Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. An ultrasound imaging system, comprising an array of acoustic elements configured to transmit ultrasound energy into an anatomy in accordance with a first preset acquisition setting, and to receive ultrasound echoes associated with the anatomy; and a processor circuit in communication with the array of acoustic elements and configured to receive, from the array, ultrasound channel data corresponding to the received ultrasound echoes; generate a first set of beamformed data by applying a predictive network to the ultrasound channel data, wherein the first set of beamformed data is associated with a second preset acquisition setting different than the first preset acquisition setting; generate an image of the anatomy from the first set of beamformed data; and output, to a display in communication with the processor circuit, the image of the anatomy.

Abstract: A controller (120) for simultaneously tracking multiple sensors in a medical intervention includes a circuit (121-181) that causes the controller (120) to execute a process. The process executed by the circuit (121-181) includes receiving first and second signals respectively from a first and a second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) used in the medical intervention. The first and second signals respectively include first and second sensor information indicative of respective locations of the first and the second passive ultrasound sensor (S2). The process executed by the circuit (121-181) also includes combining (120) the first signal and the second signal for transmission over only one channel, and providing the first signal and the second signal over the only one channel to a system (190) that determines the location of the first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) and the location of the second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) and that has only the one channel to receive the first signal and the second signal.

Abstract: A system and method for determining position information for a device within a body of a subject. The device outputs and/or routes an acoustic signal with a frequency of no more than 20 kHz, which is received by at least a first sensor, positioned externally to the body of the subject. A processing system receives the received signal from the sensor, obtains a value for one or more parameters of the received signal and processes the value(s) to determine position information for the device.

Abstract: Systems and methods for ultrasound image acquisition, tracking and review are disclosed. The systems can include an ultrasound probe coupled with at least one tracking device configured to determine a position of the probe based on a combination of ultrasound image data and probe orientation data. The image data can be used to determine a physical reference point and superior-inferior probe coordinates within a patient being imaged, which can be supplemented with the probe orientation data to determine lateral coordinates of the probe. A graphical user interface can display imaging zones corresponding to a scan protocol, along with an imaging status of each zone based at least in part on the probe position. Ultrasound images acquired by the systems can be tagged with spatial indicators and severity indicators, after which the images can be stored for later retrieval and expert review.

Abstract: An ultrasound (US) system (10) includes a US scanner (14) and a US probe (12) operatively connected to the US scanner.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes an array of acoustic elements and a processor circuit configured for communication with the array of acoustic elements. The processor circuit may be configured to control the array of acoustic elements to transmit first ultrasound energy at a first frequency and receive echoes associated with the first ultrasound energy. The processor circuit may be configured to identify an acoustic window based on the echoes associated with the first ultrasound energy and determine a second frequency based on the acoustic window. The processor circuit may be configured to control the array of acoustic elements to transmit second ultrasound energy at the second frequency and receive echoes associated with the second ultrasound energy. The processor circuit may be configured to generate an image based on the echoes associated with the second ultrasound energy and to output the image to a display in communication with the processor circuit.

Abstract: A system performs a medical procedure in a region of interest of a patient. The system includes an interventional medical device insertable into the region of interest, and a sensor attached to a portion of the interventional device, the sensor being configured to convert an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasound imaging probe to a corresponding electrical radio frequency (RF) signal. The corresponding RF signal is received by a wireless receiver outside the region of interest, enabling determination of a location of the sensor within the region of interest.

Abstract: A controller for determining shape of an interventional device includes a memory that stores instructions, and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes controlling an imaging probe to emit at least one tracking beam to an interventional medical device over a period of time comprising multiple different points of time. The process also includes determining a shape of the interventional medical device, based on a response to the tracking beams received over the period of time from a first sensor that moves along the interventional medical device during the period of time relative to a fixed location on the interventional medical device for the period of time.

Abstract: A controller for reducing noise in an ultrasound environment includes memory that stores instructions; and a processor that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes controlling emission, by an ultrasound probe, of multiple beams each at a different combination of time of emission and angle of emission relative to the ultrasound probe. The process also includes identifying repetitive noise from a first source received with the imaging beams at a sensor on an interventional medical device, including a rate at which the repetitive noise from the first source repeats and times at which the repetitive noise from the first source is received. The process also includes interpolating signals based on the imaging beams received at the sensor to offset the repetitive noise from the first source at the times at which the repetitive noise from the first source is received.

Abstract: An ultrasound control unit (10) is for coupling with an ultrasound transducer unit (12). The control unit is adapted to control a drive configuration or setting of the transducers of the transducer unit, each drive setting having a known power consumption level associated with it. The control unit includes a control module (20) adapted to adjust the drive setting from a first setting to a second setting, the second having a lower associated power consumption that the first. The second setting is tested by an analysis module (16), the analysis module adapted to determine a measure of reliability of ultrasound data acquired by the transducer unit, for the purpose of deriving at least one physiological parameter, when configured in the second setting. The second setting is only used if its determined reliability passes a pre-defined reliability condition.

Abstract: A system for performing ablation includes an ablation device (102) configured to ablate tissue in accordance with control parameters and configured to make measurements during the ablation process. An imaging system (104) is configured to measure an elastographic related parameter to monitor ablation progress. A parameter estimation and monitoring module (115) is configured to receive the measurements from the ablation device and/or the elastographic related parameter to provide feedback to adaptively adjust imaging parameters of the imaging device at different times during an ablation process.

Abstract: A system for obtaining medical ultrasound images of a subject comprises a probe comprising an ultrasound transducer for capturing an ultrasound image, a memory comprising instruction data representing a set of instructions, and a processor configured to communicate with the memory and to execute the set of instructions. The set of instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to receive an ultrasound image taken by the probe, provide the image as input to a trained model, receive from the model an indication of whether the image comprises an image relevant to a medical diagnostic process, and determine whether to bookmark the image, based on the received indication.

Abstract: A system (200) performs a medical procedure in a region of interest of a patient. The system includes an interventional medical device (214) insertable into the region of interest, and a sensor (215) attached to a portion of the interventional device, the sensor being configured to convert an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasound imaging probe (211) to a corresponding electrical radio frequency (RF) signal. The corresponding RF signal is received by a wireless receiver (209) outside the region of interest, enabling determination of a location of the sensor within the region of interest.

Abstract: A system for determining location of an interventional medical device within a patient includes a controller that controls an ultrasound probe to emit imaging beams at different times and angles relative to the ultrasound probe. The system also includes an interventional medical device with an attached sensor that receives the imaging beams together with repetitive noise. The controller further identifies the repetitive noise received at the sensor, including identifying the rate at which the repetitive noise is repeated and identifying the times at which the repetitive noise is received at the sensor. The controller further offsets the repetitive noise in signals received at the sensor by interpolating the signals based on the imaging beams. The controller determines the location of the interventional medical device based on the offset signals.

Abstract: A system for tracking an instrument includes two or more sensors (22) disposed along a length of an instrument and being spaced apart from adjacent sensors. An interpretation module (45) is configured to select and update an image slice from a three-dimensional image volume in accordance with positions of the two or more sensors. The three-dimensional image volume includes the positions two or more sensors with respect to a target in the volume. An image processing module (48) is configured to generate an overlay (80) indicating reference positions in the image slice. The reference positions include the positions of the two or more sensors and relative offsets from the image slice in a display to provide feedback for positioning and orienting the instrument.

Abstract: A system and a method for determining a relative position of an ultrasound transceiver with respect to an opening of an interventional device where the opening is within a lumen of the interventional device. Ultrasound transmissions from an ultrasound transceiver, capable of moving through at last part of the lumen and the opening are reflected off the wall or boundary of the lumen. The ultrasound transceiver may receive one or more 5 echoes of the ultrasound transmissions and generate a receive signal comprising the one or more echoes and transmit receive data comprising one or more characteristics of the echo to a data processor. The data processor is configured to identify from the receive data the one or more characteristics and determine a relative position of the ultrasound transceiver with respect to the opening based on the one or more characteristics. A transceiver may be part of 10 a retrofit device with which the interventional device may be equipped during an interventional procedure.

Abstract: Methods, Apparatuses, and Systems of operating a laser atherectomy system to perform an endoscopic atherectomy procedure within a vessel at a therapeutic region of an anatomical condition by use of an atherectomy laser device coupled to an ultrasound imaging probe. The atherectomy laser device operates to generate photoacoustic signals from a light source of the atherectomy laser device to for guidance within the vessel and to characterize tissue about the therapeutic region by delivery of pulsed wavelengths within the vessel, and to perform operations of tissue ablation directed to the anatomical condition. This enables guidance of the atherectomy laser device by feedback from the viewing of photoacoustic images based on photoacoustic signals generated the atherectomy laser device and created in response to changes in acoustic intensity due to changes of optical wavelength monitored by the ultrasound imaging probe.

Abstract: A method for tracking an interventional medical device in a patient includes interleaving, by an imaging probe external to the patient, a pulse sequence of imaging beams and tracking beams to obtain an interleaved pulse sequence. The method also includes transmitting, from the imaging probe to the interventional medical device in the patient, the interleaved pulse sequence. The method further includes determining, based on a response to the tracking beams received from a sensor on the interventional medical device, a location of the sensor in the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for laser catheter treatment in a vessel lumen. The method includes inserting the laser catheter within the vessel lumen to a location of a treatment area; presenting an image of the treatment area within the vessel lumen based on using an ultrasound (US) imaging system; and, detecting, in real-time, a bubble cloud that is a function of the laser catheter operation (at a prescribed speed and controlling a fluence and a pulse rate) in the treatment area. The method determines a vessel diameter, a real-time location and measurements of the bubble cloud, and estimates a dwell position and dwell time. A dynamic displayed image that is indicative of a progression of the laser catheter treatment is presented, and commands may be generated to modify the laser catheter parameters responsive to the estimated dwell position, the estimated dwell time, and a recommended treatment protocol.

Abstract: A method for multi-modal tissue classification of an anatomical tissue involves a generation of a tissue classification volume (40) of the anatomical tissue derived from a spatial registration and an image extraction of one or more MRI features of the anatomical tissue and one or more ultrasound image features of the anatomical tissue. The method further involves a classification of each voxel of the tissue classification volume (40) as one of a plurality of tissue types including a healthy tissue voxel and an unhealthy tissue voxel.