Abstract: A method and apparatus for ultrasound breast imaging is described. Breast is positioned in between an ultrasound array and a plate with embedded point or line targets. The apparatus and reflections from the targets are used 1) to improve focusing by correcting for tissue delay and amplitude aberration and 2) to improve diagnostics by constructing speed of sound and attenuation coefficient images.

Abstract: Methods and systems for forming images of heart by using multiple sets of ultrasound data are described. Each set of data is acquired and processed responsive to a different set of imaging parameters. The imaging parameter sets differ in at least one parameter, such as array position, temporal frequency response or transmit focal depth, so that the images formed using these data sets have, either laterally or axially, different spatial spectra. In one of the preferred embodiments, a set of images is formed responsive to a first imaging parameter set for a first cardiac cycle. Another set of images is formed responsive to a second imaging parameter set for a second cardiac cycle. Then the two sets of images are temporally aligned so that they correspond to the same set of phases of the cardiac cycle. The temporally aligned images may also be spatially aligned and combined. This technique can improve contrast resolution and/or field of view.

Abstract: Compounding of data representing a same location is provided. The level of compounding is tuned. Different levels of compounding between averaging and selecting a maximum or minimum and/or between minimum and maximum are provided. Ultrasound data to be compounded is weighted. The weights are defined by a smoothly varying functions from a zero value to a unity value or one. The weight for each of the data to be compounded is a function of all of the data to be compounded. One or more variables in the weighting function allows selection of the level of compounding. As a result of these weighting characteristics, a compromise or tuned level of compounding between minimum and selection of a maximum value is provided.

Abstract: An ultrasound image is morphed for perfusion assessment. Various images within a sequence of images or movie clip are mapped to one frame of reference using local warping. Nonlinear local image transformations or other warping based on local estimates of motion are used to interpolate different images to the common reference. The elastic stretching and compression of local image data results in a sequence of images where the same spatial location in each image represents the substantially same spatial location of the imaged tissue. The organ, tissue or region of interest is stationary throughout the sequence of images.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system aligns substantially co-planar two-dimensional images to form an extended field of view using improved compounding methods. Compounding with a finite impulse response is used for more versatile compositing. The compounding is adaptive, such as through adapting the image regions, weighting, or type of compounding as a function of correlation, location within the image, estimated motion or combinations thereof. A user warning is provided as a function of the correlation between images.

Abstract: A catheter and method for determining a position of the catheter within the cardiovascular system is provided. Local bending and twisting is measured at multiple locations along the catheter. By integrating the measurements, the position and orientation of the catheter is determined. Based on the catheter position information, the location and orientation of an ultrasound transducer array connected with the catheter is known. The imaging array position and orientation information may be used to assist a physician in determining the tissue structure or fluid being scanned and/or assist in the accurate generation of three-dimensional representations.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system aligns substantially co-planar two-dimensional images to form an extended field of view using improved compounding methods. Using variations in characteristics for each component frame or sub-set of data, the extended field of view image is enhanced. For example, the steering angle or acquisition frequency associated with each component image is different.

Abstract: Two-dimensional transducer arrays used for one-, two- and three-dimensional medical diagnostic ultrasonic imaging. The transducer arrays have transducer elements that are arranged in a non-rectangular, and preferably hexagonal grid. In a preferred embodiment, the transducer array has hexagonally shaped transducer elements. The transducer arrays may be fabricated as single or multiple layer structures. Sparse transducer arrays may be fabricated in a hexagonal grid by connecting selected transducer elements to the imaging system. Also, the transducer array may comprise random, vernier and spiral arrays fabricated in a hexagonal grid.

Abstract: Medical diagnostic ultrasound methods and systems for automated flow analysis are provided. Multiple cross-sectional areas along a vessel are determined automatically. A processor locates an abnormality as a function of the multiple cross-sectional areas, such as identifying a cross-sectional area that is a threshold amount less than an average cross-sectional area. The abnormal area is highlighted on the display to assist with medical diagnosis. For the carotid artery, the interior and exterior branches are labeled to assist medical diagnosis. The two branches are automatically identified. The branch associated with additional small branches is identified as the exterior carotid.

Abstract: A method and system for mapping surface data onto a geometrical representation of a structure for 3D imaging is provided. A boundary of a structure is determined from one type of data, such as Doppler energy data. Another type of data, such as B-mode data, representing the boundary or an area adjacent the boundary is extracted or identified. The B-mode data is then rendered as a function of the boundary, such as by texture mapping the B-mode data onto or adjacent the boundary. As the user examines the structure representation, the texture mapped data may provide texture details based on an optimally determined representation. The boundary may alternatively be used to select data for volume rendering.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system aligns substantially co-planar two-dimensional images to form an extended field of view using improved compounding methods. Compounding with a finite impulse response is used for more versatile compositing. The compounding is adaptive, such as through adapting the image regions, weighting, or type of compounding as a function of correlation, location within the image, estimated motion or combinations thereof. A user warning is provided as a function of the correlation between images.

Abstract: A system for editing a 3-D medical diagnostic ultrasound image dataset displays both a 3-D reconstruction of the dataset and an editing object. A user moves the editing object relative to the 3-D reconstruction with a six degrees of freedom input device that allows the user to control both the position and the orientation of the editing object. The 3-D reconstruction and the associated 3-D dataset are edited to reduce opacity of a portion of a 3-D reconstruction on a selected side of the editing object. The disclosed editing system is fast, efficient and intuitive, and it allows the user to designate the portions of the 3-D dataset to be removed simply and reliably.

Abstract: An indexing database apparatus and methods provide a way to automatically label, catalog and describe the content of images and other data using position, orientation, field of view and time of capture using a camera or a sensor. The present invention automatically generates a description of the content of an image or other data by querying a description database indexed to parameters such as location, orientation, field of view and time or a subset thereof recorded with images and other data. An exemplary apparatus comprises a GPS receiver for sensing the location of a camera or sensor, an angular position sensor for sensing the orientation of the axis of the camera or sensor, a field of view sensor for sensing the field of view of the camera or sensor and a clock for indicating the time of image or data capture. A recording medium records the image or other data and the above parameters.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system aligns substantially co-planar two-dimensional images to form an extended field of view using improved compounding methods. Compounding with a finite impulse response is used for more versatile compositing. The compounding is adaptive, such as through adapting the image regions, weighting, or type of compounding as a function of correlation, location within the image, estimated motion or combinations thereof. A user warning is provided as a function of the correlation between images.

Abstract: Spiral, sparse spiral, substantially spiral or substantially sparse spiral transducer arrays comprising capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer elements disposed on a silicon substrate, and ultrasound imaging systems employing same. The transducer elements are respectively coupled to a plurality of amplifiers. Imager electronics are coupled to each of the amplifiers and drives the transducer elements and/or generates an output of the spiral transducer array. The amplifiers may be located in the silicon substrate containing the transducer elements, or on a separate substrate that is interconnected to the substrate containing the transducer elements using bumps, for example. Electrical interconnection to the transducer elements may readily be achieved without interfering with the acoustic output of the transducer elements.

Abstract: The use of transformations in ultrasound systems is disclosed. A first set of points in a first data set or a subset of a first data set is known to correspond to a second set of points in a second data set or a subset of a second data set. The point correspondence can be established using any number of techniques including speckle and/or feature correlation, speckle decorrelation time delays. Spectral broadening, power and spectral peak. A method for estimating the best fitting rigid body transformation that maps the first data set or a subset of the first data set to the second data set or a subset of the second data set is disclosed. This yields three dimensional ultrasonic data sets which preserves the shapes of object they represent.

Abstract: A system and methods for measuring the volume flow of fluid in an enclosed structure with an ultrasound system is provided. Manual designation of flow angles and areas may not be necessary. Velocities along two or more different scan lines in a first scan plane are obtained to determine an angle of flow within the enclosed structure. A Doppler spectrum parameter is measured from a transmission in a second scan plane substantially perpendicular to the first scan plane. Volume flow is calculated from the flow angle and the parameter. The scan planes are associated with rotating a linear array transducer or holding a multi-dimensional transducer in place. A C-scan method with a linear transducer may also be used.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to collect a 3-D volume of data using a generic 1-D ultrasound transducer, without using special fixtures, such as position tracking hardware. A 3-D volume is generated by performing two data collecting sweeps, or alternatively, by collecting data from a plurality of locator planes (non-coplanar intersecting planes) and performing one data collecting sweep or rotation. Lines of intersection are determined from intersecting planes of 2-D data sets collected from the 1-D ultrasound transducer. The 2-D data sets are assembled into a 3-D data set and scan converted in a 3-D grid for display.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound real-time 3-D transmitting and imaging system generates multiple transmit beam sets using a 2-D transducer array. Each transmit beam set includes multiple simultaneous ultrasound transmit beams. The system acquires multiple receive beam sets in response to the transmit beams, and each receive beam set includes multiple simultaneous receive beams. A real-time, three-dimensional medical diagnostic ultrasound image is formed in response to these receive beams. Several techniques for reducing cross talk in such a system are discussed.

Abstract: A method and system for registration of multiple ultrasound images or frames of data are provided. The images are registered as a function of relative movement of the transducer. A feature or feature pattern, such as one or more structural edges, are identified in one image. The feature or feature pattern is represented by fewer than all of the data points within a frame of data. Based on the identification of a particular feature or feature pattern, relative motion is estimated by correlating the feature pattern with another image in various relative positions. The best correlation is selected. The motion is estimated by selecting a translation and rotation of the position associated with the best correlation. The frames of data are registered and compounded to generate the panoramic field of view image as a function of the estimated motion. The panoramic field of view image comprises a B-mode image, or a color Doppler image, or an image that is a combination of both. The imaging may be static or dynamic.