Abstract: Ultrasound systems, methods and other apparatuses for ultrasound parameter selection are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ultrasound system includes a processor system implemented to generate ultrasound images based on the sampled data and candidate sound speeds, generate image scores for the ultrasound images, and determine the speed-of-sound values from the candidate sound speeds based on a ranking of the ultrasound images according to the image scores.

Abstract: Ultrasound systems, methods and other apparatuses for ultrasound parameter selection are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ultrasound system includes a processor system implemented to generate ultrasound images based on the sampled data and candidate sound speeds, generate image scores for the ultrasound images, and determine the speed-of-sound values from the candidate sound speeds based on a ranking of the ultrasound images according to the image scores.

Abstract: Ultrasound systems, methods and other apparatuses for ultrasound parameter selection are disclosed. In some embodiments, the ultrasound system includes a processor system implemented to generate ultrasound images based on the sampled data and candidate sound speeds, generate image scores for the ultrasound images, and determine the speed-of-sound values from the candidate sound speeds based on a ranking of the ultrasound images according to the image scores.

Abstract: The invention disclosed herein features a photoacoustic scan head that includes laser fibers integrated into the housing of an arrayed ultrasound transducer using an optically transparent epoxy or other resin. The light-emitting ends of the fibers are positioned adjacent to the front surface of the transducer and direct laser light onto a subject being scanned by the transducer. The light beams generated by the fibers may be angled to intersect the acoustic field generated by the transducer so as to generate a photoacoustic effect in the region scanned by the transducer.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides methods for use in the acquisition and display of ultrasound images. In particular, the invention provides methods for displaying ultrasound images using gating of ultrasound acquisition based on subject respiration and/or triggering ultrasound acquisition based on subject ECG. The methods may be employed with any suitable ultrasound system.

Abstract: In general, the invention provides methods for use in the acquisition and display of ultrasound images. In particular, the invention provides methods for displaying ultrasound images using a persistence algorithm, gating ultrasound acquisition based on subject respiration, triggering ultrasound acquisition based on subject ECG, and destroying bubble contrast agents during imaging. The methods may be employed with any suitable ultrasound system.

Abstract: Photoacoustic imaging systems and methods that allow for the creation of three-dimensional (3D) images of a subject are described herein. The systems include one or more optical fibers attached to an ultrasound transducer. Ultrasonic waves are generated by laser light emitted from the optical fiber(s) and detected by the ultrasound transducer. 3D images are acquired by ultrasound signals from a series of adjacent scan planes or frames that are then stacked together to create 3D volume data.

Abstract: This invention employs multiple ultrasound pulse firings of either alternating phase and/or amplitude to detect nonlinear fundamental and subharmonic signals from microbubble contrast agents within living tissue, at high frequencies (?15 MHz), e.g., with a linear array transducer. It can be shown that the contrast-to-tissue ratio (CTR) decreases with increasing ultrasound frequency because of nonlinear ultrasound propagation in tissue. However, using the subharmonic signal in addition to the nonlinear fundamental harmonic component, rather than the conventional second harmonic used at lower frequencies, provides appreciable signal strength to overcome the limitations of nonlinear tissue propagation. Additionally, the method provides for the ability to switch, at some desired frequency above 20 MHz, into a purely alternating phase inversion acquisition, in combination with bandpass filtering of the subharmonic frequency band, minimizing the losses in CTR as the frequency increases.

Abstract: A method for producing an ECG-triggered retrospective color-flow ultrasound image comprises generating ultrasound, transmitting the ultrasound into a subject at a first location, wherein a first reference point of an ECG signal taken from the subject triggers the ultrasound transmission, receiving ultrasound reflected from the subject at the first location, transmitting the ultrasound into the subject at a second location, wherein a second reference point of an ECG signal taken from the subject triggers the ultrasound transmission receiving ultrasound reflected from the subject at the second location, processing the received ultrasound to form ultrasound color traces, and reconstructing the ultrasound color traces to form the ultrasound image.

Abstract: A method for producing an ECG-triggered retrospective color-flow ultrasound image comprises generating ultrasound, transmitting the ultrasound into a subject at a first location, wherein a first reference point of an ECG signal taken from the subject triggers the ultrasound transmission, receiving ultrasound reflected from the subject at the first location, transmitting the ultrasound into the subject at a second location, wherein a second reference point of an ECG signal taken from the subject triggers the ultrasound transmission receiving ultrasound reflected from the subject at the second location, processing the received ultrasound to form ultrasound color traces, and reconstructing the ultrasound color traces to form the ultrasound image.