Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for determining a property for a sample having a target region using ultrasound data from an ultrasound scanner include generating at least one spatial coherence curve based on ultrasound backscatter data in the target region, the spatial coherence curve comprising coherence values as a function of depth in the sample; and determining a property for a sample in response to the spatial coherence curve as a function of depth.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are systems and methods for automatically updating scan patterns used during ultrasound imaging. A handheld ultrasound system may include an ultrasound device with a two-dimensional array of ultrasound transducers, and a smartphone or tablet that configures the ultrasound device to obtain a first ultrasound image frame using a scan pattern defining an acoustic beam. The system then updates the scan pattern to optimize a view of the desired anatomy. When the system is operating in cardiac imaging mode, the scan pattern may be updated by adjusting the azimuthal tilt and/or the elevational tilt of the acoustic beam. When the system is operating in lung imaging mode, the scan pattern may be updated by adjusting the elevational tilt and/or the translation of the aperture of the array of ultrasound transducers. The system then configures the ultrasound device to obtain a second ultrasound image frame using the updated scan pattern.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for determining a property for a sample having a target region using ultrasound data from an ultrasound scanner include generating at least one spatial coherence curve based on ultrasound backscatter data in the target region, the spatial coherence curve comprising coherence values as a function of depth in the sample; and determining a property for a sample in response to the spatial coherence curve as a function of depth.