Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) comprising an ultrasound probe (20) having a transducer array (21) configured to provide an ultrasound receive signal. The system further comprises a B-mode volume processing unit (30) configured to generate a B-mode volume (31) based on the ultrasound receive signal, and a B-mode image processing unit (40) configured to provide a current B-mode image (41) based on the B-mode volume (31). The system further comprises a memory (50) configured to store a previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51). Also, the system comprises a registration unit (60) configured to register the previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51) to the B-mode volume (31) and to select a portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map corresponding to the current B-mode image (41). Further, the system comprises a display configured to display an ultrasound image (71) based on the current B-mode image (41) and the selected portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map (51).

Abstract: A method for planning ablation treatment using ultrasound data begins by identify pathology to be treated and one or more blood vessels proximate the treatment site in a medical diagnostic image. Ultrasonic Doppler velocity data is acquired from the flow within the vessels and the Doppler data is used to calculate the volume blood flow through the vessels. The thermal effect of the heat transported by this blood flow is considered in the planning of the ablation treatment.

Abstract: A method for ablation treatment using ultrasound data begins by identifying pathology to be treated and one or more blood vessels proximate the treatment site in a medical diagnostic image. The identified ROI and the blood vessels are automatically indicated in an ultrasound image Ultrasonic Doppler velocity data is acquired from the flow within the vessels and the Doppler data is used to calculate the volume blood flow through the vessels. The thermal effect of the heat transported by this blood flow is considered in the planning or conduct of the ablation treatment, as by modifying the size of a burn zone graphic around the tip of the ablation probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring standard views of the fetal heart simultaneously with real-time imaging. A matrix array probe is manipulated until a first standard view such as a 4-chamber view is acquired. The first standard view image is matched to its corresponding plane in a fetal heart model. From the matched plane of the heart model, the orientations of the other standard views are known from the geometrical relationships of structures within the heart model. This orientation information is used to control the matrix array probe to automatically scan the planes of all of the standard views simultaneously in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) comprising an ultrasound probe (20) having a transducer array (21) configured to provide an ultrasound receive signal. The system further comprises a B-mode volume processing unit (30) configured to generate a B-mode volume (31) based on the ultrasound receive signal, and a B-mode image processing unit (40) configured to provide a current B-mode image (41) based on the B-mode volume (31). The system further comprises a memory (50) configured to store a previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51). Also, the system comprises a registration unit (60) configured to register the previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51) to the B-mode volume (31) and to select a portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map corresponding to the current B-mode image (41). Further, the system comprises a display configured to display an ultrasound image (71) based on the current B-mode image (41) and the selected portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map (51).

Abstract: A method for providing multiple review modes in a single acquisition scan includes acquiring (204) image frames for a plurality of imaging modes by switching image acquisition modes in real-time during a single acquisition sequence. The image frames are stored (208) in non-transitory memory for each acquisition mode for subsequent review. During review, a display is selectively generated (210) for each of the plurality of imaging modes from stored images for a selected imaging mode such that each of the plurality of image modes is available for review from the single acquisition sequence.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring standard views of the fetal heart simultaneously with real-time imaging. A matrix array probe is manipulated until a first standard view such as a 4-chamber view is acquired. The first standard view image is matched to its corresponding plane in a fetal heart model. From the matched plane of the heart model, the orientations of the other standard views are known from the geometrical relationships of structures within the heart model. This orientation information is used to control the matrix array probe to automatically scan the planes of all of the standard views simultaneously in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) comprising an ultrasound probe (20) having a transducer array (21) configured to provide an ultrasound receive signal. The system further comprises a B-mode volume processing unit (30) configured to generate a B-mode volume (31) based on the ultrasound receive signal, and a B-mode image processing unit (40) configured to provide a current B-mode image (41) based on the B-mode volume (31). The system further comprises a memory (50) configured to store a previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51). Also, the system comprises a registration unit (60) configured to register the previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51) to the B-mode volume (31) and to select a portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map corresponding to the current B-mode image (41). Further, the system comprises a display configured to display an ultrasound image (71) based on the current B-mode image (41) and the selected portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map (51).

Abstract: A system for identifying tissue includes a subject-specific tissue signature (48) derived from an ultrasound image. The tissue signature has specified ranges of characteristics based on analysis of a reference tissue of a subject having a confirmed pathology. A searching module (140) is stored in memory and is configured to search through images (134) for a volume of the subject to identify tissues in the images for comparison. A comparison module (124) configured to identify tissue matches between the tissue signature of the reference tissue and the tissue signature of the tissues in the volume in accordance with a score based upon the specified ranges of characteristics.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for ultrasonic imaging, in which two-dimensional images (10, 11) are acquired, one of which is aligned with a longitudinal direction of an interventional object (e.g. a needle) (13) to be moved towards a target area (7) within a subject of examination and the other one is intersecting the longitudinal direction of the interventional object (13) and automatically positioned dependent on the automatically determined position and orientation of the interventional object (13). Further, the invention is directed to an ultrasonic imaging device (1) adapted to conduct such a method.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a 3D imaging probe and a needle guide which attaches to the probe for guidance of needle insertion into a volumetric region which can be scanned by the 3D imaging probe. The needle guide responds to the insertion of a needle through the guide by identifying a plane for scanning by the probe which is the insertion plane through which the needle will pass during insertion. The orientation of the insertion plane is communicated to the probe to cause the probe to scan the identified plane and produce images of the needle as it travels through the insertion plane.

Abstract: An ultrasound system and method are described for acquiring standard views of the fetal heart simultaneously with real-time imaging. A matrix array probe is manipulated until a first standard view such as a 4-chamber view is acquired. The first standard view image is matched to its corresponding plane in a fetal heart model. From the matched plane of the heart model, the orientations of the other standard views are known from the geometrical relationships of structures within the heart model. This orientation information is used to control the matrix array probe to automatically scan the planes of all of the standard views simultaneously in real-time.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) comprising an ultrasound probe (20) having a transducer array (21) configured to provide an ultrasound receive signal. The system further comprises a B-mode volume processing unit (30) configured to generate a B-mode volume (31) based on the ultrasound receive signal, and a B-mode image processing unit (40) configured to provide a current B-mode image (41) based on the B-mode volume (31). The system further comprises a memory (50) configured to store a previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51). Also, the system comprises a registration unit (60) configured to register the previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51) to the B-mode volume (31) and to select a portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map corresponding to the current B-mode image (41). Further, the system comprises a display configured to display an ultrasound image (71) based on the current B-mode image (41) and the selected portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map (51).

Abstract: An ultrasound system with a matrix array (500) probe (10) operable in the biplane mode is used to assess stenosis of a blood vessel by simultaneously displaying two color Doppler biplane images (60a, 60b) of the vessel, one a longitudinal cross-sectional view (60a) and the other a transverse cross-sectional view (60b). The two image planes intersect along a Doppler beam line (68) used for PW Doppler. A sample volume graphic (SV) is positioned over the blood vessel at the peak velocity location in one image, then positioned over the blood vessel at the peak velocity location in the other image. As the sample volume location is moved in one image, the plane and/or sample volume location of the other image is adjusted correspondingly. Spectral Doppler data (62) is then acquired and displayed from the sample volume location.

Abstract: A method for ablation treatment using ultrasound data begins by identifying pathology to be treated and one or more blood vessels proximate the treatment site in a medical diagnostic image. The identified ROI and the blood vessels are automatically indicated in an ultrasound image Ultrasonic Doppler velocity data is acquired from the flow within the vessels and the Doppler data is used to calculate the volume blood flow through the vessels. The thermal effect of the heat transported by this blood flow is considered in the planning or conduct of the ablation treatment, as by modifying the size of a burn zone graphic around the tip of the ablation probe.

Abstract: A method for planning ablation treatment using ultrasound data begins by identify pathology to be treated and one or more blood vessels proximate the treatment site in a medical diagnostic image. Ultrasonic Doppler velocity data is acquired from the flow within the vessels and the Doppler data is used to calculate the volume blood flow through the vessels. The thermal effect of the heat transported by this blood flow is considered in the planning of the ablation treatment.

Abstract: A system and method for image registration includes tracking (508) a scanner probe in a position along a skin surface of a patient. Image planes corresponding to the position are acquired (510). A three-dimensional volume of a region of interest is reconstructed (512) from the image planes. A search of an image volume is initialized (514) to determine candidate images to register the image volume with the three-dimensional volume by employing pose information of the scanner probe during image plane acquisition, and physical constraints of a pose of the scanner probe. The image volume is registered (522) with the three-dimensional volume.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a method for ultrasonic imaging, in which two-dimensional images (10, 11) are acquired, one of which is aligned with a longitudinal direction of an interventional object (e.g. a needle) (13) to be moved towards a target area (7) within a subject of examination and the other one is intersecting the longitudinal direction of the interventional object (13) and automatically positioned dependent on the automatically determined position and orientation of the interventional object (13). Further, the invention is directed to an ultrasonic imaging device (1) adapted to conduct such a method.

Abstract: A system and method for ultrasonic harmonic imaging. The ultrasonic harmonic imaging system comprises a wideband phased-array transducer, a transmitter for transmitting waves into the tissue, a portion of which is at a fundamental frequency and a portion of which is at a harmonic of the fundamental frequency, a receiver for receiving ultrasonic responses from the tissue, a control system electrically coupled to the transmitter and the receiver for controlling operation of the transmitter and receiver, a video processor, and a monitor.