Abstract: A contrast agent is administered to a patient by inhalation into the patient's lungs. The agent is transmitted through the lungs into the patient's bloodstream, for transport to a non-lung portion of the patient to be imaged. A portion of the patient containing the microbubbles is subjected to an ultrasound scan, so as to obtain an enhanced ultrasonically generated image of the patient.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for directing an ultrasonic signal along a desired path through a member and for establishing the strength of the member. A transmitter sends an ultrasonic signal through the member that is received by a receiver and a conditioned electronic waveform is generated that is representative of the received waveform. Selected characteristics of the conditioned electronic waveform are compared with corresponding characteristics of a canonical waveform, the canonical waveform being obtained when ultrasonic signals propagate along the desired path through the member. When the selected characteristics of the conditioned electronic waveform are substantially the same as the corresponding characteristics of the canonical waveform, the ultrasonic signal has propagated at least along the desired path. The apparent velocity of the ultrasonic signal that propagates along the desired path is computed and is related to bone strength.

Abstract: A noninvasive accurate method for measuring the temperature of tissue beneath the surface of a living body 11. Ultrasonic signals (14) are directed into beads 13 of a material that are inserted into the tissue with a syringe. The reflected signals (15) indicate the acoustic impedance or resonance frequency of the beads 13 which in turn indicates the temperature of the tissue. A range of temperatures around the melting temperature of the material can be measured by this method.