Abstract: A method of processing an acoustic image includes the steps of acquiring acoustic signals generated by acoustic sources in a predetermined region of space, generating a multispectral 3D acoustic image that includes a collection of 2D acoustic images, performing a frequency integration of the multispectral acoustic image for generating a 2D acoustic map, locating at least one target acoustic source of interest and modeling the signal spectrum associated with the target acoustic source, generating a classification map obtained by comparing the signal spectrum of each signal associated with each pixel of the multispectral acoustic image and the model of the signal spectrum associated with the target acoustic source to distinguish the spectrum of the signal associated with the target acoustic source from the signal spectra associated with the remaining acoustic sources, and merging the classification map and the acoustic map to obtain a merged map.

Abstract: A method of configuring planar transducer arrays for broadband signal processing by 3D beamforming, wherein a superdirective beamforming technique for low-frequency signal components is combined with a sparse and aperiodic array pattern for high-frequency components in a predetermined frequency range, and wherein the positions of the individual transducers at the aperture of the array and the FIR filter coefficients are further optimized in parallel, by a hybrid iterative process including an analytical calculus for determining the FIR filter coefficients and a stochastic calculus for determining the transducer positions at the aperture of the planar transducer arrays, by minimization of a cost function.

Abstract: A method of processing an acoustic image includes the steps of acquiring acoustic signals generated by acoustic sources in a predetermined region of space, generating a multispectral 3D acoustic image that includes a collection of 2D acoustic images, performing a frequency integration of the multispectral acoustic image for generating a 2D acoustic map locating at least one target acoustic source of interest and modeling the signal spectrum associated with the target acoustic source, generating a classification map obtained by comparing the signal spectrum of each signal associated with each pixel of the multispectral acoustic image and the model of the signal spectrum associated with the target acoustic source to distinguish the spectrum of the signal associated with the target acoustic source from the signal spectra associated with the remaining acoustic sources, and merging the classification map and the acoustic map to obtain a merged map.

Abstract: A method of configuring planar transducer arrays for broadband signal processing by 3D beamforming, wherein a superdirective beamforming technique for low-frequency signal components is combined with a sparse and aperiodic array pattern for high-frequency components in a predetermined frequency range, and wherein the positions of the individual transducers at the aperture of the array and the FIR filter coefficients are further optimized in parallel, by a hybrid iterative process including an analytical calculus for determining the FIR filter coefficients and a stochastic calculus for determining the transducer positions at the aperture of the planar transducer arrays, by minimization of a cost function.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonic detection and localization of contrast agent microbubbles wherein the decision as to whether or not the received ultrasonic signals indicate the presence of a single microbubble or a small microbubble population is made by analyzing the projections of the spectra of said received ultrasonic signals in multidimensional spaces, and by comparing such projections with the projections in said multidimensional spaces of sample control signals corresponding to known conditions of presence and/or absence of single microbubbles and/or small microbubble populations.

Abstract: A method for optimizing transmit and receive ultrasound imaging pulses generates transmit pulses from an array of transducers which are energized by excitation signals that are applied to each individual transducer of the array. Each of the excitation signals are individually weighted to optimize the transducers' contribution to a predetermined energy function. Such optimization may also be performed on the received pulses.

Abstract: A method of ultrasonic detection and localization of contrast agent microbubbles wherein the decision as to whether or not the received ultrasonic signals indicate the presence of a single microbubble or a small microbubble population is made by analyzing the projections of the spectra of said received ultrasonic signals in multidimensional spaces, and by comparing such projections with the projections in said multidimensional spaces of sample control signals corresponding to known conditions of presence and/or absence of single microbubbles and/or small microbubble populations.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrasonic imaging in which acoustic, and in particular ultrasonic, receiver beamforming utilizes delays which are partially determined as a function of the frequency of the received signals and as a function of the position of the individual receiving transducers in the entire array of receiving transducers.

Abstract: A method for optimizing transmit and receive ultrasound imaging pulses generates transmit pulses from an array of transducers which are energized by excitation signals that are applied to each individual transducer of the array. Each of the excitation signals are individually weighted to optimize the transducers' contribution to a predetermined energy function. Such optimization may also be performed on the received pulses.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrasonic imaging in which acoustic, and in particular ultrasonic, receiver beamforming utilizes delays which are partially determined as a function of the frequency of the received signals and as a function of the position of the individual receiving transducers in the entire array of receiving transducers.