Abstract: A multimode flow meter can use both the time-of-transit of upstream and downstream ultrasonic signals and time for transmission of downstream-only signals to determine a flow velocity of a medium flowing through a conduit. Based on factors, such as previously computed flow velocity and signal-to-noise ratio of the upstream signal, a mode of operation may be switched and only the time for transmission of the downstream signals may be used to determine flow velocity. The multimode flow meter can computer cross-flow to reduce its effect on the determination of flow velocity.

Abstract: A system and method of obtaining and analyzing ultrasound images of a patient provides for the identification of specific tissue types in using the image data. A feature vector set of sub-regions of the region of interest is obtained, dimensionally reduced and evaluated using a heuristic to identify the tissue type. Where the tissue type is suitable for image standardization, the overall gray scale of the image is adjusted with respect to a predetermined gray scale for the identified tissue type. The image may be segmented and plaque regions identified and characterized. The characterized plaque and other parameters such as percent stenosis may be used to determine a risk score for the patient.

Abstract: Ultrasound data is aligned spatially and temporally for volume rendering of a fetal heart or other cyclically moving object. A sequence of ultrasound data is obtained for each of a plurality of planes, such as acquiring data representing each plane over one or more cycles. The different planes are scanned sequentially in a step mode acquisition. The data is aligned temporally and spatially to create data representing volumes at different times throughout the cycle. The alignment uses similarity of the ultrasound data in time and space.

Abstract: The phase or associated amplitude analysis of a sequence of images is improved by, first, providing quantifications in response to the phase or amplitude information. For example, a value or values representing asynchrony between different locations through a sequence of images may provide useful diagnostic information. Second, since heart motion or other motion within a body may become complex, multiple harmonics may be used in addition to the first harmonic or fundamental information for parametrically imaging a motion. Third, where different portions of a cycle have different characteristics, such as the systolic phase and diastolic phase of a heart cycle, images associated with each of the portions may be separated from other portions. A phase or amplitude analysis of the sequence of images for each portion is handled separately.

Abstract: Automated analysis of ultrasound data is provided to extract event times, such as valve opening and closing times. Different types of ultrasound data, such as B-mode, M-mode, tissue velocity or flow velocity, are processed by a processor to identify automatically the event times. The event times are used for the processing of ultrasound data or to assist diagnosis. The event times may be used to estimate other event times in different heart cycles, such as with interpolation or extrapolation.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasonic flow meter is provided for measuring a flow rate of a medium flowing through a conduit, the ultrasonic flow meter comprising two ultrasonic emitters and two ultrasonic receivers mounted to the conduit. The flow rate is determined based on a first time interval of a first ultrasonic signal traveling from the first ultrasonic emitter to the first ultrasonic receiver, and a second time interval of a second ultrasonic signal traveling from the second ultrasonic emitter to the second ultrasonic receiver. In some embodiments, the first and second ultrasonic signals travel in a downstream direction with respect to the flow. In other embodiments, the first ultrasonic signal travels along a first transmission path that forms a first angle between the first transmission path and the flow direction, while the second ultrasonic signal travels along a second transmission path that forms a second and different angle between the second transmission path and the flow direction.

Abstract: A system and method of detecting acousto-photonic emissions in optically turbid media that provide increased levels of detection sensitivity. The detection system includes an ultrasonic transducer, a laser, a photo-detector for detecting ultrasound-modulated laser light, and circuitry for processing the detected signals for subsequent analysis. The ultrasonic transducer generates an ultrasonic wave that propagates within an optically turbid medium. The laser generates a coherent light beam, which is split to form signal and reference beams. The signal beam is sent through the turbid medium, where it is phase modulated by the ultrasound. The ultrasound-modulated signal beam is provided to a photo-refractive crystal for subsequent interference with the reference beam to convert the phase modulation to intensity modulation.

Abstract: Jittering in medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging is reduced, such as in steered spatial compounding. A pattern of decorrelation is used to detect motion between component frames, register component frames, and/or reduce jitter in the motion correction. The ultrasound imaging adapts as a function of the pattern.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system is responsive to a user position. A sensor determines the position of the user. One or more components of the ultrasound imaging system move as a function of the sensed position. For example, the display and/or control panel of the ultrasound imaging system rotate or translate based on motion or a current position of the user. As the user leans or moves during an examination, at least a component of the ultrasound system compensates for the change in position. As another example, the ultrasound imaging system follows the user from one patient to another patient. As another example, the ultrasound imaging system packages itself. The user may move for purposes other than adjusting a position of the ultrasound imaging system or a component thereof, but the system or component moves to aid the user.

Abstract: Three-dimensional ultrasound data acquisition is provided for extended field of view imaging or processing. The relative position of two or more three-dimensional volumes is determined using two-dimensional processes. For example, differences in position along two non-parallel planes are determined. By combining the vectors from the two differences, a relative position of the three-dimensional volumes is determined. Other features include calculating a value, such as a volume or distance, as a function of a relative position of two or more volumes, generating a two-dimensional extended field of view or multiplanar reconstruction as a function of a relative position without necessarily forming a three-dimensional extended field of view, and accounting for physiological phase for determining relative position or combining data representing different volumes.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic ultrasound integrates with peripheral sensors or data. An ultrasound system includes connectors or inputs for receiving information from other types of sensors, such as blood pressure, tonometry, central aortic pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, or other vascular characteristic sensors. An algorithm, such as stored on a computer readable media as instructions, uses the ultrasound data and data from the other type of sensor, such as pressure data obtained from a limb, to determine a risk or diagnosis. In one method, a peripheral vascular measurement of central aortic pressure, such as obtained by using a tonometer on a patient's wrist, is used with ultrasound data to determine a risk or diagnosis and/or automatic data reading/cross-checking.

Abstract: Automated analysis of ultrasound data is provided to extract event times, such as valve opening and closing times. Different types of ultrasound data, such as B-mode, M-mode, tissue velocity or flow velocity, are processed by a processor to identify automatically the event times. The event times are used for the processing of ultrasound data or to assist diagnosis. The event times may be used to estimate other event times in different heart cycles, such as with interpolation or extrapolation.

Abstract: The phase or associated amplitude analysis of a sequence of images is improved by, first, providing quantifications in response to the phase or amplitude information. For example, a value or values representing asynchrony between different locations through a sequence of images may provide useful diagnostic information. Second, since heart motion or other motion within a body may become complex, multiple harmonics may be used in addition to the first harmonic or fundamental information for parametrically imaging a motion. Third, where different portions of a cycle have different characteristics, such as the systolic phase and diastolic phase of a heart cycle, images associated with each of the portions may be separated from other portions. A phase or amplitude analysis of the sequence of images for each portion is handled separately.