Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly (10) for diagnostic imaging is provided. The ultrasonic transducer includes an elongated housing (12) that is configured and dimensioned to accommodate applicable anatomical constraints. The assembly includes a sensor assembly (20) that includes a two-dimensional matrix array of transducer elements (22) and a translation mechanism (32) to physically translate the two-dimensional matrix array of transducer elements (22) through a field of view of approximately 140 degrees by 80 degrees. An articulation control mechanism (38) allows a clinician to move the tip (14) of the ultrasonic transducer (10) into a desired imaging position, e.g., for fetal imaging.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are described which produce tissue harmonic images containing both fundamental and harmonic frequency components. Such a blended image takes advantage of the performance possible with the two types of ultrasonic echo information and can advantageously reduce near field clutter while improving signal to noise performance in the far field of the image.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method that identify flow regions within a volume. The system comprises: a survey system for collecting motion data from a target image; a segmentation system for mapping a region of flow within the image based on the motion data; and a flow acquisition system that automatically limits the collection of flow image data within the image to the region of flow.

Abstract: An imaging system includes a diagnostic ultrasound front end module, the front end module including a transducer, a robotic armature (2), and a controller (4) electrically coupled to each of the front end module and the robotic armature. The controller is configured to employ the robotic armature to move the transducer relative to an anatomical structure, including wherein the controller is operable in a feedback control mode to detect key attributes in an acquired image or data set received from the front end module, calculate a desired adjustment to the position of the transducer based on the key attributes detection, and employ the robotic armature to apply the desired position adjustment.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer assembly (10) for diagnostic imaging is provided. The ultrasonic transducer includes an elongated housing (12) that is configured and dimensioned to accommodate applicable anatomical constraints. The assembly includes a sensor assembly (20) that includes a two-dimensional matrix array of transducer elements (22) and a translation mechanism (32) to physically translate the two-dimensional matrix array of transducer elements (22) through a field of view of approximately 140 degrees by 80 degrees. An articulation control mechanism (38) allows a clinician to move the tip (14) of the ultrasonic transducer (10) into a desired imaging position, e.g., for fetal imaging.

Abstract: Devices for use in medical imaging can include a robotic arm (220) having multiple degrees-of-freedom movement capability, a scanning transducer (230) coupled in proximity to an end of the robotic arm, and a haptic interface (250) having one or more mechanical linkages and being in communication with the robotic arm, and adapted to issue command signals to move the robotic arm in one or more directions or angles and to receive feedback signals from the robotic arm.

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasound imaging system displays a gallery of ultrasound images each of which was obtained using a different setting for the imaging system. One of the images in the gallery is selected, and the imaging system is then set up to use the setting that was used to obtain the selected ultrasound image. The images displayed in the gallery may be obtained using different settings or different combinations of settings, and settings may be selected by selecting one or more images from each of several sequentially displayed galleries.

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasound imaging system displays a gallery of ultrasound images each of which was obtained using a different setting for the imaging system. One of the images in the gallery is selected, and the imaging system is then set up to use the setting that was used to obtain the selected ultrasound image. The images displayed in the gallery may be obtained using different settings or different combinations of settings, and settings may be selected by selecting one or more images from each of several sequentially displayed galleries.

Abstract: A digital multiline beamformer is provided which produces multiple receive beams in response to a single transmit event. An embodiment of the present invention includes a bulk delay which provides a common steering delay applicable to all of the beams received at one time. The bulk delay is succeeded by parallel filter processing paths which produce finely focused multiple beams simultaneously. In one embodiment a multiphase filter produces the samples for multiple beams, which is advantageous when the number of simultaneously produced beams is greater than the number of phases produced by the fine focus filter.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for imaging the coronary arteries of the heart. The vascular system is infused with an ultrasonic contrast agent. A volumetric region of the heart wall including a coronary artery is three dimensionally scanned. A projection image of the volumetric region is produced from the scanning, providing a two dimensional contrast image of the coronary artery with the appearance of an angiogram. Preferably the coronary artery signals are segmented from contrast signals emanating from the myocardium and the heart blood pool so that the coronary arteries are clearly highlighted and distinct in the ultrasonic angiogram.

Abstract: An ultrasound system which performs two dimensional imaging is upgradeable to a system which also performs three dimensional ultrasonic imaging. The ultrasound system contains space in which an optional 3D beamformer may be installed to provide the ultrasound system with three dimensional imaging capability. When the 3D beamformer is installed a scanhead select module connects one of a plurality of scanhead connectors to the proper beamformer for the imaging procedure commanded by the user.

Abstract: An ultrasonic 2D array has elements extending in two dimensions which can be individually controlled and operated to form a 2D array for scanning a volumetric region in three dimensions. Individual ones of the elements can also be selected and operated together to form a 1D array for scanning a planar region in two dimensions. The array transmits scanlines to scan the volumetric region and the planar region in a time interleaved manner with the frame rate of the planar region be higher than that of the volumetric region. A spectral display may also be produced of a sample volume located in the planar region.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are described for harmonic imaging using a transducer operated in the k31 mode. In one embodiment, the invention includes a transducer operative in a k31 mode, a transmitter for transmitting first signals to the transducer assembly, and a receiver for processing second signals received by the transducer assembly at a harmonic of the frequency of the first signals. In another embodiment, a method of operating an ultrasound system includes emitting first signals in a first frequency range from a transducer operating in the k31 mode, projecting the signals into a body, and detecting second signals confined to a second frequency range.

Abstract: Strain rate analysis is performed for ultrasonic images in which the spatial gradient of velocity is calculated in the direction of tissue motion. Strain rate is calculated for cardiac ultrasound images in the direction of motion which, for myocardial images, may be either in the plane of the myocardium or across the myocardium. Strain rate information is calculated for a sequence of images of a heart cycle and displayed for an automatically drawn border such as the endocardial border over the full heart cycle.

Abstract: A diagnostic ultrasound imaging system includes a display monitor having a viewing screen with an aspect ratio substantially wider than 4:3. The wide aspect ratio screen is able to display horizontally elongated images typically obtained in ultrasound imaging using a greater percentage of the viewing screen compared to display monitors used in prior art ultrasound imaging systems. As a result, the images can be seen with greater size and resolution without cutting off portions of the images. The display monitor is preferably rotatable 90 degrees to provide a viewing screen having an aspect ratio substantially narrower than display monitors used in prior art ultrasound imaging systems, thereby providing a viewing screen that is better able to show deep images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for imaging the coronary arteries of the heart. The vascular system is infused with an ultrasonic contrast agent. A volumetric region of the heart wall including a coronary artery is three dimensionally scanned. A projection image of the volumetric region is produced from the scanning, providing a two dimensional contrast image of the coronary artery with the appearance of an angiogram. Preferably the coronary artery signals are segmented from contrast signals emanating from the myocardium and the heart blood pool so that the coronary arteries are clearly highlighted and distinct in the ultrasonic angiogram.

Abstract: This invention describes automatically tracing a tissue border in an ultrasonic image which is accomplished by acquiring one or more images, locating anatomical landmarks in the image, fitting a border trace to the anatomical landmarks, and displaying an ultrasonic image in which a tissue border has been automatically traced. Adjustable control points are located on the displayed border, enabling the automatically drawn border to be manually adjusted by a rubberbanding technique.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for imaging the coronary arteries of the heart. The vascular system is infused with an ultrasonic contrast agent. A volumetric region of the heart wall including a coronary artery is three dimensionally scanned. A projection image of the volumetric region is produced from the scanning, providing a two dimensional contrast image of the coronary artery with the appearance of an angiogram. Preferably the coronary artery signals are segmented from contrast signals emanating from the myocardium and the heart blood pool so that the coronary arteries are clearly highlighted and distinct in the ultrasonic angiogram.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging method and apparatus are described for imaging the coronary arteries of the heart. The vascular system is infused with an ultrasonic contrast agent. A volumetric region of the heart wall including a coronary artery is three dimensionally scanned. A projection image of the volumetric region is produced from the scanning, providing a two dimensional contrast image of the coronary artery with the appearance of an angiogram. Preferably the coronary artery signals are segmented from contrast signals emanating from the myocardium and the heart blood pool so that the coronary arteries are clearly highlighted and distinct in the ultrasonic angiogram.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method are described which produce tissue harmonic images containing both fundamental and harmonic frequency components. Such a blended image takes advantage of the performance possible with the two types of ultrasonic echo information and can advantageously reduce near field clutter while improving signal to noise performance in the far field of the image.