Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound system (10) comprising a first non-invasive ultrasound probe (14) configured to acquire first ultrasound data having a first field of view; a second invasive ultrasound probe (16) configured to acquire second ultrasound data having a second field of view which is different from the first field of view; a tracking unit (30) configured to determine tracking data comprising a position and orientation of the first non-invasive ultrasound probe (14) relative to the second invasive ultrasound probe (16); and a registration unit (32) configured to register the second field of view into the first field of view based on the tracking data.

Abstract: A mechanism for adjusting the direction of one or more crossing electric fields that have been induced by a set of electrodes positioned on a patient, without necessitating movement of any of the electrodes. This is achieved through the use of one or more electrode patches, which effectively allow an electric field generator to control a position of a source/sink of an electric field, to thereby control a direction of the electric field.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound system. A first non-invasive ultrasound probe receives first ultrasound data having a first field of view and a second invasive ultrasound probe receives second ultrasound data having a second field of view which is different from the first field of view. A tracking unit determines tracking data including a position and orientation of the first non-invasive ultrasound probe relative to the second invasive ultrasound probe. A registration unit registers the second field of view into the first field of view based on the tracking data.

Abstract: An ultrasound image processing apparatus includes an image processor arrangement that receives a plurality of ultrasound images. Each ultrasound image shows an invasive medical device relative to an anatomical feature during a cardiac cycle. At different phases of the cardiac cycle, the anatomical feature has a different shape. The ultrasound processing apparatus compiles groups of the ultrasound images with ultrasound images in each group belonging to the same phase of the cardiac cycle. The ultrasound image processing apparatus generates an augmented ultrasound image from one of the ultrasound images by removing a shadow region on the anatomical feature of interest caused by the invasive medical device based on a displacement of the invasive medical device.

Abstract: A mechanism for registering ultrasound images with an anatomical map generated using a dielectric imaging process. The positions of electrodes that move with the ultrasound probe are monitored using the same dielectric imaging system that generated the anatomical map. The position at which ultrasound images are generated is captured, and this information is used to register the ultrasound image(s) with respect to the anatomical map.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound image processing having steps of receiving sequences of ultrasound images imaging an anatomical feature of interest during two cardiac cycles one in the absence of, and the other in the presence of, an invasive medical device in said ultrasound images, each ultrasound image corresponding to a different phase of said cardiac cycle. The invasive medical device may at least partially obscure the anatomical feature of interest for each ultrasound image of the further sequence. The location of the invasive medical device is tracked and isolated in the ultrasound image, and the isolated invasive medical device is inserted into an ultrasound image of the first sequence of a corresponding phase of the cardiac cycle in the tracked location. The method also controls a display device to display the first sequence of ultrasound images including the inserted invasive medical device.

Abstract: An ultrasound image processing apparatus includes an image processor arrangement that receives a plurality of ultrasound images. Each ultrasound image shows an invasive medical device relative to an anatomical feature during a cardiac cycle. At different phases of the cardiac cycle, the anatomical feature has a different shape. The ultrasound processing apparatus compiles groups of the ultrasound images with ultrasound images in each group belonging to the same phase of the cardiac cycle. The ultrasound image processing apparatus generates an augmented ultrasound image from one of the ultrasound images by removing a shadow region on the anatomical feature of interest caused by the invasive medical device based on a displacement of the invasive medical device.

Abstract: A system (10) is for performing ECG measurements and comprises a probe (12) with an integrated one or more ECG electrodes (22) and an ultrasound sensing means (18), such as a transducer arrangement. The probe thus provides a mobile ECG electrode which can be sequentially moved between a set of different locations on the body for acquiring ECG measurements from different angles relative to the heart (i.e. different ‘leads’). Positioning of the probe in each required location is guided by a position guidance function which uses ultrasound data acquired by the ultrasound sensing means to locate the probe (with reference to an ultrasound body atlas (28) or map), and uses a stored set of reference body locations to guide a user with guidance information as to how to move the probe to arrive at a next target electrode location. In examples, the user may be guided through a sequence of electrode locations, with ECG data acquired at each one, thereby sequentially building up a set of standard ECG lead measurements.

Abstract: An ultrasound device (10) is disclosed comprising a transducer arrangement (110) and an acoustically transmissive window (150) over said arrangement, said window comprising an elastomer layer (153) having conductive particles dispersed in the elastomer, the elastomer layer having a pressure-sensitive conductivity, the ultrasound device further comprising an electrode arrangement (160) coupled to said elastomer layer and adapted to measure said pressure-sensitive conductivity. An ultrasound system and arrangement including such an ultrasound device are also disclosed.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for reducing or eliminating reverberation artifacts in images are disclosed. Systems including one or more ultrasound probes are disclosed. Apparatuses for providing registration information for an ultrasound probe or probes at different positions are disclosed. A method of combining volume images acquired at different positions to reduce or eliminate reverberation artifacts is disclosed.

Abstract: An acoustic sensing apparatus and method are disclosed for acoustically surveying the chest area of a subject, and in particular the rib cage. In use the apparatus is placed on the chest, and it includes an arrangement of one or more sound sensors for sensing acoustic signals received from inside the chest. Based on the signal intensities picked up at a plurality of different locations across the chest, the different locations are each classified by a controller as either rib-aligned or intercostal space-aligned. The controller is further adapted to identify one or more sound intensity hotspots (42) within the signal intensity distribution to locate one or more anatomical objects or regions of interest within the chest, such as the heart mitral valve, the heart tricuspid valve, heart aortic valve, and the pulmonary artery as key areas for an auscultation procedure.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound image processing having steps of receiving sequences of ultrasound images imaging an anatomical feature of interest during two cardiac cycles one in the absence of, and the other in the presence of, an invasive medical device in said ultrasound images, each ultrasound image corresponding to a different phase of said cardiac cycle. The invasive medical device may at least partially obscure the anatomical feature of interest for each ultrasound image of the further sequence. The location of the invasive medical device is tracked and isolated in the ultrasound image, and the isolated invasive medical device is inserted into an ultrasound image of the first sequence of a corresponding phase of the cardiac cycle in the tracked location. The method also controls a display device to display the first sequence of ultrasound images including the inserted invasive medical device.

Abstract: An image data processing method is for registering two four-dimensional image data sets, each representative of a time-series of three-dimensional image frames. The method comprises an initial pre-registration step in which 3D image frames of the two image data sets are rotated and translated (16) relative to one another so as to bring into alignment respective dominant motion vectors identified (14) for each, the dominant motion vector being a 3D motion vector representative of motion of an identified three-dimensional sub-region exhibiting maximal spatial displacement over course of the time series.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound image processing apparatus (5) comprising an image processor arrangement (50) adapted to receive a first sequence (100?) of ultrasound images (150) imaging an anatomical feature of interest (151) during a first full cardiac cycle in the absence of an invasive medical device (15) in said ultrasound images, each ultrasound image corresponding to a different phase of said cardiac cycle; receive a further sequence (100) of ultrasound images (150) imaging the anatomical feature of interest (151) during a further full cardiac cycle in the presence of the invasive medical device (15) in said ultrasound images, each ultrasound image corresponding to a different phase of said cardiac cycle said invasive medical device (15) at least partially obscuring the anatomical feature of interest, and for each ultrasound image of the further sequence: track the location of the invasive medical device in the ultrasound image; isolate the invasive medical device from the ultrasound image; and insert the

Abstract: An image data processing method is for registering two four-dimensional image data sets, each representative of a time-series of three-dimensional image frames. The method comprises an initial pre-registration step in which 3D image frames of the two image data sets are rotated and translated (16) relative to one another so as to bring into alignment respective dominant motion vectors identified (14) for each, the dominant motion vector being a 3D motion vector representative of motion of an identified three-dimensional sub-region exhibiting maximal spatial displacement over course of the time series.

Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for reducing or eliminating reverberation artifacts in images are disclosed. Systems including one or more ultrasound probes are disclosed. Apparatuses for providing registration information for an ultrasound probe or probes at different positions are disclosed. A method of combining volume images acquired at different positions to reduce or eliminate reverberation artifacts is disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound image processing apparatus (5) comprising an image processor arrangement (50) adapted to receive a plurality of ultrasound images (150), each ultrasound image imaging an invasive medical device (15) relative to an anatomical feature of interest (151) during a particular phase of a cardiac cycle, said anatomical feature of interest having a different shape at different phases of the cardiac cycle, the plurality of ultrasound images covering at least two cardiac cycles during which the invasive medical device is displaced relative to the anatomical feature of interest; compile a plurality of groups of the ultrasound images, wherein the ultrasound images in each group belong to the same phase of said cardiac cycles; and for each group: determine the displacement of the invasive medical device relative to the anatomical feature of interest between at least two ultrasound images in said group; and generate an augmented ultrasound image from one of the ultrasound images of the at least tw

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound visualization system (111, 311) for tracking a position of an interventional device (112) based on a stream of live ultrasound images (113). A processor (117) receives the stream of live ultrasound images (113), extracts a reference image (118) that includes an anatomical feature (119), extracts from the stream of live ultrasound (113) images a current image (120) that includes a portion of the anatomical feature (119) and a portion of the interventional device (112) at a current position (121), matches the portion of the anatomical feature in the current image 120 with the anatomical feature in the reference image (118) to determine a spatial relationship between the current position of the interventional device and the anatomical feature in the reference image (118), and indicates, in the reference image (118), the current position (121) of the interventional device (112), based on the determined spatial relationship.

Abstract: An ablation catheter (100) for ablative treatment of ventricular tachycardia is provided. The catheter comprises a shaft (102) which is capable of being guided to the tissue to be ablated. An ablation element (104) for ablating tissue is mounted on the shaft. The catheter further comprises a plurality of ultrasound transducer arrays (106) for obtaining images of myocardial tissue. The arrays are positioned separately from each other around the circumference of the shaft. The catheter can adopt a folded configuration and a deployed configuration. In the folded configuration, the arrays are positioned against or close to the shaft thereby facilitating insertion and guiding of the catheter. In the deployed configuration, the arrays are more separated from the shaft than in the folded configuration. Further provided is a catheter arrangement including the ablation catheter, and a system for providing ablative treatment comprising the ablation catheter or catheter arrangement.

Abstract: The invention relates to an energy application apparatus for applying energy to an object. A plurality of energy application elements (4) applies energy to the object at different locations and at least one ultrasound element (18) generates an ultrasound signal being indicative of a property of the object at the different locations, wherein at least one energy application element is individually controlled depending on an energy application influence, in particular, an ablation depth, determined for the location at which the at least one energy application element applies energy from the ultrasound signal. Thus, at least one local control point for applying energy to the object is provided, thereby improving the control of applying energy to the object.