Abstract: An imaging part acquires a plurality of ultrasound image data by sequentially imaging the subject with ultrasound waves. A display controller causes a display to display, side by side, a plurality of ultrasound images based on the plurality of ultrasound image data acquired by the imaging part. Moreover, the display controller causes the display to display measurement markers for obtaining quantitative information of tissues shown in the ultrasound images in a state superimposed in relatively the same positions on the plurality of ultrasound images.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a scan controller inputs a trigger signal corresponding to heartbeat period, scans an ultrasonic beam such that a particular diagnostic region of a body under examination is scanned with the ultrasonic beam a plurality of times in response to each trigger signal, and controls the scan repetition period by controlling the pulse repetition period of the transmission pulse. An image generation unit generates an image corresponding to each of the pulse repetition periods. The scan controller controls the pulse repletion period such that an integral multiple of the scan repetition period is equal to a reference value determined based on the period of the trigger signal.

Abstract: A transmitter transmits ultrasonic waves to an object via an ultrasonic probe. A receiver receives echo signals reflected from the object via the ultrasonic probe. The receiver executes a delaying process on the echo signals in accordance with a plurality of set sound velocities for a delaying process, thereby generating a plurality of reception signals with different set sound velocities. An image generator generates a plurality of image data with the different set sound velocities based on the reception signals with the different set sound velocities. A contrast calculator obtains the contrast of each of the plurality of image data with the different set sound velocities. A selector selects image data with the highest contrast from among the plurality of image data. A display controller controls a display to display an image based on the image data selected by the selector.

Abstract: The average value of sensitivities in each of the image areas (m×n) recognized as a subject is calculated. If the average value of sensitivities is greater than the threshold value, the transmission voltage to the ultrasonic probe is limited according to the difference between the average value of sensitivities and the threshold value.

Abstract: A living tissue region determining unit of a gain correction data generating section determines a diagnostic living tissue region on the basis of an S/N and a dispersion value of ultrasound data collected from each of a plurality of slice sections in a gain correction scan mode intended for the generation of gain correction data for volume data. A gain correction map generating unit applies a least squares method to the average value of the ultrasound data in a plurality of regions set by dividing the living tissue region into predetermined sizes, thereby generating two-dimensional gain correction maps. Then, an interpolating processing unit interpolates, in a slice direction, the gain correction map generated for each of the plurality of slice sections, and generates three-dimensional gain correction data corresponding to each voxel of the volume data.

Abstract: There is provided an automatic adjustment function of the dynamic range that carries out statistic processing by the use of each brightness of image data that corresponds to a plurality of frames, automatically determines the upper limit of the dynamic range based on the brightness that corresponds to an echo signal from a subject, and automatically determines a lower limit value of the dynamic range based on the brightness that corresponds to a noise level. By this function, in the case where the dynamic range first established by manual operation, etc. is excessively wide or excessively narrow, the dynamic range can be automatically adjusted to an optimal setting even when the brightness distribution on the image is dynamically varied.

Abstract: A resolution optimization unit determines an optimal sound velocity corresponding to a tissue component at each position in a scan slice, and calculates a reception delay time or the like for each reception beam from each position in the scan slice. A control processor executes delay addition processing in a scan for acquiring an ultrasonic image actually used for diagnosis by using the reception delay time calculated using an optimal sound velocity. This can correct the difference between the set sound velocity used for the calculation of a reception delay time and the actual in vivo sound velocity and acquire an ultrasonic image with optimized resolution.

Abstract: A display controller causes a display to display a 3-dimensional B-mode image and a 3-dimensional colored Doppler image in a superimposed state. A marker generator generates three planar markers that are orthogonal to each other, and the display controller causes the display to display the three planar markers so as to be superimposed on the 3-dimensional B-mode image and so on. An image generator generates 3-dimensional B-mode image data of a region other than a region existing on a viewpoint side of regions sectioned by the three planar markers. Further, the image generator generates 3-dimensional colored Doppler image data for the region on the viewpoint side. For the region existing on the viewpoint side, only a 3-dimensional colored Doppler image is displayed on the display. An intersection of the three planar markers is set as a sample marker, and Doppler data of the intersection is acquired.

Abstract: Provided is a medical diagnostic imaging system in which user information can be easily and efficiently moved (transferred) among a plurality of ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses. The medical diagnostic imaging system includes: a plurality of ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses each including a recording unit for recording user information registered by a user, the user information including work flow data for guiding at least an operation procedure of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatus, and execution means for executing this user information; and user information transfer means configured to be able to communicate with the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses, for transferring the user information recorded on the recording means of a predetermined one of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses to the recording means of a different one of the ultrasonic imaging diagnostic apparatuses by way of a communication.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus sends ultrasonic waves to a specimen, receives a reflection signal of the ultrasonic waves from the specimen to detect a Doppler signal, obtains blood flow information indicating a peak flow velocity of coronary blood flow, and displays the flow velocity information before and after the administration of a drug to the specimen on a display unit. Then, at least velocity ranges of the flow velocity information before and after the administration of the drug to the specimen are adjusted, and during an ultrasonic scan of the specimen, data on a plurality of acquired images having different velocity ranges are adjusted to the same velocity range. A system control unit displays the data on the plurality of images adjusted to the same velocity range on the display unit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for indicating locus of an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves toward a part of a subject wherein a position or movement of the ultrasonic probe is detected, and a locus of the ultrasonic probe on an image of the part of the subject is indicated according to the detected position or movement.

Abstract: There is provides an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus including a judgment unit which judges a folded back phenomenon of velocity based on signal information of a Doppler spectrum among signals received in a circulatory organ diagnostic region, a decision unit which decides whether the signals received are blood flow signals or tissue signals, and a change/adjustment unit which changes or adjusts at least one of a velocity range, a baseline position, a transmission/reception condition, a gain allocation, setting of a Wall Filter, a scrolling speed, and a range gate size.

Abstract: Three times of ultrasonic transmissions are executed in positive, negative and negative polarities with reference to a predetermined rate period, for each of a plurality of ultrasonic scan lines, and echo signals caused and generated by the ultrasonic waves of the respective transmissions are received at the same rates. At each scan line, the echo signal based on the positive-polarity ultrasonic wave of the first transmission and the echo signal based on the negative-polarity ultrasonic wave of the second transmission are added up, thereby to generate an ordinary mode image. Besides, at each scan line, the echo signal based on the positive-polarity ultrasonic wave of the first transmission and the echo signal based on the negative-polarity ultrasonic wave of the third transmission are added up, thereby to generate puncture mode image data. The generated ordinary mode image and puncture mode image are displayed in a predetermined aspect.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, including an ultrasonic probe including an ultrasonic vibration element configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave in a scanning direction in an object in which a contrast media has been injected; a transmission unit configured to apply successive drive pulses to the probe so as to transmit respective ultrasonic signals in respective rate sections; a reception unit configured to receive reflected ultrasonic signals, including first reflected ultrasonic signals produced by a first drive pulse in a first rate section and reflected back to the probe in the first rate section and in a second rate section subsequent to the first rate section; an operation unit configured to perform an operation including at least one of addition and subtraction of at least two of the first ultrasonic signals received during different rate sections; and a signal processor configured to produce image data based on the result of the operation performed by the operation unit.