Abstract: Embodiments of setting an optimal image parameter for obtaining an optimal ultrasound image are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, a processing unit is configured perform an image process upon an ultrasound image to thereby detect a center of a blood vessel from the ultrasound image. The processing unit is configured to set the center of the blood vessel as an optimal focal point position. The processing unit is configured to calculate a plurality of steering angles, a plurality of transmit (Tx) frequencies and a plurality of sound speeds.

Abstract: Embodiments forming an ultrasound image by adjusting a steering angle of scan lines using virtual transducer elements in an ultrasound system are disclosed herein. In one embodiment, a processing unit forms a first ultrasound image by using the ultrasound data, which may be acquired based on first scan lines steered at a first steering angle. The processing unit determines a center of the target object on the first ultrasound image. A control unit defines virtual transducer elements associated with an array transducer, defines second scan lines and computes a second steering angle of the second scan lines based on the virtual transducer elements and the center of the target object. An ultrasound data acquisition unit forms second ultrasound data based on the second scan lines steered at the second steering angle. The processing unit forms a second ultrasound image by using the second ultrasound data.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing information indicative of a change in elasticity information of a target object over time in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasound data acquisition unit transmits ultrasound beams to a target object and receives ultrasound echoes reflected from the target object to thereby provide plural sets of ultrasound frame data. An image forming unit forms ultrasound images by using the plural sets of ultrasound frame data. An information forming unit defines a region of interest on each of the ultrasound images and compares images within the regions of interest between the neighboring ultrasound images to form elasticity information. The information forming unit forms information indicative of a change in the elasticity information over time.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing enhanced ultrasound images without lowering a frame rate in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, the ultrasound system includes: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit ultrasound beams to a target object along predetermined plural scan line groups of scan lines in an alternative and sequential manner, receive ultrasound echoes reflected from the target object, and provide a plurality of ultrasound frame data, said predetermined plural scan line groups being respectively associated with predetermined steering angles and each of the plurality of ultrasound frame data being produced in response to the transmission of the ultrasound beam along the respective scan line groups; and a processor configured to sequentially form ultrasound images based on the ultrasound frame data and compound the ultrasound images in an interleaving way to form compound images.

Abstract: Embodiments for adaptively setting a transmit frequency are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: a storage unit for storing a mapping table including transmit (Tx) frequencies and scan conditions; and an ultrasound data acquisition unit in communication with the storage unit and being configured to retrieve a Tx frequency corresponding to a scan condition from the storage unit and form ultrasound signals having the retrieved Tx frequency.

Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus for generating an elastic image that includes an interpolation unit configured to generate a first data set using ultrasound images obtained at a maximum pressure and at a minimum pressure; an image generating unit configured to generate a pyramid image using the first data set; a map generating unit configured to generate a motion map using the pyramid image; a displacement calculating unit configured to calculate a displacement based on the motion map; and a display unit configure to display an elastic image using the calculated displacement.

Abstract: Embodiments for providing stress information in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit/receive ultrasound signals to/from a target object while applying a stress to the target object to thereby output first ultrasound data and to transmit/receive ultrasound signals to/from the target object while releasing the stress applied to the target object to thereby output second ultrasound data; and a processing unit configured to form stress information based on the first and second ultrasound data, wherein the stress information includes stress magnitude information, stress application period information and ultrasound probe gradient information.

Abstract: Embodiments for forming an elastic image in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasound data acquisition unit is configured to transmit/receive first ultrasound signals to/from a target object to output first ultrasound data and to transmit/receive second ultrasound signals for applying an acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) to/from the target object to output second ultrasound data. An image forming unit is configured to form a reference image based on the first ultrasound data and to form an ARFI image based on the second ultrasound data. A processing unit is connected to the ultrasound data acquisition unit and the image forming unit. The processing unit is configured to detect first feature points of the target object in the reference image, to detect second feature points of the target object in the ARFI image and to calculate stress data at each of the first feature points based on the first and second feature points.

Abstract: Embodiments for forming a color map necessary for forming an elastic image in an ultrasound system. A transmission/reception (Tx/Rx) unit transmits ultrasound signals to a target object and receives ultrasound echo signals reflected from the target object to thereby obtain receive signals. The receive signals include first receive signals obtained before applying a stress to the target object and second receive signals obtained after applying a stress to the target object. An ultrasound data forming unit forms first and second ultrasound data based on the first and second receive signals, respectively. A processing unit computes strains by using the first and second ultrasound data and form a histogram based on the computed strains. The processing unit further clusters the histogram for separation into a plurality of clusters and forms a color map including a plurality of color map regions corresponding to the respective clusters.

Abstract: Embodiments for forming an elastic image in an ultrasound system are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasound data acquisition unit is configured to transmit/receive ultrasound signals to/from a target object to thereby output first ultrasound data. The ultrasound data acquisition unit is configured to transmit/receive ultrasound signals to/from the target object while applying pressure to the target object to thereby output second ultrasound data. A frame image data forming unit is configured to form a first frame image data based on the first ultrasound data. The frame image data forming unit is configured to form a second frame image data based on the second ultrasound data. A processing unit is configured to calculate strain data based on the first and second frame image data. The processing unit is configured to set a reference value based on the strain data. The processing unit is configured to form an elastic image based on the reference value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound system for providing ultrasound images in a duplex mode. The ultrasound system comprises a transmission/reception unit for alternately transmitting a first ultrasound beam and a second ultrasound beam to a target object. The first and second ultrasound beams are transmitted for first and second time durations, respectively. The ultrasound system further comprises an image processing unit for forming a first diagnostic mode image based on echoes of the first ultrasound beam and a second diagnostic mode image containing a gap corresponding to the first time duration based on echoes of the second ultrasound beam. The image processing unit is further configured to perform gap filling based on edge points of the second diagnostic mode image to form a second diagnostic image with the gap removed.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system. The ultrasound system of the present invention includes an ultrasound diagnostic unit, a storage unit, an image acquisition unit, a pattern recognition unit, and a control unit. The ultrasound diagnostic unit forms an ultrasound image representative of a target object. The storage unit stores training sets in association with respective instructions for operating the ultrasound diagnostic unit. Each of the training sets includes pattern samples associated with a particular action of a user. The image acquisition unit acquires an action of a user to form an action image. The pattern recognition unit recognizes an action pattern from the action image. The control unit retrieves the training sets stored in the storage unit to find a pattern sample having a match with the recognized action pattern.