Abstract: Various embodiments include systems and methods for optimizing utilization of bandwidth between ultrasound probes and display units. Data transfer limits for a connection between an ultrasound probe and a corresponding display-and-control unit may be determined. Based on the data transfer limits, one or more functions in the ultrasound probe may be controlled. The one or more functions relate to acquiring of ultrasound image data via the ultrasound probe, processing of the acquired ultrasound image data, and/or communication of the acquired ultrasound image data. Further, the controlling is adapted to reduce amount of data acquired and/or transferred, between the ultrasound probe and the display-and-control unit, during ultrasound imaging, to meet the data transfer limits for the connection.

Abstract: Certain embodiments provide a method and system for enhancing visualization of an image acquired with a handheld ultrasound scanner by automatically adjusting the image to optimize the color and contrast. The method may include performing, by a probe of an ultrasound system, an ultrasound scan to acquire ultrasound scan data. The method may also include detecting, by a sensor, lighting conditions. The method may include measuring, by a processor of the ultrasound system, a characteristic of the detected lighting conditions. The method may also include selecting, by the processor, a color map based on the measured characteristic. The method may include applying, by the processor, the selected color map to the acquired ultrasound scan data to generate processed ultrasound scan data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes a pulsar including an output line coupled to a piezoelectric transducer and a plurality of first push-pull circuits whose output units are coupled to the output line, and a power source unit which supplies a plurality of power source voltages with different levels to the first push-pull circuits. At least one of the first push-pull circuits includes first rectification elements which prevent reverse current from flowing into first complementary transistors configuring the first push-pull circuit. The pulsar includes a second push-pull circuit whose output unit is coupled to the output line, the same power source voltage as in the first push-pull circuit with the first rectification elements is applied to the second push-pull circuit, and current in the direction opposite to that in the first push-pull circuit flows in the second push-pull circuit by turning on second complementary transistors configuring the second push-pull circuit.

Abstract: An ultrasound beamforming probe includes an array of transducer elements and a processing board that carries a signal processor. Receive signal connections, for a receive aperture formed from multiple transducer elements, are coupled to the first signal processor. A location memory is connected to the signal processor and holds a spatial location for the receive aperture. The signal processor retrieves the spatial location, determines a beamforming phase shift derived from the spatial location for each transducer element in the receive aperture, and applies the respective phase shift to each receive signal.