Abstract: The present disclosure describes an ultrasound imaging system configured to identify a scan line pattern for imaging an object or feature thereof. The system may include a controller that controls a probe for imaging a volume of a subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals in accordance with a plurality of scan line patterns. One or more processors communicating with the probe may generate a plurality of image data sets based on the signals received at the probe, each data set corresponding to a discrete scan line pattern. These data sets are assessed for a target characteristic specific to the object targeted for imaging. One the data set that includes the target characteristic is identified, the one or more processors select the scan line pattern that corresponds the identified image data set. This scan line pattern may then be used for subsequent imaging of the volume to view the object.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided to provide workflow assistance to an operator during a medical imaging procedure, such as an ultrasound evaluation of a body vessel of a subject. A sensor such as a gyroscope may be integrated in an external ultrasound probe. Workflow assistance may be provided to position the ultrasound probe to make accurate flow measurements of fluid within the vessel, such as by coupling color flow information with gyroscope angles. The system may also be used to create a vessel map.

Abstract: An imaging device positioning system for monitoring an anatomical region (10). The imaging device positioning system employs an imaging device (20) for generating an image (21) of an anatomical region (10). The imaging device positioning system further employs an imaging device controller (30) for controlling a positioning of the imaging device (20) relative to the anatomical region (10). During a generation by the imaging device (20) of the image (21) of the anatomical region (10), the imaging device controller (30) adapts the positioning of the imaging device (20) relative to the anatomical region (10) to a physiological condition of the anatomical region (10) extracted from the image (21) of the anatomical region (10).

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an ultrasound imaging system configured to identify a scan line pattern for imaging an object or feature thereof. The system may include a controller that controls a probe for imaging a volume of a subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals in accordance with a plurality of scan line patterns. One or more processors communicating with the probe may generate a plurality of image data sets based on the signals received at the probe, each data set corresponding to a discrete scan line pattern. These data sets are assessed for a target characteristic specific to the object targeted for imaging. One the data set that includes the target characteristic is identified, the one or more processors select the scan line pattern that corresponds the identified image data set. This scan line pattern may then be used for subsequent imaging of the volume to view the object.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided to provide workflow assistance to an operator during a medical imaging procedure, such as a Doppler ultrasound evaluation of a body vessel of a subject. A sensor such as a gyroscope (128) may be integrated in an external ultrasound probe (102). Workflow assistance may be provided to position the ultrasound probe (102) to make accurate flow measurements of fluid within the vessel, such as by coupling system color flow information with gyroscope angles. The workflow assistance may also assist a user in identifying a perpendicular orientation of the ultrasound to be used as a reference in making Doppler measurements. The system may also be used to create a vessel map.

Abstract: An imaging device positioning system for monitoring an anatomical region (10). The imaging device positioning system employs an imaging device (20) for generating an image (21) of an anatomical region (10). The imaging device positioning system further employs a imaging device controller (30) for controlling a positioning of the imaging device (20) relative to the anatomical region (10). During a generation by the imaging device (20) of the image (21) of the anatomical region (10), the imaging device controller (30) adapts the control of the positioning of the imaging device (20) relative to the anatomical region (10) to a physiological condition of the anatomical region (10) extracted from the image (21) of the anatomical region (10).

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system is for determining stroke volume and/or cardiac output. The imaging system may include a transducer unit for acquiring ultrasound data of a heart of a subject (or an input for receiving the acquired ultrasound data), and a controller. The controller is adapted to implement a two-step procedure, the first step being an initial assessment step, and the second being an imaging step having two possible modes depending upon the outcome of the assessment. In the initial assessment procedure, it is determined whether regurgitant ventricular flow is present. This is performed using Doppler processing techniques applied to an initial ultrasound data set. If regurgitant flow does not exist, stroke volume is determined using segmentation of 3D ultrasound image data to identify and measure the volume of the left or right ventricle at each of end systole and end-diastole, the difference between them giving a measure of stroke volume.

Abstract: A guidance system is configured to detect a current pose of an ultrasound transducer and to determine a movement to achieve a desired pose associated with a desired view or imaging plane of a patients anatomy. In one embodiment, the guidance system includes a processor circuit in communication with the ultrasound transducer. The processor circuit is configured to: receive an input associated with a desired pose of the ultrasound transducer; receive ultrasound imaging data representative of a field of view of the ultrasound transducer in a current pose; determine a movement to align the current pose of the ultrasound transducer with the desired pose; and generate a graphical representation of the movement. The graphical representation shows both the current pose of the ultrasound transducer and the desired pose of the ultrasound transducer. The graphical representation is output to a display in communication with the processor circuit.

Abstract: A method and system is for assisting a user in positioning an ultrasound probe relative to a subject's body. In use, the user moves the probe through a series of positions, and ultrasound image data is captured for each position, the data at each position corresponding to a particular imaging view of the anatomical region being imaged. An assessment procedure (16) is operable to process ultrasound data for different imaging views, and to determine for the data for each view a rating, representative of the suitability of the data for that view for observing one or more anatomical features or deriving one or more clinical parameters from the data. Guidance feedback is generated (18) for the user for assisting the user in positioning the probe, wherein the guidance feedback is based on a history (26) of image view quality over time over the course of the imaging procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasound processing unit. A controller (18) of the unit is adapted to receive ultrasound data of an anatomical region, for example of the heart. The controller processes the ultrasound data over a period of time to monitor and detect whether alignment of a particular anatomical feature (34) represented in the data relative to a field of view (36) of the transducer unit is changing over time. In the event that the alignment is changing, the controller generates an output signal for communicating this to a user, allowing a user to be alerted at an early stage to likelihood of misalignment and loss of imaging or measurement capability.

Abstract: An interface unit (12) for connecting between an ultrasound sensing apparatus (14) and a patient monitor (18) for providing ultrasound monitoring functionality of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters based on processing of ultrasound data. The interface unit includes means for processing acquired ultrasound data to derive measurements of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters and is configured for outputting said derived measurements to a coupled patient monitor unit, e.g. for display and/or trending by the patient monitor.

Abstract: The embodiments disclose an ultrasound system comprising: a probe configured to obtain ultrasound data relating to a scanning region including at least part of a pleural interface of a lung; and a data analyzer, configured to automatically detect information for determining lung sliding and/or lung point using one or more cross correlation maps derived from the data. The embodiments also disclose a method thereof.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods are provided to provide serial monitoring for a patient. An ultrasound system is provided which may include subdividing a portion of the anatomy of a patient into a number of zones. Imaging data may be received by an imaging device. This imaging data may be used to generate a severity score for each zone based on imaging parameters within the imaging data. Changes in the severity score for each zone may be displayed over time, such that a medical professional may monitor each zone in a serial manner.

Abstract: The invention provides a method for guiding the acquisition of ultrasound data within a 3D field of view. The method begins by obtaining initial 2D B-mode ultrasound data of a cranial region of a subject from a reduced field of view at a first imaging location and determining whether a vessel of interest is located within the 3D field of view based on the initial 2D B-mode ultrasound data. If the vessel of interest is not located within the 3D field of view, a guidance instruction is generated based on the initial 2D B-mode ultrasound data, wherein the guidance instruction is adapted to indicate a second imaging location to obtain further ultrasound data. If the vessel of interest is located within the 3D field of view 3D Doppler ultrasound data is obtained of the cranial region from the 3D field of view.

Abstract: A method (20) and device for deriving an estimate of intracranial blood pressure based on motion data for a wall of an intracranial blood vessel, intracranial blood flow velocity, and a blood pressure signal measured at a location outside the brain. The method is based on identifying (28) a time offset between the two intracranial signals (vessel wall movement and vessel blood flow), and then applying (30) this offset to the blood pressure signal acquired from outside the brain to obtain a fourth signal, indicative of estimated intracranial blood pressure.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an apparatus (120) and method for detecting bone fracture of a subject on basis of ultrasound images. The apparatus (120) comprises a first fracture detector (122) and a second fracture detector (124). The first fracture detector (122) is configured to receive a first ultrasound image of a region of the subject, to identify a bone in the first ultrasound image, to identify at least one focus area within the region on basis of the identified bone, to generate focus area information indicating position of the at least one focus area, and to instruct an acquisition of a second ultrasound image of the region acquired based on the generated focus area information. The second fracture detector (124) is configured to receive the second ultrasound image, and to detect bone fracture on the basis of the second ultrasound image.

Abstract: A system includes a transducer array configured to obtain ultrasound data of a subject; a processor in communication with the transducer array and a therapeutic device configured to deliver a therapy to the subject, wherein the processor is configured to: receive the ultrasound data; identify an anatomical feature of the subject using the ultrasound data; compute a measure associated with the anatomical feature; determine if the measure satisfies a threshold; determine a change in an operating status of the therapeutic device based on if the measure satisfies the threshold; and output, to the therapeutic device, a control signal representative of the change in the operating status. Associated methods, devices, and systems are also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (12) is for configuring visualization of ultrasound data using in use a display unit. The control unit is adapted to acquire ultrasound image data and to automatically control visualization of the most relevant parts and views the data, based on current levels of a number of different monitored physiological parameters. In particular, responsively to one of the physiological parameters entering or leaving a pre-defined range of values (e.g. representative of an alert or normal condition respective for the patient), the control unit determines a most appropriate anatomical region within the image data for representing the changed physiological parameter, and a most useful visualization mode (e.g. view) for presenting or showing that anatomical region within the image data. One or more display frames are generated which show the anatomical region visualized in accordance with the selected visualization mode.

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (10) is for coupling with an ultrasound transducer unit (12). The control unit is adapted to control a drive configuration or setting of the transducers of the transducer unit, each drive setting having a known power consumption level associated with it. The control unit includes a control module (20) adapted to adjust the drive setting from a first setting to a second setting, the second having a lower associated power consumption that the first. The second setting is tested by an analysis module (16), the analysis module adapted to determine a measure of reliability of ultrasound data acquired by the transducer unit, for the purpose of deriving at least one physiological parameter, when configured in the second setting. The second setting is only used if its determined reliability passes a pre-defined reliability condition.

Abstract: Extracorporeal motion (130) relative to a medical subject being imaged is detected, through the imaging or from motion detectors on the imaging probe, and either backed out of the medical images so that it can be determined whether lung sliding exists or measured to determine whether lung sliding detection is to be suspended due to excessive extracorporeal motion. Image sub-regions (164, 168) corresponding to respective ones of the images are selected for image-to-image comparison such that the selected sub-regions contain only body tissue that is, with respect to imaging depth in the acquiring of the images, shallower than an anatomical landmark within the images. Based on a result of the comparing, lung sliding detection that entails examining image data deeper than the landmark may be initialized.