Abstract: A motion function of a biological tissue is efficiently evaluated on the basis of image data collected from different medical image diagnostic apparatuses. In terms of a common analysis algorithm applied to subject's time-series image data supplied from a separate medical image diagnostic apparatus, a setting part sets a plurality of interest points on a myocardial tissue of a reference image data extracted from the image data, and a tracking process part measures a motion parameter on the basis of displacement information of the myocardial tissue at the interest points obtained by a tracking process between the reference image data and subsequent image data thereof. Meanwhile, a data creating unit creates parameter image data showing two-dimension distribution of the motion parameter or parameter time-series data showing a variation in time of the motion parameter as parameter data on the basis of the measurement result, and displays the parameter data.

Abstract: When displaying a plurality of images in different conformations in relation to information of a tissue motion typified by a heart wall motion, support information which is used to rapidly and easily visually confirm a relative positional correspondence relationship between an MPR image, a polar mapping image, and a three-dimensional image is generated and displayed. A marker indicative of a desired local position is set and displayed as required. Further, a position corresponding to the set or changed marker may not be present on the MPR image. In such a case, the MPR image always including a position corresponding to the set or changed marker is generated and displayed by automatically adjusting a position of an MPR cross section.

Abstract: A motion parameter measuring unit two-dimensionally measures a motion parameter of a myocardial tissue by a tracking process on time-series ultrasonic image data acquired by transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves to and from a sample. On the other hand, a time phase setting unit adds a diastolic heartbeat time phase, which is set on the basis of a systole end specified by a time phase where a cardiac cavity area of the ultrasonic image data is the smallest and a diastole end specified by an R wave in an electrocardiographic waveform of the sample, relative to the systole end to time-series parameter image data generated by a parameter image data generating unit on the basis of the motion parameter. An image data extracting unit extracts parameter image data to which the diastolic heartbeat time phase closest to a desired diastolic heartbeat time phase set by an input unit is added and displays the extracted parameter image data on a display unit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a displacement measuring unit, a motor information measuring unit, a comparison parameter calculation unit and a parameter image data generating unit. The displacement measuring unit two-dimensionally measures displacements of a myocardial tissue in pieces of ultrasonic image data adjacent in time direction. The motor information measuring unit measures strains and strain rates of the myocardial tissue based on the displacements as motor information. The comparison parameter calculation unit calculates comparison parameters based on the strain rates, or the strains and strain rates. The parameter image data generating unit generates parameter image data using the comparison parameters.

Abstract: A contour specifying part receives volume data representing a subject acquired by transmission of ultrasonic waves to the subject, and specifies a 3-dimensional contour of a myocardium based on the volume data. A forming part sets a reference point on the contour of the myocardium, and forms an image generation plane including a plane substantially orthogonal to the contour of the myocardium at the reference point. An image generator generates image data on the image generation plane based on the volume data. A display controller controls a display to display an image based on the image data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic transmission/reception unit and an image generating unit. The ultrasonic transmission/reception unit transmits a first ultrasonic pulse having a maximum amplitude in a positive pressure, a second ultrasonic pulse having a maximum amplitude in a negative pressure and a third ultrasonic pulse derived by compounding the first ultrasonic pulse with the second ultrasonic pulse into an object in which a contrast medium is injected and obtains first, second and third reception echoes corresponding to the first, second and third ultrasonic pulses respectively. The image generating unit generates a compounded signal which is a nonlinear component from the contrast medium by a linear calculation of the first, second and third reception echoes and generates image data of the object by using the compounded signal.

Abstract: Obtains the position of each of points composing the contour of a specific tissue shown in ultrasonic image data having been acquired at each time phase by pattern matching for each time phase. Obtains motion information of each of parts composing the specific tissue based on the position of each of the points composing the contour. For each time phase, obtain the differential value of the motion information of each of the parts by differentiating the motion information of each of the parts by time, and normalizes the differential value of the motion information. Assigns a color corresponding to the magnitude of the normalized differential value of the motion information to each of the parts displays an ultrasonic image at each time phase and furthermore display each of the parts of the specific tissue shown in the ultrasonic image of each time phase in the assign color.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a first reception echo obtaining unit, a second reception echo obtaining unit, a reception echo combining unit, and an image generating unit. The first reception echo obtaining unit transmits a plurality of ultrasonic pulses having frequency spectra different from one another to an object, and obtains each of reception echoes corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic pulses. The second reception echo obtaining unit transmits an ultrasonic pulse having the same frequency component characteristics as an combined pulse obtained by combining the plurality of ultrasonic pulses, and to obtain an reception echo. The reception echo combining unit combines the reception echoes obtained by the first reception echo obtaining unit and the reception echo obtained by the second reception echo obtaining unit to generate a combined signal. The image generating unit generates an image of echoes reflected from the object on the basis of the combined signal.

Abstract: A Stirling engine includes an expansion cylinder, a compression cylinder, and a plurality of conduits which each extend between and connect the expansion cylinder and the compression cylinder. A plurality of heating portions are provided, each of which is disposed in one of the conduits in order to be connected with the expansion cylinder. A plurality of cooling portions are also provided, each of which is disposed in one of the conduits in order to be connected with the compression cylinder. A plurality of regenerative portions are also included, each of which is disposed in one of the conduits in order to connect one of the heating portions and one of the cooling portions. Each of the regenerative portions possesses a length according to the temperature of the working fluid in the corresponding heating portion.