Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described in which two planes of a volumetric region which are in different elevation planes are scanned in real time. In one embodiment the two planes are scanned with less than the maximum number of scanlines which the transducer can transmit in a single plane. A user control enables the two planes to be moved laterally without moving the transducer probe. In another embodiment each image plane contains a color box depicting flow or motion in the same respective position in the image. The color boxes of the two images can be sized and positioned in tandem so that both are in the same corresponding area of the two images.

Abstract: A three dimensional ultrasonic imaging system acquires 3D image data from a volumetric region and processes the image data to produce a live 3D image of the volumetric region in a given orientation. A user control can be switched by a user to present the image in a different orientation if desired. Both the anatomy in the 3D image and the image format can be inverted, and the left-right appearance of the 3D image can be reversed with a corresponding front-back reversal of the anatomy.

Abstract: A user control of a medical imaging system is normally operated by the user to control a function of the system such as the position of one image plane relative to another. There are a number of modes in which the relative plane position can be varied, such as varying the relative elevation position or the relative lateral position of the planes. To switch from one mode to the other the user moves the user control rapidly to effect a change of the mode of operation being controlled. A processor senses the high speed motion of the user control and changes the mode being controlled by the user control to a new mode. The user control may comprise a trackball, rotary knob, linear slider, touchpad, or other control panel user control.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described in which two planes of a volumetric region which are in different elevation planes are scanned in real time. In one embodiment the two planes are scanned with less than the maximum number of scanlines which the transducer can transmit in a single plane. A user control enables the two planes to be moved laterally without moving the transducer probe. In another embodiment each image plane contains a color box depicting flow or motion in the same respective position in the image. The color boxes of the two images can be sized and positioned in tandem so that both are in the same corresponding area of the two images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to contrast imaging. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for ultrasound contrast imaging in which a high-MI signal destroys contrast agent in a blood supply region of the heart after previously infused thoroughly with contrast agent enhanced blood, and a portion of the heart other than the blood supply region is imaged with low MI ultrasound to track the decrease in contrast agent containing blood due to perfusion into the “other then the blood supply region” by blood from the blood supply region, as a function of time.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described in which two planes of a volumetric region which are in different elevation planes are scanned in real time. In one embodiment the two planes are scanned in the sector format with a common apex, causing corresponding depths of the two images to be separated by the same distance in elevation. In another embodiment one image plane has a fixed orientation with respect to the imaging probe and the location of the other image plane can be adjusted by the user.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described in which two planes of a volumetric region which are in different elevation planes are scanned in real time. In one embodiment the two planes are scanned in the sector format with a common apex, causing corresponding depths of the two images to be separated by the same distance in elevation. In another embodiment one image plane has a fixed orientation with respect to the imaging probe and the location of the other image plane can be adjusted by the user.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.