Abstract: Systems and methods to provide an ultrasound scanner with a display interface are described. An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner having an interface configured to display a visual representation, and a first transceiver configured to communicate over a communication link. The ultrasound system includes a display device having a reader configured to read the visual representation displayed by the ultrasound scanner, and a second transceiver configured to, responsive to the reader reading the visual representation, initiate communication with the first transceiver of the ultrasound scanner over the communication link to pair the ultrasound scanner and the display device.

Abstract: Systems and methods to configure ultrasound systems based on a scanner grip are described. In some embodiments, an ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner having a touch sensitive surface and a processor that is configured to determine a grip orientation on the touch sensitive surface; and activate, based on the grip orientation, a region of the touch sensitive surface to accept a user input.

Abstract: Embodiments of ultrasound utility station and methods for using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes displaying a status of the ultrasound machine that indicates a location of the ultrasound machine and an amount of charge of a battery of the ultrasound machine, and displaying an additional status that indicates an additional location of the ultrasound utility station and one or more available ultrasound probes on the ultrasound utility station. After receiving a selection of an ultrasound probe of the available ultrasound probes and a user input that determines a schedule for said configuring the ultrasound machine, the method instructs the ultrasound utility station to charge the battery of the ultrasound machine and provide the ultrasound probe for transfer to the ultrasound machine.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system performs spectral Doppler processing in a manner that considers a physiological cycle of a subject. In one embodiment, gaps in a spectral Doppler signal are filled taking by a processor that analyzes changes in the spectral Doppler signal caused by a physiological cycle. Spectral Doppler data are scaled to fit with the data occurring before and after a gap. The firing order of an interleaved imaging mode can also be adjusted so that spectral Doppler imaging is not interrupted during pre-defined or user defined portions of a physiological cycle.

Abstract: Systems and methods to detect electromagnetic (EM) emissions on ultrasound systems are described. In some embodiments, an ultrasound system includes an ultrasound scanner that is configured to generate ultrasound data based on reflections of ultrasound signals transmitted by the ultrasound scanner. An ultrasound machine is coupled to the ultrasound scanner and configured to generate an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data. A circuit is coupled to the ultrasound machine and configured to make a determination whether the ultrasound image is corrupted by a noise process.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an image processor configured to receive input data for capturing ultrasound images of a region of interest. The ultrasound images are taken along a first plane; and the input data further includes an indication that a needle will be inserted into the region of interest. The system can capture a plurality of ultrasound images of the region of interest along the first plane. The system can determine one or more high-confidence areas of the region of interest where the needle will intersect the first plane. Each high-confidence area is based on a probability that the needle will intersect the first plane at any portion of the high-confidence area; and display one or more on-screen markers corresponding to the one or more high-confidence areas in conjunction with the plurality of ultrasound images on the display.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system performs spectral Doppler processing in a manner that considers a physiological cycle of a subject. In one embodiment, gaps in a spectral Doppler signal are filled taking by a processor that analyzes changes in the spectral Doppler signal caused by a physiological cycle. Spectral Doppler data are scaled to fit with the data occurring before and after a gap. The firing order of an interleaved imaging mode can also be adjusted so that spectral Doppler imaging is not interrupted during pre-defined or user defined portions of a physiological cycle.

Abstract: Embodiments of ultrasound utility station and methods for using the same are disclosed. In some embodiments, the method includes displaying a status of the ultrasound machine that indicates a location of the ultrasound machine and an amount of charge of a battery of the ultrasound machine, and displaying an additional status that indicates an additional location of the ultrasound utility station and one or more available ultrasound probes on the ultrasound utility station. After receiving a selection of an ultrasound probe of the available ultrasound probes and a user input that determines a schedule for said configuring the ultrasound machine, the method instructs the ultrasound utility station to charge the battery of the ultrasound machine and provide the ultrasound probe for transfer to the ultrasound machine.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an image processor configured to receive input data for capturing ultrasound images of a region of interest. The ultrasound images are taken along a first plane; and the input data further includes an indication that a needle will be inserted into the region of interest. The system can capture a plurality of ultrasound images of the region of interest along the first plane. The system can determine one or more high-confidence areas of the region of interest where the needle will intersect the first plane. Each high-confidence area is based on a probability that the needle will intersect the first plane at any portion of the high-confidence area; and display one or more on-screen markers corresponding to the one or more high-confidence areas in conjunction with the plurality of ultrasound images on the display.

Abstract: Examples herein include methods, systems, and computer program products for utilizing neural networks in ultrasound systems. The methods include processor(s) of a computing device identifying a neural network for implementation on the computing device to generate, based on ultrasound data, inferences and confidence levels for the inferences, the computing device being communicatively coupled via a computing network to an ultrasound machine configured to generate the ultrasound data. The processor(s) implements the neural network on the computing device, including configuring the neural network to generate an inference and a confidence level for at least one image of the images. The processor(s) obtains the ultrasound data including images from the ultrasound machine. The processor(s) determines, for the at least one image, an accuracy of the inference and the confidence level. The processor(s) automatically reconfigures the neural network to increase the accuracy based on the determining the accuracy.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a processor programmed to identify the type of tissue being imaged and to confirm that one or more system settings and/or the energy of ultrasound imaging signals delivered is set appropriately for such tissue. In one embodiment, an image obtained with the ultrasound imaging system is analyzed to determine if the tissue is ophthalmic (eye) tissue. If so, the system parameter settings and/or the transmit power of the signals produced by the ultrasound system are adjusted or maintained at a level that is appropriate for imaging such tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a cine buffer in which image frames produced during an examination are stored. A processor is programmed to select one or more image frames from the cine buffer for presentation to an operator for approval and inclusion in a patient record or other report. The operator can accept the proposed image frames or can select one or more other image frames from the cine buffer. The processor may select image frames at spaced intervals in the cine buffer for presentation. Alternatively, the processor compares image frames in the cine buffer with one or more target image frames. Image frames that are similar to the target image frames are presented to the operator to confirm. Alternatively, image frames can be selected by the processor that contain a specific feature or that are similar to image frames that were previously selected by the operator when performing a particular type of examination.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include an apparatus, system, or method for time-gain compensation control of an ultrasound system. A computer-implemented method can include providing a tactile gain control comprising a near, middle, and far gain control. The middle gain control can be configured for two-dimensional range adjustment of depth and gain. The computer-implemented method can also include adjust at least one of the near, middle, or far gain control. In addition, the computer-implemented method can include displaying an ultrasound image based on at least one of the adjusted near, middle, or far gain control.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a processor to associate an ultrasound image with one or more pictographs that correspond to the image. A processor provides ultrasound image data to one or more trained neural networks that classify the image data. The processor is programmed to select one or more pictographs that correspond to the classified image data for presentation to the operator. In some embodiments, the processor is programmed to use a neural network to determine if an ultrasound image captured during an examination corresponds to one or more required views for a particular type of examination.

Abstract: A processor in an ultrasound imaging system identifies faults or errors in the system. In one embodiment, fault or error conditions are detected by monitoring system parameters during a self-test. In another embodiment, a processor provides ultrasound image data to a trained neural network to identify fault conditions in a transducer or the imaging system. In some embodiments, the processor makes adjustments to one or more operating parameters to compensate for the identified fault conditions so that the system continues to operate and produce images with the detected fault condition.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a processor programmed to identify the type of tissue being imaged and to confirm that one or more system settings and/or the energy of ultrasound imaging signals delivered is set appropriately for such tissue. In one embodiment, an image obtained with the ultrasound imaging system is analyzed to determine if the tissue is ophthalmic (eye) tissue. If so, the system parameter settings and/or the transmit power of the signals produced by the ultrasound system are adjusted or maintained at a level that is appropriate for imaging such tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an image processor configured to receive input data for capturing ultrasound images of a region of interest. The ultrasound images are taken along a first plane; and the input data further includes an indication that a needle will be inserted into the region of interest. The system can capture a plurality of ultrasound images of the region of interest along the first plane. The system can determine one or more high-confidence areas of the region of interest where the needle will intersect the first plane. Each high-confidence area is based on a probability that the needle will intersect the first plane at any portion of the high-confidence area; and display one or more on-screen markers corresponding to the one or more high-confidence areas in conjunction with the plurality of ultrasound images on the display.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a cine buffer in which image frames produced during an examination are stored. A processor is programmed to select one or more image frames from the cine buffer for presentation to an operator for approval and inclusion in a patient record or other report. The operator can accept the proposed image frames or can select one or more other image frames from the cine buffer. The processor may select image frames at spaced intervals in the cine buffer for presentation. Alternatively, the processor compares image frames in the cine buffer with one or more target image frames. Image frames that are similar to the target image frames are presented to the operator to confirm. Alternatively, image frames can be selected by the processor that contain a specific feature or that are similar to image frames that were previously selected by the operator when performing a particular type of examination.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a processor programmed to identify the type of tissue being imaged and to confirm that one or more system settings and/or the energy of ultrasound imaging signals delivered is set appropriately for such tissue. In one embodiment, an image obtained with the ultrasound imaging system is analyzed to determine if the tissue is ophthalmic (eye) tissue. If so, the system parameter settings and/or the transmit power of the signals produced by the ultrasound system are adjusted or maintained at a level that is appropriate for imaging such tissue.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a cine buffer in which image frames produced during an examination are stored. A processor is programmed to select one or more image frames from the cine buffer for presentation to an operator for approval and inclusion in a patient record or other report. The operator can accept the proposed image frames or can select one or more other image frames from the cine buffer. The processor may select image frames at spaced intervals in the cine buffer for presentation. Alternatively, the processor compares image frames in the cine buffer with one or more target image frames. Image frames that are similar to the target image frames are presented to the operator to confirm. Alternatively, image frames can be selected by the processor that contain a specific feature or that are similar to image frames that were previously selected by the operator when performing a particular type of examination.