Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a-transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The novel method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The novel method may further transmit the digital data. In some embodiments, the transmitting may be wireless. The novel device may include transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The transducers may operate to convert a first electrical energy into an ultrasound wave. The first electrical energy may or may not be beamformed. The transducers also may convert an echoed ultrasound wave into a second electrical energy.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method for constructing a composite ultrasound image. In one preferred embodiment, visual and audio components of an ultrasound image are separately stored so that a composite image including some or all of the components can later be constructed. The audio component can take the form of Doppler audio or voice data, for example. In another preferred embodiment, stored computer-readable program code is selected to perform an operation on a constructed composite ultrasound image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing consistent power and reducing power consumption for an ultrasound system are provided. The ultrasound system is provided with an uninterruptable power supply. Power is provided from an outlet through the uninterruptable power supply to the ultrasound scanner. If the power from the outlet falls below a threshold is of an insufficient quality or is otherwise unavailable, the uninterruptable power supply provides power. For mobility, the uninterruptable power supply provides power, avoiding the need to plug the ultrasound system into an outlet. To reduce the drain on the uninterruptable power supply or other source of power, the ultrasound system includes power reduction systems and methods. One or more electrical components, subsystems or the entire ultrasound system is operated in a reduced power state while not in use. For example, some digital electrical components draw more power in response to clock signal triggers.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method in which a non-real-time operating system is used to transfer image data. In one preferred embodiment, a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system includes a central processing unit (“CPU”) located outside of the received signal path to transfer image data. The non-real-time operating system can be used, for example, to transfer image data from a hard disk to system memory for display, to transfer image data from system memory to the hard disk for storage, or to scroll image data to view a loop of image data.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein relate to a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system with at least one reprogrammable logic device, such as, for example, a field programmable gate array (“FPGA”). In one presently preferred embodiment, at least one reprogrammable logic device in the ultrasound system is reconfigured for probe changes (e.g., phased-array, curved array), for operator control changes (such as system mode changes, e.g., B-Mode, color Doppler), and/or dynamically as part of system operation (such as between ultrasonic pulse firings and/or between frames). By utilizing at least one reprogrammable logic device, the preferred embodiments reduce the size and cost of the ultrasound system without compromising the performance characteristics of the system.

Abstract: A scan converter using a re-programmable logic device provides flexibility for converting data from an acoustic grid to a display format. A set of instruction codes is provided for implementing the flexibility. By changing the instruction codes, the scan conversion process changes. A single memory stores the incoming data where read and write operations are performed sequentially. The same memory may be used for storing the scan converted data. A field programmable gate array is preferably used to scan convert the data and is programmed differently for different modes of operation.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method in which at least two image components of an image are separately stored in the ultrasound system. Because the image components are separately stored, a composite image can be constructed from selected image components. Unlike conventional ultrasound systems that use a frame grabber to perform a what-you-see-is-what-you-get technique of image capture, this preferred embodiment provides selective construction of a composite image, thereby facilitating image presentation, image review, and post-processing functions.

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasound system and method for providing temporally accurate EKG data with imaging is provided. The EKG data is linked to imaging data. The frame of data of imaging data contains EKG data in a line of information. Additional EKG data may be provided separately from the imaging data. A scan converter processes both the EKG data and imaging data at substantially the same time, maintaining temporal accuracy. The EKG data provided comprises an entire trace so that the trace on the display appears to be smoothly updated.

Abstract: A difference image processing scheme and contrast-only difference image processing scheme is provided for imaging anatomic structures or vessels which have periodic physiological motion that define physiologic cycles. Image data is acquired using ultrasound imaging equipment. In the scheme, a template image is captured at a first time period. The template image comprises image data of a portion of the subject's body acquired at a selected time period during the physiologic cycle. The captured template image is stored. Next, a real-time image is taken at a second time period subsequent to the first time period. The real-time image includes image data of the portion of the subject's body acquired at the same selected time period during the physiologic cycle as the template image. The stored template image and the real-time image are simultaneously displayed on an image display.

Abstract: The present invention provides a novel multi-mode DRAM controller adaptd to access DRAM chips of a main storage unit of different size and of different mode types. The novel DRAM controller comprises new address generation and control logic for delaying the RAS and CAS control signals to memory and for expanding the number of address bits employed to address memory chips having a greater number of addresses by at least one address bit.