Abstract: An apparatus and methods to quantify the volume of urine in a human bladder with a limited number of acoustic beams is disclosed. In a first version a plurality of narrow ultrasound beams is transmitted in different directions towards the bladder. Returning echoes are converted to digital form and stored in memory. A volume display on the apparatus allows to define the optimal apposition of the transducer assembly. Signal processing software automatically determines the bladder Depth D and Height H and computes the volume of urine. In a second version, a single wide angle ultrasound beam transducer transmits ultrasounds signals at a fundamental frequency to quantify the urine volume. Return signals originating from a depth beyond the usual position of the posterior wall depth of a filled bladder are analyzed for presence of higher harmonic signals, which in turn are related to the presence or absence of urine.

Abstract: A hand-held 3D ultrasound instrument is disclosed which is used to non-invasively and automatically measure amniotic fluid volume in the uterus requiring a minimum of operator intervention. Using a 2D image-processing algorithm, the instrument gives automatic feedback to the user about where to acquire the 3D image set. The user acquires one or more 3D data sets covering all of the amniotic fluid in the uterus and this data is then processed using an optimized 3D algorithm to output the total amniotic fluid volume corrected for any fetal head brain volume contributions.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method to measure an organ wall weight and mass. When the organ is a bladder, a bladder weight (UEBW) is determined using three-dimensional ultrasound imaging that is acquired using a hand-held or machine controlled ultrasound transceiver. The infravesical region of the bladder is delineated on this 3D data set to enable the calculation of urine volume and the bladder surface area. The outer anterior wall of the bladder is delineated to enable the calculation of the bladder wall thickness (BWT). The UEBW is calculated as a product of the bladder surface area, the bladder wall thickness, and the bladder wall specific gravity.

Abstract: An ultrasound transceiver scans an organ and processes the echogenic signals to produce three-dimensional, two-dimensional, and one-dimensional information of the organ. The 3-D, 2-D, and 1-D information is utilized to determine the thickness, surface area, volume, and mass of the organ wall.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and ultrasound transceivers equipped and configured to execute analysis and extract ultrasound information related to an abdominal aortic aneurysm of a subject are described. The methods utilize algorithms to establish improved targeting of the abdominal aortic aneurysm within a region-of-interest. The targeting algorithms may be optimally applied to provide the user with real-time feedback and orientation guidance for positioning the transceiver. Additional methods utilize diameter conversion algorithms to establish the diameter of the abdominal aortic aneurysm based on conversion of the volume measurement and limited segmentation within a targeted region-of-interest of the aorta.

Abstract: An ultrasound transceiver scans an organ and processes the echogenic signals to produce three-dimensional, two-dimensional, and one-dimensional information of the organ. The 3-D, 2-D, and 1-D information is utilized to determine the thickness, surface area, volume, and mass of the organ wall.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and ultrasound transceivers equipped and configured to execute harmonic analysis and extract harmonic information related to a targeted organ of a subject are described. The methods utilize neural network algorithms to establish improved segmentation accuracy of the targeted organ or structures within a region-of-interest. The neural network algorithms, refined for detection of the bladder and to ascertain the presence or absence of a uterus, is optimally applied to better segment and thus confer the capability to optimize measurement of bladder geometry, area, and volumes.

Abstract: An ultrasound transceiver scans a bladder in a three dimensional array to measure the thickness and surface area of the bladder to determine bladder mass. The bladder wall thickness and masses may be determined for anterior, posterior, and lateral locations of the bladder.

Abstract: Embodiments are described for a system and method to improve image clarity in ultrasound images that utilize an ultrasound transceiver receiving ultrasound energy returning from a targeted region of interest and producing a plurality of echoic signals. The region-of-interest may include an organ, an organ cavity, for example a bladder, or a portion of an organ or organ cavity. The echoic signals then receive signal processing via an executable algorithm configured to image the targeted region-of-interest from the echoic signals using at least one of a first harmonic, a second harmonic, and a fundamental frequency of the ultrasound energy. The algorithm generates a harmonic value that may then be plotted on a grid or render a map presentable on a computer display or other visual means. Alternate embodiments provide that the executable algorithm may be non-parametric and include a Harmonic Analysis Kernel (HAK).

Abstract: A hand-held 3D ultrasound instrument is disclosed which is used to non-invasively and automatically measure amniotic fluid volume in the uterus requiring a minimum of operator intervention. Using a 2D image-processing algorithm, the instrument gives automatic feedback to the user about where to acquire the 3D image set. The user acquires one or more 3D data sets covering all of the amniotic fluid in the uterus and this data is then processed using an optimized 3D algorithm to output the total amniotic fluid volume corrected for any fetal head brain volume contributions.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described to detect and anatomically map the location of active nerves or nerve bundles before, during, or after surgical procedures. The optical-based system supports and provides for methods to stimulate nerves in a non-electrolytic manner to activate or stimulate nerves within muscular tissue within the surgical field so that a given nerve's anatomical location or level of functional activity may be made contemporaneously apparent to the surgeon or operating personnel in the form of a neural activity map. The neural activity map provides for mapping of nerve location and classifying the mapped nerves by functional levels. The contemporaneously presented neural activity map enables the surgeon or operating personnel to initially plan a neural muscular surgery before undertaking incisions, or modify the surgical procedure based upon the updated neural mapping of the surgical region of interest.

Abstract: A system includes at least one transducer configured to transmit at least one ultrasound pulse into a region of interest (ROI) of a patient. The pulse has at least a first frequency and propagates through a bodily structure in the ROI. The system further includes at least one receiver configured to receive at least one echo signal corresponding to the pulse. The echo signal includes the first frequency and at least one harmonic multiple of the first frequency. The system further includes a processor configured to automatically determine, from the at least one harmonic multiple, at least one boundary of the bodily structure. In an embodiment, the processor is configured to automatically determine, from the at least one harmonic multiple, an amount of fluid within the bodily structure.

Abstract: Ultrasound systems and methods are described to measure changes in cardiac chamber volumes and organ wall areas, thicknesses, volumes and masses between the cardiac chambers using computer readable media employing image processing algorithms applied to 3D data sets acquired at systole and diastole. The systems for cardiac imaging includes an ultrasound transceiver configured to sense the mitral valve of a heart by Doppler ultrasound, an electrocardiograph connected with a patient and synchronized with the transceiver to acquire ultrasound-based 3D data sets during systole and diastole at a transceiver location determined by Doppler ultrasound affected by the mitral valve, and a computer readable medium configurable to process ultrasound imaging information from the 3D data sets communicated from the transceiver.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ultrasound imaging using an inertial reference unit are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound unit configured to ultrasonically scan at least one plane within a region of interest in a subject and generate imaging information from the scan. An inertial reference unit is provided that detects relative positions of the ultrasound unit as the ultrasound unit scans a plurality of plane. A processing unit is configured to receive the imaging information and the corresponding detected position and is operable to generate images of the region of interest.

Abstract: A hand-held 3D ultrasound instrument is disclosed which is used to non-d invasively and automatically measure amniotic fluid volume in the uterus requiring a minimum of operator intervention. Using a 2D image-processing algorithm, the instrument gives automatic feedback to the user about where to acquire the 3D image set. The user acquires one or more 3D data sets covering all of the amniotic fluid in the uterus and this data is then processed using an optimized 3D algorithm to output the total amniotic fluid volume corrected for any fetal head brain volume contributions.

Abstract: Ultrasound systems and methods are described to measure changes in cardiac chamber volumes and organ wall areas, thicknesses, volumes and masses between the cardiac chambers using computer readable media employing image processing algorithms applied to 3D data sets acquired at systole and diastole. The systems for cardiac imaging includes an ultrasound transceiver configured to sense the mitral valve of a heart by Doppler ultrasound, an electrocardiograph connected with a patient and synchronized with the transceiver to acquire ultrasound-based 3D data sets during systole and diastole at a transceiver location determined by Doppler ultrasound affected by the mitral valve, and a computer readable medium configurable to process ultrasound imaging information from the 3D data sets communicated from the transceiver.

Abstract: A hand-held 3D ultrasound instrument is disclosed which is used to non-invasively and automatically measure amniotic fluid volume in the uterus requiring a minimum of operator intervention. Using a 2D image-processing algorithm, the instrument gives automatic feedback to the user about where to acquire the 3D image set. The user acquires one or more 3D data sets covering all of the amniotic fluid in the uterus and this data is then processed using an optimized 3D algorithm to output the total amniotic fluid volume corrected for any fetal head brain volume contributions.

Abstract: A means for holding a selected cannula such that the cannula is controllably restricted in motion in all but one line, but still able to slide along the line relatively freely. The motion restricting force may be selectively varied, thereby allowing an unrestricted separation of the cannula and the holding/guide device.

Abstract: A system and method for visualizing a cannula trajectory. An embodiment of the present invention generally includes an ultrasound probe attached to a first camera and/or a second camera and a processing and display generating system that may be in signal communication with the ultrasound probe, the first camera, and/or the second camera. A user of the system scans tissue containing a target vein using the ultrasound probe and a cross-sectional image of the target vein may be displayed. The first camera records a first image of a cannula in a first direction and the second camera records a second image of the cannula in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The first and/or the second images may be processed by the processing and display generating system along with the relative positions of the ultrasound probe, the first camera, and/or the second camera to determine the trajectory of the cannula.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for acquiring, processing, and presenting boundaries of a cavity-tissue interface within a region-of-interest in an ultrasound image based upon the strength of signals of ultrasound echoes returning from structures within the region-of-interest. The segmentation of boundaries of cavity shapes occupying the region-of-interest utilizes cost function analysis of pixel sets occupying the cavity-tissue interface. The segmented shapes are further image processed to determine areas and volumes of the organ or structure containing the cavity within the region-of-interest.