Abstract: Methods for ablating body tissue include providing an ablation device having a single ultrasound transducer; positioning the ultrasound transducer in proximity to a body tissue; controlling the ultrasound transducer to emit an ultrasound beam; and collecting amplitude mode (A-mode) ultrasound information along a sensing pattern traversed by the ultrasound beam. A 3D anatomical reference map of the body tissue is created from the A-mode ultrasound information. A graphical user interface is generated and shown on a display, wherein the graphical user interface comprises the 3D anatomical reference map and a window showing data. The data includes a distance between the ultrasound transducer and a surface of the body tissue. The method also includes identifying a target tissue on the 3D anatomical reference map; ablating the target tissue with the ultrasound transducer to create a lesion; and monitoring a lesion depth in real-time during the ablating, using the A-mode ultrasound information.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a graphical user interface for an ablation procedure include a display, a controller in electronic communication with the display, a catheter coupled to the controller, and a graphical user interface generated by the controller and shown on the display. The catheter has a distal tip comprising an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is configured to emit an ultrasound beam. The graphical user interface includes a three-dimensional anatomical reference map of a chamber of body tissue to be ablated, where a lesion path is superimposed on the anatomical reference map; a catheter position relative to the chamber; and a window showing data. The data includes at least one of a) a distance between the ultrasound transducer and a surface of the body tissue, b) a dosing plan, c) a tissue thickness, and d) a tissue property.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a graphical user interface for an ablation procedure include a display, a controller in electronic communication with the display, a catheter coupled to the controller, and a graphical user interface generated by the controller and shown on the display. The catheter has a distal tip comprising an ultrasound transducer. The ultrasound transducer is configured to emit an ultrasound beam. The graphical user interface includes a three-dimensional anatomical reference map of a chamber of body tissue to be ablated, where a lesion path is superimposed on the anatomical reference map; a catheter position relative to the chamber; and a window showing data. The data includes at least one of a) a distance between the ultrasound transducer and a surface of the body tissue, b) a dosing plan, c) a tissue thickness, and d) a tissue property.

Abstract: A method of mapping tissue includes sensing a first region and a second region of a chamber of body tissue. The sensing includes moving an ultrasound transducer of a catheter over a surface of the region along a sensing pattern, and using the ultrasound transducer to gather a set of echo-anatomical data in an amplitude mode at a plurality of points along the sensing pattern. The set of echo-anatomical data comprises distances between the ultrasound transducer and the surface at the plurality of points. A three-dimensional surface map is generated using the set of echo-anatomical data from each region. The surface maps of the regions are combined to form a combined surface map. Methods also include using a set of echo-anatomical data to generate a three-dimensional surface map of a region, from a detected border of the body tissue and detected motion phases of the region.

Abstract: Tissue ablation systems and methods for creating ablation zones in tissue comprises locating a target tissue and positioning an interventional catheter adjacent the target tissue. The interventional catheter has an energy source. Collateral tissue adjacent the target tissue is located. The target tissue is ablated with energy from the energy source so as to form a continuous lesion or region of ablation in the target tissue. The ablating is conducted so as to minimize ablating or otherwise damaging the collateral tissue and to increase the likelihood of procedure success.

Abstract: A thermally-enhanced, insulated component for use with an HVAC system includes a component having an outer surface usable with an HVAC system, the component being substantially filled with an insulating material. A thin, dimensionally stable layer of thermal barrier material having opposed surfaces is disposed inside the component at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the component. The thermal barrier layer is in contact with the insulating material on at least one surface of the opposed surfaces. When the outer surface of the component is subjected to an elevated temperature, the thermal barrier layer maintains a sufficient temperature differential between the surface of the opposed surfaces of the thermal barrier layer facing opposite the outer surface and the surface of the opposed surfaces of the thermal barrier layer facing the outer surface so that the insulating material produces a reduced rate of smoke.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasonic imaging system acquires receive beams from spatially distinct transmit beams. The receive beams alternate in type between at least first and second types across the region being imaged. The first and second types of receive beams differ in at least one scan parameter other than transmit and receive line geometry, and can for example differ in transmit phase, transmit or receive aperture, system frequency, transmit focus, complex phase angle, transmit code or transmit gain. Receive beams associated with spatially distinct ones of the transmit beams (including at least one beam of the first type and at least one beam of the second type) are then combined. In this way, many two-pulse techniques, including, for example, phase inversion techniques, synthetic aperture techniques, synthetic frequency techniques, and synthetic focus techniques, can be used while substantially reducing the frame rate penalty normally associated with such techniques.

Abstract: An additional board having an electrical device such as an EMI suppressor is attached to the underside of a brush card with the electrical device coupled to the input power to the brush card. The additional board has a plurality of conductive regions, and in some embodiments one of the conductive regions makes contact with the metallic support of the brush card. The input power wires can be crimped onto metallic terminals that are riveted to the brush card in a manner to rivet the additional card to the brush card and to conduct the input power to the additional card. One of the metallic terminals can be a metallic strip jumper that is at least partly under the brush card to connect to a device mounted to the top of the brush card that is separated from the power input wires by a brush holder.

Abstract: A method is provided to improve the frame-rate in color-flow ultrasound imaging using simultaneous spatially-distinct transmit beams with one or more frequency bands per transmit beam. Pulses of different center frequencies are used simultaneously in different (lateral and/or elevational) directions, thereby reducing the scanning time and improving the frame-rates. Optionally, a multi-modal pulse is used, and flow is estimated separately for the different frequencies. The flow estimates for these pulses are appropriately combined to improve low-velocity sensitivity and to reduce aliasing. A flow sample count with two or more different pulse repetition intervals can be used to further improve low-flow sensitivity and minimize aliasing.

Abstract: Contrast agents are characterized with ultrasound. Flowing or unbound contrast agents are distinguished automatically from bound or relatively stationary contrast agents. The bound or relatively stationary contrast agents are highlighted on a display. A processor distinguishes different types of contrast agents or contrast agents in different binding states with relative signal strength or velocity. Attached contrast agents are differentiated from phagocytosed contrast agents. Monitoring absolute signal strength as a function of time may indicate binding. Any one or more of these features may be used.

Abstract: Contrast agents are manipulated with acoustic radiation force while ultrasound imaging. Continuous waves for acoustic radiation force are transmitted. Substantially simultaneously, pulsed waves for imaging are transmitted. Low mechanical index continuous and pulsed waves may be used to increase binding efficiency of drug containing contrast agents with the tissue for treatment. Various techniques may be used to minimize the effect of the continuous waves on imaging with the pulsed waves. The acoustic radiation force may be transmitted with an amplitude profile and/or unfocused or defocused.

Abstract: Velocity scale is automatically determined for ultrasound imaging. Receive signals corresponding to different pulse repetition intervals are used to estimate velocities. The different velocities are used to determine the velocity scale. For example, the different pulse repetition intervals are obtained by selecting different sets of signals from a group of signals for a scan line. As another example, the different pulse repetition intervals are obtained by transmitting for a scan line with changing, such as increasing, pulse repetition intervals. The lower pulse repetition interval of a pair of intervals associated with a sign change in the phase is used for the velocity scale. In yet another example, at least two demodulation frequencies are used for a broadband transmit in at least two sets, each set with a different pulse repetition interval. Velocities are estimated for a greater number of pulse repetition intervals than transmitted using the broadband pulses.

Abstract: Highly specific measurements of flow in vessels, such as the coronary artery, can be obtained by processing cubic fundamental information. By showing flow in vessels with a high degree of contrast-to-tissue specificity, ultrasound based 3D contrast agent based coronary artery angiograms may be possible. Measurement and display of the velocity of agent from the cubic fundamental signal is provided simultaneously with display of cubic fundamental energy, such as providing a display map indexed by both energy and velocity. High pulse repetition frequency (PRF) for cubic fundamental detection in conjunction with long velocity measurement intervals may increase low velocity sensitivity and measurement precision. Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler may be improved by using a cubic fundamental sensitive pulse sequence.

Abstract: Highly specific measurements of flow in vessels, such as the coronary artery, can be obtained by processing cubic fundamental information. By showing flow in vessels with a high degree of contrast-to-tissue specificity, ultrasound based 3D contrast agent based coronary artery angiograms may be possible. Measurement and display of the velocity of agent from the cubic fundamental signal is provided simultaneously with display of cubic fundamental energy, such as providing a display map indexed by both energy and velocity. High pulse repetition frequency (PRF) for cubic fundamental detection in conjunction with long velocity measurement intervals may increase low velocity sensitivity and measurement precision. Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler may be improved by using a cubic fundamental sensitive pulse sequence.

Abstract: A target mechanical index, acoustic pressure, intensity or other value associated with contrast agent imaging is established. For contrast agent imaging associated with limited destruction of contrast agents, the transmit power is matched to the target intensity value as a function of position, time or combinations thereof. Given multiple foci, the transmit power is adjusted to provide a substantially uniform acoustic pressure or intensity at two or more of the foci. Where an imaging parameter is adjusted during an imaging session, the transmit power is altered to provide a similar or same target intensity value at a given location that is consistent with the value before the adjustment. By setting the transmit power as a function of a target value, more consistent contrast agent imaging may be provided despite the use of multiple foci, changes in the location of one or more foci, or changes in other imaging parameters.

Abstract: A thermally-enhanced, insulated component for use with an HVAC system includes a component having an outer surface usable with an HVAC system, the component being substantially filled with an insulating material. A thin, dimensionally stable layer of thermal barrier material having opposed surfaces is disposed inside the component at a predetermined distance from the outer surface of the component. The thermal barrier layer is in contact with the insulating material on at least one surface of the opposed surfaces. When the outer surface of the component is subjected to an elevated temperature, the thermal barrier layer maintains a sufficient temperature differential between the surface of the opposed surfaces of the thermal barrier layer facing opposite the outer surface and the surface of the opposed surfaces of the thermal barrier layer facing the outer surface so that the insulating material produces a reduced rate of smoke.

Abstract: System parameters for contrast agent medical imaging are conveniently set. A simplified contrast agent configuration is provided where an appropriate contrast agent detection technique and/or contrast agent imaging parameters are achieved consistently and more often then exists with current methods. Examination workflow is improved for contrast agent studies by offering one contrast agent imaging mode or configuration that is dynamically determined and optimized based on the user's selected transmit level and/or a real-time measurement of the contrast agent signals. A simplified user interface provides one contrast agent imaging mode without a need to switch between multiple modes or contrast agent detection techniques and associated contrast agent imaging parameters. The contrast agent detection technique and imaging parameters are adjusting or selected based on changes in the transmit levels for contrast agent imaging.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasonic imaging system acquires receive beams from spatially distinct transmit beams. The receive beams alternate in type between at least first and second types across the region being imaged. The first and second types of receive beams differ in at least one scan parameter other than transmit and receive line geometry, and can for example differ in transmit phase, transmit or receive aperture, system frequency, transmit focus, complex phase angle, transmit code or transmit gain. Receive beams associated with spatially distinct ones of the transmit beams (including at least one beam of the first type and at least one beam of the second type) are then combined. In this way, many two-pulse techniques, including, for example, phase inversion techniques, synthetic aperture techniques, synthetic frequency techniques, and synthetic focus techniques, can be used while substantially reducing the frame rate penalty normally associated with such techniques.