Abstract: A method includes transitioning, via a micro-processor, an ultrasound imaging system (100) running in a first mode (128), in which a first location and a first orientation of an elongate needle (106) of an instrument (102) at a surface (111) of an object (110) is determined based on a first signal from a tracking device (112) at least on the instrument, to a second different mode, in which a second location and a second orientation of the needle within the object is determined based on an ultrasound image representing the object, in response to determining the needle penetrated the surface of the object, wherein a beam steering angle with which the ultrasound image is acquired is determined based on the first location and the first orientation of the needle, and displaying the ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe is equipped with a transducer element array and an internally located position marker trackable by a position sensing system or the like. The position marker is supported by a movement and rotation constraining fixture. The fixture is rigidly connected to the transducer element array of the probe. The fixture constrains the position and orientation of the position marker to match a spatial reference relationship with the transducer element array in the position marker's constrained degrees of freedom. The position marker may moved along and rotated in its unconstrained degrees of freedom to match the spatial reference relationship with the transducer element array.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer equipped with a position marker and a needle equipped with a position marker. The position markers allow the position and orientation of the transducer and needle to be determined. A display depicts an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer and a graphical element representative of a projection of the longitudinal axis of the needle onto a plane of the ultrasound image. The quality of the position and orientation information from the position markers is monitored, and when quality is below a quality threshold the display indicates this fact.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring and analyzing blood flow in vessels in the bodies of living subjects are provided. The true velocity vector, or a projection thereof onto a scan plane, for blood flowing at a location in a vessel is determined from multiple Doppler velocity components. The true velocity vector is displayed as a directional marker on an image comprising the vessel. The true velocity magnitude and angle, and scalar blood flow characteristics derived therefrom, are plotted as a functions of time and/or position across the depiction of the blood vessel in the image. Time intervals for which blood flow characteristic data is displayed and/or determined may be user configurable.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning a elongate hollow member at a desired location in a body in a medical procedure are provided. A position marker is removably disposed within a sheath. The sheath may be disposable. The sheath and enclosed position marker may be inserted into a lumen of a member to be positioned. The position in space of the position marker may be monitored by a position sensor to provide real-time information regarding a position of the member. The spatial relationship between the position marker and member may be fixed by securing the mounting member to the sheath and securing the sheath to the member.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus (100) includes a transducer array (102) configured to acquire a 3D plane of US data parallel to the transducer array. The transducer array includes a 2D array of transducer elements (104). The ultrasound imaging apparatus further includes a 3D US data processor (116) that visually enhances the structure of tissue of interest and extracts voxels representing tissue of interest therefrom. The ultrasound imaging apparatus further includes a display (118), located opposite the transducer array, that displays the extracted voxels representing the tissue of interest the 3D plane of US 3D US data.

Abstract: A method includes transitioning, via a micro-processor, an ultrasound imaging system (100) running in a first mode (128), in which a first location and a first orientation of an elongate needle (106) of an instrument (102) at a surface (111) of an object (110) is determined based on a first signal from a tracking device (112) at least on the instrument, to a second different mode, in which a second location and a second orientation of the needle within the object is determined based on an ultrasound image representing the object, in response to determining the needle penetrated the surface of the object, wherein a beam steering angle with which the ultrasound image is acquired is determined based on the first location and the first orientation of the needle, and displaying the ultrasound image.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring and analyzing blood flow in vessels in the bodies of living subjects are provided. The true velocity vector, or a projection thereof onto a scan plane, for blood flowing at a location in a vessel is determined from multiple Doppler velocity components. The true velocity vector is displayed as a directional marker on an image comprising the vessel. The true velocity magnitude and angle, and scalar blood flow characteristics derived therefrom, are plotted as a functions of time and/or position across the depiction of the blood vessel in the image. Time intervals for which blood flow characteristic data is displayed and/or determined may be user configurable.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system has a 3D location system and a data store for recording locations within a patient. Navigation to target locations is facilitated by providing graphical elements superposed on a 2-dimensional image. The size and/or color of the graphical elements are controlled in real time based on distance of the target location(s) from a current image plane. This provides intuitive visual feedback and can be achieved with low computational requirements.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring and analyzing blood flow in vessels in the bodies of living subjects are provided. The true velocity vector, or a projection thereof onto a scan plane, for blood flowing at a location in a vessel is determined from multiple Doppler velocity components. The true velocity vector is displayed as a directional marker on an image comprising the vessel. The true velocity magnitude and angle, and scalar blood flow characteristics derived therefrom, are plotted as a functions of time and/or position across the depiction of the blood vessel in the image. Time intervals for which blood flow characteristic data is displayed and/or determined may be user configurable.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer equipped with a position marker and a needle equipped with a position marker. The position markers allow the position and orientation of the transducer and needle to be determined. Displays indicating a projection of the longitudinal axis of the needle onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer and displays indicating a projection of a reference position onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer are provided. Displays indicating in real-time whether the needle is substantially within the plane of the ultrasound image are provided.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting bone defects includes a detecting device and a dental abutment wirelessly connected to each other. The dental abutment includes a vibration component, at least one vibration excitation transducer, and at least one response sensor. The vibration component is used for being inserted in a dental implant. The vibration excitation transducer is disposed at one side of the vibration component for exciting the vibration component to vibrate, and the vibration excitation transducer is spatially separated from the vibration component. The response sensor is disposed at a side of the to vibration component opposite to the vibration excitation transducer for detecting the vibration of the vibration component.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning a elongate hollow member at a desired location in a body in a medical procedure are provided. A position marker is removably disposed within a sheath. The sheath may be disposable. The sheath and enclosed position marker may be inserted into a lumen of a member to be positioned. The position in space of the position marker may be monitored by a position sensor to provide real-time information regarding a position of the member. The spatial relationship between the position marker and member may be fixed by securing the mounting member to the sheath and securing the sheath to the member.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring and analyzing blood flow in vessels in the bodies of living subjects are provided. The true velocity vector, or a projection thereof onto a scan plane, for blood flowing at a location in a vessel is determined from multiple Doppler velocity components. The true velocity vector is displayed as a directional marker on an image comprising the vessel. The true velocity magnitude and angle, and scalar blood flow characteristics derived therefrom, are plotted as a functions of time and/or position across the depiction of the blood vessel in the image. Time intervals for which blood flow characteristic data is displayed and/or determined may be user configurable.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer equipped with a position marker and a needle equipped with a position marker. The position markers allow the position and orientation of the transducer and needle to be determined. A display depicts an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer and a graphical element representative of a projection of the longitudinal axis of the needle onto a plane of the ultrasound image. The quality of the position and orientation information from the position markers is monitored, and when quality is below a quality threshold the display indicates this fact.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer equipped with a position marker and a needle equipped with a position marker. The position markers allow the position and orientation of the transducer and needle to be determined. Displays indicating a projection of the longitudinal axis of the needle onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer and displays indicating a projection of a reference position onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer are provided. Displays indicating in real-time whether the needle is substantially within the plane of the ultrasound image are provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe is equipped with a transducer element array and an internally located position marker trackable by a position sensing system or the like. The position marker is supported by a movement and rotation constraining fixture. The fixture is rigidly connected to the transducer element array of the probe. The fixture constrains the position and orientation of the position marker to match a spatial reference relationship with the transducer element array in the position marker's constrained degrees of freedom. The position marker may moved along and rotated in its unconstrained degrees of freedom to match the spatial reference relationship with the transducer element array.

Abstract: An irregular defect of a dental implant is examined. The dental implant is excited first to obtain vibration responses. The vibration responses is received by accelerometer or sensor to be processed into a resonance frequency diagram. Through the diagram and the position of the accelerometer or sensor, stability of the whole structure and the defect position are diagnosed for evaluation. The present invention can be also applied to implants other than the dental implant.