Abstract: An ultrasound probe may continuously acquire a first cross-plane image and a second cross-plane image. The second cross-plane image may intersect the first cross-plane image at a cross-plane intersection line of the first-cross plane image. A processor may receive a selection of a reference position in the first cross-plane image along the cross-plane intersection line of the first cross-plane image. The reference position may correspond with at least a portion of a structure in the first cross-plane image. The processor may track movement of the selected reference position in the first cross-plane image over time. The processor may update an image acquisition position parameter of the second cross-plane image based on the tracked reference position such that the second cross-plane image intersects the first cross-plane image at the tracked reference position. A display system may continuously and simultaneously present the acquired first cross-plane image and the acquired second-cross plane image.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe may continuously acquire a first cross-plane image and a second cross-plane image. The second cross-plane image may intersect the first cross-plane image at a cross-plane intersection line of the first-cross plane image. A processor may receive a selection of a reference position in the first cross-plane image along the cross-plane intersection line of the first cross-plane image. The reference position may correspond with at least a portion of a structure in the first cross-plane image. The processor may track movement of the selected reference position in the first cross-plane image over time. The processor may update an image acquisition position parameter of the second cross-plane image based on the tracked reference position such that the second cross-plane image intersects the first cross-plane image at the tracked reference position. A display system may continuously and simultaneously present the acquired first cross-plane image and the acquired second-cross plane image.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for generating an ultrasound image. The systems and methods collect ultrasound data for a volumetric region of interest (ROI). The ultrasound data includes color flow data and B-mode image data. The systems and methods further include a Doppler signal power and a flow velocity based on the color flow data corresponding to pixels within a first set of pixel data, and generate a second set of pixel data based on the B-mode image data. The systems and methods further identify a select pixel data set from the first set of pixels data and the second set of pixel data based on the Doppler signal power and the flow velocity. The select pixel data forms an ultrasound image of the ROI. The systems and methods further display the ultrasound image on a display.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing a mean velocity are provided. The systems and methods collect ultrasound data over a period of time for a volumetric region of interest (ROI). The systems and methods display a color flow image based on the ultrasound data, and designate a spatial gate on the color flow image. The spatial gate corresponding to a set of voxels adjacent to one another and within the color flow image. The systems and methods further calculate a mean velocity associated with the set of voxels at a select time, and repeat the calculate operation for multiple select times over the period of time to derive a series of mean velocities. The systems and methods also present indicia indicative of the series of mean velocities exhibited by the set of voxels within the spatial gate over the period of time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for achieving a compound ultrasound imaging mode are disclosed. The methods include a step of firing a plurality of ultrasound beams at a single location, receiving first and second echoes, and combining the first and second echoes to form a composite scan line. The following beam parameters may be varied: transmission focus depth, transmission aperture, transmission frequency, and transmission burst length. Echoes may vary in one or both of receive bandwidth and receive center frequency. In one embodiment, transmission focus depth, transmission aperture, and receive center frequency all differ between the beams. A weighting step may be performed before or after the summing step. The apparatus may include vector memory, a compound logic processor for weighting and summing the vectors, and memory for storing the summed vectors.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for presenting multiple enhanced images of different anatomic features is provided. An ultrasonic volume data set having multiple anatomic features is acquired. Multiple enhanced images are presented simultaneously based on the multiple anatomic features within the data set.

Abstract: With a method for determination of the direction of introduction (4) and for controlling the introduction path of biopsy needles, probes and similar in organisms (2) by using an ultrasound imaging machine, a scanning unit (1) of the ultrasound is placed onto the introduction range of the organism (2) in order to display an image (3a) according to a sectional plane (3) in which or along which the directional axis (4) of the introduction path runs and the biopsy needle or similar is controlled during its actual introduction in the corresponding image display (3a, 6). For improvement of the accuracy of introduction and for an easier procedure a larger volume range (3) of the organism (2) is scanned by using a 3D-imaging and with a contingent interim storage of the derived signals by a volume storage the sectional plane (3a) to be displayed is selected according to predeterminable criteria from the volume (3), after which selection the intended introduction path (4) is virtually displayed in this image and an e.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for positioning a transducer array within ultrasound probes are disclosed. In one embodiment, the probe is a 3D probe or a 3D real-time probe and comprises a transducer array that can be repositioned or rotated relative to a probe housing to image locations that could not be viewed from the central scan plane of the probe. In some embodiments, a stepper motor is used to position the transducer array. The drive train for positioning the transducer array may further include a gear coupled to the motor by a belt, and a shaft coupling the gear to the transducer array. Repositioning the transducer array within the probe allows for imaging a variety of areas of a patient without moving the probe housing within the patient. Any of the 2D forms of imaging may be performed at any of the planes within a range of the 3D volume swept by a probe such as a 3D probe or 3D real-time probe in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for achieving a compound ultrasound imaging mode are disclosed. The methods include a step of firing a plurality of ultrasound beams at a single location, receiving first and second echoes, and combining the first and second echoes to form a composite scan line. The following beam parameters may be varied: transmission focus depth, transmission aperture, transmission frequency, and transmission burst length. Echoes may vary in one or both of receive bandwidth and receive center frequency. In one embodiment, transmission focus depth, transmission aperture, and receive center frequency all differ between the beams. A weighting step may be performed before or after the summing step. The apparatus may include vector memory, a compound logic processor for weighting and summing the vectors, and memory for storing the summed vectors.

Abstract: A method and systems for obtaining 2D ultrasound images. The methods may comprise the steps of receiving ultrasonic information from a volumetric region of a body, volume scan converting the ultrasonic information from the volumetric region for processing a rendering box, and volume rendering the rendering box for projecting the rendering box onto a 2D slice by using volume rendering techniques. The systems may comprise an ultrasonic transducer for receiving ultrasonic information from a volumetric region of a body, a volume scan converter for processing a rendering box obtained from the volumetric region, and a volume rendering processor for projecting the rendering box onto a 2D slice by using volume rendering techniques for contrast enhancement.

Abstract: With a method for determination of the direction of introduction (4) and for controlling the introduction path of biopsy needles, probes and similar in organisms (2) by using an ultrasound imaging machine, a scanning unit (1) of the ultrasound is placed onto the introduction range of the organism (2) in order to display an image (3a) according to a sectional plane (3) in which or along which the directional axis (4) of the introduction path runs and the biopsy needle or similar is controlled during its actual introduction in the corresponding image display (3a, 6).