Abstract: A plurality of strain gauges defined by gauge endpoints are set in each time phase using motion vector information of tissue, and a three-dimensional strain gauge image in which each strain gauge is disposed at a three-dimensional position corresponding to, for example, an ultrasonic image in each time phase is generated and displayed. Moreover, an MPR image is set on volume data and is displayed in a predetermined form in a state where gauge coordinates are projected thereon.

Abstract: An ultrasonography apparatus includes an acquiring unit, a calculating unit, a multiplying unit, and a generating unit. The acquiring unit acquires a plurality of reception signals that are generated by assigning various kinds of weights on multiple reflected wave signals to which a delay according to a position in a reception aperture is given, and by adding the weighted signals for respective kinds of the weights. The calculating unit calculates a coefficient corresponding to each of positions on a scan line of the reception signals, based on any one of a signal and pixel value of each of positions based on at least one reception signal. The multiplying unit multiplies any one of the values of each of positions based on at least one different reception signal from said reception signal(s) by the coefficient to acquire output data. The generating unit generates ultrasonic image data based on the data.

Abstract: A signal processing apparatus of an embodiment includes processing circuitry and control circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires a plurality of IQ signals obtained by performing a plurality of processing with different conditions on reflected wave signals generated at a transducer element included in an ultrasound probe. The processing circuitry generates a compound signal compounded by non-linear processing of the IQ signals. The control circuitry causes a display to display image data based on the compound signal.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an acquirer, first and second generators, and a display controller. The acquirer acquires a 3D ultrasonic image including a heart. The first generator generates a first cross-sectional image of the 3D ultrasonic image including a first axis passing through a second portion in the 3D ultrasonic image and including a third portion. The second portion is a portion by which one of blood inflow into a first portion which is an atrium or a ventricle and blood outflow from the first portion is performed. The third portion is a portion by which another of the blood inflow and the blood outflow is performed. The second generator generates a second cross-sectional image of the 3D ultrasonic image which includes a second axis passing through the third portion and which intersects with the first cross-sectional image. The display controller displays the cross-sectional images.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a data acquisition unit configured to scan a region which includes at least part of a heart of an object and acquire ultrasonic data associated with the region, a curve acquisition unit configured to acquire temporal change curves of a wall motion parameter associated with a plurality of regions of the heart by using the ultrasonic data associated with the region to be scanned and a value acquisition unit configured to acquire an index value associated with cardiac wall motion by calculating a difference value of the wall motion parameter of two arbitrary regions, of the plurality of regions of the heart, at each phase in an analysis period by using temporal change curves associated with the two arbitrary regions, calculating a total sum of the difference values in the analysis period, and normalizing the total sum with a predetermined value.

Abstract: A control method executed includes acquiring, from a storage medium, content data and first encrypted information encrypted by a first unique key associated with the first information processing device, the first encrypted information including a first value for controlling a use right of the content data, obtaining the first value by decrypting the first encrypted information with the first unique key, enabling the first information processing device to use the content data when the first value is identified with a second value allocated to the first information processing device, generating second encrypted information by encrypting a third value with a second unique key that is associated with the second information processing device, the third value being for moving the use right from the first information processing device to the second information processing device, and updating the first encrypted information in the storage medium with the second encrypted information.

Abstract: A normal vector on a regression plane in a reference time phase in a three-dimensional space is defined with regard to a moving tissue typified by a myocardial wall. Orthogonal projection vectors on the regression plane at each vertex (Pij(t)) in each time phase are calculated by using the normal vector on the regression plane, and the angle defined by the orthogonal projection vectors is calculated, thereby acquiring a local rotational angle at each vertex (Pij(t)) in each time phase relative to the reference time phase.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry sets a ROI in ultrasound image data that corresponds to at least one temporal phase and is among moving image data of two-/three-dimensional ultrasound image data acquired while using a region containing a tissue in motion as an image taking target. The processing circuitry obtains first position information of an estimated ROI based on movement information and second position information of an estimated ROI based on information other than the movement information, in ultrasound image data corresponding to the other remaining temporal phases within an acquisition period of the moving image data. The processing circuitry tracks the ROI, by obtaining position information combining the first and second position information based on an index related to reliability of the movement information, as position information of the ROI.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a controller, a processor, and an image generator. The controller selects at least one transducer element in a reception aperture formed of a transducer element group arranged in a predetermined direction, based on at least a deflection angle of an ultrasonic wave transmitted to a subject. The processor performs processing on at least one reception signal of a plurality of reception signals generated in the reception aperture such that a signal intensity of a reception signal generated in the at least one transducer element selected by the controller is reduced to be lower than a signal intensity of reception signals generated in transducer elements other than the at least one transducer element, to output the reception signal of the reception aperture. The image generator generates ultrasonic image data, based on the reception signal of the reception aperture.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasound transceiver and a controller. The ultrasound transceiver includes a changer that changes transmission direction of ultrasound waves. The ultrasound transceiver transmits ultrasound waves in a direction set while being inserted in a subject to acquire biological information of an observation site of the subject. The controller obtains a direction toward the observation site based on the biological information, and controls the changer to adjust the transmission direction of ultrasound waves to the direction thus obtained.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasound transducer and a controller. The ultrasound transducer transmits and receives ultrasound waves while being inserted in a subject to acquire biological information of a predetermined site of the subject. The controller controls the ultrasound transducer to transmit ultrasound waves based on a trigger signal that is set according to conditions of the predetermined site that exhibits periodic motion, or that is obtained according to the conditions.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasound transducer, an evaluation value acquisition unit, a determination unit, and an output unit. The evaluation value acquisition unit obtains an evaluation value for evaluating the function of tissue including a predetermined site based on biological information acquired for a predetermined period of time by the ultrasound transducer. The determination unit determines whether the function of the tissue is abnormal based on the evaluation value. The output unit outputs information based on a result of determination by the determination unit.

Abstract: An image processing apparatus of an embodiment includes a combined image generator and a controller. The combined image generator projects, on three-dimensional data indicating three-dimensional heart function information obtained from a first volume data group obtained by imaging the heart of a subject, a three-dimensional shape of blood vessels nourishing a cardiac muscle included in second volume data obtained by imaging the heart, thereby producing three-dimensional combined data, and produces combined image data in which the three-dimensional combined data is developed on a surface. The controller causes a display unit to display the combined image data.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which performs diagnosis of a subject to be examined by using an ultrasound probe which emits ultrasound waves and receives the ultrasound waves reflected by the subject, includes a measuring section which measures a motion velocity of local tissue of the subject by using an ultrasound waves transmitted/received by the ultrasound probe, an acquiring section which acquires motion information representing a strain or displacement of the tissue on the basis of the motion velocity, and a calculating section which calculates a parameter value representing a change amount of motion of the tissue with a change in load on the basis of two pieces of motion information acquired by the acquiring section in two load states in which different loads are applied to the subject.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a detector, a determination unit, a retention controller, and a display controller. The detector is configured to detect a peak flow velocity of blood flow velocities acquired from Doppler waveforms collected in a time-serial manner or a peak value of average flow velocities of the blood flow velocities as a representative flow velocity for each predefined period. The determination unit is configured to determine a maximum value in a predefined polarity of a plurality of representative flow velocities. The retention controller is configured to control a memory unit to retain maximum waveform information that is Doppler waveform information of Doppler waveforms collected for a period in which the maximum value was detected. The display controller is configured to control a display unit to display the maximum waveform information with Doppler waveform information having been collected by a present time point.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a calculating unit, an obtaining unit, a determining unit, and a controlling unit. By using a plurality of pieces of three-dimensional ultrasound image data in a time series corresponding to a three-dimensional region including a myocardium of a subject, the calculating unit calculates first movement information indicating a movement of the myocardium by tracking a movement of a region of interest that corresponds to the myocardium and that is set in each of the plurality of pieces of three-dimensional image data. The obtaining unit obtains direction information indicating a direction of a myocardial fiber in the myocardium. The determining unit determines second movement information indicating a movement of the myocardium with respect to the direction of the myocardial fiber, on the basis of the first movement information and the direction information. The controlling unit causes a display unit to display the second movement information.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes an image obtaining unit, a contour position obtaining unit, a volume information calculating unit, and a controlling unit. The image obtaining unit obtains a plurality of groups of two-dimensional ultrasound image data each of which is generated by performing ultrasound scans, the ultrasound scans being performed on each of a plurality of predetermined cross-sectional planes, and performed for predetermined time. The contour position obtaining unit obtains, by performing a tracking process over the predetermined time period, time-series data of contour positions, the contour positions being either one of, or both of, a cavity interior and a cavity exterior of a predetermined site. The volume information calculating unit calculates, on a basis of a plurality of the time-series data of contour positions, volume information of the predetermined site. The controlling unit exercises control so as to output the volume information.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes an image acquirer, a volume information calculator, a wall motion information calculator, a time change rate calculator, an extremum detector, and an index calculator. The image acquirer acquires ultrasonic image data including data for a left ventricle. The volume information calculator calculates time-series data of volume information of the left ventricle. The wall motion information calculator calculates time-series data of wall motion information of the left ventricle. The time change rate calculator calculates time-series data of the time change rate of volume information (first time-series data) and time-series data of the time change rate of wall motion information (second time-series data). The extremum detector detects extremums in early diastole of the first time-series data and the second time-series data (first extremum and second extremum).

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an acquisition unit acquiring pieces of ultrasound image data at different deflection angles; a calculation unit calculating coefficients corresponding to respective positions in ultrasound image data corresponding to a certain deflection angle based on signal or pixel values corresponding to the respective positions in at least one piece of ultrasound image data corresponding to a deflection angle other than the certain deflection angle; a multiplication unit multiplying, by the coefficients, signal or pixel values corresponding to the respective positions in the piece of ultrasound image data corresponding to the certain deflection angle, or signal or pixel values corresponding to the respective positions in image data obtained by compounding ultrasound image data corresponding to respective deflection angles including the certain deflection angle; and a control unit causing a display unit to display an image based on the signal or pixel values multiplied by the c

Abstract: In time phases except a first time phase, a contour tracking part tracks the position of a region of interest based on image data acquired in each of the time phases. A re-tracking part receives correction of the position of the region of interest in a second time phase, and obtains the position of the corrected region of interest in and after the second time phase based on the image data acquired in and after the second time phase. From position information of the region of interest in and before the second time phase and position information of the corrected region of interest in and after the second time phase, a position calculator obtains position information of the region of interest in all the time phases. A computing part obtains motion information of a tissue within the region of interest based on the position information of the region of interest.