Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature distribution measuring apparatus for measuring a temperature distribution within an object caused by heating the object. A temperature distribution measuring unit (13, 71) measures the temperature distribution in a measurement region within the object, while the object is heated, and a temperature measurement control unit (22) controls the temperature distribution measuring unit such that the measurement region is modified depending on the measured temperature distribution, in order to measure different temperature distributions in different measurement regions.

Abstract: A system (100) includes an imaging system (130), and a therapy control device (122). The imaging system (130) generates temperature maps (140) and strain maps (142) of localized tissues of a patient. The therapy control device (122) includes one or more computer processors configured to detect at least one failure mode (300, 302, 304, 400) of generated mild hyperthermia in the localized tissues of the patient according to at least one of the temperature maps, the strain maps, or a signal indicative of detected inertial cavitation. In some embodiments, the therapy control device either halts therapy or issues a warning.

Abstract: An ultrasound focal zone display includes an image area for displaying an ultrasound image, a plurality of depth markers, the plurality of depth markers representative of a predetermined tissue depth of the displayed ultrasound image, a focus indicator representative of a maximum acoustic beam intensity of the displayed ultrasound image, and a focal zone extent representative of acoustic beam intensity values within a predetermined range below the maximum acoustic beam intensity value, the focus indicator being adjacent or overlapping the focal zone extent, the position of the focus indicator being asymmetrical relative to the focal zone extent.

Abstract: A device may receive information that identifies a set of tasks to be executed and precedence constraints associated with the set of tasks. The device may store the set of tasks in a data structure including a directed acyclic graph, and may determine a set of paths based on the information that identifies the set of tasks and the precedence constraints associated with the set of tasks. Each path, of the set of paths, may include particular tasks of the set of tasks. The device may determine a set of path execution times, for the set of paths, based on an artificial intelligence technique. The device may determine a critical path, of the set of paths, based on the set of path execution times. The device may determine an execution priority of the set of tasks based on the critical path. The device may provide the set of tasks for execution based on the execution priority.

Abstract: A device is configured for interrogating a blood vessel to derive flow characteristics (S628) and for, responsive to the deriving and based on the derived characteristics, anatomically identifying the vessel. A spatial map of the vessels may be generated based on the interrogating, and specifically the Doppler power computed from data acquired in the interrogating. Subsequent interrogating (S668) may occur, based on the map and on a user-selected set of vessels and/or vessel categories, to derive clinical Doppler indices. The device can be designed to automatically set a sample volume (509) for the subsequent interrogating, and to operate automatically from the user selection to display of the indices. The display may further include an image (524) of the vessels summoned by the set, annotated by their individual anatomical names, and optionally a diagnosis relating to blood flow. The displayed image may be enlarged to zoom in on the user's onscreen selection.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound imaging acquires an initial set of ultrasound images of a region of interest at an initial time t0 using a pulsed wave velocity imaging mode and one or more subsequent sets of ultrasound images in pulsed wave velocity imaging mode over the same region at a predetermined frame rate. The relative displacement between acquired frames is computed. A pulse wave velocity distribution is generated according to the computed displacement by comparing arrival times of the pulse wave at different locations over the region. A subset of pulse wave velocity values from the distribution is identified according to standard deviation or other statistical criterion. Statistical results are computed according to the subset of pulse wave velocity values. Computed statistical results are displayed.

Abstract: A device may receive information that identifies a set of tasks to be executed and precedence constraints associated with the set of tasks. The device may store the set of tasks in a data structure including a directed acyclic graph, and may determine a set of paths based on the information that identifies the set of tasks and the precedence constraints associated with the set of tasks. Each path, of the set of paths, may include particular tasks of the set of tasks. The device may determine a set of path execution times, for the set of paths, based on an artificial intelligence technique. The device may determine a critical path, of the set of paths, based on the set of path execution times. The device may determine an execution priority of the set of tasks based on the critical path. The device may provide the set of tasks for execution based on the execution priority.

Abstract: A method includes generating a hyperthermia heat plan for tissue of interest, generating a hyperthermia adapted radiation therapy plan for the tissue of interest, controlling a heat source (126) to deliver heat to the tissue of interest according to the hyperthermia heat plan, and controlling a radiation source of a radiation therapy system (100) to deliver radiation to the tissue of interest according to the hyperthermia adapted radiation therapy plan. A system includes a radiation treatment planner (124) configured to generate a hyperthermia adapted radiation therapy plan for the tissue of interest, a radiation therapy system (100) configured to deliver radiation in accordance with the hyperthermia adapted radiation therapy plan, and a hyperthermia heat delivery system (126) configured to deliver heat in accordance with a hyperthermia plan.

Abstract: A system for performing ablation includes an ablation device (102) configured to ablate tissue in accordance with control parameters and configured to make measurements during the ablation process. An imaging system (104) is configured to measure an elastographic related parameter to monitor ablation progress. A parameter estimation and monitoring module (115) is configured to receive the measurements from the ablation device and/or the elastographic related parameter to provide feedback to adaptively adjust imaging parameters of the imaging device at different times during an ablation process.

Abstract: An occlusion and/or reopening of an artery of a body caused by a changing pressure applied on the artery is detected. The systolic blood pressure of an artery of a body is also measured. A Doppler Ultrasound transducer attached to the exterior of the body outputs a blood flow signal indicative of a change of the blood flow in the artery caused by the changing pressure. At least one variable of a first variable indicative of the magnitude of the blood flow and a second variable indicative of the periodicity of the blood flow is derived from the blood flow signal. The occlusion and/or reopening of the artery is detected on the basis of the at least one variable. In this way, the occlusion/reopening of the artery can be detected automatically. Since the need to manually detect the occlusion and reopening of the artery by listening with a stethoscope or a Doppler probe is eliminated, the detecting result is more predictable and repeatable, and therefore also more accurate.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound imaging generates an interleaved ultrasound beam pattern that alternates transmission between a focused ultrasound signal and a plane wave ultrasound signal during a scan. Reflected signal data from the focused ultrasound signal is directed to a first signal processing path that executes delay/sum processing and generates successive lines of image data. Reflected signal data from the plane wave ultrasound signal is directed to a second signal processing path that generates a full plane of image data. Pixel location and timing for data from the first signal processing path are synchronized with location and timing for the second signal processing path. The combined, synchronized image data from the first and second signal processing paths can be displayed, stored, or transmitted.

Abstract: The invention relates to a temperature distribution determining apparatus (21) for determining a temperature distribution within an object, to which energy is applied, by using an energy application element (2). A first temperature distribution is measured in a first region within a first temperature range and a model describing a model temperature distribution in the first region and in a second region depending on modifiable model parameters is provided. A second temperature distribution is estimated in the second region within a second temperature range, while the energy is applied to the object, by modifying the model parameters such that a deviation of the model temperature distribution from the first temperature distribution in the first region is minimized.

Abstract: A medium of interest is interrogated according to ultrasound elastography imaging. A preliminary elasticity-spatial-map is formed. This map is calibrated against a reference elasticity-spatial-map that comprises an array (232) of different (240) elasticity values. The reference map is formed to be reflective of ultrasonic shear wave imaging of a reference medium. The reference medium is not, nor located at, the medium of interest, and may be homogeneous. Shear waves that are propagating in a medium are tracked by interrogating the medium. From tracking locations on opposite sides of an ablated-tissue border, propagation delay of a shear wave in the medium and of another shear wave are measured. The two shear waves result from respectively different pushes (128) that are separately issued. A processor decides, based on a function of the two delays, that the border crosses between the two locations.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound imaging acquires an initial set of one or more images of a region of interest in a predetermined clinical ultrasound mode using a generated signal of a first beamforming type. Suitability of the first beamforming type signal for imaging the region of interest in the predetermined mode is evaluated according to a metric calculated from the initial set of one or more images. The generated signal is automatically changed to a second beamforming type according to the suitability evaluation.

Abstract: An ultrasound method obtains a desired view and/or orientation of the anatomy of interest for an exam using a transducer. The ultrasound image is captured according to a measurement protocol for the exam. An automated measurement tool is initiated according to sensing of an operator action. A measurement from a region of interest of the desired view is obtained. The measurement or display is concluded according to a sensed operator action.

Abstract: A method executed at least in part by a computer and comprising responding to an instruction requesting an ultrasound exam by wirelessly communicating with an ultrasound system by transmitting a query signal and receiving a response signal from the ultrasound system. Response can determine whether or not the ultrasound system is configured with at least a suitable transducer for the requested ultrasound exam. The method determines whether or not an operator identified in the response signal is trained to administer the requested ultrasound exam. A schedule signal for the requested ultrasound exam is transmitted. A displayed message indicates progress of the requested ultrasound exam.

Abstract: An apparatus for deriving tissue temperature from thermal strain includes a thermal strain measuring module. The module uses ultrasound (156, 158) to measure thermal strain in a region, within a subject, that surrounds a location (166a, 166f) where a temperature sensor is disposed. Also included is a temperature measurement module configured for, via the sensor, measuring a temperature at the sensor while the sensor is inside the subject. Further included is a patient-specific thermal-strain-to-temperature-change proportionality calibration module. The calibration module is configured for calibrating (S238) a coefficient and for doing so based on a measurement of a temperature parameter at that location derived from output of the temperature measurement module and on a measurement of thermal strain at that location obtained via the strain measuring module.

Abstract: A method displays an ultrasound image of subject tissue that defines a region of interest, the image acquired in a first measurement mode. In response to an operator instruction, the method switches to a second measurement mode, analyzes the subject tissue within the region of interest for compatibility with the second measurement mode, and highlights one or more areas of the subject tissue for removal from the region of interest, displaying a revised region of interest according to the mode compatibility analysis. One or more signals for the second measurement mode are directed to the revised region of interest and measurement results displayed.

Abstract: A method tracks a user's operation of an ultrasound system. Based on the tracked operations, the method uses a machine-learning module to generate a proposed custom system configuration for the ultrasound system for the user. The proposed custom system configuration is presented to the user. In response to a user instruction, the proposed custom system configuration is implemented on the ultrasound system.

Abstract: A method displays, in response to a user selection of a first viewing mode, an ultrasound image in grayscale and determines a region of interest within the displayed grayscale ultrasound image. In response to an operator instruction to switch to a second viewing mode that is different from the first viewing mode, a modified ultrasound image is generated comprising the region of interest. The method displays the modified ultrasound image including the region of interest, wherein one or more portions of the modified image are highlighted.