Abstract: A device and method of using the device to detect the presence and composition of clots and other target objects in a circulatory vessel of a living subject is described. In particular, devices and methods of detecting the presence and composition of clots and other target objects in a circulatory vessel of a living subject using in vivo photoacoustic flow cytometry techniques is described.

Abstract: Systems and methods that facilitate analysis of superficial tissue based at least in part on a depth-selective fiber optic probe are discussed herein. The depth-selective fiber optic probe can include an illumination fiber for providing light to the superficial tissue, a collection fiber for collected reflected light, a ball lens that couples the fibers, and a protective overtube that houses the ball lens and fibers. The distances between the ball lens and fibers and between the fibers can be optimized based on several factors, such as by minimizing the illumination spot size, maximizing the overlap between the illumination and collection spots, and based on the angle between the illumination and collection beams.

Abstract: A probabilistic digital signal processor using data from multiple instruments is described. In one example, an analyzer is configured to: receive discrete first and second input data, related to a first and second sub-system of the system, from a first and second instrument, respectively. A system processor is used to fuse the first and second input data into fused data. The system processor optionally includes: (1) a probabilistic processor configured to convert the fused data into at least two probability distribution functions and (2) a dynamic state-space model, the dynamic state-space model including at least one probabilistic model configured to operate on the at least two probability distribution functions. The system processor iteratively circulates the at least two probability distribution functions in the dynamic state-space model in synchronization with receipt of updated input data, processes the probability distribution functions, and generates an output related to the state of the system.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for measuring the electromechanical delay of the heart of a patient. An electrocardiogram (EKG) signal may be used to detect heart electrical activity. Photoplethysmograph (PPG) signals may be used to detect heart mechanical activity. The electromechanical delay may be calculated based at least in part on the timing of an EKG signal and at least two PPG signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining stroke volume by bioimpedance from a person that includes two or more spaced apart alternating current flow electrodes positionable on a person's forearm, two or more spaced apart voltage sensing electrodes positionable on the person's forearm and between the alternating current flow electrodes, an alternating current source providing an alternating current to the current flow electrodes, a voltmeter configured to generate a voltage signal from a voltage sensed by the voltage sensing electrodes, and a processing unit configured to determine a stroke volume (SV) using the voltage signal and at least one of two equations that include, among other terms, the person's weight, a peak time rate of change of a transradioulnar impedance pulse variation (dZ/dtmax), a transradioulnar quasi-static base impedance (Z0), a systolic flow time (TSF), and a volume conductor (Vc).

Abstract: A device for detecting rhinitis in a human subject includes an inflatable member that, in a first state, is configured to be introducible into the nasal cavity of the human subject; an expansion member configured to expand the inflatable member to an expanded, second state within the nasal cavity such that the inflatable member abuts against the tissue of the nasal cavity, and a pressure sensing member configured to measure a pressure exerted on the inflatable member by the tissue of the nasal cavity. A system for detecting rhinitis and methods for analyzing tissue response pressure, detecting rhinitis, predicting the efficacy of a planned rhinitis treatment and evaluating the efficacy of a previous rhinitis treatment are provided.

Abstract: An integrated vectorcardiogram (VCG) device having 3 pairs of electrodes placed in three orthogonal directions with the capability to continuously measure the electrical activity of the heart. All of the electrode pairs may be contained within a single miniaturized housing thereby eliminating the need for cumbersome wires required with current 12-lead ECG systems, while providing the same amount and quality of information as the 12-lead ECG system. The integrated VCG device also includes a communications function to allow the data collected by the electrodes to be transmitted wirelessly to a remote device, such as a pacemaker, to control its function or to a remote monitoring station for continuous real-time patient monitoring.

Abstract: An implantable neurostimulator system adapted to provide therapy for various neurological disorders is capable of varying therapy delivery strategies based on the context, physiological or otherwise, into which the therapy is to be delivered. Responsive and scheduled therapies can be varied depending on various sensor measurements, calculations, inferences, and device states (including elapsed times and times of day) to deliver an appropriate course of therapy under the circumstances.

Abstract: Self-correlation enhancements and implementations are described. In particular, certain examples demonstrate the use of a tracking mechanism to identify and/or confirm cardiac rate using data from iterative self-correlation performed at intervals over time. This may enable the interpolation of cardiac rate in an implantable medical device when data is insufficient, and may provide confidence in cardiac rate analyzes.

Abstract: Self-correlation enhancements and implementations are described. In particular, certain examples demonstrate the analytical tools to reduce the computational burden of generating a self-correlation function within an implantable medical device. Peak selector and tracking analysis are also included as secondary elements for identifying and generating confidence in rate estimates based on the self-correlation function. The approach may enable an alternative calculation of cardiac rate in an implantable medical device as a stand-alone rate detector or as a double-check of other rate calculations.

Abstract: Methods, systems, and apparatus for detecting and/or validating a detection of a state change by matching the shape of one or more of an cardiac data series, a heart rate variability data series, or at least a portion of a heart beat complex, derived from cardiac data, to an appropriate template.

Abstract: A general-purpose mobile communication device, general-purpose computer user-interface device, and other non-health-related electronic devices with cardiovascular monitoring capability. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise a general-purpose mobile communication device (e.g., a cellular telephone, portable email device, personal digital assistant, etc.) comprising a communication interface module adapted to communicate with a general-purpose communication network, and at least one module operational to acquire cardiac information from a user of the general-purpose mobile communication device. The general-purpose communication device may, for example, comprise a cardiac sensor (e.g., electrodes) disposed on the mobile communication device, which may be utilized to acquire cardiac information during use of the mobile communication device. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise a non-health related electronic device (e.g.

Abstract: Compact, single-handedly manipulable, cardiography devices, structured for personal use in two, selectively different, functional-cardiography styles, enabling, respectively, one or both of (a) non-acoustic, and (b) acoustic, cardiography, such use involving, as appropriate to the particular functional-cardiography style to be implemented, the collecting and recording of personal cardiography-relevant data—ECG only in a non-acoustic case, and both ECG and heart-sound together in an acoustic case—suitable for subsequent data-analysis processing, and associated cardiovascular diagnosis. Two, representative device overall configurations are illustrated, including (1) a stylus pen-like shape, and (2) a finger-mountable ring-like shape.

Abstract: In one configuration, an adherent device to adhere to a skin of a subject includes a stretchable base layer having an upper side and a lower side and an adhesive coating on the lower side to adhere the base layer to the skin of the subject. The base layer has at least two openings extending therethrough, each of the at least two openings having a size. The adherent device also includes a stretchable covering layer positioned above and adhered to the base layer with an adhesive to define at least two pockets. The adherent device also includes at least two gels, each gel having a size larger than the size of openings to retain the gel substantially within the pocket, and a circuit carrier supported with the stretchable base layer to measure at least one physiologic signal of the subject. Other configurations and methods are also claimed.

Abstract: This invention discloses a system and a method for extracting VF signal in ECG recorded during uninterrupted CPR. The present invention provides a method for extracting a Ventricular fibrillation (VF) signal in Electrocardiography (ECG), comprising: receiving an ECG signal; adding a plurality of shadowing functions to the ECG signal, to obtain a plurality of modification signals; decomposing the plurality of modification signals by using an Empirical Mode Decomposition (EMD) method, to generate a plurality of Intrinsic Mode Functions (IMFs); calculating the sum of IMFs in different frequency regions based on time sequence, dividing by a number of the shadowing signal, to obtain a plurality of modification intrinsic mode functions; combining the plurality of modification IMFs with the same property, to obtain a shape function; modeling the shape functions to obtain a compression signal; and subtracting the compression signal from the ECG signal based on time sequence, to obtain the VF signal.

Abstract: A mobile user borne brain activity data and surrounding environment data correlation system comprising a brain activity sensing subsystem, a recording subsystem, a measurement computer subsystem, a user sensing subsystem, a surrounding environment sensing subsystem, a correlation subsystem, a user portable electronic device, a non-transitory computer readable medium, and a computer processing device. The mobile user borne system collects and records brain activity data and surrounding environment data and statistically correlates and processes the data for communicating the data into a recipient biological, mechanical, or bio-mechanical system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an arrangement (10) for heating of a magnetic material (100) located in the center region of an inscribed sphere within a region of action, which arrangement comprises: —selection means (210) for generating a magnetic selection field (211) having a pattern in space of its magnetic field strength such that a first sub-zone (301) having a low magnetic field strength and a second sub-zone (302) having a higher magnetic field strength are formed in the region of action (300), —drive means (220) for changing the position in space of the two sub-zones (301, 302) in the region of action (300) by means of a magnetic drive field (221) so that the magnetization of the magnetic material (100) changes locally, and —control means (76) for controlling the drive means (220) to change the position in space of the first sub-zone (301) along a sequence of locations around said inscribed sphere for so long and with such a frequency that the center region of said inscribed sphere is heated.

Abstract: Invention is related to cardiology and intended for diagnosis of ischemic myocardial injuries. Magnetocardiographic examination is executed, current density vectors maps are reconstructed during ST-T interval and 4 sub-intervals of QRS complex, quantitative diagnostic indicators are calculated. Characterized in that, for said time intervals total length of all vectors (total current), autocorrelation coefficient of the instant map and its correlation with map onto the T wave peak are derived, several quantitative indicators for these curves are calculated (area under the curve, time intervals, their ratio, etc.) and ranges of their values are divided onto 3 intervals. As a result, absence/presence of ventricles injuries is diagnosed according to the rule—injury is absent (presence minor, significant), if certain quantitative indicator is ranged in one of 3 said intervals or if score of points for separate quantitative indicators is less than or equal to 7 (8-16, 17 and more).

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus includes a first imaging modality which is formed by a magnetic resonance apparatus and which comprises a cylindrical gradient coil unit, and a further imaging modality which comprises a detector unit. The detector unit of the further imaging modality is supported in a radial direction within an area surrounded by the gradient coil unit and an annular gap is disposed between the detector unit of the further imaging modality and the gradient coil unit. The further imaging modality includes a pressure unit which is disposed in the annular gap between the detector unit of the further imaging modality and the gradient coil unit.

Abstract: An MRI system and method for dynamic susceptibility contrast (DSC) imaging use multiplexed echo planar imaging (M-EPI) to essentially simultaneously acquire MR signals for perfusion parameter images of multiple slices. This essentially simultaneous acquisition of MR signals for multiple slices can be repeated in rapid succession without deteriorating T2* contrast, which makes it practical to image multiple perfusion phases and brings about other significant benefits.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided, which utilizes an adjustment platform for supporting a subject during the endoscopic examination. Additionally, a method for performing an endoscopic examination is also provided in which an endoscope is inserted into a subject and the endoscope is maintained at a generally fixed position while the position of the subject is adjusted to advance the endoscope into the subject. Further still, a method is provided for estimating the size of sample tissue using an endoscope and a reference element. Based on known parameters of the reference element, the size of the area being examined can be estimated.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus for use in monitoring the baroreceptor reflex in a user, the apparatus comprising a processor configured to process a signal output by a first sensor that is attached to or located proximate to a bed to determine when the user moves from a lying position on the bed to a sitting position, and to provide an indication of the baroreceptor reflex of the user by processing the signal to determine the change in the heart rate of the user that occurs as a result of moving from the lying position to the sitting position.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer readable storage medium for retrieving mental images of faces from the human brain. An exemplary embodiment includes a method for retrieving mental images of faces from a human brain, the method including generating an image on a screen, measuring brain activity data from a brain scanner, varying characteristics of the image on the screen, detecting changes in the brain activity data measured from the brain scanner, and generating a final image on the screen, the final image being related to a subjectively described mental image.

Abstract: In a measurement situation information storage unit, a plurality of sets of measurement situation information for identifying a measurement situation in which predetermined measurement is performed on a measurement target are stored in association with time periods. A measurement processing unit executes measurement on the measurement target. A display unit selects, from among the plurality of sets of measurement situation information, a set of measurement situation information corresponding to the measurement operation timing based on the time of the measurement operation timing or based on processing results obtained as a result of execution of measurement by the measurement processing unit, and causes a display to show the selected set of measurement situation information in a manner distinguishable from other measurement situation information.

Abstract: Systems and methods of use for continuous analyte measurement of a host's vascular system are provided. In some embodiments, a continuous glucose measurement system includes a vascular access device, a sensor and sensor electronics, the system being configured for insertion into communication with a host's circulatory system.

Abstract: In accordance with an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a device and method for detecting an amyloid protein in an eye of a mammal. A method comprises illuminating the eye with a light source having at least one of a wavelength property, a polarization property or a combination thereof, each appropriate to produce fluorescence in at least an amyloid-binding compound when the amyloid-binding compound is bound to the amyloid protein, the amyloid-binding compound having been introduced to the eye and specifically binding to the amyloid protein indicative of the amyloidogenic disorder; and determining a time decay rate of fluorescence for at least the fluorescence produced by the amyloid-binding compound bound to the amyloid protein, the determining permitting distinguishing of the presence of the amyloid-binding compound bound to the amyloid protein in the eye based on at least the time decay rate.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to systems and methods for measuring an analyte in a host. More particularly, the present invention relates to systems and methods for transcutaneous measurement of glucose in a host.

Abstract: A test model for simulating one or more physiological parameters is provided. In one example, the test model includes a model layer having a test surface, a shaft rotatably disposed within the model layer and at least first and second contrast segments circumferentially disposed on the shaft. The model layer models at least one optical property of human skin, such as transmissivity of at least a particular wavelength of light transmitted into the model layer. The first and second contrast segments have contrasting optical properties with regard to at least the particular wavelength of light, such as reflectance. Rotation of the shaft causes different contrast segments to face the test surface of the model layer at different times.

Abstract: A sensor inserting device includes a device main body and a push handle for moving a detector of a sensor and an insertion needle, with the sensor held coupled to the insertion needle, into the body of a patient. A transmitter, for processing a signal from the sensor, is set in the device main body. A cable, allowing transmission of a signal between the sensor and the transmitter, is connected to the sensor (12) and the transmitter.

Abstract: Transdermal sampling and analysis device, method and system are provided for non-invasively and transdermally obtaining biological samples from a subject and determining levels of analytes of the obtained biological samples. The transdermal sampling and analysis device, method and system may cause disruption to the skin cells to create capillary-like channels from which biological samples may flow to the transdermal sampling and analysis device. The transdermal sampling and analysis device, method and system may collect the biological samples in a reservoir and transport the biological samples to a sensing chamber. The sensing chamber may contain at least two sensing electrodes coated with a biologically reactive element which reacts with the transported biological sample. The sensing chamber may be configured to mitigate the formation of air bubbles which may impede the transport and distribution of the biological sample across the entirety of the sensing chamber.

Abstract: Methods and systems to collect a sample of bodily fluid from a patient using an integrated needle and test strip assembly are provided. The test strip and needle form one unit that captures the sample of blood or interstitial fluid from the patient once the apparatus is pressed to the skin. The hollow needle includes more than one opening at a distal end, each opening coming into contact with the bodily fluid when disposed within a cutaneous or subcutaneous layer of the patient's skin. The sample may flow through the needle onto a test region by capillary action and/or the positive pressure of the bodily fluid (e.g. blood or interstitial fluid) relative to the external environment. The disclosed test strip includes at least one reaction site for testing analyte concentrations and a means for interfacing with many commercially available test strip meters to provide readout of the analyte concentration.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes example systems and methods for identifying an indication of an injury of a user of a wearable computing device. The systems and methods may be directed to determining that an acceleration experienced by the wearable computing device exceeds a threshold value. In response, the wearable computing device may perform a diagnostic procedure in order to identify an indication of an injury experienced by the user of the wearable computing device. The diagnostic procedure may include one or more of an eye response test, a verbal response test, a motor response test, and a visual diagnostic test.

Abstract: There is provided herein a system and method for performing a balance evaluation that utilizes a hand held accelerometer that measures upper body compensatory and correctional movement. Instead of testing movement in the waist or lower extremity as is commonly done, the instant invention measures thoracic trunk sway to estimate an individual's balance via positional change algorithms. By holding the measuring device to the chest and performing one or a variety of balance tests, the instant invention can determine the amount of sway in the trunk without attached or fixed monitors, which presents a novel approach to assessing postural sway above the center of mass.

Abstract: The present invention is a dual resonant breast coil design for combined sodium and proton breast MRI with increased SNR at 3T when compared to a coil with a single proton and sodium channel. The coil consists of a 7-channel sodium receive phased array, a large sodium transmit coil, and a 4-channel hydrogen transceive array. An interleaved overlapping coil layout is used to reduce coupling between sodium and proton coil elements. The new composite array coil demonstrates a 2-5× improvement in SNR for sodium imaging when compared to a simple single-loop dual resonant design.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device (1) for measuring the knee laxity, with or without use of additional means of diagnosis such as computed axial tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, evaluating the instability of the knee due to rupture of any ligament, namely the anterior cruciate ligament, posterior cruciate ligament, postero-internal capsule, postero-external capsule, as well as around the axis of an orthonormal referential, that comprises three parts respectively to accept and retain the thigh, leg and foot. The device (1) includes independent means (20) and (21) to push backward the anterior zone of the leg and to push forward the posterior zone of the leg, and independent means (12) and (13) to push the part (5) for support and fixation of the foot in clockwise direction and in anti-clockwise direction.

Abstract: A biometric sensor includes a prosthesis for at least one joint having one or more biometric transceivers. The one or more biometric transceivers are capable of transmitting at least one energy wave into a procedure area, quantitatively assessing a behavior of the at least one energy wave, and assessing particulate matter using the at least one energy wave.

Abstract: A system for measuring of arterial and venous blood constituent concentration based first on measuring cardiac blood flow balance parameter between the right chamber of the heart and the left chamber of the heart, which includes a sensor device for measuring one of blood pressure and blood flow rate and blood constituent concentration of a patient so as to generate an arterial pulse signal. A processing unit is responsive to the arterial pulse signal for generating full arterial pulse plethysmography waveforms, arterio-venous pulse plethysmography waveforms, and balance parameters. A computational device that is responsive to plethysmography waveforms generating a plurality of state space linear transfer functions by applying system identification between plethysmography waveforms at various wavelengths representing a plurality of models of the blood constituent concentration, including oxygen, carbon dioxide, hemoglobin, and glucose, and displaying related useful information.

Abstract: A system and method for diagnosing coronary artery disease (CAD) comprises an acoustic sensor to be placed on the chest of a patient to generate acoustic signals SA: a control unit adapted to receive said acoustic signals SA, the control unit comprising: an identification unit to identify diastolic or systolic periods in a predetermined time period and to generate a period signal SP; a filtering unit adapted to apply a filter to said identified periods to generate a low frequency band signal SLFB and a high frequency band signal SHFB of said identified periods; and a calculation unit, to calculate a low frequency power measure SLFP and a high frequency feature measure SHFF. A risk-determining unit provides a risk-of-CAD signal based on the low frequency power measure and the high frequency feature measure. The invention also relates to a stethoscope and a method for detection of low frequency power.

Abstract: A radiation protection arrangement, in particular for attachment to at least one support rail which is preferably attached with a fastening device to one or more sides of the treatment table, comprising a fastening device at the at least one lamella which comprises a material for protection against radiation, preferably X-ray radiation, is preferably pivotably mounted, wherein the fastening device comprises a holder which can be attached to the support rail, wherein the holder comprises: at least one pivotably mounted handle, the handle having a free end and an end on which the handle is pivotably mounted, a locking mechanism suitable for locking the holder on the support rail, wherein the locking mechanism can be actuated by a pivotal movement of the at least one handle that is pivotably mounted on the holder.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, the x-ray apparatus comprises an x-ray source adapted to emit an x-ray beam, a detector adapted to receive the x-ray beam of the x-ray source, wherein the x-ray source is adapted to be moved in relation to a first portion of the x-ray apparatus, wherein the detector is adapted to be moved in relation to a first portion of the x-ray apparatus, the x-ray apparatus further comprising a control unit for controlling the movement of the x-ray source and detector, wherein the x-ray source and the detector are adapted to rotate in relation to a first portion of the x-ray apparatus, wherein further the x-ray beam is directed essentially towards the detector during the movement of the x-ray source and the detector.

Abstract: Methods and systems provide an integrated display, on a single screen, of images obtained from multiple modalities used in screening a subject. The methods and systems are usable with 2D, 3D, and 4D imaging, by which a single screen displays a screen image from a first modality. A window delineating an area of interest is placed on a first modality image from the first modality, and this area of interest is then displayed on a second modality image from a second modality, thereby providing a combined image representing the area of interest through both modalities. Preferably, the first modality image corresponds and/or is correlated with the second modality image.

Abstract: With a mammography PET apparatus, a supporting face includes a detector ring region, and a detector-outside region as an outside area of the detector ring region. The detector ring region is higher than the detector-outside region. An elastic lower-layer mat is disposed on the detector-outside region. An upper-layer mat, softer than the lower-layer mat, is disposed on the detector ring region and the lower-layer mat across a boundary between the detector ring region and the lower-layer mat. Accordingly, an edge of the lower-layer mat harder than the upper-layer mat is covered with the upper-layer mat, leading to alleviation of pain to a subject M caused by the edge of the lower-layer mat.

Abstract: The present technology relates generally to respiratory motion correction and associated systems and methods. In particular, several embodiments are directed to respiratory motion correction using internal-external motion correlation. For example, one embodiment of a method of correcting motion blurring in PET/CT imaging includes obtaining PET/CT imaging data of a target tissue in a patient and determining a centroid of the target tissue. The method can further include obtaining an external motion signal of the patient and determining a mean displacement of the external motion signal. The centroid of the target tissue can be correlated with the mean displacement and, based on the correlation, a PET/CT image corrected for motion of the target tissue can be reconstructed.

Abstract: Methods for computed tomography data-based cycle estimation and four-dimensional reconstruction are provided. A gated reconstruction is derived from CT data acquired without gating using an added artificial trigger. The resulting images for different slices are used to determine local or slice variations over time. The local variations over time for the various slices are combined to create a respiratory cycle signal. This respiratory cycle signal is used to bin the images for different phases, allowing four-dimensional CT reconstruction.

Abstract: A diagnostic image of internal anatomical features of a patient is annotated with representations of external features, such that both can be viewed together on a visual display. Adjustments to various treatment parameters relating to the administration of radiation therapy are provided, and the displayed image is automatically updated based on the adjustments.

Abstract: A catheter assembly for an intravascular ultrasound system includes a catheter and an imaging core. The catheter has a longitudinal length, a distal end, and a proximal end. The catheter includes a sealable lumen extending along the longitudinal length of the catheter from the proximal end to the distal end, and a movable plunger or a movable seal in fluid communication with the lumen. The movable plunger or the movable seal provides a gas-tight seal. The movable plunger or the movable seal is configured and arranged for adjusting to changes in volume of the lumen when the lumen is filled with an acoustically-favorable medium and sealed. The imaging core is configured and arranged for inserting into the sealable lumen and for coupling to a control module.

Abstract: The average velocity of a tissue is calculated for each frame in accordance with compression/release, and a reference waveform is generated by using the calculated velocity. A time phase in which the average velocity becomes 0 is specified by the reference waveform. In strain computation, time integration is performed for strain computation in a compression period or a release period with reference to the specified stationary time phase. This can properly and automatically visualize how the contraction of the tissue is accumulated from the start of compression or the contraction of the tissue becomes maximum in a compression end time phase in a compression period and how the tissue expands from the start of release or the expansion of the tissue becomes maximum in a release end time phase in a release time phase.

Abstract: The present invention provides a cart for an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, having a high degree of flexibility in moving a top board on which the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is placed, and enabling a stable operation wherever the top board is moved. In the cart for the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a vertical movement mechanism 60 is fixed on a base. A movable part 62 of the vertical movement mechanism is provided with a swing mechanism 70 that swings in the up-and-down direction, enabling up-and-down movement of the top board 10 according to both the vertical movement mechanism and the swing mechanism. The position of the movable part with which the swing mechanism is coupled is displaced forward from the vertical central axis of the vertical movement mechanism. The top board for placing the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is coupled with the swinging end of the swing mechanism, via a mechanism 80 for horizontal movement and/or a mechanism 90 for rotating the top board.

Abstract: A method of ultrasound imaging is provided herein. The method includes the following stages: transmitting ultrasound radiation towards a target and receiving reflections of the ultrasound radiation from a region of the target in a main reflected signal and one or more auxiliary reflected signals, wherein each one of the reflected signals comprises an input dataset and is associated with a beam with a different and distinct beam pattern; compounding the input datasets from the main reflected signal and one or more auxiliary reflected signals, by the use of a compounding function, said compounding function using parameters derived from spatial analysis of the input datasets.

Abstract: Adjustment of operation of an ultrasound imaging system may be based at least in part on one or more characteristics represented in ultrasound return signals from two or more sample volumes. Adjustment may include adjusting a principal sample volume location or selecting a new principal sample volume. For example, a location of a principal sample volume may be adjusted or new principal sample volume selected so as to remain focused on an identified region of interest or to maintain the principal sample volume relative to some structure or reference. The principal sample volume may be maintained in the center or along a centerline of an artery or other structure, as the transducer array is moved along the artery or structure.