Abstract: A system includes a transducer array configured to obtain ultrasound data of a subject; a processor in communication with the transducer array and a therapeutic device configured to deliver a therapy to the subject, wherein the processor is configured to: receive the ultrasound data; identify an anatomical feature of the subject using the ultrasound data; compute a measure associated with the anatomical feature; determine if the measure satisfies a threshold; determine a change in an operating status of the therapeutic device based on if the measure satisfies the threshold; and output, to the therapeutic device, a control signal representative of the change in the operating status. Associated methods, devices, and systems are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an ultrasound system and a method of detecting lung sliding on the basis of a temporal sequence of ultrasound data frames of a first region of interest. The first region of interest includes a pleural interface of a lung. A sub-region identifier (410) is configured to identify, for each of the ultrasound data frames, a sub-region of a scanned region of the ultrasound data frame, the sub-region comprising at least part of the pleural interface; a lung sliding detector (420) is configured to derive a parametric map for the sub-region on the basis of at least two ultrasound data frames of the temporal sequence, parametric values of the parametric map indicating a degree of tissue motion over the at least two ultrasound frames; wherein the lung sliding detector is further configured to extract data of the sub-regions from the at least two ultrasound data frames, and to derive the parametric map on the basis of the extracted data.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an ultrasound scanning device is disclosed. One embodiment of the ultrasound scanning device comprises a housing configured for handheld use, an ultrasound assembly at least partially disposed within the housing and configured obtain ultrasound data, and a display coupled to the housing. The ultrasound scanning device further comprises a processor disposed within the housing, wherein the processor is in communication with the ultrasound assembly and the display.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound system (100) for sequentially performing a predetermined procedure for each of at least one region of interest. The ultrasound system (100) comprises an ultrasound probe (101) configured to transmit a first ultrasound signal (SG1) towards a region of interest and receive echo signals from the region of interest. The ultrasound system (100) also comprises a motion sensor (102) configured to detect a motion of the ultrasound probe (101) and generate a motion signal (MS) for indicating the motion of the ultrasound probe (101). The ultrasound system (100) also comprises a processor (103) configured to perform a predetermined procedure for a region of interest on the basis of the echo signals received from the region of interest if the motion signal (MS) indicates that the ultrasound probe (101) is stationary. The invention also relates to a corresponding ultrasound method.

Abstract: A system for determining a position of an interventional device (11) respective an imaging field (B1 . . . k) corresponding to a type (T1 . . . n) of a beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (13) currently connected to an ultrasound imaging system (14). The position is determined based on ultrasound signals transmitted between the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (13) and an ultrasound transducer (15) attached to the interventional device (11). An image reconstruction unit (IRU) provides a reconstructed ultrasound image (RUI) corresponding to the imaging field (B1 . . . k). A position determination unit (PDU) receives input indicative of the type (T1 . . . k) of the beamforming ultrasound imaging probe (13) currently connected to the ultrasound imaging system (14). The position determination unit (PDU) also computes a position (LAPTOFFSmax, ?IPA) of the ultrasound transducer (15) respective the imaging field (B1 . . . k).

Abstract: In an embodiment, a handheld ultrasound scanning device is disclosed. One embodiment of the handheld ultrasound scanning device comprises a housing configured for handheld use, an ultrasound assembly at least partially disposed within the housing and configured obtain ultrasound data, a display unit at least partially disposed within the housing and comprising a display, and a processor disposed within the housing, wherein the processor is in communication with the ultrasound assembly and the display unit. The processor operable to receive a selection of an anatomical structure to be scanned with the ultrasound assembly, receive ultrasound data from the ultrasound assembly, determine whether the received ultrasound data includes data representative of the anatomical structure, and output an indication to the display unit in response to the determining.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an ultrasound imaging system configured to identify a scan line pattern for imaging an object or feature thereof. The system may include a controller that controls a probe for imaging a volume of a subject by transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals in accordance with a plurality of scan line patterns. One or more processors communicating with the probe may generate a plurality of image data sets based on the signals received at the probe, each data set corresponding to a discrete scan line pattern. These data sets are assessed for a target characteristic specific to the object targeted for imaging. One the data set that includes the target characteristic is identified, the one or more processors select the scan line pattern that corresponds the identified image data set. This scan line pattern may then be used for subsequent imaging of the volume to view the object.

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system includes an ultrasound imaging probe configured to acquire image data associated with an object at an acquisition data rate; and a communication interface in communication with the ultrasound imaging probe and configured to transmit a first subset of the image data in real time based on the acquisition data rate; and transmit a second subset of the image data at a delayed time. In one embodiment, a method of ultrasound imaging includes acquiring, by an ultrasound imaging probe, image data associated with an object at an acquisition data rate; transmitting, to a host via a communication link, a first subset of the image data in real time based on the acquisition data rate; and transmitting, to the host via the communication link, a second subset of the image data at a delayed time.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a medical device is disclosed. The medical (imaging) device comprises a housing configured for handheld use, a transducer array, a display coupled to the housing, a plurality of sensors distributed about a periphery of the housing and configured to detect when a hand of an operator is positioned around the housing, and a computing device disposed within the housing, wherein the computing device is in communication with the transducer array, the display, and the sensors. The computing device is operable to: monitor the sensors, determine whether a reading from a first sensor at a first edge of the periphery of the housing exceeds a threshold, set the first edge as a primary edge based at least in part on the reading from the first sensor, and orient the display such that the primary edge is at the bottom of the display.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the assessment and imaging of bodily organs, including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). For example, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide for a TEE probe having removable or modular components, such that the TEE probe can be disassembled and reassembled by a physician. In some embodiments, the TEE probe may be compatible with components, such as gastroscopes, having various differences in size, shape, and configuration. In some embodiments, a TEE probe may comprise a gastroscope and a handle, wherein the handle and the gastroscope are removably coupled to one another by an interface, such that when the gastroscope and handle are removably coupled, a user can control various functions of the gastroscope, such as the ultrasonic imaging of an ultrasonic transducer of the gastroscope, and the movement of a distal portion of the gastroscope.

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an ultrasound device includes a first ultrasound component (210) configured to generate a first signal representative of a subjects anatomy along a first axis; a second ultrasound component (220) configured to generate a second signal representative of the subjects anatomy along a second axis, the first axis disposed at an angle with respect to the second axis; and a processing component (420) in communication with the first ultrasound component and the second ultrasound component, the processing component configured to determine an orientation of the ultrasound device with respect to the subjects anatomy based on the first signal and the second signal. In one embodiment, the processing component is further configured to indicate, via visual indicators (132, 240) on the ultrasound device, a direction to orient the ultrasound device based on the determined orientation for aligning the ultrasound device with the subjects anatomy.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to the assessment and imaging of bodily organs, including transesophageal echocardiography (TEE). For example, some embodiments of the present disclosure provide for remote and/or wireless control of a transesophageal echocardiography (TEE) probe. For example, in some embodiments a TEE probe comprises a gastroscope for insertion into a patient's esophagus, a handle coupled to the gastroscope, and a wireless module coupled to the handle and configured to receive a command signal from a user to remotely control aspects of a TEE scan. Some aspects to be controlled by a user remotely may include movement of a distal portion of the gastroscope within the patient's esophagus. Other aspects may include initiation of an ultrasonic imaging procedure by an ultrasonic transducer. In some embodiments, the wireless module may also be configured to wirelessly transmit electrical signals to a console.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system comprising an ultrasound image acquisition station and a mobile display device. When disconnected from the ultrasound image acquisition station, the mobile display device may be operated by its own operating system providing general purpose applications to a user. When connected to the ultrasound image acquisition station, the hardware of the mobile display device is operated by an ultrasound application dedicated operating system stored on the ultrasound image acquisition station. By this, a low weight and flexible to use ultrasound imaging system may be provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has a set of CMUT transducer devices and drive electronics for operating a selected device of the set. The drive electronics is shared between all devices of the set. Selection is made by using a set of switches (178), with a respective switch between a DC bias output (166) of the drive electronics and an associated input (160) of each device. This provides a simple way to provide a selection function between the drive electronics and multiple ultrasound devices. In this way, the number of devices may be scale up, to cover a larger area, but without scaling the cost of the system by the same degree.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes an ultrasound imaging system configured to identify a target placement of an ultrasound probe for viewing a lung pleural line. In some examples, the system may include an ultrasound probe configured to receive ultrasound echoes from a subject to image a region of the subject and a data processor in communication with the ultrasound probe. The data processor may be configured to identify one or more candidate pleural lines and one or more A-lines corresponding to the candidate pleural lines, compute an A-line intensity of at least one of the A-lines, and apply the computed A-line intensity to indicate a target placement of the ultrasound probe for imaging the region for pleural line identification. The system may also include a user interface in communication with the data processor. The user interface may be configured to alert the user of the target placement of the ultrasound probe.

Abstract: A method for determining a projected track of an object (230) includes measuring movement from frame to frame of a detected object point in a field of view by periodic comparison of positions, extrapolating a locus of periodically detected object points, and qualifying the locus by calculating and applying a threshold to the linearity in a sequence of positions and a threshold to consistency in strength. The method further produces the plurality of ultrasound images by including thereon a rendering of a plurality of lines (310) as a path track indicator (330) on one or more ultrasound images (305) and displaying the projected track of the object when a user moves the tracked object a minimum distance in a region of interest (242) of a subject (240). The method also includes utilizing a motion sensor (234) with a probe (205) to suppress calculation and display of the projected track.

Abstract: An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe (205) and an image processor (202) for generating ultrasound images from acoustic data received by the probe, and for automatically making adjustments to beamformed acoustic pulse locations and deriving the adjustments to the pulse locations from pre-established user image adjustment selections available on a user interface. A relationship is established between a depth of a distal end (231) of a medical device (230) and a transmit focal depth displayed on a display (300). A depth of the distal end of the medical device (230) is used to generate increment/decrement decisions with respect to a transmit focal depth.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasound system (100) for sequentially performing a predetermined procedure for each of at least one region of interest. The ultrasound system (100) comprises an ultrasound probe (101) configured to transmit a first ultrasound signal (SG1) towards a region of interest and receive echo signals from the region of interest. The ultrasound system (100) also comprises a motion sensor (102) configured to detect a motion of the ultrasound probe (101) and generate a motion signal (MS) for indicating the motion of the ultrasound probe (101). The ultrasound system (100) also comprises a processor (103) configured to perform a predetermined procedure for a region of interest on the basis of the echo signals received from the region of interest if the motion signal (MS) indicates that the ultrasound probe (101) is stationary. The invention also relates to a corresponding ultrasound method.

Abstract: The present invention proposes an ultrasound system and a method of detecting lung sliding on the basis of a temporal sequence of ultrasound data frames of a first region of interest. The first region of interest includes a pleural interface of a lung. A sub-region identifier (410) is configured to identify, for each of the ultrasound data frames, a sub-region of a scanned region of the ultrasound data frame, the sub-region comprising at least part of the pleural interface; a lung sliding detector (420) is configured to derive a parametric map for the sub-region on the basis of at least two ultrasound data frames of the temporal sequence, parametric values of the parametric map indicating a degree of tissue motion over the at least two ultrasound frames; wherein the lung sliding detector is further configured to extract data of the sub-regions from the at least two ultrasound data frames, and to derive the parametric map on the basis of the extracted data.

Abstract: A highly portable ultrasound system is configured using a wireless ultrasound probe (10), a processor dongle (30) containing a radio and a digital processor running an operating system and an ultrasound control program, and any conveniently available television receiver or display monitor. The sonographer only needs to carry the small wireless probe and the thumbdrive-like dongle in order to turn any available display device, together with the two components carried by the sonographer, into a completely functional ultrasound system. The sonographer can enter a patient's hospital room, plug the processor dongle into the patient monitor in the room, and conduct an ultrasound exam using the patient monitor as the system display, for instance. The system can be controlled by a touchscreen tablet computer, a wireless mouse, or by distinct gestures made by the probe.