Abstract: An apparatus and method for generating high quality, high frame rate images in a handheld or hand-carried ultrasound imaging machine. The apparatus includes a time-multiplexed beamformer coefficient generator that supplies the necessary delay and weight coefficients to process multiple beams in parallel via a beamforming coefficient bus. This approach reduces the required hardware and power consumption to satisfy the physical space and power requirements of a handheld probe. To improve image quality, the ultrasound machine may optionally use synthetic aperture to improve penetration and resolution. The ultrasound machine may also use pulse inversion harmonics to improve image quality by improving signal-to-noise ratio.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system has a 3D location system and a data store for recording locations within a patient. Navigation to target locations is facilitated by providing graphical elements superposed on a 2-dimensional image. The size and/or color of the graphical elements are controlled in real time based on distance of the target location(s) from a current image plane. This provides intuitive visual feedback and can be achieved with low computational requirements.

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: A handheld ultrasound device is provided, having a transducer assembly for emitting and receiving sonic signals, a configurable signal processing unit, and a data processor configured to provide configuration data to the signal processing unit. The configuration data defines a beamforming configuration, filtering configuration and envelope detection configuration for an operational mode. The operational mode may be selected by the user or may be determined based on a detected type of the transducer assembly.

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. Displays indicating a projection of the longitudinal axis of the needle onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer and displays indicating a projection of a reference position onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer are provided. Displays indicating in real-time whether the needle is substantially within the plane of the ultrasound image are provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound machine is configured for developing new modes for obtaining images or other useful information from ultrasound signals. The machine has a data processor configured to control a transmit circuit to generate ultrasound signals. Echo signals are received and digitized to yield RF data that is stored in a memory accessible to the data processor. A user can operate design mode application software to change the manner in which the RF data is processed to yield images or other useful information. New modes can be developed rapidly. The data processor may comprise a conventional personal computer equipped with suitable interfaces. An ultrasound machine may include and use a floating point processor for processing ultrasound signals.

Abstract: A method for targeting a blood vessel comprises acquiring ultrasound data, automatically determining a target sample volume, acquiring Doppler ultrasound data, and communicating an indicator of flow characteristics in the target sample volume. The ultrasound data is for a plane within a body. The target sample volume is determined at an intersection of a trajectory of an insertable instrument with the plane. The Doppler ultrasound data is acquired for at least the target sample volume at the intersection. The indicator of flow characteristics is based on the Doppler ultrasound data. An associated apparatus is also described.

Abstract: A patient monitoring system has one or more ultrasound devices that monitor patients. The ultrasound devices can communicate to a central station by way of a wireless data communication network. Ultrasound images acquired by the ultrasound devices may be displayed at the central station. Alarms may be generated based upon conditions detected by the ultrasound devices. An ultrasound device may have a strap that permits it to be held in place with a transducer against the skin of a subject to permit ultrasound observation of the subject either continuously or intermittently over an extended period.

Abstract: A handheld ultrasound device is provided, having a transducer assembly for emitting and receiving sonic signals, a configurable signal processing unit, and a data processor configured to provide configuration data to the signal processing unit. The configuration data defines a beamforming configuration, filtering configuration and envelope detection configuration for an operational mode. The operational mode may be selected by the user or may be determined based on a detected type of the transducer assembly.

Abstract: A method for configuring an ultrasound system for an examination comprises displaying a plurality of examination categories for selection by a user, receiving a user-selected examination category, identifying any probes connected to the ultrasound system, determining which of the connected probes are suitable for the user-selected examination category, for each suitable connected probe, displaying an indication identifying the suitable connected probe for selection by the user, receiving a user-selected probe identification, and, activating a selected probe indicated by the user-selected probe identification for data acquisition.

Abstract: A sterile enclosure is provided for enclosing a hand-held ultrasound device to prevent any material on the ultrasound device from contaminating a sterile environment in which the ultrasound device is used. The enclosure has an opening for insertion of the ultrasound device into the enclosure, a closure for closing the opening, an acoustically-transparent transducer portion for covering an active face of a transducer of the ultrasound device, and a transparent display portion overlaying a display of the ultrasound device. In some embodiments a detachable or integrally formed needle guide is provided with the enclosure, for holding and guiding a needle so that the needle is projected into a field of view of the transducer of the ultrasound device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for producing a video record of a use of a medical ultrasound system are provided. An ultrasound image video signal and a synthetic display element signal produced by an ultrasound system are encoded as at least one data stream. The at least one data stream is stored in a multimedia container file. The ultrasound video signal and synthetic display element signal may be encoded as different data streams. In some embodiments, the ultrasound video signal and synthetic display element signal are combined in a single video signal, which is encoded as a video data stream. In some embodiments, a subject image video signal is produced by a camera, and this signals is encoded and stored with an associated ultrasound image video signal in a video container.

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: A hand-held ultrasonic imaging device is provided with a removable transducer array. The imaging device has a housing, a display on the housing, and a transducer assembly including a transducer array detachably coupled to the housing. The imaging device may detect the type of transducer array that is coupled to the housing and select a corresponding functional mode for the transducer array. The transducer array may be coupled at different angles to the housing. The transducer array may be coupled to the housing by a pivotable swivel connector.

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 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. Displays indicating a projection of the longitudinal axis of the needle onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer and displays indicating a projection of a reference position onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer are provided. Displays indicating in real-time whether the needle is substantially within the plane of the ultrasound image are provided.

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: 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: 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.