Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a processor circuit that receives an ultrasound image obtained according to a set of ultrasound system settings. The processor circuit determines a quality index representative of the visibility of an anatomical feature for the ultrasound image. In response to determining that the quality index does not meet or exceed a threshold quality index, the processor circuit may provide an output for a new set of ultrasound system settings corresponding to an improvement in quality index. The processor circuit then receives an additional ultrasound image corresponding to the new ultrasound system settings, determines an additional quality index for the additional ultrasound image, determines that the quality index exceeds the threshold quality index, and records the additional ultrasound image.

Abstract: A method and system is for assisting a user in positioning an ultrasound probe relative to a subject's body. In use, the user moves the probe through a series of positions, and ultrasound image data is captured for each position, the data at each position corresponding to a particular imaging view of the anatomical region being imaged. An assessment procedure (16) is operable to process ultrasound data for different imaging views, and to determine for the data for each view a rating, representative of the suitability of the data for that view for observing one or more anatomical features or deriving one or more clinical parameters from the data. Guidance feedback is generated (18) for the user for assisting the user in positioning the probe, wherein the guidance feedback is based on a history (26) of image view quality over time over the course of the imaging procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus for providing guidance to a user of an ultrasound acquisition system to acquire standardized images of a target anatomical structure of a patient. A processing unit is configured to toggle a user interface between two modes: a guidance mode in which only guidance information is presented on the user interface, and an imaging mode in which a received ultrasound image is presented on the user interface. The processing unit toggles the user interface between these two modes based on a spatial relationship between a current probe position and a target view. When the ultrasound acquisition system is within a threshold distance of the target view then the processing unit toggles the user interface to display the imaging mode, otherwise the guidance mode is displayed.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a computer implemented method performed by a patient monitoring device. The method comprises using a patient monitoring model to determine a health parameter for a subject. The method further comprises using one or more outputs of the patient monitoring model to determine a search query with which to query a database of medical images in order to retrieve a matching medical image relevant to the determined health parameter.

Abstract: A combined near infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) and ultrasound imaging system acquires NIRS image data and ultrasound image data of the cranium and. using geometric information of the ultrasound transducer and the NIRS emitters and sensors, this information is reformatted and fused into a 3D dataset. Information from NIRS and ultrasound images that indicates relevant regions to be analyzed is extracted from the spatially related data. These regions can either be specific anatomical regions such as vessel structures identified in transcranial ultrasound or regions where the acquired data might indicate stroke. Detection algorithms for relevant regions can be based on neural networks and deep learning-based approaches.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes a processor circuit that receives an ultrasound image obtained according to a set of ultrasound system settings. The processor circuit determines a quality index representative of the visibility of an anatomical feature for the ultrasound image. In response to determining that the quality index does not meet or exceed a threshold quality index, the processor circuit may provide an output for a new set of ultrasound system settings corresponding to an improvement in quality index. The processor circuit then receives an additional ultrasound image corresponding to the new ultrasound system settings, determines an additional quality index for the additional ultrasound image, determines that the quality index exceeds the threshold quality index, and records the additional ultrasound image.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound system (200) operable by one or more users of the ultrasound system to process ultrasound measurements of a patient. The system comprises an ultrasound unit operable to perform the ultrasound measurements of the patient. The system further comprises a customization unit. The customization unit obtains user interaction data of one or more interactions of a current user performing a current task at the ultrasound system. The ultrasound system provides user-facing functionality for performing the current task at multiple different skill levels. The customization unit determines, from the user interaction data, a real-time skill estimate of the current user. The real-time skill estimate indicates a current ability of the current user to perform the current task. The customization unit customizes the ultrasound system for performing the current task at a skill level corresponding to the real-time skill estimate of the current user.

Abstract: A system and method for generating an ultrasound device interaction indicator representative of at least an orientation of an ultrasound device (230) relative to a subject (210). An acoustically translucent standoff layer (240) is positioned between the ultrasound device and the subject. Ultrasound echoes received by the ultrasound device, including ultrasound echoes from the standoff layer, are processed to determine a deformation of the standoff layer caused by an axial force or pressure exerted by the ultrasound device. The deformation of the standoff layer is used, along with characteristics of the standoff layer, to generate the ultrasound device interaction indicator.

Abstract: An interface unit or connecting between an ultrasound sensing apparatus and a patient monitor for providing ultrasound monitoring functionality of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters based on processing of ultrasound data. The interface unit includes means for processing acquired ultrasound data to derive measurements of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters and is configured for outputting said derived measurements to a coupled patient monitor unit, e.g. for display and/or trending by the patient monitor.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided for facilitating the acquisition of ultrasound imaging data over an extended period of time. with improved consistency in the image view which is captured. A first set of ultrasound imaging data, comprising one or more images representing one or more views of the anatomy of a patient, is acquired and stored in a datastore. This image data is then used as reference data for subsequent image acquisition, wherein subsequent image data is compared in real time with the reference image data to obtain a measure of a degree of correspondence between the views depicted. This can be used to guide the acquisition of the new image data so that it is consistent with the previous image data. For example. when the view represented in the newly acquired image data sufficiently matches that in the reference data. an alert message can be issued to the user.

Abstract: According to an aspect, there is provided a computer-implemented method of operating a visual data delivery system.

Abstract: An interface unit (12) for connecting between an ultrasound sensing apparatus (14) and a patient monitor (18) for providing ultrasound monitoring functionality of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters based on processing of ultrasound data. The interface unit includes means for processing acquired ultrasound data to derive measurements of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters and is configured for outputting said derived measurements to a coupled patient monitor unit, e.g. for display and/or trending by the patient monitor.

Abstract: A method (20) and device for deriving an estimate of intracranial blood pressure based on motion data for a wall of an intracranial blood vessel, intracranial blood flow velocity, and a blood pressure signal measured at a location outside the brain. The method is based on identifying (28) a time offset between the two intracranial signals (vessel wall movement and vessel blood flow), and then applying (30) this offset to the blood pressure signal acquired from outside the brain to obtain a fourth signal, indicative of estimated intracranial blood pressure.

Abstract: A system and method for determining position information for a device within a body of a subject. The device outputs and/or routes an acoustic signal with a frequency of no more than 20 kHz, which is received by at least a first sensor, positioned externally to the body of the subject. A processing system receives the received signal from the sensor, obtains a value for one or more parameters of the received signal and processes the value(s) to determine position information for the device.

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (10) is for coupling with an ultrasound transducer unit (12). The control unit is adapted to control a drive configuration or setting of the transducers of the transducer unit, each drive setting having a known power consumption level associated with it. The control unit includes a control module (20) adapted to adjust the drive setting from a first setting to a second setting, the second having a lower associated power consumption that the first. The second setting is tested by an analysis module (16), the analysis module adapted to determine a measure of reliability of ultrasound data acquired by the transducer unit, for the purpose of deriving at least one physiological parameter, when configured in the second setting. The second setting is only used if its determined reliability passes a pre-defined reliability condition.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system is for determining stroke volume and/or cardiac output. The imaging system may include a transducer unit for acquiring ultrasound data of a heart of a subject (or an input for receiving the acquired ultrasound data), and a controller. The controller is adapted to implement a two-step procedure, the first step being an initial assessment step, and the second being an imaging step having two possible modes depending upon the outcome of the assessment. In the initial assessment procedure, it is determined whether regurgitant ventricular flow is present. This is performed using Doppler processing techniques applied to an initial ultrasound data set. If regurgitant flow does not exist, stroke volume is determined using segmentation of 3D ultrasound image data to identify and measure the volume of the left or right ventricle at each of end systole and end-diastole, the difference between them giving a measure of stroke volume.

Abstract: A method and system is for assisting a user in positioning an ultrasound probe relative to a subject's body. In use, the user moves the probe through a series of positions, and ultrasound image data is captured for each position, the data at each position corresponding to a particular imaging view of the anatomical region being imaged. An assessment procedure (16) is operable to process ultrasound data for different imaging views, and to determine for the data for each view a rating, representative of the suitability of the data for that view for observing one or more anatomical features or deriving one or more clinical parameters from the data. Guidance feedback is generated (18) for the user for assisting the user in positioning the probe, wherein the guidance feedback is based on a history (26) of image view quality over time over the course of the imaging procedure.

Abstract: The invention provides an ultrasound processing unit. A controller (18) of the unit is adapted to receive ultrasound data of an anatomical region, for example of the heart. The controller processes the ultrasound data over a period of time to monitor and detect whether alignment of a particular anatomical feature (34) represented in the data relative to a field of view (36) of the transducer unit is changing over time. In the event that the alignment is changing, the controller generates an output signal for communicating this to a user, allowing a user to be alerted at an early stage to likelihood of misalignment and loss of imaging or measurement capability.

Abstract: A medical imaging element support unit is for use in fixing a medical imaging element (26) releasably against a region of skin of a subject. The includes a support body (14), having a base for engaging with skin of a subject in use and having a coupling means (22) for releasably coupling the medical imaging element (26) to the support body in use. A pneumatic positioning mechanism facilitates adjustment of a position of the medical imaging element relative to the support body, this being fluidly supplied by an air pump mechanism. The same air pump mechanism facilitates releasable fixation of the support body (14) to the skin, through creation of a configurable suction force at the skin engagement surface.

Abstract: An interface unit (12) for connecting between an ultrasound sensing apparatus (14) and a patient monitor (18) for providing ultrasound monitoring functionality of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters based on processing of ultrasound data. The interface unit includes means for processing acquired ultrasound data to derive measurements of one or more physiological or anatomical parameters and is configured for outputting said derived measurements to a coupled patient monitor unit, e.g. for display and/or trending by the patient monitor.