Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for taking an image 2 of an object surface 1 by means of a focusable radiation 3. An array of object elements 4 that covers the object surface is defined; then, for each object element 1, a first signal of the radiation that is focused onto an associated transmitter line 5, including said object element, in the object surface is emitted, and a second signal of the radiation that is generated by means of said first signal and is focused onto an associated receiver line 6, including the object element and crossing said transmitter line, in the object surface is received and an associated image information item is picked up therefrom; finally, the image is composed from the image information items of all the object elements.

Abstract: An optical guide for a biopsy needle includes a light projector for producing a line image on a patient's skin surface, wherein the light projector is adapted for mounting on an ultrasound transducer such that the line image corresponds with an intersection of the transducer ultrasound plane with the skin surface.

Abstract: An instrument guide is described for mounting an invasive instrument such as a biopsy needle to an imaging probe, controlling its position, monitoring its position, and/or predictively displaying its position on a user display of the medical imaging system. A plurality of substantially rigid segments are hingeably connected to the probe, to an instrument handle, and to each other such that movement of the biopsy needle is restricted to within the imaged plane. However, substantial freedom of movement within the imaged plane is provided such that the instrument may be inserted into the patient over a wide range of angles. In one preferred embodiment, angle detectors are provided at each segment intersection and measurements provided for computing and displaying the instrument position and orientation on the user display. The instrument guide/position monitor is preferably made with low-cost components such that it is disposable after a single use.

Abstract: A digital multiline beamformer is provided which produces multiple receive beams in response to a single transmit event. An embodiment of the present invention includes a bulk delay which provides a common steering delay applicable to all of the beams received at one time. The bulk delay is succeeded by parallel filter processing paths which produce finely focused multiple beams simultaneously. In one embodiment a multiphase filter produces the samples for multiple beams, which is advantageous when the number of simultaneously produced beams is greater than the number of phases produced by the fine focus filter.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanning system having an ultrasound transducer (10) which provides ultrasound images (33), a computer to process the ultrasound information and to render the ultrasound image (33) correctly positioned and scaled for display on a flat panel monitor (29) which has a display size similar to the actual physical size of the ultrasound image (33). A half silvered mirror (30) redirects the image (33) so that the user (32) perceives the image (33) as if it occupied the actual physical location of the structures (34, 35) appearing in the image (33). An illumination (22) unit projects onto a patient (13) a line of light (3) that is within the imaging plane (4) projected by the ultrasound transducer (10) into the patient (13). Alternatively a video camera may be used to display a guide line (15) that is coplanar with the imaging plane (4). A mechanical mount (16) combines the transducer (10), monitor (29), mirror (30), and source of illumination (22) or video camera in a correct geometrical alignment.

Abstract: A method for adaptive filtering of clutter from a sample stream having a blood signal component and a clutter signal component comprises the steps of (a) estimating a signal strength of the sample stream, and (b) determining an order of a filter based on a relationship between the signal strength estimate and a signal strength threshold. The filter receives the sample stream and provides an output stream having a reduced level of the clutter signal component relative to the blood signal component.

Abstract: A minimally invasive approach implementing the concept of transesophageal access to the heart and surrounding structures is described which allows intra and extra cardiac procedures to be performed while the heart is beating. The technique creates a short, wide and almost straight tubular access to the posterior mediastinum, pericardial space and interior of the heart through a penetration in a segment in the GI tract preferably the esophagus in proximity to a cardiac chamber. The access device isolates the penetration site from the rest of the esophageal lumen and secures the penetration site in the esophageal wall. Other means are used to secure the penetration field in the esophageal wall and prevent micro leakage, including circumferential pressure isolation of the esophageal segment, continuous intra esophageal suction and irrigation, and vacuum negative pressure throughout the procedure.

Abstract: An image processing system according to an implementation of the invention includes a plurality of signal processing modules (210, 212, 214, 216, 218, 220, 222, 224, 226) inline in a data stream receiving signals. The signal processing modules include input multiplexers (234a-234i) adapted to control an order of or bypassing of processing by the signal processing modules. The signal processing modules may be implemented as hardware-based, nonlinear signal processing modules, such as log compress, decimation, compounding, blending, edge enhancement, automatic gain control, BHNS, lateral, or persistence filters.

Abstract: The present invention provides processes and apparatus for selectively dissolving and removing unwanted solid and semi-solid materials and the like, within a highly localized region utilizing ultra-high energy acoustical waves having a frequency in the range above 50 MHz, for example from about 50 MHz to about 100 GHz. The invention apparatus includes a piezoelectric transducer that is modified to increase the amplitude of acoustical waves of a given frequency without increase in power to the system. The invention and apparatus have important applications in surgical procedures for the treatment of atherosclerotic plaque, prostate disorders, cancers, orthopedic and cosmetic surgery, various types of orthopedic surgery, including atheroscopic surgery, and the like. The present invention is also useful in a wide variety of non-surgical applications, including industrial processes, wherein materials are desired to be selectively removed in a very localized region.

Abstract: Featured is a device that provides a mechanism for imaging structure and/or tissue of a surgical site during and after performing a microsurgical procedure such as ophthalmic surgical procedures. Also featured are methods and systems related thereto. In the imaging method of the present invention using such a device includes positioning a high frequency ultrasonic signal transmitting and receiving apparatus imaging mechanism in close proximity to the area to be scanned/imaged (e.g., surgical site), so that the high frequency ultrasonic signal penetrates the tissue/structure of the surgical site being scanned. The reflected ultrasonic signals, are processed so as to yield high quality/high resolution images of the scanned tissue/structure. Further, the high resolution images are evaluated by the surgeon during the procedure to determine if the surgical approach should be adjusted.

Abstract: To accurately measure wave intensity as an evaluation value using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a measurement line is set in a tomogram and anterior and posterior walls of a blood vessel are tracked on the measurement line, so that a change waveform concerning a blood vessel diameter is prepared. A tracking gate S is set on the measurement line, so that a blood velocity change waveform is prepared based on echo data concerning a part within the tracking gate S, the change waveform indicating averaged blood velocity. Wave intensity is calculated based on the blood vessel diameter change waveform and the blood velocity change waveform. Prior to the calculation of wave intensity, the blood vessel diameter change waveform is calibrated based on the maximum and minimum blood pressure values into a blood pressure waveform. A beam for Doppler measurement may be set intersecting with the displacement measurement beam.

Abstract: Attached to a proximal end portion of a flexible cord of an ultrasound probe of an ultrasound examination system, to be introduced into a body cavity through a narrow guide passage, is a flexible wiring film which can be coiled into a helical roll of a narrow cylindrical shape extending along an axial extension line of the flexible cord at the time of passing same through the narrow guide passage. Formed on a surface of the flexible wiring film are a plural number of wire connection points for connection of signal lines from transducer elements of an ultrasound transducer which is provided at a fore distal end of the flexible cord of the probe, and a corresponding number of electrodes which are electrically connected with the wire connection points through a wiring pattern. The electrodes on the flexible wiring film are disconnectibly connected to corresponding contact points on a contact assembly of a relay means.

Abstract: A method of estimating the volume flow in a vessel utilizing ultrasound techniques including the steps of imaging the vessel utilizing an ultrasonic transducer array so as to produce fluid velocity information for the vessel, the plane formed by the beams emitted by the transducers having a direction which is offset from an axis of the vessel such that the beam plane forms an elliptical section within the vessel, and utilizing the velocity information for points within the vessel and the elliptical section to calculate a mean velocity for the fluid flow through the elliptical section. The improvement of the volume flow estimation is achieved by utilizing average velocity information and Doppler signal power, and mean velocity calculation based on a weighted summation of the velocity values a multiple measurement points with weighting factors determined by the Doppler signal power at the measurement points.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonic imaging, particularly of moving bodies, such as surgical utensils, tissues, flows, or the like, which includes the following steps:—Periodically emitting ultrasonic pulses along a predetermined view line and with a predetermined repetition rate through one or more transducers;—Receiving the echoes produced by the body and/or the tissues or flows and transforming them into echo signals;—Processing the echo signals for extracting information therefrom and for generating an image based on such information. According the invention, the following steps are additionally provided:—determining a real time vector difference between the echo signals of two pulses successively emitted at predetermined time intervals;—using said difference signal as an information signal for ultrasonic imaging.

Abstract: The control panel of an ultrasound system can swivel about the operator location. In one embodiment this capability is provided by pivoting the control panel about a pivot axis located forward of the center of the control panel, preferably within a few inches of the operator position. In another embodiment the control panel can be moved along a track which is curved about the operator position, and in a further embodiment the control panel is moved by a linkage which simultaneously moves the control panel from side to side and forward.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer (108) for use in medical imaging comprises a substrate (300) having first and second surfaces. The substrate (300) includes an aperture (301) extending from the first surface to the second surface. Electronic circuitry (302) is located on the first surface. A diaphragm (304) is positioned at least partially within the aperture (301) and in electrical communication with the electronic circuitry (302). The diaphragm (304) has an arcuate shape, formed by applying a differential pressure, that is a section of a sphere. A binder material (314) is in physical communication with the diaphragm (304) and the substrate (300).

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmission unit for an imaging/quantitative ultrasound device provides for coaxial transducer crystals which may be operated independently with a first crystal operated alone for quantitative measurement and the first and second crystal operated together to provide a broad illumination for imaging of structure.

Abstract: A probe 10 transmits an ultrasonic pulse of a wide band, and detects its echo to generate a reception signal. The reception signals are respectively filtered by three filter parts (14a to 14c) of different passing bands. Outputs of the respective filter parts (14a to 14c) are signal components of a narrow band, and speckle components (interference components by a fine structure) appear conspicuously. Outputs of the respective filter parts (14a to 14c) are detected, and the detection outputs are set respectively as each color signal of R, G and B, and are composed by an image composition part (20), whereby a speckle part is displayed by coloring in R, G or B. As a tissue boundary part is high in a signal level in any band, it is displayed in a whitish color by composition.

Abstract: Two-dimensional distribution data of velocities on a moving object in an object to be examined is obtained. A motion field which defines the motion direction of a tissue is stored. A plurality of tracking points are obtained in a tissue range in the two-dimensional distribution data. The moving positions of the tracking points are estimated and the positions are sequentially tracked. Velocities toward the motion direction defined by the motion field are obtained on the basis of the two-dimensional distribution data. One intermediate output value is obtained by performing a predetermined computation by using velocities toward the motion direction at tracking positions of at least two tracking points in each time phase. The values of intermediate positions are obtained by performing weighted addition of intermediate outputs at different positions. A display image is generated and displayed by using the values of the intermediate positions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method of imaging contrast agents within a patient's body. The apparatus includes an imaging system transmitting at multiple frequencies to elicit a response from the contrast agent at corresponding multiple frequencies, forms images corresponding to each frequency, and the combines the formed images.