Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for utilizing an MRI image and real-time an ultrasound images to guide and/or restrict the movement of an ultrasound probe in position for collecting a biopsy core. A real-time ultrasound image is acquired and fused with pre-operative imaging modalities, such as an MRI image, to provide a three-dimensional model of the prostate. A multi-link robotic arm is provided with an end-effector and an ultrasound probe mounted thereto. Sensor information is used to track the ultrasound probe position with respect to the 3D model. The robotic arm allows for the implementation of a virtual remote center of motion (VRCM) about the transrectal probe tip, an adjustable compliant mode for the physician triggered movement of probe, a restrictive trajectory of joints of the robotic arm and active locking for stationary imaging of the prostate.

Abstract: Detection of tissue response is provided with a high pulse repetition frequency. A sequence of separable signals is transmitted in one event. For example, pulses at different frequencies are transmitted as separate waveforms, but in rapid succession. As another example, coded transmit pulses are used. After transmission of the pulses, signals are received. Based on the different frequencies or coding, tissue response is measured at different times based on the receive event. Instead of one measure, a plurality of measures are provided for a given transmit and receive event pair, increasing the effective pulse repetition frequency for shear or elasticity imaging.

Abstract: One or more of the present embodiments include systems and methods for utilizing an MRI image and real-time an ultrasound images to guide and/or restrict the movement of an ultrasound probe in position for collecting a biopsy core. A real-time ultrasound image is acquired and fused with pre-operative imaging modalities, such as an MRI image, to provide a three-dimensional model of the prostate. A multi-link robotic arm is provided with an end-effector and an ultrasound probe mounted thereto. Sensor information is used to track the ultrasound probe position with respect to the 3D model. The robotic arm allows for the implementation of a virtual remote center of motion (VRCM) about the transrectal probe tip, an adjustable compliant mode for the physician triggered movement of probe, a restrictive trajectory of joints of the robotic arm and active locking for stationary imaging of the prostate.

Abstract: Shear wave imaging is provided in medical diagnostic ultrasound. A region is imaged to determine a location in which to calculate shear velocity. The shear velocity is estimated for the location. The imaging may guide the identification of the location, reducing the time to determine useful shear information. The estimate of shear may be validated, such as using cross-validation, to indicate the confidence level of the shear value. The shear velocity may be displayed relative to a scale of shear velocities associated with a type of tissue, such as tissue for an organ. The location on a scale may be more intuitive for a user.

Abstract: Detection of tissue response is provided with a high pulse repetition frequency. A sequence of separable signals is transmitted in one event. For example, pulses at different frequencies are transmitted as separate waveforms, but in rapid succession. As another example, coded transmit pulses are used. After transmission of the pulses, signals are received. Based on the different frequencies or coding, tissue response is measured at different times based on the receive event. Instead of one measure, a plurality of measures are provided for a given transmit and receive event pair, increasing the effective pulse repetition frequency for shear or elasticity imaging.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing voice control of a device, an ultrasound device for example. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for providing voice control of the ultrasound device having a plurality of features. The apparatus comprises a memory device adapted to store a plurality of voice commands for controlling the ultrasound device, where the plurality of voice commands has at least two different voice commands that active a single feature of the ultrasound device; a selection module adapted to selecting at least one of the at least two different voice commands; and a translator module adapted to derive a signal from the selected voice command and transmit it to the ultrasound device.

Abstract: Shear wave imaging is provided in medical diagnostic ultrasound. A region is imaged to determine a location in which to calculate shear velocity. The shear velocity is estimated for the location. The imaging may guide the identification of the location, reducing the time to determine useful shear information. The estimate of shear may be validated, such as using cross-validation, to indicate the confidence level of the shear value. The shear velocity may be displayed relative to a scale of shear velocities associated with a type of tissue, such as tissue for an organ. The location on a scale may be more intuitive for a user.

Abstract: Information is compounded in medical diagnostic ultrasound. Volumes from multiple acoustic windows for the infant head are aligned and combined. The combination provides a dataset better representing the entire region of interest. Additionally or alternatively, weighted combination of ultrasound data sets is provided. The weights adapt as a function of proximity to the transducer (e.g., near field verses far field), noise level, or other data quality parameters. In the infant head example, the adaptive weights may provide a composite data set better representing the infant head. Adaptive weights for the compounding may be used in situations other than an infant head scan.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing voice control of a device, an ultrasound device for example. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for providing voice control of the ultrasound device having a plurality of features. The apparatus comprises a memory device adapted to store a plurality of voice commands for controlling the ultrasound device, where the plurality of voice commands has at least two different voice commands that active a single feature of the ultrasound device; a selection module adapted to selecting at least one of the at least two different voice commands; and a translator module adapted to derive a signal from the selected voice command and transmit it to the ultrasound device.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for providing voice control of a device, an ultrasound device for example. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an apparatus for providing voice control of the ultrasound device having a plurality of features. The apparatus comprises a memory device adapted to store a plurality of voice commands for controlling the ultrasound device, where the plurality of voice commands has at least two different voice commands that active a single feature of the ultrasound device; a selection module adapted to selecting at least one of the at least two different voice commands; and a translator module adapted to derive a signal from the selected voice command and transmit it to the ultrasound device.

Abstract: Raw data reprocessing is provided for ultrasound imaging systems. Clip storing and review functions are more versatile by storing ultrasound data with phase information, such as RF or IQ data. Thorough and ad hoc reanalysis of the acquired data may be performed after the patient has left. The ultrasound imaging system provides the reanalysis without or with export of the ultrasound data. Additionally, a regular PACS system with specially installed software and hardware may also provides the reanalysis with the storing ultrasound data with phase information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing motion adaptive frame averaging for ultrasound color flow images used to overcome lag and smearing alias of color due to motion. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an ultrasound machine for generating an color flow imaging responsive to moving tissue. The ultrasound system comprises a front end and at least one processor. The front-end is arranged to transmit ultrasound waves into the moving tissue, generating received signals in response to the ultrasound waves backscattered from the moving tissue. The processor is responsive to the received signals, calculating a motion factor by comparing at least one current b-mode frame with at least one previous b-mode frame, determining motion using at least the motion factor, increasing a level of frame averaging if the motion factor is below a first predetermined threshold, and decreasing the level of frame averaging if the motion factor is above a second predetermined threshold.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus providing tissue harmonic imaging using an ultrasound machine. Coded pulses and the phase inverted version of the said coded pulses with time bandwidth greater than 1 are transmitted into the tissue. Backscattered echoes are received and filtered before or after coherent summation. Decoding/compressing of the received echoes of the coded pulses is implemented naturally through the propagation of the specially designed ultrawide band (>80%) waveforms inside tissue and pulse inversion. Costly decoding/compression filter are not necessary.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extending a field of view of a medical imaging system is provided. The method includes scanning a surface of an object using an ultrasound transducer, obtaining a plurality of 3-D volumetric data sets, at least one of the plurality of data sets having a portion that overlaps with another of the plurality of data sets, and generating a panoramic 3-D volume image using the overlapping portion to register spatially adjacent 3-D volumetric data sets.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an ultrasound system are provided. The method includes transmitting an imaging pulse sequence and transmitting at least one modification pulse between successive pulses in the imaging pulse sequence. The modification pulse is configured to change a contrast agent within an object being imaged by an ultrasound system.

Abstract: Methods and systems for controlling an ultrasound system are provided. The method includes receiving scanning information from an ultrasound system, with the scanning information including at least one of image information and spectral information. The method further includes controlling power to a transducer of the ultrasound system based on the scanning information.

Abstract: The invention comprises of a baby monitoring system that uses an automotive type monitor and a closed circuit camera, preferably a camera having low light capability. The monitor is situated in an area within the driver's line of vision, such as on a console, the dashboard, the rearview mirror, etc. The camera is mounted in an area outside the driver's line of vision, such as the rear seat or trunk or any area that is outside of the driver's view. This arrangement enables the driver to monitor the child, for example, a child who is secured in a rearward-facing child seat, as well as provides the monitor of a disabled person, animals, precious cargo, or other situations where a driver's immediate attention may be required or where constant monitoring may be required, but where it is preferred that the driver not divert his attention away from the operation of the vehicle.

Abstract: Certain embodiments include a system and method for improved compound imaging using a plurality of imaging modes. In an embodiment, a plurality of echo signals are received in response to a plurality of beams formed based on different imaging modes corresponding to different steering angles, such as steered or non-steered angles. The plurality of echo signals is compounded to form a compound image. In an embodiment, the imaging mode includes at least one of harmonic, fundamental, coded harmonic, and variable frequency imaging. Parameters may be generated for the plurality of beams formed based on different imaging modes corresponding to different steering angles. Additionally, the parameters may be stored. The echo signals may be filtered. Imaging mode may be controlled based on steering angle. Employing different imaging modes based on steering angles for spatial compound imaging helps reduce grating lobe artifacts while improving speckle reduction effect.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a method and system for improved ultrasound imaging using single transmission coded excitation. Certain embodiments include encoding a first ultrasound beam with a first code, transmitting the first ultrasound beam on a first path, encoding a second ultrasound beam with a second code, transmitting the second ultrasound beam on a second path and receiving echo signals from the first and second ultrasound beams. The codes may be complimentary Golay codes or other complimentary codes. The first and second paths may be adjacent scan lines. The method may also include match filtering the echo signals with corresponding matched filters. Match filtered echo signals along adjacent scan lines may be filtered, such as with a lateral averaging filter or other finite impulse response filter. Alternate complementary code transmission helps preserve or improve frame rate while maintaining signal-to-noise ratio improvement and range lobe cancellation.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for performing motion adaptive frame averaging for ultrasound color flow images used to overcome lag and smearing alias of color due to motion. One embodiment of the present invention comprises an ultrasound machine for generating an color flow imaging responsive to moving tissue. The ultrasound system comprises a front end and at least one processor. The front-end is arranged to transmit ultrasound waves into the moving tissue, generating received signals in response to the ultrasound waves backscattered from the moving tissue. The processor is responsive to the received signals, calculating a motion factor by comparing at least one current b-mode frame with at least one previous b-mode frame, determining motion using at least the motion factor, increasing a level of frame averaging if the motion factor is below a first predetermined threshold, and decreasing the level of frame averaging if the motion factor is above a second predetermined threshold.