Abstract: A grid of phased array transducers includes a piezoelectric layer and a plurality of ground contact traces. The piezoelectric layer includes a first side and a second side. The plurality of ground contact traces is disposed on the first side of the piezoelectric layer along an elevational direction, where each ground contact trace of the plurality of ground contact traces extends along an azimuthal direction. Further, each phased array transducer of the grid of phased array transducers is disposed between an adjacently disposed pair of ground contact traces of the plurality of ground contact traces. Moreover, each phased array transducer includes at least a portion of at least one ground contact trace of a corresponding pair of ground contact traces, and where each phased array transducer includes a plurality of transducer elements.

Abstract: The subject matter discussed herein relates to multi-modal image alignment to facilitate biopsy procedures and post-biopsy procedures. In one such example, prostate structures (or other suitable anatomic features or structures) are automatically segmented in pre-biopsy MR and pre-biopsy ultrasound images. Thereafter, pre-biopsy MR and pre-biopsy ultrasound contours are aligned. To account for non-linear deformation of the imaged anatomic structure, a patient-specific transformation model is trained via deep learning based at least in part on the pre-biopsy ultrasound images. The pre-biopsy ultrasound images that are overlaid with the pre-biopsy MR contours and based off the deformable transformation model are then aligned with the biopsy ultrasound images. Such real-time alignment using multi-modality imaging techniques provides guidance during the biopsy and post-biopsy system.

Abstract: The subject matter discussed herein relates to the automatic, real-time registration of pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to intra-operative ultrasound (US) data (e.g., reconstructed images or unreconstructed data), such as to facilitate surgical guidance or other interventional procedures. In one such example, brain structures (or other suitable anatomic features or structures) are automatically segmented in pre-operative and intra-operative ultrasound data. Thereafter, anatomic structure (e.g., brain structure) guided registration is applied between pre-operative and intra-operative ultrasound data to account for non-linear deformation of the imaged anatomic structure. MR images that are pre-registered to pre-operative ultrasound images are then given the same nonlinear spatial transformation to align the MR images with intra-operative ultrasound images to provide surgical guidance.

Abstract: The subject matter discussed herein relates to multi-modal image alignment to facilitate biopsy procedures and post-biopsy procedures. In one such example, prostate structures (or other suitable anatomic features or structures) are automatically segmented in pre-biopsy MR and pre-biopsy ultrasound images. Thereafter, pre-biopsy MR and pre-biopsy ultrasound contours are aligned. To account for non-linear deformation of the imaged anatomic structure, a patient-specific transformation model is trained via deep learning based at least in part on the pre-biopsy ultrasound images. The pre-biopsy ultrasound images that are overlaid with the pre-biopsy MR contours and based off the deformable transformation model are then aligned with the biopsy ultrasound images. Such real-time alignment using multi-modality imaging techniques provides guidance during the biopsy and post-biopsy system.

Abstract: A system and method for providing virtual real-time MRI-guidance for a biopsy outside of a conventional MRI scanner is described. MR images and ultrasound images of a region of a patient's body are simultaneously acquired during a pre-biopsy procedure. Respiratory states that the patient may experience during the biopsy are then determined from the acquired ultrasound images, and each respiratory state is associated with corresponding MR images. The MR images are indexed with their corresponding respiratory state. Ultrasound images are then acquired of the patient during a biopsy procedure. The respiratory state of the patient is determined from the ultrasound images, and the corresponding indexed MR images are displayed.

Abstract: The subject matter discussed herein relates to the automatic, real-time registration of pre-operative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) data to intra-operative ultrasound (US) data (e.g., reconstructed images or unreconstructed data), such as to facilitate surgical guidance or other interventional procedures. In one such example, brain structures (or other suitable anatomic features or structures) are automatically segmented in pre-operative and intra-operative ultrasound data. Thereafter, anatomic structure (e.g., brain structure) guided registration is applied between pre-operative and intra-operative ultrasound data to account for non-linear deformation of the imaged anatomic structure. MR images that are pre-registered to pre-operative ultrasound images are then given the same nonlinear spatial transformation to align the MR images with intra-operative ultrasound images to provide surgical guidance.

Abstract: A robotic body scanning system includes a robotic manipulator, a force sensor, a probe, a surface sensing system, and a computing device. The probe is attached to the robotic manipulator and configured to scan the portion of the human body. The surface sensing system is configured to detect a surface of the portion of the human body and generate data representing the portion of the human body. The computing device is configured to receive data representing the portion of the human body from said surface sensing system and generate two or three-dimensional representations of the portion of the human body. The computing device includes a trajectory generation module configured to generate an adapted trajectory for the probe to follow based on the two or three-dimensional representations. The robotic manipulator is configured to move the probe along the adapted trajectory along the portion of the human body.

Abstract: A grid of phased array transducers includes a piezoelectric layer and a plurality of ground contact traces. The piezoelectric layer includes a first side and a second side. The plurality of ground contact traces is disposed on the first side of the piezoelectric layer along an elevational direction, where each ground contact trace of the plurality of ground contact traces extends along an azimuthal direction. Further, each phased array transducer of the grid of phased array transducers is disposed between an adjacently disposed pair of ground contact traces of the plurality of ground contact traces. Moreover, each phased array transducer includes at least a portion of at least one ground contact trace of a corresponding pair of ground contact traces, and where each phased array transducer includes a plurality of transducer elements.

Abstract: A system and method for providing virtual real-time MRI-guidance for a biopsy outside of a conventional MRI scanner is described. MR images and ultrasound images of a region of a patient's body are simultaneously acquired during a pre-biopsy procedure. Respiratory states that the patient may experience during the biopsy are then determined from the acquired ultrasound images, and each respiratory state is associated with corresponding MR images. The MR images are indexed with their corresponding respiratory state. Ultrasound images are then acquired of the patient during a biopsy procedure. The respiratory state of the patient is determined from the ultrasound images, and the corresponding indexed MR images are displayed.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe configured for use in a multi-modality imaging system includes a body including one or more electrical components of the ultrasound probe, an outermost housing enclosing the ultrasound probe, and an electromagnetic interference (EMI) shield disposed between the body and the housing, wherein the EMI shield is configured to reduce interference between the ultrasound probe and one or more different imaging systems of the multi-modality imaging system. The ultrasound probe further includes a transducer disposed on a patient-facing surface of the ultrasound probe and a cable coupled to the body and configured to communicatively couple the ultrasound probe to an ultrasound imaging system of the multi-modality imaging system, wherein the ultrasound probe comprises substantially non-ferromagnetic material.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for ultrasound transducers with variable pitch. In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe comprises a plurality of transducer elements arranged in an array, wherein a pitch between adjacent transducer elements increases from a first pitch in a center of the array to a second pitch at an edge of the array, and wherein the pitch gradually varies between the first pitch and second pitch for transducer elements positioned between the center and the edge. In this way, an ultrasound probe can be operated in multiple modes while avoiding image artifacts caused by an abrupt change in pitch.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting catheter(s) in 3D ultrasound images includes a 3D ultrasound image acquiring module and a catheter centerline 3D trajectory generating module. The 3D ultrasound image acquiring module is used for capturing an original 3D ultrasound image. The catheter centerline 3D trajectory generating module is used for detecting and visualizing a catheter in the 3D ultrasound image.

Abstract: A transducer probe is presented. The transducer probe includes a housing having a probe surface at a first end. Further, the transducer probe includes an acoustic array having an array aperture, wherein the acoustic array is disposed adjacent the probe surface of the housing, and wherein the acoustic array is configured to transmit ultrasound signals towards a target volume. Also, the transducer probe includes a flex interconnect configured to electrically couple the acoustic array to at least one electronic unit. Furthermore, the transducer probe includes an electrical standoff disposed between the acoustic array and the flex interconnect to reduce a footprint of the transducer probe to a first value, wherein the first value is proximate to a lateral size of the array aperture.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method includes receiving a plurality of images of an abdominal region from an image capture device. The method further includes identifying a bowel tissue and a peristaltic portion of the bowel tissue from the plurality of images. The method further includes determining a peristalsis property of the bowel tissue based on the peristaltic portion. The peristalsis property includes at least one of a percentage of the peristaltic portion within the bowel tissue and an amount of peristalsis in the peristaltic portion. The method also includes assessing a health the bowel tissue based on the peristalsis property of the peristaltic portion.

Abstract: In accordance with one aspect of the present technique, a method includes receiving a plurality of images of an abdominal region from an image capture device. The method further includes identifying a bowel tissue and a peristaltic portion of the bowel tissue from the plurality of images. The method further includes determining a peristalsis property of the bowel tissue based on the peristaltic portion. The peristalsis property includes at least one of a percentage of the peristaltic portion within the bowel tissue and an amount of peristalsis in the peristaltic portion. The method also includes assessing a health the bowel tissue based on the peristalsis property of the peristaltic portion.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting catheter(s) in 3D ultrasound images includes a 3D ultrasound image acquiring module and a catheter centerline 3D trajectory generating module. The 3D ultrasound image acquiring module is used for capturing an original 3D ultrasound image. The catheter centerline 3D trajectory generating module is used for detecting and visualizing a catheter in the 3D ultrasound image.

Abstract: An automated method for detecting a disease state is presented. The method includes identifying a bone surface in one or more image data sets, wherein the one or more data sets correspond to a region of interest in an object of interest. Furthermore, the method includes segmenting a joint capsule region corresponding to the one or more image data sets based on a corresponding identified bone surface. In addition, the method includes analyzing the segmented joint capsule region to identify the disease state. Systems and non-transitory computer readable medium configured to perform the automated method for detecting a disease state are also presented.

Abstract: An ultrasound acoustic assembly includes a number of ultrasound acoustic arrays, each array comprising an acoustic stack comprising a piezoelectric layer assembled with at least one acoustic impedance dematching layer and with a support layer. The acoustic stack defines a number of dicing kerfs and a number of acoustic elements, such that the dicing kerfs are formed between neighboring ones of the acoustic elements. The dicing kerfs extend through the piezoelectric layer and through the acoustic impedance dematching layer(s) but extend only partially through the support layer. The ultrasound acoustic assembly further includes a number of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) die. Each ultrasound acoustic array is coupled to a respective ASIC die to form a respective acoustic-electric transducer module. Methods of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound acoustic assembly includes a number of ultrasound acoustic arrays, each array comprising an acoustic stack comprising a piezoelectric layer assembled with at least one acoustic impedance dematching layer and with a support layer. The acoustic stack defines a number of dicing kerfs and a number of acoustic elements, such that the dicing kerfs are formed between neighboring ones of the acoustic elements. The dicing kerfs extend through the piezoelectric layer and through the acoustic impedance dematching layer(s) but extend only partially through the support layer. The ultrasound acoustic assembly further includes a number of application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) die. Each ultrasound acoustic array is coupled to a respective ASIC die to form a respective acoustic-electric transducer module. Methods of manufacture are also provided.

Abstract: Embodiments of catheters, imaging systems and methods for intravascular ultrasound imaging are presented. At least one miniaturized transducer element adapted to be inserted into a vascular structure and configured to produce signals for use in generating one or more ultrasound images of a desired region within the vascular structure is used. Further, one or more apodizing structures operably coupled to the transducer element and configured to decrease the responsiveness of the transducer element at one or more boundaries of the transducer element with respect to the center of the transducer element are used. Particularly, the apodizing structures reduce sidelobe amplitude of an ultrasound beam profile in the region of interest, thereby generating improved ultrasound images.