Abstract: A method and system for quantifying the extent of vaso vasorum with contrast enhanced ultrasound and correlating that quantitative value to the risk for vascular disease is provided. An ultrasound contrast agent is administered to a subject and images are obtained using an imaging method that identifies the uptake of the contrast agent by tissues. The amount of uptake is measured and the corresponding signal intensity change correlated with the amount of vaso vasorum present. Additionally, deformations of the vasculature are measured from the series of ultrasound images and this information is coupled with the quantification of the vaso vasorum to determine a risk index indicative of a subject's risk to vascular disease.

Abstract: A method and system for quantifying the extent of vaso vasorum with contrast enhanced ultrasound and correlating that quantitative value to the risk for vascular disease is provided. An ultrasound contrast agent is administered to a subject and images are obtained using an imaging method that identifies the uptake of the contrast agent by tissues. The amount of uptake is measured and the corresponding signal intensity change correlated with the amount of vaso vasorum present. Additionally, deformations of the vasculature are measured from the series of ultrasound images and this information is coupled with the quantification of the vaso vasorum to determine a risk index indicative of a subject's risk to vascular disease.

Abstract: A method for measuring and displaying flow and flow volume in the vessel of a subject. The method includes acquiring ultrasound data from a subject and producing a color Doppler m-mode image depicting the vessel. A 3D representation of the color Doppler m-mode image is then generated to enable an operator to identify the blood vessel and window the ultrasound data accordingly to a selected range of heart beats. Blood vessel walls are automatically identified from the windowed ultrasound data and blood flow through the vessel lumen is measured using pulsed Doppler ultrasound, which is gated to substantially exclude data from outside the lumen. Volume flow through the vessel is determined by multiplying the measured blood flow with a calculated cross-sectional area of the vessel and an image indicative of the volume is then generated and displayed.

Abstract: A method for identifying blood flow patterns based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging and, in particular, echocardiography. The method includes indicating a blood flow type in the cavity through which imaged blood is flowing by correlating the identified blood flow pattern with a selected pattern. Further, a report indicative of a condition of the cavity can be generated based on the indicated blood flow type.

Abstract: A method for detecting cardiac rejection in heart transplant patients is disclosed. The wall mechanics, such as wall shear, stress, and strain, of a heart ventricle of the transplant patient are measured. A property of the native vasculature is also measured. The measured property may include the wall mechanics or thickness of the native blood vessel. The wall mechanics measurements of the ventricle and the measured property of the native vasculature are compared, and the comparison is outputted. The outputted comparison is matched either to similarly-obtained comparisons from heart transplant patients undergoing early cardiac rejection of the transplanted heart or to similarly-obtained comparisons from heart transplant patients with normally-functioning hearts.

Abstract: An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.

Abstract: A video application that is configured to prompt the display of images on a screen for viewing by a user. The screen includes a display layer that includes a display image having a representation of a sub-stream image. The user can select the representation of a sub-stream image to display a video stream.

Abstract: An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.

Abstract: An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.

Abstract: An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.

Abstract: A self-contained ultrasound catheter device capable of delivering diagnostic and therapeutic tools in a field of ultrasound includes a rotatable multiplane sector phased array imaging ultrasound transducer used for the visualization of under fluid structures and/or diagnostic and therapeutic events. The multiplane sector phased array is rotatable around an axis of an ultrasound beam to obtain sequential imaging planes in a continuous or interrupted sweep up to 360 degrees. The transducer being a multiplane transducer allows more versatile visualization of underfluid structures and/or events. The sequential acquisition of tomographic images is suitable for 3-dimensional image reconstruction.

Abstract: An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.

Abstract: An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.

Abstract: An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.

Abstract: A catheter apparatus for monitoring cardiovascular function is provided. The catheter apparatus contains an elongated body having proximal and distal ends; a phased-array ultrasonic transducer; and an electrical conductor. The phased-array ultrasonic transducer is mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter body to transmit ultrasound and receive resultant echoes so as to provide a field of view within which flow rates can be measured and features imaged. The electrical conductor is disposed in the catheter body for electrically connecting the transducer to control circuitry external of the catheter.

Abstract: An underfluid ultrasound imaging catheter system includes a catheter having a distal end inserted into an underfluid structure, an ultrasonic transducer array mounted proximate the distal end of the catheter wherein the array has a row of individual transducer crystals, a lens mounted on the array for defocusing ultrasound beams in a direction perpendicular to an axis of the array so as to provide a volumetric field of view within which the underfluid features are imaged. Alternatively, the single row of transducer crystals is replaced by multiple rows of transducer crystals so as to provide a volumetric field of view. This imaging catheter system helps an operator see 3-dimensional images of an underfluid environment, such as the 3-dimensional images of fluid-filled cavities of heart, blood vessel, urinary bladder, etc. Features in such wide volumetric field of view can be imaged, measured, or intervened by an underfluid therapeutic device with an aid of the real-time image.

Abstract: An underfluid imaging, diagnostic, interventional, or measuring catheter apparatus including an outer catheter body and a drive shaft receivable in the outer body and rotatable with respect to the outer body; an ultrasound transducer array mounted on the rotatable drive shaft and rotated with the drive shaft; and a ultrasound window portion disposed on the outer body, wherein the ultrasound transducer array is longitudinally positionable within the outer body proximate the window portion so as to allow transmission of ultrasound signals from the transducer array to the outside of the catheter. The ultrasound signals are a sequential set of spatially related tomographic image planes which define a volumetric field of view around the catheter. An underfluid therapeutic or diagnostic device can be received in the catheter through a port extending from proximate a proximal end to proximate a distal end of the catheter.