Abstract: Systems and methods which provide image presentation for medical examination, interventional procedures, diagnosis treatment, etc. from multi-dimensional volume datasets are shown. Reference indicators, providing information with respect to the relationship of an image to the physical world, are preferably provided to aid a viewer in interpreting the image. Such reference indicators may be provided in the form of tool markers and corresponding image marker. Degrees of freedom provided with respect to image manipulation are preferably selectively constrained to facilitate interaction with an image or images. Embodiments of the invention may implement a relatively simple bidirectional control to facilitate a survey of an entire image volume. Image display conventions may be provided which present images in a particular orientation to facilitate user interpretation of the image.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic ultrasound stereo imaging is provided. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system operable to scan a body with ultrasound is also operable to generate a three dimensional stereoscopic view of the body. The video processing unit and/or display device create the stereoscopic display.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging is synchronized with measurements. Generating three-dimensional representations is synchronized with measuring one or more parameters. For example, measurements are preformed based on navigating through a volume. The measurements are linked to the corresponding three-dimensional representations. As another example, the user selects a measurement from a graph. A three-dimensional representation of the volume associated with the selected measurement is presented.

Abstract: Free-hand manual navigation assists diagnosis using perspective rendering for three or four dimensional imaging. In addition to a three-dimensional rendering for navigation, a number of two-dimensional images corresponding to a virtual camera location are displayed to assist the navigation and visualization. Alternatively or additionally, a representation of the virtual camera is displayed in one or more two-dimensional images. The virtual camera is moved within the two-dimensional images to navigate for perspective rendering.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic ultrasound stereo imaging is provided. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system operable to scan a body with ultrasound is also operable to generate a three dimensional stereoscopic view of the body. The video processing unit and/or display device create the stereoscopic display.

Abstract: A volume is represented using high spatial resolution ultrasound data. By modulating B-mode data with Doppler or flow information, the spatial resolution or contrast of the B-mode data may be enhanced. The same set of ultrasound data is used for identifying a boundary, for placing the perspective position within the volume and rendering from the perspective position. The identification of the boundary and rendering are automated or performed by a processor. Ultrasound data may be used for generating three-dimensional fly-through representations, allowing for virtual endoscopy or other diagnostically useful views of structure or fluid flow channel. Virtual processes are not invasive, allow for more patient comfort, have selectable or different depths of focus, may allow for fly-through of different types of anatomy and may be used as a training tool.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for the manufacture and use of a dual-purpose array for ultrasound imaging. In one configuration, the array is useful as an array for normal imaging. This array can be designed as a 1.x-D (1.0, 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, etc.) array. In another configuration, the array is useful as a square annular array. While the principle architecture envisioned is a square ring, a rectangular ring or other approximation to a circular ring can be used when more rows and more complicated interconnects are used. In particular, when two annular arrays of different geometry are enabled, the attenuation compensated volume flow meter (ACVF) uniform method for measuring volume flow rate can be applied at desired time in a cardiac cycle. The systems and methods provide advantages because the array may be used for normal imaging in other applications, and still enable volume flow rate measurements.

Abstract: Elevation fold-in artifact is reduced by combining Doppler and B-mode image signals. The B-mode image signals and Doppler image signals are combined using a modulated, non-linear function. Portions of the B-mode image signal associated with stationary tissue are intact while portions of the B-mode image signal associated with flow are substantially suppressed. The suppression is gradual rather than binary to avoid flash artifacts, such as providing an adaptive modulated, non-linear combination function. Doppler or flow image signals are less sensitive than tissue or B-mode signals to elevation beam width. Suppressing the B-mode image signal where flow exists better identifies small vessels that would otherwise be characterized as tissue. Small vessel or other small structure information associated with moving fluid is inserted within the gray-scale or B-mode image. Clutter within large vessels is more likely mapped to black or removed.

Abstract: Elevation fold-in artifact is reduced by combining Doppler and B-mode image signals. The B-mode image signals and Doppler image signals are combined using a modulated, non-linear function. Portions of the B-mode image signal associated with stationary tissue are intact while portions of the B-mode image signal associated with flow are substantially suppressed. The suppression is gradual rather than binary to avoid flash artifacts, such as providing an adaptive modulated, non-linear combination function. Doppler or flow image signals are less sensitive than tissue or B-mode signals to elevation beam width. Suppressing the B-mode image signal where flow exists better identifies small vessels that would otherwise be characterized as tissue. Small vessel or other small structure information associated with moving fluid is inserted within the gray-scale or B-mode image. Clutter within large vessels is more likely mapped to black or removed.

Abstract: A system for controlling the point spread function of an ultrasound signal transmitted into a patient. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, only a selected number of the transducer elements transmit a transmit pulse. The elements which do not transmit the pulse are selected in accordance with an apodization probability density function. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, each transducer element transmits a variable portion of a transmit pulse in order to control the acoustic power of the signal transmitted from each element.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer has a center row of transducers operating at a center row frequency and first and second outer rows of transducers operating at a common frequency or different frequencies lower than the center row frequency. In an enhancement of the ultrasonic transducer array, the center row of transducers has a matching layer with an acoustic velocity that is higher than matching layers that are associated with the first outer row and second outer row transducers. The matching layers can be selected such that the overall thickness of the transducer array is constant. A 1.5D ultrasonic transducer array operating at a higher center frequency and lower outer frequencies is adjustable to allow high resolution near field imaging in addition to better far field imaging without the need for a 2D transducer array.

Abstract: A fuzzy logic tissue/flow determination system receives echo amplitude, color amplitude, and velocity signals from an ultrasound imaging system. These values are applied to a set of fuzzy rules which quantify the amount by which the signal values vary from preset thresholds. The outputs of the fuzzy rules provide an indication of the plausibility that the echo signals represent a tissue or flow condition. The outputs from all the fuzzy rules are combined and de-fuzzified to produce a combined plausibility of the signals representing either a tissue or flow condition. The tissue/flow decision is made based on which plausibility is larger.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for aiming a pulse Doppler flow sensing device are presented. The Doppler flow device transmits ultrasonic energy in a wide beam which uniformly encompasses a blood vessel and receives the reflected ultrasonic energy in the same wide beam and also in a beam which is small enough to be placed within the blood vessel. When the beams are concentric with the blood vessel, the device is correctly placed. A processor/controller process the received reflected Doppler energy and calculates the maximum and mean blood velocities from both beams. It also tests whether the blood velocities satisfy predetermined criteria. If the criteria are satisfied, the Doppler device is properly aligned with the blood vessel and the measurement is valid.