Abstract: An apparatus for treating vascular thrombosis with ultrasound, includes a therapeutic ultrasonic transducer, suitable for generating focused ultrasonic waves that propagate along an emission axis; an imaging ultrasonic transducer associated with the therapeutic transducer; a means for moving the focal spot of the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer along the emission axis with respect to the imaging transducer; a motorized mechanical system for translating the transducers along at least a first axis parallel to the emission axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first; and an electronic control system for driving the motorized mechanical system and the means for moving the focal spot of the therapeutic transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging and therapy device includes an array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, and an ultrasound imaging device situated inside an innermost transducer of the plurality of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, wherein it further comprises a mechanical linkage allowing a tilting movement of the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers with respect to the ultrasound imaging device and in that the ultrasound imaging device protrudes in an axial direction from the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers; whereby the ultrasound imaging device can be kept stationary and in direct or indirect contact with a patient's skin while the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers is tilted so as to move a focal point of ultrasound waves generated by the concentric annular ultrasound transducers within an imaging region of the ultrasound imaging device.

Abstract: An apparatus for treating vascular thrombosis with ultrasound, includes a therapeutic ultrasonic transducer, suitable for generating focused ultrasonic waves that propagate along an emission axis; an imaging ultrasonic transducer associated with the therapeutic transducer; a means for moving the focal spot of the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer along the emission axis with respect to the imaging transducer; a motorized mechanical system for translating the transducers along at least a first axis parallel to the emission axis and a second axis perpendicular to the first; and an electronic control system for driving the motorized mechanical system and the means for moving the focal spot of the therapeutic transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging and therapy device includes an array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, and an ultrasound imaging device situated inside an innermost transducer of the plurality of concentric annular ultrasound transducers, wherein it further comprises a mechanical linkage allowing a tilting movement of the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers with respect to the ultrasound imaging device and in that the ultrasound imaging device protrudes in an axial direction from the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers; whereby the ultrasound imaging device can be kept stationary and in direct or indirect contact with a patient's skin while the array of concentric annular ultrasound transducers is tilted so as to move a focal point of ultrasound waves generated by the concentric annular ultrasound transducers within an imaging region of the ultrasound imaging device.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for rendering an ultrasound volume. An external image of an ultrasound volume is generated. A fractional part of the external image corresponds to a fractional portion of the ultrasound volume. A composite image of the ultrasound is generated using the external image, wherein the fractional part of the external image is replaced with an internal image of the ultrasound volume fractional portion. The internal image may be generated by changing a value of a visualization parameter used to generate the external image to a value more suitable for rendering an internal image. The ultrasound volume may include a organic structure, wherein the external image depicts an outer surface of the organic structure, and the internal image depicts a vascularity of the organic structure, such that the composite image simultaneously depicts both an outer surface and the vascularity of the organic structure.

Abstract: In an ultrasound imaging system, an ultrasound scanning assembly (USC) provides volume data (VD) resulting from a three-dimensional scan of a body (BDY). A region of interest detector (RDT) detects a region within the volume data (VD) characterized by a variation of at least one data parameter, which exceeds a margin. A slice generator (SLG) may then generates-slices (SX) from the region that has been detected. These slices (SX) can be displayed on a display device (DPL).

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (UIS) comprises a user interface (UIF) that allows an operator to request visual aid. In response to a request for visual aid, a controller (CTRL) retrieves from a database a visual representation of a preferred manner of applying a probe to a patient, and causes a display device (DPL) to render the visual representation. Preferably, but not necessarily, the controller (CTRL) detects a step of a workflow protocol program (WPP) that is being carried out. The controller (CTRL) then selects from the database a visual representation pertaining to the step that is being carried out.

Abstract: A method of automatically meshing a volume of an object in an ultrasound imaging system comprises the steps of: —acquiring image data of the object; —selecting a first surface of interest comprising a first slice of the object in the image data; —determining a main axis (AX) of the object; —defining a set of planes (22) separated by a given distance, being not parallel with the main axis while being parallel one with the other; —drawing a contour of the second slice of the object in at least two planes of the set of planes comprising a second slice of the object; and —meshing the volume by stacking the contours along the main axis according to the given distance.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is disclosed for labeling 3-dimensional volumes displayed on a 2-dimensional image display. A 3-dimensional volume image of anatomy is created. A label for a point of interest on the 3-dimensional volume image is created. A curve connecting the label to the point of interest on the 3- dimensional volume is created in a 2-dimensional visual plane such that a projection of the label onto the 3-dimensional volume image is not coincident with the 3-dimensional volume. The label, curve and 3-dimensional volume are rendered for display on the image display so that the curve extends between the point of interest and the label and so that the curve is re-rendered as the 3-dimensional volume is re-rendered in response to changes in the orientation of the 3-dimensional volume.

Abstract: A system and method is disclosed for rendering an ultrasound volume. An external image of an ultrasound volume is generated. A fractional part of the external image corresponds to a fractional portion of the ultrasound volume. A composite image of the ultrasound is generated using the external image, wherein the fractional part of the external image is replaced with an internal image of the ultrasound volume fractional portion. The internal image may be generated by changing a value of a visualization parameter used to generate the external image to a value more suitable for rendering an internal image. The ultrasound volume may include a organic structure, wherein the external image depicts an outer surface of the organic structure, and the internal image depicts a vascularity of the organic structure, such that the composite image simultaneously depicts both an outer surface and the vascularity of the organic structure.

Abstract: Default values (220) for parameters to be used in a process on an apparatus are automatically learned from the user's interaction with the user interface (126). Learning is based, for each parameter, on a current value inputted to the process and on one or more corresponding past values (S332). More particularly, for numerical-valued parameters, an average and preferably a rolling average may be taken (404, 408). For non-numerically-valued parameters, the highest plurality of occurrence may be computed, this likewise being preferably based on a rolling window (412, 416).

Abstract: This invention describes automatically tracing a tissue border in an ultrasonic image which is accomplished by acquiring one or more images, locating anatomical landmarks in the image, fitting a border trace to the anatomical landmarks, and displaying an ultrasonic image in which a tissue border has been automatically traced. Adjustable control points are located on the displayed border, enabling the automatically drawn border to be manually adjusted by a rubberbanding technique.

Abstract: A method is described for automatically tracing a tissue border in an ultrasonic image which comprises acquiring one or more images, locating anatomical landmarks in the image, fitting a border trace to the anatomical landmarks, and displaying an ultrasonic image in which a tissue border has been automatically traced. Adjustable control points are located on the displayed border, enabling the automatically drawn border to be manually adjusted by a rubberbanding technique.