Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) targeting and treatment of tissue. In one embodiment, the system includes an HIFU applicator and a user interface with a touchscreen display for three-dimensional visualization of the tissue. Image frames displayed on the user interface depict real-time images of the tissue, including an image parallel to a feature of the applicator and an image orthogonal to the parallel image. Reference lines may be sketched using the touchscreen and displayed on the image frames. In one embodiment, tissue boundaries are detected and marked on the image frames, either by the user or automatically by the system. In another embodiment, the user interface includes a footswitch for the user to interact with the system. In another embodiment, the system includes an ultrasound imaging component configured to undock from the system for use as a stand-alone ultrasound imaging device.

Abstract: A system and method for providing real-time, image-guided high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) targeting and treatment of tissue. In one embodiment, the system includes an HIFU applicator and a user interface with a touchscreen display for three-dimensional visualization of the tissue. Image frames displayed on the user interface depict real-time images of the tissue, including an image parallel to a feature of the applicator and an image orthogonal to the parallel image. Reference lines may be sketched using the touchscreen and displayed on the image frames. In one embodiment, tissue boundaries are detected and marked on the image frames, either by the user or automatically by the system. In another embodiment, the user interface includes a footswitch for the user to interact with the system. In another embodiment, the system includes an ultrasound imaging component configured to undock from the system for use as a stand-alone ultrasound imaging device.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces spatially compounded images by combining component frames acquired from different look directions. In a first embodiment, the oldest component frame used to form a spatially compounded image is subtracted from the spatially compounded image to produce a partially summed image, and a newly acquired frame is added to the partially summed image to form a new spatially compounded image. In a second embodiment, different groups of component frames are concurrently summed to form multiple spatially compounded images simultaneously. The display alternates between the display of the simultaneously produced spatially compounded images.

Abstract: A digital scanline signal processor which processes beamformed echo signals includes a normalization circuit, a speckle reduction processor, and a gain stage which amplifies detected echo signals. The normalization circuit applies depth dependent gain to the scanline signals to equalize the amplitudes in channels of the processor with different passband characteristics. A log compression circuit includes two compression functions for low level and high level echo signals.

Abstract: A three dimensional M-mode imaging system and techniques are described for acquiring and forming three dimensional ultrasonic M-mode images from ultrasonic data acquired over time from a stationary scanhead. The resultant images exhibit two spatial dimensions and one temporal dimension.

Abstract: An autozeroing apparatus is disclosed for correcting the offset error in a computerized axial tomography (CAT) scanner data acquisition subsystem (DAS). The DAS includes a floating point amplifier for applying discrete amplification factors, or gain range segments, to an analog input before conversion to digital in an A/D converter. A digital autozero circuit is connected to the output of the A/D converter and adds a digital offset value to each A/D converter sample during data acquisition to correct for the net offset errors throughout the DAS. Separate storage latches are included for storing offset values corresponding to each gain range segment, and the offset value used for each sample correction corresponds to the gain range segment used for that sample. During an autozero reference interval, a reference voltage is applied to the DAS and the offset values are updated so as to force the corrected A/D converter output to agree with the reference voltage.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting and indicating the commencement of inhalation by a patient under test includes a housing through which a gas flow due to the inhalation is directed. A light source and a light receptor positioned adjacent to transparent portions of the housing define a light path between them which transversely intersects the gas flow, the receptor being adapted to provide an output signal in response to incident light from the source. A movably positioned vane mounted inside the housing and normally biased to a position substantially clear of the light path, moves to a position progressively blocking the light path upon commencement of gas flow due to inhalation. Means responsive to a change in the receptor output signal resulting from blockage of the light path provides indication of the flow due to the inhalation commencement.

Abstract: Apparatus for measuring xenon concentration in xenon cerebral blood-flow studies operates under the control of a microprocessor which is used to monitor the patient's breathing cycle and to control a sampling pump in order to assure that only end-tidal gas is sampled. A xenon gas mixture is delivered to a patient by means of a mask assembly. At the end of each exhale cycle, the patient's end-tidal gas is held in a chamber on the exhale side of the mask assembly. At the start of the next inhale cycle, the microprocessor activates the sampling pump which draws end-tidal gas into a thermal conductivity detector. The output of the detector is transmitted through an A/D converter and the resultant value stored in the microprocessor memory along with the time of the sample. At the completion of a CT scan series, the accumulated data in the microprocessor is transferred to the CT-system-housed computer to be used in the reconstruction of cerebral blood-flow images using conventional techniques.