Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a control with which a user can view one or more training materials regarding how to use the system or perform an examination. The training materials are associated with one or more of the operating parameters of the ultrasound system. Upon selecting a help me control, a search is performed for those training materials that are associated with one or more current operating parameters of the ultrasound system. In another aspect, training materials include a record of one or more operating parameters used or described in the content of the training materials. When viewing training material, a user can select a “show me” control on the ultrasound system, which causes the operating parameters used or described in the training material to be loaded into the circuitry of the ultrasound machine. The user can then operate the ultrasound imaging system with the same imaging parameters used or described in the training material being viewed.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a video processor receiving coherent echo signals from a beamformer. The video processor converts the coherent echo signals to image data, which are applied to a streaming digital video processor. The system also includes an ECG monitor and processor that obtains an ECG signal and uses the signal to provide heart cycle data indicative of the beginning and end of each of the plurality of heart cycles. The streaming digital video processor converts the image data into streaming digital data, which are divided into the heart cycle sections as indicated by the heart cycle data. The system also includes a digital video disk recorder that records a digital video disk containing the digital video data divided into chapters containing respective heart cycle sections. The recorder may also record chapters of ECG data derived from the ECG signal along with the digital video data.