Abstract: Orientation is automatically identified in medical diagnostic ultrasound image. An area or volume based process, such as region shrinking or using locations associated with flow or tissue structure, determines a direction or orientation. Real-time imaging in B-mode and/or flow mode may be enhanced based on the direction or orientation.

Abstract: Contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic imaging is provided. Substantially stationary or bound contrast agents are detected. By tracking relative motion between frames of data, spatial locations associated with consistent detection of contrast agents are identified. The contrast agent detected at the identified spatial locations are substantially stationary contrast agents.

Abstract: System parameters for contrast agent medical imaging are conveniently set. A simplified contrast agent configuration is provided. One contrast agent imaging mode or configuration is dynamically determined and optimized based on the user's selected transmit level and/or a real-time measurement of the contrast agent signals. A simplified user interface provides one contrast agent imaging mode without a need to switch between multiple modes or contrast agent detection techniques and associated contrast agent imaging parameters. The contrast agent detection technique and imaging parameters are adjusted or selected based on changes in the transmit levels for contrast agent imaging. Appropriate contrast agent detection techniques and imaging parameters are selected for each given transmit level without the user having to switch the mode or configuration of the system during an imaging session.

Abstract: Orientation is automatically identified in medical diagnostic ultrasound image. An area or volume based process, such as region shrinking or using locations associated with flow or tissue structure, determines a direction or orientation. Real-time imaging in B-mode and/or flow mode may be enhanced based on the direction or orientation.

Abstract: Contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic imaging is provided. Substantially stationary or bound contrast agents are detected. By tracking relative motion between frames of data, spatial locations associated with consistent detection of contrast agents are identified. The contrast agent detected at the identified spatial locations are substantially stationary contrast agents.

Abstract: System parameters for contrast agent medical imaging are conveniently set. A simplified contrast agent configuration is provided where an appropriate contrast agent detection technique and/or contrast agent imaging parameters are achieved consistently and more often then exists with current methods. Examination workflow is improved for contrast agent studies by offering one contrast agent imaging mode or configuration that is dynamically determined and optimized based on the user's selected transmit level and/or a real-time measurement of the contrast agent signals. A simplified user interface provides one contrast agent imaging mode without a need to switch between multiple modes or contrast agent detection techniques and associated contrast agent imaging parameters. The contrast agent detection technique and imaging parameters are adjusting or selected based on changes in the transmit levels for contrast agent imaging.

Abstract: Orientation is automatically identified in medical diagnostic ultrasound image. An area or volume based process, such as region shrinking or using locations associated with flow or tissue structure, determines a direction or orientation. Real-time imaging in B-mode and/or flow mode may be enhanced based on the direction or orientation.

Abstract: A path in a three dimensional structure is identified with a processor. The structure for determining the path may be identified by selection of a location on a one or two-dimensional image. The processor then extrapolates the structure of interest from the location and generates the path. Navigating along a path through a three dimensional space limits complication. For example, a simple input provides for navigation forward, backward or remaining stationary along the path. Navigation may be used to localize calculations, to define Doppler related scanning regions and orientations, or to determine the representation of the scanned volume data.

Abstract: Contrast agents are characterized with ultrasound. Flowing or unbound contrast agents are distinguished automatically from bound or relatively stationary contrast agents. The bound or relatively stationary contrast agents are highlighted on a display. A processor distinguishes different types of contrast agents or contrast agents in different binding states with relative signal strength or velocity. Attached contrast agents are differentiated from phagocytosed contrast agents. Monitoring absolute signal strength as a function of time may indicate binding. Any one or more of these features may be used.

Abstract: Contrast agents are manipulated with acoustic radiation force while ultrasound imaging. Continuous waves for acoustic radiation force are transmitted. Substantially simultaneously, pulsed waves for imaging are transmitted. Low mechanical index continuous and pulsed waves may be used to increase binding efficiency of drug containing contrast agents with the tissue for treatment. Various techniques may be used to minimize the effect of the continuous waves on imaging with the pulsed waves. The acoustic radiation force may be transmitted with an amplitude profile and/or unfocused or defocused.

Abstract: Velocity scale is automatically determined for ultrasound imaging. Receive signals corresponding to different pulse repetition intervals are used to estimate velocities. The different velocities are used to determine the velocity scale. For example, the different pulse repetition intervals are obtained by selecting different sets of signals from a group of signals for a scan line. As another example, the different pulse repetition intervals are obtained by transmitting for a scan line with changing, such as increasing, pulse repetition intervals. The lower pulse repetition interval of a pair of intervals associated with a sign change in the phase is used for the velocity scale. In yet another example, at least two demodulation frequencies are used for a broadband transmit in at least two sets, each set with a different pulse repetition interval. Velocities are estimated for a greater number of pulse repetition intervals than transmitted using the broadband pulses.

Abstract: Minimum arc interpolation is performed on velocity information distributed in three dimensions. By using complex representations of the velocity information, the interpolation may more accurately represent the angle or velocity for spatial conversion. Tri-linearly interpolating velocity information converts the information representing a three-dimensional volume to a reconstruction grid. The interpolation is performed with a graphics processing unit. Complex representations of the velocity are loaded as texture data. The graphics processing unit interpolates the data as texture fields. Look-up tables are used to determine an angle from the interpolated complex representation and/or a color value for displaying velocities associated with different spatial locations.

Abstract: Highly specific measurements of flow in vessels, such as the coronary artery, can be obtained by processing cubic fundamental information. By showing flow in vessels with a high degree of contrast-to-tissue specificity, ultrasound based 3D contrast agent based coronary artery angiograms may be possible. Measurement and display of the velocity of agent from the cubic fundamental signal is provided simultaneously with display of cubic fundamental energy, such as providing a display map indexed by both energy and velocity. High pulse repetition frequency (PRF) for cubic fundamental detection in conjunction with long velocity measurement intervals may increase low velocity sensitivity and measurement precision. Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler may be improved by using a cubic fundamental sensitive pulse sequence.

Abstract: Highly specific measurements of flow in vessels, such as the coronary artery, can be obtained by processing cubic fundamental information. By showing flow in vessels with a high degree of contrast-to-tissue specificity, ultrasound based 3D contrast agent based coronary artery angiograms may be possible. Measurement and display of the velocity of agent from the cubic fundamental signal is provided simultaneously with display of cubic fundamental energy, such as providing a display map indexed by both energy and velocity. High pulse repetition frequency (PRF) for cubic fundamental detection in conjunction with long velocity measurement intervals may increase low velocity sensitivity and measurement precision. Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler may be improved by using a cubic fundamental sensitive pulse sequence.

Abstract: Processing is optimized for specific sources or conditions for physiological waveforms. For example, parameters are optimized for processing different human and non-human physiological waveforms. Filter cutoff frequencies, amplitude thresholds, delay time periods and/or other parameters for trigger detection and/or waveform generation are optimized. The optimization may be performed using a single user input, such as switching between different physiological cycle processes in response to one-touch by a user. For example, the system switches between a human ECG trigger detection process and associated parameters and a rodent ECG trigger detection process and associated parameters with the touch of a button. Switching between different types of human physiological cycle processes, such as processes for normal and abnormal functioning, is alternatively or additionally provided. More inclusive settings may be used for automatically identifying a characteristic of a physiological cycle waveform.

Abstract: An intelligent ultrasound examination storage system is disclosed, which permits a sonographer to focus entirely on the examination process while the system analyses image data and marks events of interest for post-examination review or storage.

Abstract: System parameters for contrast agent medical imaging are conveniently set. A simplified contrast agent configuration is provided where an appropriate contrast agent detection technique and/or contrast agent imaging parameters are achieved consistently and more often then exists with current methods. Examination workflow is improved for contrast agent studies by offering one contrast agent imaging mode or configuration that is dynamically determined and optimized based on the user's selected transmit level and/or a real-time measurement of the contrast agent signals. A simplified user interface provides one contrast agent imaging mode without a need to switch between multiple modes or contrast agent detection techniques and associated contrast agent imaging parameters. The contrast agent detection technique and imaging parameters are adjusting or selected based on changes in the transmit levels for contrast agent imaging.

Abstract: The same analytic data is combined in response to different relative phases. The resulting combinations are detected. The combination associated with the maximum magnitude is then selected for further processing. As a result, the complex data is processed across a variety of possible temporal discontinuities using candidate or possible phase shifts. The phase shift with the least cancellation and the associated combination is selected to minimize motion artifact cancellation.

Abstract: An medical diagnostic ultrasonic image processing method estimates motion between first and second composite ultrasonic images that include both B-mode and Color Doppler information. First and second B-mode images are extracted from the first and second composite ultrasonic images, respectively, and then motion is estimated between the first and second B-mode images. The estimated motion is then used to compose a multi-frame image using at least portions of the composite ultrasonic images or derivatives of the composite ultrasonic images, such as the B-mode images.

Abstract: An medical diagnostic ultrasonic image processing method estimates motion between first and second composite ultrasonic images that include both B-mode and Color Doppler information, First and second B-mode images are extracted from the first and second composite ultrasonic images, respectively, and then motion is estimated between the first and second B-mode images. The estimated motion is then used to compose a multi-frame image using at least portions of the composite ultrasonic images or derivatives of the composite ultrasonic images, such as the B-mode images.