Abstract: Ultrasound systems and methods are described to measure changes in cardiac chamber volumes and organ wall areas, thicknesses, volumes and masses between the cardiac chambers using computer readable media employing image processing algorithms applied to 3D data sets acquired at systole and diastole. The systems for cardiac imaging includes an ultrasound transceiver configured to sense the mitral valve of a heart by Doppler ultrasound, an electrocardiograph connected with a patient and synchronized with the transceiver to acquire ultrasound-based 3D data sets during systole and diastole at a transceiver location determined by Doppler ultrasound affected by the mitral valve, and a computer readable medium configurable to process ultrasound imaging information from the 3D data sets communicated from the transceiver.

Abstract: A means for holding a selected cannula such that the cannula is controllably restricted in motion in all but one line, but still able to slide along the line relatively freely. The motion restricting force may be selectively varied, thereby allowing an unrestricted separation of the cannula and holding/guide device.

Abstract: A system and method to acquire 3D ultrasound-based images during the end-systole and end end-diastole time points of a cardiac cycle to allow determination of the change and percentage change in left ventricle volume at the time points.