Abstract: An ultrasonic probe which is used for ultrasonic diagnosis comprises a transducer element, a sonic speed control element, and an acoustic matching layer. The sonic speed control element has a function to control the sonic speed of the ultrasonic waves traveling therethrough, and has an inclined characteristic in the sonic speed control effect in which the sonic speed control effect changes continuously along the direction of travel of the ultrasonic waves (thickness direction). The specific acoustic impedance of the sonic speed control element at the end near the living body corresponds to the specific acoustic impedance of the acoustic matching layer at the end away from the living body. The acoustic matching layer is preferably formed by layering 2 or 3 or more overlapped members. The boundary between two adjacent members has a shape with a plurality of hills and valleys.

Abstract: For the purpose of providing an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for improving ease of operation by effectively utilizing two display devices, at least two display modes are defined. In the first display mode, arithmetic control/signal processing means 11 controls video signal processing means 18 to display an ultrasonic diagnostic image based on ultrasonic reflection signals stored in an image memory 16 on a CRT device 30 as a monitor display device, and controls video signal processing means 17 to display operation-indicating items for the operation relating to ultrasonic diagnosis on an LCD device 40, and conducts task processing for ultrasonic diagnosis in response to an operation detected by position detecting means in a touch panel 42.

Abstract: A variable type ultrasonic probe is provided, in which each of piezoelectric units accommodated in the probe is separated into a plurality of piezoelectric elements, and the piezoelectric units are easily arrayed in an arcuately curved arrangement. The ultrasonic probe has therein a piezoelectric unit separated into at least three piezoelectric elements, i.e., a central element and both opposite end elements, and disposed on a backing member in a manner such that a lower face electrode of each piezoelectric element is led out. A leading-out wiring board provided with conductive paths formed on both major faces thereof is arranged on the lower faces of the one end and central piezoelectric elements. The lower face electrodes of the one end element and central element are electrically led out by the upper face conductive path and the lower face conductive path of the leading-out wiring board, respectively.

Abstract: In order to make both the maintenance of a scan range and a frame rate for ultrasonic imaging and high definition of an image compatible with each other, a sound-ray density for scan is made nonuniform, and a sound-ray density is rendered dense at a required portion and coarse at portions other than the portion.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound catheter with a tip portion carrying an ultrasound transducer. The tip portion comprises a first portion that is in the acoustic path of the ultrasound transducer, and a second portion that is outside the acoustic path of the ultrasound transducer. The first and second portions comprise different acoustic and mechanical properties. For example, the mechanical properties of the second portion can give the catheter tip sufficient durability to withstand normal use without bowing, while the acoustic properties of the first portion can give the catheter tip desired acoustic properties. This may be especially important for small diameter catheters (e.g., maximum cross-sectional dimensions less than or equal to about 10 French or 8 French) where the stiffness of the catheter tip is reduced.

Abstract: A device and method of detection and treatment of a solid cancer tumor, for example prostate cancer. In a diagnostic method, ultrasound is used to extract a cancer tumor marker from interstitial fluid into a coupling medium. In a method for treating a solid tumor, ultrasound is used to deliver one or more drugs from the coupling medium directly to the site of the tumor.

Abstract: A bone mineral density meter comprises first input device which enters a sound of speed in a bone; second input device which enters a weight of the person to be measured; third input device which enters fat free mass of the person to be measured; arithmetic device which computes the bone mineral density based on data from said first input device and data from said second input device and said third input device; and display which displays a bone mineral density value computed by said arithmetic device. The present invention allows a bone mineral density to be safely estimated, at a low cost, and with proper accuracy and without having to worry about exposure to X-rays.

Abstract: A mechanical diagnostic probe is used to determine the thickness of articular cartilage, so that any degeneration in the articular cartilage can be detected at an early stage. The probe advantageously allows for calibrating the speed of the ultrasound in situ thereby allowing for more accurate measurements of the tissue thickness. The probe also can be used to monitor the condition of the cartilage after surgery and/or after or during physical rehabilitation of the cartilage. The probe is comprised of a probe handle and a probe, which is comprised of an ultrasonic transducer, strain-gauges, and a linear displacement actuator. A predetermined displacement then is applied to the indenter tip and a computer program is then used to analyze the results.

Abstract: An imaging ultrasound system is provided with an ultrasound transducer and an image processing unit for the acquisition of a three-dimensional ultrasound image of the body of a patient, and a catheter for carrying out a therapeutic or diagnostic intervention in the body of the patient. The catheter accommodates, in addition to the customary instruments necessary to carry out its task, three ultrasound receivers that are mounted at a distance from one another on the tip of the catheter and are capable of detecting the arrival of scan signals of the ultrasound transducer. The distance between the ultrasound transducer and the receivers can be calculated from the transit time of the scan signals. The receivers can thus be localized in space. Localization enables notably the selection of, for example, the plane from the three-dimensional ultrasound data that contains all three receivers of the catheter.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging guidewire, that is inserted into a patient's body. The guidewire has a static central core and an imaging guidewire body comprising an acoustical scanning device. The acoustical scanning device can be rotated to obtain 360 degree acoustical images of a site of interest in the patients body. Furthermore, the imaging guidewire includes a connector that permits the imaging guidewire body to be disengaged from the static central core tip so that the imaging guidewire body can be axially translated to obtain multi-position imaging. The imaging guidewire body is axially translated without losing the original guidewire positioning because the static central core maintains its position in the patient's body.

Abstract: In order to properly discern a plurality of streams of blood flow having different contrast agent arrival times or blood concentration properties, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 200 comprises: an ultrasonic probe 1; a transceiver section 2; a quadrature detector section 3; a power calculating section 4 for calculating the power P of blood flow; a power peak holding section 21 for comparing the latest power P and a predecessor peak value Po, and outputting the larger one as a peak value P′ and an elapsed time t′ corresponding to the peak value P′; a predecessor power/elapsed time keeping section 22 for keeping the predecessor peak value Po and the corresponding elapsed time ‘to’ and outputting these values to the power peak holding section 21; a timer 11 for measuring an elapsed time t from a reference time; a blood flow image producing section 25 for producing a power peak hold blood flow image G2 in which the hue is changed before and after the elapsed time t′ reaches

Abstract: An ultrasound system that utilizes a probe in conjunction with little or no specialized 3-D software/hardware to produce images having depth cues. A control unit uses the probe to produce multiple slices of data, wherein each slice has a plurality of lines of data points. The control unit oversees the combination of data points from matched lines across the slices so as to create an image on the display giving the illusion of depth.

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasonic imaging system includes an ultrasonic scanhead, an ultrasonic system chassis, and an organic light emitting device (“OLED”) display. The OLED display has a response time of less than 10 ms, a contrast ratio of at least 1000:1, and a horizontal and vertical viewing angle of at least 160 degrees.

Abstract: IntraOsteal UltraSound (IOUS) is the use of acoustical energyto facilitate “real-time” manipulation and navigation of a device for intraosseous placement of synthetic or biologic implants and to diagnose the condition of the tissue into which the implant is being placed. Representative applications include placement of synthetic or biologic implants, such as bone screws, through vertebral pedicles during spinal fusion surgery. Devices for use in the placement of the implants include a means for creating a lumen or channel into the bone at the desired site in combination with a probe for providing realtime feedback of differences in density of the tissue, typically differences in acoustical impedence between cancellous and cortical bone. The devices will also typically include means for monitoring the feedback such as a screen creating an image for the surgeon as he creates the channel, and/or an audible signal which different tissues are present.

Abstract: A device and method for monitoring condition of the patient's bladder urine distention level are presented. The device comprises a sensing unit and an indication unit. The sensing unit is attachable to a certain location on the patient's abdominal, and is of a kind transmitting acoustic signals substantially not exceeding 20 kHz to the urine bladder through tissue, receiving signals reflected from the urine bladder, and generating data representative of the condition of the bladder urine distention. A processor is interconnected between the sensing and the indication units. The processor is responsive to the generated data for analyzing the same and selectively generating a signal indicative of the existence of a predetermined condition of the patient's bladder urine distention level.

Abstract: A system and a method for adjusting contrast and brightness in an image, e.g., an ultrasound image. The contrast and brightness are adjusted by processing global pixel intensity data to form a set of data representing a histogram. An algorithm is then employed to filter the pixel intensity values as a function of certain characteristics of the histogram data. The algorithm is designed to enhance contrast and brightness without affecting the near-field region in the ultrasound image. The filtering operations may be performed by a dedicated processor or by a fast general-purpose computer.

Abstract: A hand held ultrasound system comprises a balance body, a transducer assembly connected to said balance body via a communication means and a plurality of control elements arranged in an ergonomic fashion on said balance body, such that a user may hold said system and operate at least one of said control elements with the same hand. In particular a medical ultrasound system comprising a balance body incorporating system electronics, a power supply and a user interface wherein the user interface comprises a D-controller and a touch screen and a transducer assembly attached to the balanced body by a cable.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus for observing a detectable object to be ultrasonically diagnosed. The apparatus includes an ultrasonically diagnostic probe unit for probing the object with ultrasonic waves in response to input pulse signals and with an ultrasonic echo from the object, a signal transmitting unit to generate the input pulse signals, a signal receiving unit for receiving the ultrasonic echo and processing output signals to be converted into an image of the object, and a display unit to display the image.

Abstract: A system for determining displacement of an osseous target underlaying soft tissue assists in the diagnosis of disorders of the musculoskeletal system. The system includes an ultrasonic transducer/indenter which is used to compress the target tissue while concurrently obtaining ultrasound data. The displacement of the osseous target is determined by subtracting soft tissue compression from the overall displacement of the transducer/indenter. The transducer/indenter may be mechanically actuated or manually actuated.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound imaging in the presence of contrast agents, particularly in the field of cardiology, including detecting physiological, especially electrocardiographic signals; transforming the signals or a part thereof into pulses for controlling an ultrasonic probe pointed to the heart region, to synchronize it with the heart cycle; performing image acquisitions at predetermined heart cycle phases for predetermined limited times, with a predetermined ultrasonic beam intensity; processing the received signals and displaying them on a display. Image acquisition takes place in the systolic phase of each heart cycle from the end of diastole to the end of systole, a certain fixed number of acquisitions per unit time and an intensity of the ultrasonic beams being determined with the help of an intermediate Mechanical Index for controlled destruction of a certain percentage of contrast agent microbubbles.