Abstract: A method and ultrasound imaging system for image-guided procedures includes collecting first position data of an anatomical surface with a 3D position sensor. The method and ultrasound imaging system includes generating a 3D graphical model of the anatomical surface based on the first position data. The method and ultrasound imaging system includes acquiring ultrasound data with a probe in position relative to the anatomical surface. The method and ultrasound imaging system includes using the 3D position sensor to collect second position data of the probe in the position relative to the anatomical surface. The method and ultrasound imaging system includes generating an image based on the ultrasound data and identifying a structure in the image. The method and ultrasound imaging system includes registering the location of the structure to the 3D graphical model based on the first position data and the second position data.

Abstract: A method of enhancing needle visualization in ultrasound imaging is provided. The method includes reducing overall gain in needle frames, and applying a nonlinear mapping to the needle frames, wherein the nonlinear mapping is configured to make strong signals stronger and make weak signals weaker after mapping.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasound probe is provided including a probe body with a sensing face arranged to be held in contact with a subject by a user. The probe also provides a tactile interface located on a side of the probe body sufficiently close to the sensing face so that a user can depress the tactile interface with a finger while the probe is grasped by the user via the thumb of the same hand and at least two other fingers of the same hand rest in contact with the subject. The probe includes at least one switch which is activated by depression of the tactile interface.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an interventional guidance method includes generating an ultrasound image of a subject anatomy of interest. The method also includes superimposing on the ultrasound image a visual indication of at least one of projection of a position of an interventional device, trajectory of the interventional device, and a location at which the interventional device will intercept an ultrasound imaging plane. The interventional guidance method also includes dynamically altering an aspect of the superimposed visual indication during a interventional procedure. The dynamic altering includes altering a dynamic indication of a trajectory of the interventional instrument transverse to the imaging plane or an interception location of the trajectory of the interventional instrument with the imaging plane.

Abstract: A wireless ultrasound imaging system includes plural probes, at least one access point device, and a processing subsystem. Each of the probes has at least one transducer element that is configured to emit ultrasound pulses into one or more imaged bodies and receive echoes of the pulses. The probes are configured to generate ultrasound data based on the echoes and to wirelessly transmit the ultrasound data. The access point device is configured to wirelessly receive the ultrasound data from the probes. The processing subsystem is communicatively coupled with the at least one access point device. The processing subsystem receives the ultrasound data from the probes and creates one or more images based on the ultrasound data. In one aspect, a plurality of the probes is configured to concurrently acquire the ultrasound data.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system is provided that comprises a beamformer, a first processor, and a second processor. The beamformer receives an ultrasound image data acquired by a transducer probe. The first processor processes the ultrasound image data communicated from the beamformer so as to create a first illustration at a first interface to show to a user of the ultrasound imaging system. The second processor processes the ultrasound image data communicated from the beamformer so as to create a second illustration at a second interface to show to a patient of the ultrasound imaging system. The first processor performs different processing steps compared to the second processor such that the first illustration at the first interface is different than the second illustration at the second interface.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualization of an ultrasound probe relative to an object are provided. The system includes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data. The system further includes a display configured to display an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data and a graphical representation of the ultrasound probe in combination with the ultrasound image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for toggling between a high frame rate setting and a high resolution setting while acquiring image data are provided. A method can include: receiving an indication that a high frame rate setting or a high resolution setting should be used to acquire image data, retrieving scan parameters that are associated with the indicated setting from real-time accessible and rewriteable memory, and using the scan parameters to acquire image data using an image acquisition device. An indication to toggle between settings can be triggered manually by an operator of the image acquisition device or automatically based on acquired image data. When successive sets of image data indicate image data is changing at least a minimum amount, a high frame rate setting can be automatically selected. When successive image frames indicate image data is not changing at least a minimum amount, a high resolution setting can be automatically selected.

Abstract: Systems and methods for determining scan parameters to be used during image acquisition are provided. Values of imaging effects can be input using user controls accessible from a user interface. A processor can determine scan parameters to be used during image acquisition based on the input imaging effect values. The determined scan parameters can be displayed using the user interface. Values of imaging effects and potential ranges of values of imaging effects can be constrained based on selected values of other imaging effects. Imaging effects can include image resolution, image penetration, frame rate and/or color flow sensitivity. Scan parameters can include: line density, number of focal zones, frequency, dynamic range, pulse repetition frequency, and/or number of compounding angles. An ultrasound imaging system can be used to acquire images using the determined scan parameters.

Abstract: A system for dynamic optimization of gain and contrast in ultrasound imaging includes an image processor module programmed to dynamically estimate a correction profile in real-time and apply the correction profile to adjust a gain and contrast of image frame data sets. The image processor module is programmed to identify tissue and background regions in an image frame data set, determine an image intensity for each of the tissue and background regions, and formulate a gain profile based on the image intensity of the tissue region to compensate the gain variation of an image. The image processor module is further programmed to calculate an image contrast metric based on the image intensity of the tissue and background regions, and modify a gray map of the image frame data set based on the image contrast metric to adjust the contrast of an image displayed on the display system.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method includes scanning an inspected object with a first cluster of ultrasonic beams having a first frequency and a first steer angle, to produce a first sub-frame which is used as a reference frame, and scanning the inspected object with a second cluster of ultrasonic beams having a second frequency different from the first frequency and a second steer angle different from the first steer angle, to produce a second sub-frame. The ultrasound imaging method also includes compounding the second sub-frame and the first sub-frame to form a compounded image, and displaying the compounded image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for visualization of an ultrasound probe relative to an object are provided. The system includes an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data. The system further includes a display configured to display an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data and a graphical representation of the ultrasound probe in combination with the ultrasound image.

Abstract: A portable imaging system is presented. The system includes a single panel display, where the single panel display includes a first portion configured to display an image and a second portion configured as a touch-based user interface. A method of imaging using a portable imaging system, where the portable imaging system includes a single panel display, where the single panel display includes a first portion configured to display an image and a second portion configured as a touch-based user interface, a controls portion, where the controls portion includes one or more buttons configured to aid in performing commonly used functions, is also presented. The method includes displaying an image on the first portion of the single panel display. In addition, the method includes manipulating the image using controls on the touch-based user interface.

Abstract: An ultrasound system comprises a probe for acquiring ultrasound data associated with a patient and a microphone detecting audio. The system further comprises a processor module and a memory. The processor module is configured to receive the ultrasound data from the probe and processes the ultrasound data to form an image file. The processor module is further configured to receive the audio from the microphone and forms a voice recording file based on the received audio. The memory stores the image file and the voice recording file, and the processor module automatically associates the image file and the voice recording file with each other.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for a compact, inexpensive ultrasound system using an off-the-shelf personal digital assistant (PDA) device interfacing to a hand-held probe assembly through a standard digital interface. The hand-held probe assembly comprises a detachable transducer head attached to a beamforming module that performs digital beamforming. The PDA runs Windows applications and displays menus and images to a user. The PDA also runs ultrasound data processing software to support a plurality of imaging modes. An internal battery is provided in the PDA to power the system. The transducer head is detachable from the beamforming module.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for a compact, inexpensive ultrasound system using an off-the-shelf personal digital assistant (PDA) device interfacing to a hand-held probe assembly through a standard digital interface. The hand-held probe assembly comprises a detachable transducer head attached to a beamforming module that performs digital beamforming. The PDA runs Windows applications and displays menus and images to a user. The PDA also runs ultrasound data processing software to support a plurality of imaging modes. An internal battery is provided in the PDA to power the system. The transducer head is detachable from the beamforming module.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for a compact, inexpensive ultrasound system using an off-the-shelf personal digital assistant (PDA) device interfacing to a hand-held probe assembly through a standard digital interface. The hand-held probe assembly comprises a detachable transducer head attached to a beamforming module that performs digital beamforming. The PDA runs Windows applications and displays menus and images to a user. The PDA also runs ultrasound data processing software to support a plurality of imaging modes. An internal battery is provided in the PDA to power the system. The transducer head is detachable from the beamforming module.

Abstract: An ultrasound system operating on a personal computer architecture comprising multiple processors controlled to operate in parallel to share ultrasound operations of the system. The multiple processors are controlled by software to share the operations associated with system setup, system control, scanning, data acquisition, beamforming, user interface service, signal processing, and scan conversion. The ultrasound system utilizes management software which divides operations associated with each function (such as signal processing and scan conversion) into parallel sub-operations or tasks. Each task is assigned by the operating system to a CPU. Any of the CPUs may be capable of performing any of the tasks. The CPUs operate in parallel to carry out the assigned tasks. Once all of the CPUs have completed the assigned tasks, the system may serially advance to the next ultrasound function.

Abstract: A method of displaying cardiac function which forms by helical or segmental analysis a three-dimensional cage model which can be shaded and color coded to indicate local and regional dysfunction by thickening or motion and stresses. On this model is superimposed the coronary artery tree including stenosed segments as obtained from the same patient by angiograms and the resulting three-dimensional coronary and mechanical model can be subjected to animation and analysis for diagnostic purposes and to simulate effects of treatment.