasound probe is automatically generated. User error and fatigue are reduced because manual keying of the probe position text sequence is no longer required, and the resulting outputs are standardized in format and therefore more amenable to archiving and electronic analysis. In one preferred embodiment, the user is permitted to select a snapping mode of operation in which the probe icon is snapped to align with a major direction of a preselected coordinate system, further enhancing ease-of-use and reducing user fatigue.