Abstract: Systems and methods for processing echo signals in a Doppler ultrasound system from a region of interest. An ultrasound beam is electronically steered to deliver ultrasound to and receive echo signals from a plurality of sample locations in the region of interest. The echo signals for each sample location are processed to extract Doppler shift signals and Doppler shift data representing the Doppler shift signals are generated. The Doppler shift data accumulated for the sample locations can be used to detect the presence of blood flow in the region of interest, and identify the location in the region of interest at which the presence of blood flow is detected. The blood flow can be tracked by updating the location of the detected blood flow in the region of interest. The blood flow can be further monitored by combining the locating and tracking functionality with an m-mode ultrasound image.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining the absolute value of intracranial pressure in a non-invasive manner is described by using an ultrasonic Doppler measuring device which detects the intracranial and extracranial blood flow velocities of the intracranial and extracranial segments of the ophthalmic artery. The eye in which the blood flow is monitored is subjected to an external pressure, sufficient to equalize the intracranial and extracranial angle-independent blood flow factors calculated from the intracranial velocity signal and extracranial velocity signal. The absolute value of the intracranial pressure is identified as that external pressure at which such equalization occurs.

Abstract: A system and method for examining a patient for an ear disorder. Reflectance ultrasound is applied to a portion of the ear to determine the presence of ear effusion in a middle ear. If ear effusion is present, motion of the tympanic membrane is induced and ultrasound is further applied to the moving tympanic membrane. Echo signals resulting from the ultrasound applied to the moving tympanic membrane are analyzed to obtain information regarding the motion of the tympanic membrane and is used to characterize the ear effusion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for grading signals from microemboli in blood flow monitored using a Doppler ultrasound system. Signals from microemboli in blood flow are graded by calculating a value related to a power for the signals from microemboli in blood flow and categorizing the signals into one of at least two grades based on the calculated value. Alternatively, signals can be categorized by assessing a power value for the microemboli in blood flow during a period of monitoring. In response to the power value being greater than or equal to a threshold value, the microemboli in blood flow are categorized based on the power value, and in response to the power value being less than the threshold value, a number of microemboli are counted during at least a portion of the period of monitoring and the microemboli are categorized based on the number.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection and characterization are also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining therapeutic pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound with diagnostic pulsed ultrasound are described. In both a therapeutic mode and in a diagnostic mode, the ultrasound is administered from a single probe to a patient suffering from thrombosis. The ultrasound can have the same or different frequency ranges in the diagnostic and therapeutic modes. The pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound in the therapeutic mode enhances a lysing effect of a thrombolytic agent. The pulsed ultrasound in the diagnostic mode allows monitoring of blood flow to locate a thrombus, to determine an optimal window to administer the therapeutic pulsed ultrasound, and to detect when recanalization has occurred. If an operator attends the device, a graphical display operates during the diagnostic mode to display an image representative of the blood flow.

Abstract: A system and method for examining a patient for an ear disorder. Reflectance ultrasound is applied to a portion of the ear to determine the presence of ear effusion in a middle ear. If ear effusion is present, motion of the tympanic membrane is induced and ultrasound is further applied to the moving tympanic membrane. Echo signals resulting from the ultrasound applied to the moving tympanic membrane are analyzed to obtain information regarding the motion of the tympanic membrane and is used to characterize the ear effusion.

Abstract: Systems and methods for processing echo signals in a Doppler ultrasound system from a region of interest. An ultrasound beam is electronically steered to deliver ultrasound to and receive echo signals from a plurality of sample locations in the region of interest. The echo signals for each sample location are processed to extract Doppler shift signals and Doppler shift data representing the Doppler shift signals are generated. The Doppler shift data accumulated for the sample locations can be used to detect the presence of blood flow in the region of interest, and identify the location in the region of interest at which the presence of blood flow is detected. The blood flow can be tracked by updating the location of the detected blood flow in the region of interest. The blood flow can be further monitored by combining the locating and tracking functionality with an m-mode ultrasound image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for grading signals from microemboli in blood flow monitored using a Doppler ultrasound system. Signals from microemboli in blood flow are graded by calculating a value related to a power for the signals from microemboli in blood flow and categorizing the signals into one of at least two grades based on the calculated value. Alternatively, signals can be categorized by assessing a power value for the microemboli in blood flow during a period of monitoring. In response to the power value being greater than or equal to a threshold value, the microemboli in blood flow are categorized based on the power value, and in response to the power value being less than the threshold value, a number of microemboli are counted during at least a portion of the period of monitoring and the microemboli are categorized based on the number.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow and hemodynamics. The Doppler ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe to emit ultrasound signals and detect reflected signals therefrom and further includes a processor coupled to the ultrasound probe and operable to process the detected reflected signals and calculate therefrom blood flow data for a plurality of locations at time intervals, the processor further operable to identify locations at which blood flow having a hemodynamic characteristic is present based on the blood flow data calculated for a plurality of the time intervals. A user interface coupled to the processor provides blood flow information based on the blood flow data, the blood flow information representative of detected blood flow and the presence of the hemodynamic characteristic.

Abstract: A Doppler ultrasound signal processing system for processing reflected ultrasound signals detected by an ultrasound transducer for multiple carrier frequencies concurrently. Additionally, an embolus characterization system and method, and an ultrasound transducer are included as well.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection and characterization are also provided.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow and hemodynamics. The Doppler ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe to emit ultrasound signals and detect reflected signals therefrom and further includes a processor coupled to the ultrasound probe and operable to process the detected reflected signals and calculate therefrom blood flow data for a plurality of locations at time intervals, the processor further operable to identify locations at which blood flow having a hemodynamic characteristic is present based on the blood flow data calculated for a plurality of the time intervals. A user interface coupled to the processor provides blood flow information based on the blood flow data, the blood flow information representative of detected blood flow and the presence of the hemodynamic characteristic.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining therapeutic pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound with diagnostic pulsed ultrasound are described. In both a therapeutic mode and in a diagnostic mode, the ultrasound is administered from a single probe to a patient suffering from thrombosis. The ultrasound can have the same or different frequency ranges in the diagnostic and therapeutic modes. The pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound in the therapeutic mode enhances a lysing effect of a thrombolytic agent. The pulsed ultrasound in the diagnostic mode allows monitoring of blood flow to locate a thrombus, to determine an optimal window to administer the therapeutic pulsed ultrasound, and to detect when recanalization has occurred. If an operator attends the device, a graphical display operates during the diagnostic mode to display an image representative of the blood flow.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining therapeutic pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound with diagnostic pulsed ultrasound are described. In both a therapeutic mode and in a diagnostic mode, the ultrasound is administered from a single probe to a patient suffering from thrombosis. The ultrasound can have the same or different frequency ranges in the diagnostic and therapeutic modes. The pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound in the therapeutic mode enhances a lysing effect of a thrombolytic agent. The pulsed ultrasound in the diagnostic mode allows monitoring of blood flow to locate a thrombus, to determine an optimal window to administer the therapeutic pulsed ultrasound, and to detect when recanalization has occurred. If an operator attends the device, a graphical display operates during the diagnostic mode to display an image representative of the blood flow.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection and characterization are also provided.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow and detecting emboli. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection and characterization are also provided.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow and detecting emboli. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection is also provided.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow and detecting emboli. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection is also provided.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection and characterization are also provided.