Abstract: During acquisition of an ultrasound image feed, ultrasound control data frames are acquired that may be interspersed amongst the ultrasound data frames. The control data frames may use consistent reference scan parameters, irrespective of the scanner settings, and may not need to be converted to image frames. The control data frames can be passed to an artificial intelligence model, which predicts the suitable settings for scanning the anatomy that is being scanned. The artificial intelligence model can be trained with a dataset containing different classes of ultrasound control data frames for different settings, where substantially all the ultrasound control data frames in the dataset are consistently acquired using the reference scan parameters.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an interactive demonstration of an ultrasound user interface are generally described herein. The method may include, at a multi-use display device: receiving a demonstration ultrasound dataset from a server; displaying, on the ultrasound user interface, ultrasound data from the demonstration ultrasound dataset; receiving input, on the ultrasound user interface, to interact with the ultrasound data from the ultrasound dataset; and in response to the received input, updating the ultrasound user interface so that the ultrasound user interface corresponds to the received input, the updated ultrasound user interface appearing substantially similar to an appearance of the ultrasound user interface that is displayed if the received input is received during display of a live ultrasound image feed.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging methods and apparatus that allow for multiple modes of imaging using a single ultrasound transducer having a plurality of transducer elements. In an embodiment, there is provided an ultrasound imaging machine that is: operable in a first imaging mode in which the plurality of transducer elements are activated; and operable in a second imaging mode different from the first imaging mode, and in the second imaging mode, a subset of the plurality of transducer elements are activated so that ultrasound signals are steered from the subset of the plurality of transducer elements, where any remaining transducer elements of the plurality of transducer elements not part of the subset are inactive when operating in the second imaging mode.

Abstract: Ultrasound images are adjusted according to the size of the display area available to display them, so that image detail is displayed with a large enough physical size to discern comfortably. A translation ratio is determined for translating the physical distance traversed by the ultrasound signals of an ultrasound images to a corresponding physical distance on a screen of the display device. If the ratio is not below a threshold, the image is displayed in full. If the ratio is below the threshold, the image is cropped, optionally scaled, and displayed in the available area. Scaling and cropping may be based on window size and threshold window size. The parameters of the ultrasound scan may be controlled based on the scaling, cropping, or available screen size. User interface features may be displayed on the screen depending on how much area is available when the image is displayed.

Abstract: Ultrasound images are adjusted according to the size of the display area available to display them, so that image detail is displayed with a large enough physical size to discern comfortably. A translation ratio is determined for translating the physical distance traversed by the ultrasound signals of an ultrasound images to a corresponding physical distance on a screen of the display device. If the ratio is not below a threshold, the image is displayed in full. If the ratio is below the threshold, the image is cropped, optionally scaled, and displayed in the available area. Scaling and cropping may be based on window size and threshold window size. The parameters of the ultrasound scan may be controlled based on the scaling, cropping, or available screen size. User interface features may be displayed on the screen depending on how much area is available when the image is displayed.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for securing operation of an ultrasound scanner for use with a multi-use electronic display device. In some embodiments, the multi-use electronic display device can control whether the ultrasound scanner is permitted to generate ultrasound image data for display based on an institution affiliation status of the ultrasound scanner retrieved from a server. In some embodiments, the multi-use electronic display device can control whether the ultrasound scanner is permitted to generate ultrasound image data for display based on whether a digital certificate provided by a server is successfully validated.

Abstract: Ultrasound scanners that are initialized and placed to the side in a sterile bag for use in a sterile environment may suffer overheating and cut out early, because the bag represents a poor cooling environment. The rate of increase in temperature of a scanner is monitored and a determination is made as to whether the scanner is in a regular environment or a poor cooling environment. If the scanner is in a poor cooling environment, the scanner is switched from a regular state of operation to a poor cooling state of operation. In the poor cooling state of operation, the scanner settings consume less power and generate less heat on the whole than the regular scanner settings. The scanner reverts to higher power settings as and when needed to perform the desired scan. The user interface on an associated display device also changes in response to the scanner entering the poor cooling state of operation.

Abstract: Systems and methods for providing an interactive demonstration of an ultrasound user interface are generally described herein. The method may include, at a multi-use display device: receiving a demonstration ultrasound dataset from a server; displaying, on the ultrasound user interface, ultrasound data from the demonstration ultrasound dataset; receiving input, on the ultrasound user interface, to interact with the ultrasound data from the ultrasound dataset; and in response to the received input, updating the ultrasound user interface so that the ultrasound user interface corresponds to the received input, the updated ultrasound user interface appearing substantially similar to an appearance of the ultrasound user interface that is displayed if the received input is received during display of a live ultrasound image feed.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for securing operation of an ultrasound scanner for use with a multi-use electronic display device. In some embodiments, the multi-use electronic display device can control whether the ultrasound scanner is permitted to generate ultrasound image data for display based on an institution affiliation status of the ultrasound scanner retrieved from a server. In some embodiments, the multi-use electronic display device can control whether the ultrasound scanner is permitted to generate ultrasound image data for display based on whether a digital certificate provided by a server is successfully validated.

Abstract: An ultrasound scanner in a spectral Doppler mode, in which a corresponding two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound imaging mode (e.g., B-mode) image is frozen, is switched temporarily to the 2D-mode in response to a continuous contact on a touchscreen. During the continuous contact, the spectral Doppler mode is interrupted, the 2D-mode image becomes live, and the gate for the spectral Doppler mode may be adjusted by a movement of the continuous contact on the touchscreen. Upon termination of the continuous contact, the system reverts back to the spectral Doppler mode, which now operates within the adjusted gate, and the 2D-mode image is frozen. A brief contact may be used to check the position of the gate against a live 2D-mode image without adjusting it.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging systems and methods that provide a user interface on the touchscreen display. The user interface includes an ultrasound image feed and a single control for modifying imaging depth of the ultrasound image feed. When input via the single control is received to modify the imaging depth, the system: adjusts frequency of ultrasound signals being used to acquire the ultrasound image feed; adjusts a beamformer parameter of the ultrasound signals being used to acquire the ultrasound image feed; receives first image data of the ultrasound image feed based on the adjusted frequency and the adjusted beamformer parameter; based on the first image data, adjusts Time Gain Compensation (TGC) of the ultrasound image feed; and receives second image data of the ultrasound image feed based on the adjusted frequency, beamformer parameter and TGC. Display of the second image data on the touchscreen display is then optimized without receipt of additional user input.

Abstract: Mobile ultrasound scanners require a screen that acts as a display and user interface, yet there is often no convenient location for the screen. A mobile ultrasound scanner is therefore set up as a user interface to control a screen that is already in-situ. The ultrasound scanner wirelessly communicates with a separate interface module that controls a previously paired screen. When the scanner is in range of the interface module, the screen switches on. The interface module operates in an ultrasound scanning mode and optionally a user navigation mode, to which the screen display corresponds. The scanner operator can perform an ultrasound scan and provide user inputs without having to touch the screen. The scanner may have at least one physical button for operator input and/or a multi-axis accelerometer/gyroscope that detects gestures made using the scanner.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system including an ultrasound imaging apparatus operable to acquire ultrasound image data and an add-on vibration inducing device operable to generate shear waves. The add-on vibration inducing device is connected cordlessly to the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The add-on vibration inducing device can be powered and controlled by the ultrasound imaging apparatus. The add-on vibration inducing device includes a connector to scanner which connects cordlessly to a power connector on the ultrasound imaging apparatus for transmitting the power and the control signals from the ultrasound imaging apparatus to the add-on vibration inducing device. The ultrasound imaging apparatus can be used separately from the add-on vibration inducing device for ultrasound imaging procedures and the add-on vibration inducing device can be easily mounted on the ultrasound imaging apparatus when the user wishes to perform an elastography diagnostic procedure.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging systems and methods that provide a user interface on the touchscreen display. The user interface includes an ultrasound image feed and a single control for modifying imaging depth of the ultrasound image feed. When input via the single control is received to modify the imaging depth, the system: adjusts frequency of ultrasound signals being used to acquire the ultrasound image feed; adjusts a beamformer parameter of the ultrasound signals being used to acquire the ultrasound image feed; receives first image data of the ultrasound image feed based on the adjusted frequency and the adjusted beamformer parameter; based on the first image data, adjusts Time Gain Compensation (TGC) of the ultrasound image feed; and receives second image data of the ultrasound image feed based on the adjusted frequency, beamformer parameter and TGC. Display of the second image data on the touchscreen display is then optimized without receipt of additional user input.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to methods for providing viewing access to an ultrasound image feed generated at an ultrasound imaging machine. A multi-use display device may form a first link-layer connection with the ultrasound image machine for transmitting commands that control imaging parameters of the ultrasound image feed. The multi-use display device may then: determine link-layer connection parameters that allow the ultrasound imaging machine to form a second link-layer connection with a receiving device (the receiving device having no link-layer connection with the ultrasound imaging machine), and provide the connection parameters to the receiving device. The ultrasound imaging machine forms a second link-layer connection with the receiving device, based the connection parameters. The second link-layer connection is then used for receiving, at the receiving device, the ultrasound image feed controlled by the multi-use display device.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to systems, methods, and apparatus for determining a heart rate of an imaged heart in an ultrasound image feed. A plurality of ultrasound images can first be acquired. For each ultrasound image of the plurality of ultrasound images, the image can be divided into a plurality of regions; where each region is positioned so that the region corresponds to a substantially similar region location present across the plurality of ultrasound images. For each region location on each of the plurality of ultrasound images, a statistical calculation on image data of the region location can be performed. For each region location, a frequency of change in the statistical calculation over the plurality of ultrasound images can then be determined. The region location having a dominant determined frequency of change in the statistical calculation (over the plurality of ultrasound images) can be identified as a region of interest (ROI).

Abstract: A method includes transitioning, via a micro-processor, an ultrasound imaging system (100) running in a first mode (128), in which a first location and a first orientation of an elongate needle (106) of an instrument (102) at a surface (111) of an object (110) is determined based on a first signal from a tracking device (112) at least on the instrument, to a second different mode, in which a second location and a second orientation of the needle within the object is determined based on an ultrasound image representing the object, in response to determining the needle penetrated the surface of the object, wherein a beam steering angle with which the ultrasound image is acquired is determined based on the first location and the first orientation of the needle, and displaying the ultrasound image.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to systems, methods, and apparatus for determining a heart rate of an imaged heart in an ultrasound image feed. A plurality of ultrasound images can first be acquired. For each ultrasound image of the plurality of ultrasound images, the image can be divided into a plurality of regions; where each region is positioned so that the region corresponds to a substantially similar region location present across the plurality of ultrasound images. For each region location on each of the plurality of ultrasound images, a statistical calculation on image data of the region location can be performed. For each region location, a frequency of change in the statistical calculation over the plurality of ultrasound images can then be determined. The region location having a dominant determined frequency of change in the statistical calculation (over the plurality of ultrasound images) can be identified as a region of interest (ROI).

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to methods for providing viewing access to an ultrasound image feed generated at an ultrasound imaging machine. A multi-use display device may form a first link-layer connection with the ultrasound image machine for transmitting commands that control imaging parameters of the ultrasound image feed. The multi-use display device may then: determine link-layer connection parameters that allow the ultrasound imaging machine to form a second link-layer connection with a receiving device (the receiving device having no link-layer connection with the ultrasound imaging machine), and provide the connection parameters to the receiving device. The ultrasound imaging machine forms a second link-layer connection with the receiving device, based the connection parameters. The second link-layer connection is then used for receiving, at the receiving device, the ultrasound image feed controlled by the multi-use display device.

Abstract: An application running in a mobile device displays an ultrasound image obtained by a connected ultrasound scanner. A button is displayed on the device, which, when activated, automatically connects the device to a remote reviewer in a virtual videoconferencing room, without the operator of the scanner needing to input user credentials. Upon activating the button, or otherwise triggering the request for a review, pre-stored login credentials are automatically retrieved and used for connecting the operator to the room. The remote reviewer may be connected to the room upon accepting the request for review, without having to input user credentials, which are pre-stored and automatically retrieved.