Abstract: This disclosure relates to methods and apparatus for performing at least three modes of ultrasound imaging using a single ultrasound transducer. In a first mode, transducer elements are activated so that ultrasound signals are transmitted from the contact surface at one or more directions normal to the contact surface. In a second mode, a first subset of the transducer elements are activated so that parallel ultrasound signals are transmitted from the contact surface. In a third mode, a second subset of the transducer elements are activated so that ultrasound signals are steered from the second subset of transducer elements.

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: An ultrasound probe is equipped with a transducer element array and an internally located position marker trackable by a position sensing system or the like. The position marker is supported by a movement and rotation constraining fixture. The fixture is rigidly connected to the transducer element array of the probe. The fixture constrains the position and orientation of the position marker to match a spatial reference relationship with the transducer element array in the position marker's constrained degrees of freedom. The position marker may moved along and rotated in its unconstrained degrees of freedom to match the spatial reference relationship with the transducer element array.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to systems and methods for generating a multimedia product. The embodiments may include: identifying a plurality of ultrasound media items from a fetal ultrasound scan, where each of the plurality of ultrasound media items have different respective attributes; and applying a theme to the plurality of ultrasound media items to generate the multimedia product. The theme may include an effect to be applied to at least one ultrasound media item of the plurality of ultrasound media items, and the applying may include adapting one of: the effect, and the attribute of the at least one ultrasound media item, to the other.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging systems. The ultrasound imaging systems may include an ultrasound imaging transducer operable to acquire ultrasound image data and a transducer adapter configured to detachably couple to the ultrasound imaging transducer. The transducer adapter may provide a different footprint from the ultrasound imaging transducer native footprint to enable the ultrasound imaging transducer adapter to acquire ultrasound image data in a substantially similar way to ultrasound transducers with different transducer geometry. The ultrasound imaging transducer may include a sensor for detecting an attachment state of the transducer adapter. The ultrasound imaging transducer may modify one or more imaging parameters when the transducer is attached to the ultrasound imaging transducer.

Abstract: The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound apparatus with improved heat dissipation and methods for providing same. The ultrasound apparatus may have a housing that encloses a transducer array and at least one integrated circuit (IC) for driving the transducer array during operation. The housing may have an interior surface and an exterior surface, and the housing can be made substantially of metal. A post is disposed between the at least one IC and the interior surface of the housing. The post can be coupled directly to the interior surface of the housing so that heat generated from the at least one IC is transferred via the post to the housing and dissipated via the exterior surface.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer equipped with a position marker and a needle equipped with a position marker. The position markers allow the position and orientation of the transducer and needle to be determined. A display depicts an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer and a graphical element representative of a projection of the longitudinal axis of the needle onto a plane of the ultrasound image. The quality of the position and orientation information from the position markers is monitored, and when quality is below a quality threshold the display indicates this fact.

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: An ultrasound imaging system comprising a multi-use electronic display device and an ultrasound imaging device. The multi-use electronic display device is capable of communicating with one or more ultrasound imaging devices and selecting which to connect with based on at least one of previously store information, user input, and information gathered from the ultrasound imaging devices. The multi-use electronic display device may communicate with the ultrasound imaging devices while they are in a low power standby state. This approach reduces the complexity of the pairing process and provides a means for quickly and easily selecting between multiple ultrasound imaging devices.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system comprising a multi-use electronic display device and an ultrasound imaging device. The multi-use electronic display device is capable of communicating with one or more ultrasound imaging devices and selecting which to connect with based on at least one of previously store information, user input, and information gathered from the ultrasound imaging devices. The multi-use electronic display device may communicate with the ultrasound imaging devices while they are in a low power standby state. This approach reduces the complexity of the pairing process and provides a means for quickly and easily selecting between multiple ultrasound imaging devices.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for measuring and analyzing blood flow in vessels in the bodies of living subjects are provided. The true velocity vector, or a projection thereof onto a scan plane, for blood flowing at a location in a vessel is determined from multiple Doppler velocity components. The true velocity vector is displayed as a directional marker on an image comprising the vessel. The true velocity magnitude and angle, and scalar blood flow characteristics derived therefrom, are plotted as a functions of time and/or position across the depiction of the blood vessel in the image. Time intervals for which blood flow characteristic data is displayed and/or determined may be user configurable.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating high quality, high frame rate images in a handheld or hand-carried ultrasonic imaging machine. The apparatus includes an image enhancer to reduce speckle noise and improve the compressibility of the resulting image. This approach reduces the required hardware and power consumption to satisfy the physical space, power, and limited processing power of a handheld probe and enables high quality images to be transmitted efficiently over low-bandwidth connections.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for automatically calculating and applying time gain compensation in a handheld or hand-carried ultrasonic imaging machine. The apparatus include an autogain unit to calculate the time gain compensation based on a processed ultrasound image. The image is divided into regions, and the image intensity is used to mask regions which satisfy a threshold. Masked regions are used to calculate a gain curve which is then spatially and temporally smoothed. Means are providing for masking entire columns of regions to remove areas where the probe is not in contact. This approach may allow less experienced users to achieve high quality images without the difficult and time-consuming task of manually adjusting the time gain compensation.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for providing remote expert feedback to an operator of an ultrasound imaging machine.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for positioning a elongate hollow member at a desired location in a body in a medical procedure are provided. A position marker is removably disposed within a sheath. The sheath may be disposable. The sheath and enclosed position marker may be inserted into a lumen of a member to be positioned. The position in space of the position marker may be monitored by a position sensor to provide real-time information regarding a position of the member. The spatial relationship between the position marker and member may be fixed by securing the mounting member to the sheath and securing the sheath to the member.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system comprising a multi-use electronic display device and an ultrasound imaging device. The multi-use electronic display device is capable of communicating with one or more ultrasound imaging devices and selecting which to connect with based on at least one of previously store information, user input, and information gathered from the ultrasound imaging devices. The multi-use electronic display device may communicate with the ultrasound imaging devices while they are in a low power standby state. This approach reduces the complexity of the pairing process and provides a means for quickly and easily selecting between multiple ultrasound imaging devices.

Abstract: An ultrasound machine is operated by executing a protocol. Executing the protocol configures the ultrasound machine, controls for operating the ultrasound machine and a display for the ultrasound machine. Protocols may be defined to provide a streamlined configuration of controls for operating the ultrasound machine, and to provide instructions that guide a user's operation of the ultrasound machine.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging apparatus (100) includes a transducer array (102) configured to acquire a 3D plane of US data parallel to the transducer array. The transducer array includes a 2D array of transducer elements (104). The ultrasound imaging apparatus further includes a 3D US data processor (116) that visually enhances the structure of tissue of interest and extracts voxels representing tissue of interest therefrom. The ultrasound imaging apparatus further includes a display (118), located opposite the transducer array, that displays the extracted voxels representing the tissue of interest the 3D plane of US 3D US data.

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: Apparatus and methods for measuring and analyzing blood flow in vessels in the bodies of living subjects are provided. The true velocity vector, or a projection thereof onto a scan plane, for blood flowing at a location in a vessel is determined from multiple Doppler velocity components. The true velocity vector is displayed as a directional marker on an image comprising the vessel. The true velocity magnitude and angle, and scalar blood flow characteristics derived therefrom, are plotted as a functions of time and/or position across the depiction of the blood vessel in the image. Time intervals for which blood flow characteristic data is displayed and/or determined may be user configurable.