Abstract: Rather than trying to automate what an experienced user does, rules designed for processor implementation are used for color flow imaging optimization by an image processor of an ultrasound scanner. By determining a characteristic of a scanned target, a priori information is provided. This a priori information, such as a size of a primary target, is used to select the optimization to be used. Different types of optimization may be used for different characteristics of the primary target. The values for settings may be different for different characteristics.

Abstract: Acoustic absorption or attenuation of ultrasound is measured. To estimate acoustic absorption or attenuation, the displacement of tissue caused by stress at different frequencies is measured. The absorption or attenuation is calculated from the displacements. The incorporation of different frequencies provides another variable for solving for attenuation or absorption despite unknown tissue stiffness.

Abstract: Adaptive image optimization is provided in induced wave ultrasound imaging. The values for various transmit and receive parameters may be set adaptively. Based on feedback from use with a given patient, the values are set to better optimize signal-to-noise ratio, off-time, tracking accuracy or other consideration. Transmit frequency, F-number, line spacing, tracking pulse repetition frequency, line sampling count, and/or push pulse amplitude values may adapt.

Abstract: Gap filling is provided in spectral Doppler ultrasound. Due to the cyclical nature of the cardiac system, data likely to be similar to data that would have been acquired without interleaving is copied into the gap generated by interleaving. Acquired data associated with the gap, such as adjacent to the gap, is correlated with other acquired data. By identifying similar data, acquired data temporally related to the similar data as the gap associated data is temporally related to the gap is found. This found data is likely to be similar to data that would have been acquired during the gap. The gap is filled with a copy of this data.

Abstract: Spectral Doppler imaging is enhanced. The boundary between noise and signal is determined in each spectrum. The boundary is used to differentiate noise from signal. The noise level is reduced and/or the signal level is increased in the respective regions of the spectrum, providing more distinguishable regions.

Abstract: Tongue imaging is provided in medical diagnostic ultrasound. Ultrasound data is processed to enhance the information from the tongue. The enhancement increases signal from the tongue, decreases other signals, or both. The resulting image may more clearly present the tongue or tongue surface for feedback to a patient or review by a speech therapist.

Abstract: Gap filling is provided in spectral Doppler ultrasound. Due to the cyclical nature of the cardiac system, data likely to be similar to data that would have been acquired without interleaving is copied into the gap generated by interleaving. Acquired data associated with the gap, such as adjacent to the gap, is correlated with other acquired data. By identifying similar data, acquired data temporally related to the similar data as the gap associated data is temporally related to the gap is found. This found data is likely to be similar to data that would have been acquired during the gap. The gap is filled with a copy of this data.

Abstract: Acoustic absorption or attenuation of ultrasound is measured. To estimate acoustic absorption or attenuation, the displacement of tissue caused by stress at different frequencies is measured. The absorption or attenuation is calculated from the displacements. The incorporation of different frequencies provides another variable for solving for attenuation or absorption despite unknown tissue stiffness.

Abstract: Tongue imaging is provided in medical diagnostic ultrasound. Ultrasound data is processed to enhance the information from the tongue. The enhancement increases signal from the tongue, decreases other signals, or both. The resulting image may more clearly present the tongue or tongue surface for feedback to a patient or review by a speech therapist.

Abstract: Adaptive image optimization is provided in induced wave ultrasound imaging. The values for various transmit and receive parameters may be set adaptively. Based on feedback from use with a given patient, the values are set to better optimize signal-to-noise ratio, off-time, tracking accuracy or other consideration. Transmit frequency, F-number, line spacing, tracking pulse repetition frequency, line sampling count, and/or push pulse amplitude values may adapt.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring spectral and velocity information with a multi-dimensional array are provided. For example, a dedicated receive aperture is formed at a multi-dimensional array for steered continuous wave imaging. Other elements not within the dedicated receive aperture are used for transmitting continuous waves or transmitting and receiving pulsed waveforms in other modes of imaging. As another example, switches or other structures are provided for selecting between a plurality of possible apertures for a steered continuous wave aperture. The selection is performed in response to a configuration of an ultrasound system, such as selection of a focal location or steer direction. The aperture is then used for either transmit or receive operations of steered continuous wave imaging. As yet another example, at least part of the steered continuous wave beamformer is provided within a transducer assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic optimization in spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging are provided. The value for one or more spectral Doppler parameter is optimized using numerical optimization rather than predefined sampling. Various spectral Doppler parameters are set, such as a position of the gate, gate size, transmit frequency, filter settings, Doppler gain, beamline orientation or angle of intersection between the gate position and the scan line, aperture size, or other spectral Doppler transmit or receive parameters effecting the spectral Doppler imaging. A processor automatically calculates a setting or value for one or more of the spectral Doppler parameters, resulting in more objective optimization than provided by a user setting.

Abstract: Separate renderings are performed for data of a same medical imaging mode. The data is processed differently prior to rendering and/or rendered differently to enhance desired image information. For example, a same set of ultrasound B-mode data is rendered with opacity rendering and with maximum intensity projection or surface rendering. The surface or maximum intensity projection highlights strong transitions associated with bones. The opacity rendering maintains tissue information. Different sets of B-mode data may be separately rendered, such as one set processed to emphasize contrast agent response and another set processed to emphasize tissue. The separate renderings are aligned and combined. The combined rendering is output as an image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring spectral and velocity information with a multi-dimensional array are provided. For example, a dedicated receive aperture is formed at a multi-dimensional array for steered continuous wave imaging. Other elements not within the dedicated receive aperture are used for transmitting continuous waves or transmitting and receiving pulsed waveforms in other modes of imaging. As another example, switches or other structures are provided for selecting between a plurality of possible apertures for a steered continuous wave aperture. The selection is performed in response to a configuration of an ultrasound system, such as selection of a focal location or steer direction. The aperture is then used for either transmit or receive operations of steered continuous wave imaging. As yet another example, at least part of the steered continuous wave beamformer is provided within a transducer assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for acquiring spectral and velocity information with a multi-dimensional array are provided. For example, a dedicated receive aperture is formed at a multi-dimensional array for steered continuous wave imaging. Other elements not within the dedicated receive aperture are used for transmitting continuous waves or transmitting and receiving pulsed waveforms in other modes of imaging. As another example, switches or other structures are provided for selecting between a plurality of possible apertures for a steered continuous wave aperture. The selection is performed in response to a configuration of an ultrasound system, such as selection of a focal location or steer direction. The aperture is then used for either transmit or receive operations of steered continuous wave imaging. As yet another example, at least part of the steered continuous wave beamformer is provided within a transducer assembly.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic optimization in spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging are provided. The value for one or more spectral Doppler parameter is optimized using numerical optimization rather than predefined sampling. Various spectral Doppler parameters are set, such as a position of the gate, gate size, transmit frequency, filter settings, Doppler gain, beamline orientation or angle of intersection between the gate position and the scan line, aperture size, or other spectral Doppler transmit or receive parameters effecting the spectral Doppler imaging. A processor automatically calculates a setting or value for one or more of the spectral Doppler parameters, resulting in more objective optimization than provided by a user setting.

Abstract: Separate renderings are performed for data of a same medical imaging mode. The data is processed differently prior to rendering and/or rendered differently to enhance desired image information. For example, a same set of ultrasound B-mode data is rendered with opacity rendering and with maximum intensity projection or surface rendering. The surface or maximum intensity projection highlights strong transitions associated with bones. The opacity rendering maintains tissue information. Different sets of B-mode data may be separately rendered, such as one set processed to emphasize contrast agent response and another set processed to emphasize tissue. The separate renderings are aligned and combined. The combined rendering is output as an image.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatic optimization in spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging are provided. The value for one or more spectral Doppler parameter is optimized using numerical optimization rather than predefined sampling. Various spectral Doppler parameters are set, such as a position of the gate, gate size, transmit frequency, filter settings, Doppler gain, beamline orientation or angle of intersection between the gate position and the scan line, aperture size, or other spectral Doppler transmit or receive parameters effecting the spectral Doppler imaging. A processor automatically calculates a setting or value for one or more of the spectral Doppler parameters, resulting in more objective optimization than provided by a user setting.