Abstract: Displaying breast ultrasound information on an interactive user interface is described, the user interface being useful in adjunctive ultrasound mammography environments and/or ultrasound-only mammography environments. Bilateral comparison is facilitated by a pairwise display of thick-slice images corresponding to analogous slab-like subvolumes in the left and right breasts. Coronal thick-slice imaging and convenient navigation on and among coronal thick-slice images is described. In one preferred embodiment, a nipple marker is displayed the coronal thick-slice image representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon. A convenient breast icon is also displayed including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between the cursor and the nipple marker. Preferably, the breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, the center of the clock face representing the nipple marker location.

Abstract: A method for optimizing transducer performance in an array of transducers in a structural health monitoring system includes specifying a plurality of paths between pairs of the transducers on a monitored structure and evaluating the quality of signal transmissions along the paths so as to optimize the gain and frequency operating condition of the transducers.

Abstract: An apparatus and related methods for scanning a breast are described, the apparatus comprising a frame defining an orifice shaped to allow the breast to be received therein, a compressive member secured to the frame across the orifice that compresses the received breast toward the patient's chest wall, and a transducer positioned in acoustic communication with the compressive member for imaging the breast therethrough. The frame holds a reservoir of acoustically conductive fluid that maintains the transducer in acoustic communication with the compressive member. In different preferred embodiments having different advantages, the compressive member comprises a flexible elastic membrane, a flexible inelastic membrane, or a rigid sonolucent plastic preformed into the shape of a chestwardly-compressed breast.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and related computer program products for non-invasive monitoring of a biological volume, such as a human brain, are described. In one preferred embodiment, each of a plurality of optical sources emits optical radiation into the biological volume each of a plurality of optical detectors detects optical radiation impinging thereupon from the biological volume. The optical measurements are processed to compute a requisite property value associated with each source-detector pair. For each source-detector pair, a volumetric basis region corresponding thereto is weighted by the requisite property value, the volumetric basis region being predetermined and representative of an estimated subvolume of the biological volume encountered by optical radiation emitted from that source and propagating to that detector. The weighted volumetric basis regions are accumulated into a volumetric cumulative array, and a display output is generated based at least in part on the volumetric cumulative array.

Abstract: Use of a single line for switching multiple monitoring elements on/off, and a single line for sending signals to, or receiving signals from, those elements that are switched on. Monitoring elements each have an associated switching element, and each switching element is connected to a common switching line, or control line. A signal from the control line turns each switch on or off. Each monitoring element is also connected to a single signal line, and only those monitoring elements that are turned on can transmit/receive data signals along this signal line.

Abstract: A networked configuration of structural health monitoring elements. Monitoring elements such as sensors and actuators are configured as a network, with groups of monitoring elements each controlled by a local controller, or cluster controller. A data bus interconnects each cluster controller with a router, forming a networked group of “monitoring clusters” connected to a router. In some embodiments, the router identifies particular clusters, and sends commands to the appropriate cluster controllers, instructing them to carry out the appropriate monitoring operations. In turn, the cluster controllers identify certain ones of their monitoring elements, and direct them to monitor the structure as necessary. Data returned from the monitoring elements is sent to the cluster controllers, which then pass the information to the router.

Abstract: Use of a single line for switching multiple monitoring elements on/off, and a single line for sending signals to, or receiving signals from, those elements that are switched on. Monitoring elements each have an associated switching element, and each switching element is connected to a common switching line, or control line. A signal from the control line turns each switch on or off. Each monitoring element is also connected to a single signal line, and only those monitoring elements that are turned on can transmit/receive data signals along this signal line.

Abstract: A system and method for monitoring one or more parameters relating to blood, such as cardiac output, of a patient is provided. The system preferably includes an acoustic energy transducer unit configured and positioned to transmit acoustic energy into a target structure, preferably a blood vessel, within the patient so as to induce a measurable change, preferably a change in blood volume, within the target structure. The transducer unit can be an ultrasonic array, annular array, or groups thereof, or a single element transducer. The unit can also be a vibrator or acoustic loudspeaker. An optical transmitter transmits light into the target structure, and an optical receiver senses light scattered from within the target structure. The blood parameter can then be estimated from the sensed scattered radiation. Relative blood oxygen saturation in the blood vessel, can be estimated by transmitting two wavelengths to measure oxy-hemoglobin and deoxy-hemoglobin.

Abstract: A sensor array embedded within a flexible layer. The sensors, which can be transducers, are controlled by local electronics also embedded within the flexible layer. The invention includes numerous different arrangements of these electronic controllers and their associated transducers. For example, each transducer can have its own controller embedded nearby. Alternatively, one controller can control a number of transducers, and can therefore be embedded in various configurations proximate to one or more of the transducers it controls. The controllers can include various components that impart other advantages, such as wireless transceivers for reducing the number of wires needed within the flexible layer, and local processors for reducing or eliminating the need for a remote data processor.

Abstract: A sensor/actuator network configured with a number of electrically-interconnected elements. More specifically, the sensors/actuators are each placed in electrical communication with the same transmission line. Various embodiments of such networks employ sensors/actuators connected in electrical series and in electrical parallel. Networks having these configurations, when placed upon a structure, are capable of detecting and/or transmitting stress waves within the structure so as to detect the presence of an impact, or actively query the structure. Advantageously, as these networks employ a single transmission line, they utilize fewer wires than current sensor/actuator networks, thus making them easier to install and maintain. They can also be configured as flexible layers, allowing for further ease of installation and maintenance.

Abstract: A system, computer program product, and related methods are described for obtaining, processing, and/or and archiving full-field breast image data, such as full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) data, in a manner that promotes ready integration with current x-ray mammogram-based breast cancer screening methodologies, and which can alternatively be used to support a full-field-only environment, Two-dimensional thick-slice images computed from a three-dimensional data volume are used to facilitate efficient archiving for a breast imaging session, the two-dimensional thick-slice images corresponding to slab-like subvolumes of the breast. Clinician data overload problems that can arise from the existence of large amounts of three-dimensional full-field breast image data are reduced. Archive space is also preserved while still providing sufficient information data for future reference purposes. Related adjunctive full-field workflow methods are also described.

Abstract: Displaying breast ultrasound information on an interactive user interface is described, the user interface being useful in adjunctive ultrasound mammography environments and/or ultrasound-only mammography environments. Bilateral comparison is facilitated by a pairwise display of thick-slice images corresponding to analogous slab-like subvolumes in the left and right breasts. Coronal thick-slice imaging and convenient navigation on and among coronal thick-slice images is described. In one preferred embodiment, a nipple marker is displayed the coronal thick-slice image representing a projection of a nipple location thereupon. A convenient breast icon is also displayed including a cursor position indicator variably disposed thereon in a manner that reflects a relative position between the cursor and the nipple marker. Preferably, the breast icon is configured to at least roughly resemble a clock face, the center of the clock face representing the nipple marker location.

Abstract: An ultrasound information processing system comprises a plurality of ultrasound devices coupled to a high-speed serial ultrasound information bus, wherein each ultrasound device comprises a program for communicating with other ultrasound devices according to an ultrasound information exchange protocol (UIEP). The UIEP is a lightweight, connection-oriented protocol adapted to efficiently transfer ultrasound information among different devices on the ultrasound information bus. Each ultrasound device comprises an application layer program for performing an ultrasound function, as well as a lower protocol layer program for receiving and sending data across the ultrasound information bus according to a high-speed serial bus standard that provides both isochronous and asynchronous data delivery.

Abstract: An architecture and protocol are provided for allowing flexible, low cost, and upgradable ultrasound information processing systems. Ultrasound information processing functions are performed by a plurality of ultrasound modules coupled to a high-speed, multiple-drop serial ultrasound information bus. The ultrasound information bus is used for packetized data transfer among the ultrasound modules in accordance with an ultrasound information exchange protocol. Additional or upgraded ultrasound modules are designed to connect to the ultrasound information bus and to communicate using the ultrasound information exchange protocol. Thus, according to a preferred embodiment, as improvements in hardware technology or software algorithms are made, additional or upgraded ultrasound modules are simply “plugged in” to the ultrasound information bus, hereby reducing costs and increasing system versatility and upgradability.

Abstract: A method, system, computer program product, and user interface for real-time ultrasonic visualization enhancement of a biopsy needle are disclosed in which a wide range of needle positions with respect to the ultrasound probe axis and with respect to the imaged plane are accommodated. Ordinary frames are compounded with special purpose frames, the special purpose frames having transmit and receive parameters adapted to highlight reception of echoes from the biopsy needle. Preferably, an elevation beam width associated with the special purpose ultrasound frames is wider than an elevation beam width associated with the ordinary ultrasound frames. Preferably, the beams of the special purpose ultrasound frames are steered such that they are incident upon the biopsy needle at an increased angle as compared to the angle of incidence for ordinary ultrasound frames.

Abstract: An ultrasound system that generates compound images from component frames having decorrelated speckle patterns. Successive sets of distinct, speckle-affecting parameters are used to generate successive component frames for compounding, and are selected such that the successive component frames have decorrelated speckle patterns. The speckle-affecting parameters that are changed from frame to frame may be selected from a wide variety of parameters, including transmit beamformer parameters, receive beamformer parameters, and demodulator parameters. According to a preferred embodiment, the successive sets of speckle-affecting parameters differ from each other by at least two speckle-affecting parameters.

Abstract: A method, system, computer program product, and user interface for real-time ultrasonic visualization enhancement of a biopsy needle are disclosed in which a wide range of needle positions with respect to the ultrasound probe axis and with respect to the imaged plane are accommodated. Ordinary frames are compounded with special purpose frames, the special purpose frames having transmit and receive parameters adapted to highlight reception of echoes from the biopsy needle. Preferably, an elevation beam width associated with the special purpose ultrasound frames is wider than an elevation beam width associated with the ordinary ultrasound frames. Preferably, the beams of the special purpose ultrasound frames are steered such that they are incident upon the biopsy needle at an increased angle as compared to the angle of incidence for ordinary ultrasound frames.