Abstract: Disclosed are a probe including a hollow needle having an outer diameter of 0.003 to 0.4 mm and a length of 0.2 to 40 mm, wherein a distal end and a terminal end of the hollow needle are bridged with a salt bridge, an epidermal electric potential measuring device including the probe, an epidermal electric potential measuring method using the epidermal electric potential measuring device, and a cosmetic method using the epidermal electric potential measuring device.

Abstract: A watch having a cover is described. An optical sensor subsystem is attached adjacent to or directly on an interior surface of the cover. In some cases, the optical sensor subsystem includes a substrate to which a light emitter and a light receiver are attached. The light receiver is configured to receive light emitted by the light emitter and reflected from the skin of a person that wears the watch. In some cases, the light emitter and light receiver are separated by a light-blocking wall that abuts the interior surface of the cover. In some cases, a light filter is attached adjacent or directly on the interior surface of the cover, between the cover and the light receiver.

Abstract: The invention provides a mouth guard comprising an impact indicator that changes color when a blow to the head occurs that exceeds a predetermined level or that is of sufficient force to induce a concussion.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a head-mounted apparatus, including: an optical sensor having a contact face for contacting with the head of a user; a supporting unit disposed around the optical sensor and configured to contact with the head of the user; and a sensor supporting mechanism configured to support the optical sensor so as to permit a movement of the optical sensor in a contact direction that is a direction perpendicular to the contact face.

Abstract: Techniques and systems are disclosed for implementing textile-based screen-printed amperometric or potentiometric sensors. The chemical sensor can include carbon based electrodes to detect at least one of NADH, hydrogen peroxide, potassium ferrocyanide, TNT or DNT, in liquid or vapor phase. In one application, underwater presence of chemicals such as heavy metals and explosives is detected using the textile-based sensors.

Abstract: An electric conductive fiber structure includes an electric conductive resin containing electric conductive polymer(s), the electric conductive resin being filled in gaps between single fibers included in a fiber structure, the electric conductive fiber structure having 15% or more area ratio of the electric conductive resin present in an area of 15 to 30 ?m from a surface when a cross section in a thickness direction of the fiber structure is observed.

Abstract: Microneedle arrays, methods for fabricating microneedle arrays, medical devices, and methods for operating medical devices are provided. A method for fabricating a microneedle array includes providing a sheet blank of material. Further, the method includes stamping the sheet blank of material with a progression of dies, wherein the material is displaced into the microneedle array. A medical device includes a microneedle array, a base member having a first surface supporting the microneedle array and a second surface, and a flexible wall enclosing a chamber between the flexible wall and the second surface of the base member. The flexible wall is biased toward an extended configuration enclosing a first volume in the chamber. Further, the flexible wall is movable to a depressed configuration enclosing a second volume in the chamber less than the first volume.

Abstract: A smart sock system in embodiments of the present invention may have one or more of the following features: (a) a smart sock, comprising, (i) one or more materials fitted to at least a foot of a user, (ii) one or more integrated sensors for measuring information associated with a user located within the one or more materials, and (iii) a transceiver wirelessly communicating the information, (b) one or more wireless earpiece worn in ears of the user in operative communication with the smart sock transceiver, (c) a battery powering the sensors and transceiver, and (d) a processor for processing the information for communication through the transceiver.

Abstract: A device, system and method for restraining a patient in need thereof, documenting that appropriate and continuous health care is being provided to the restrained patient, and monitoring a vital sign of the patient comprising a wrist band adapted for restraining movement of a patient's wrist from a fixed position, wherein the wrist band is provided with a sensor adapted to monitor a patient's vital sign and a bar code which, upon scanning with a barcode reader, identifies the patient and the time of scanning.

Abstract: A wearable patch system includes an electrocardiogram (ECG) sensor having electrodes configured to contact a subject. An electronic stethoscope has a diaphragm structure responsive to sounds from the subject. The ECG sensor and the electronic stethoscope are co-located to measure respective parameters concurrently from a same position. A housing is configured to support the diaphragm structure and the electrodes. The housing includes a mechanical interface configured to mount on the subject. A communications circuit is disposed on or in the housing to communicate with a remote component.

Abstract: A sensing module is disclosed in the present invention and includes a body attaching member, a base module, a transmission member and a first sensor. The body attaching member is attached to a human limb and disposed on the base module. The transmission member is coupled to and moved with the body attaching member. The first sensor is disposed on a side of the body attaching member and separate from the body attaching member. When the body attaching member is driven to move along a direction by the human limb, the body attaching member drives the transmission member to activate the first sensor to generate a first signal. Since the first sensor is separate from the human limb, the first sensor is not affected by muscle swelling and skin friction during movement. Accordingly, the actuating module is able to drive the exoskeleton member more precisely.

Abstract: Provided are embodiments of systems, computer medium and computer-implemented methods for sensing health characteristics of a user using a chair pad including a set of health sensors integrated therewith and including temperature sensors, body position sensors, and body fat sensors. A method for sensing health characteristics of a user including receiving, from the temperature sensors, temperature data corresponding to a sensed body temperature of the user, receiving, from the body position sensors, body position data corresponding to a sensed body position of the user, receiving, from the body fat sensors, body fat data corresponding to a sensed body fat of the user, and transmitting, to a computer workstation, health data corresponding to the temperature data, the body position data, and the body fat data for use in determining the body temperature, the body position, and the body fat of the user.

Abstract: A mobile phone holder for monitoring a physical feature and a physical feature monitoring method are provided. The mobile phone holder includes an annular member and a base connected to the annular member. The annular member is configured to collect physical feature data of a user, and the base is configured to acquire a physical feature parameter in accordance with the physical feature data, and control to display the physical feature parameter.

Abstract: A biological information analyzing device includes: an indicator extraction unit that creates, on the basis of blood pressure waveform time series data measured by a sensor that is worn on a user's body and can non-invasively measure the blood pressure waveform for each of heartbeats, a multidimensional graphic by plotting a plurality of points of data constituting one or more blood pressure waveforms selected from the blood pressure waveform time series data in a multidimensional space constructed from a plurality of axes including at least two axes corresponding to two types of feature amounts extracted from the blood pressure waveform, and extracts an indicator pertaining to a shape characteristic of the multidimensional graphic; and a processing unit that carries out a process based on the extracted indicator.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus, and a sensor arrangement for acquiring at least one item of patient movement information during a medical imaging examination, have at least one sensor element and a support apparatus, with the at least one sensor element arranged on the support apparatus. The support apparatus has a positioning element for positioning the support apparatus and at least one strut-like support element on which the at least one sensor element is removably arranged.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically performing one or more physiological measurements. In various embodiments, image and audio data of a setting in which a patient is present may be acquired via one or more recording devices (102). A determination may be made based on the acquired image and audio data of a state of activity associated with the patient. Based on the determined state of activity associated with the patient, a corresponding one or more physiological measurements of the patient to be obtained may be identified. One or more health sensors (122) may then be caused to be operated to obtain the corresponding one or more physiological measurements.

Abstract: A wearable physiological measurement device worn on an arm of a body includes an electronic module, at least one strap body electrically connected with the electronic module, a first sensing module electrically connected with the processor module, and a second sensing module electrically connected with the processor module. An inside of the electronic module is equipped with a processor module. An inner surface of the strap body is flush with an inner surface of the electronic module. The first sensing module is fastened to the electronic module and is exposed to the inner surface of the electronic module to be close to a skin surface of an outer side of the arm. The second sensing module is fastened to the strap body and is exposed to an inner surface of the strap body to be closed to a skin surface of an inner side of the arm.

Abstract: A system and method for assessing risk associated with a suspected heart rhythm disorder includes at least one sensor for generating a signal received from a beating human heart over a plurality of time segments, and an analytic engine that receives the signal and calculates a change in the signal among at least a first time segment and a second time segment in response to a change in at least one of rate and regularity induced in the beating human heart. The analytic engine generates a risk score for the heart rhythm disorder based at least in part on the change in the signal. The system may further be configured to control modification of tissue of the beating human heart based on the risk score.

Abstract: Systems, processes and devices for real-time brain monitoring for epileptic spasms and hypsarrhythmia or electrodecremental events to generate and control an interface of a display device with a visual representation of a Brain Value Index for epileptic spasms and hypsarrhythmia or electrodecremental events, a connectivity map and treatment guidance. Systems, processes and devices for real-time brain monitoring capture sensor data, process the data and dynamically update the interface in real-time.

Abstract: High definition, color images, animations, and videos for diagnostic and personal imaging applications are described along with methods, devices and systems for creating the images, as well as applications for using the images, animations and videos.

Abstract: An X-ray detector, including a stacking arrangement, includes an evaluation unit and a carrier unit. The evaluation unit and the carrier unit are electrically conductively connected via a plurality of connecting elements. An interspace is formed between the evaluation unit, the carrier unit and the plurality of connecting elements. A protective element is formed on side faces of the carrier unit, arranged essentially parallel to a stacking direction of the stacking arrangement. The protective element is formed in at least one section of the side faces along the entire outer circumference and along the edges of the side faces, facing the evaluation unit.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein generally relate to improved medical diagnostics for nuclear medicine (NM) imaging. The systems and methods define an uncertainty model of a medical imaging system. The uncertainty model is based on natural-statistics distribution of the medical imaging system response. The systems and methods acquire image data of a patient from the medical imaging system, and calculate an uncertainty map of the patient based on the uncertainty model and the image data. The uncertainty map represents a collection of realizations that are generated based on the image data and the uncertainty model. The systems and methods apply a classification or ranking algorithm to the image data and the uncertainty map to calculate image data classification or ranking of the patient including confidence values.

Abstract: The invention relates to a combined imaging detector (110) for the detection of x-ray and gamma quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) is adapted for simultaneous detection of gamma and x-ray quanta. The combined imaging detector (110) includes an x-ray anti-scatter grid (111), a layer of x-ray scintillator elements (112), a first photodetector array (113), a layer of gamma scintillator elements (114), and a second photodetector array (115) that are arranged in a stacked configuration along a radiation-receiving direction (116). The x-ray anti-scatter grid (111) comprises a plurality of septa (117A, B, C) that define a plurality of apertures (118) which are configured to collimate both x-ray quanta and gamma quanta received from the radiation receiving direction (116) such that received gamma quanta are collimated only by the x-ray anti-scatter grid (111). The use of the x-ray anti-scatter grid as a collimator for received gamma quanta results in a significantly lighter combined imaging detector.

Abstract: An X-ray examination device has an X-ray tube and an X-ray detector for recording at least one X-ray image of a breast and also an ultrasound system for recording an ultrasound image of the breast. A compression unit is used for compression and fixation of the breast. A volume-variable and/or shape-variable positioning element is disposed to act on the breast. The positioning element has at least one chamber and the volume-variability and/or shape-variability of the positioning element can be effected by filling at least one chamber of the positioning element with a filling medium and/or by emptying at least one chamber of the positioning element.

Abstract: An imaging device and a gantry thereof are provided. An imaging device comprises a bracket, a cantilever, an X-ray source, a detector, a sliding strip and a sliding contact piece. The cantilever is slidably mounted on the bracket. The X-ray source is provided on the cantilever and the detector is opposite to the X-ray source and provided on the cantilever. The sliding strip is provided at an outer side of the cantilever, extends along the cantilever, and is electrically connected with the X-ray source and the detector. The sliding contact piece is fixed to the bracket and is in slidable electrical contact with the sliding strip. Another imaging device comprises a first gantry, a second gantry, a sliding strip and a sliding contact piece.

Abstract: An imaging system is provided. The imaging system comprises a first imaging device and a second gantry. The first imaging device comprises a first gantry, a first X-ray source provided on the first gantry and a first detector that is opposed to the first X-ray source and provided on the first gantry. The first imaging device is used to execute a first imaging mode. The second gantry is separably connected with the first gantry, and executes a second imaging mode combined.

Abstract: Imaging devices and medical apparatuses are provided. The imaging device comprises a first cantilever, a second cantilever and an aligning and locking device where the second cantilever is separably connected with the first cantilever, and the aligning and locking device is provided at a connection of the first cantilever and the second cantilever and comprises a positioning groove, a positioning block and a locking member. The positioning groove is concavely provided on one of the first cantilever and the second cantilever and the positioning block is convexly provided on the other and extendable into the positioning groove to cooperate with the positioning groove for positioning. A locking groove is concavely provided in the positioning block. The locking member is movably provided in the cantilever on which the positioning groove is provided, and may insert into the locking groove to cooperate with the locking groove for locking.

Abstract: A system and method for generating a phase contrast image based on an absorption contrast image are provided. The method may include obtaining an absorption contrast image of a first object. The method may further include obtaining a phase contrast image generation model, wherein the phase contrast image generation model may be associated with at least one sample absorption contrast image and at least one sample phase contrast image of a second object. The method may further include executing the phase contrast image generation model to generate a phase contrast image of the first object based on the absorption contrast image of the first object.

Abstract: A first detection unit detects a breast region and a skin line from a breast image, and a first index value calculation unit calculates a first index value indicating the single composition degree of the breast region. A second detection unit detects a boundary between the adipose tissue and the mammary gland tissue in a predetermined range from the skin line toward the inside of the breast region in the breast image. A second index value acquisition unit acquires a second index value indicating the degree of clogging of mammary glands with respect to the breast region based on at least one of the strength of the boundary or the distance from the skin line. An identification unit identifies the type of the breast based on the first and second index values.

Abstract: A method is for determining a two-dimensional mammography dataset. The method includes the receipt of a three-dimensional mammography dataset of an examination region via an interface. The method furthermore includes the first determination of a two-dimensional mammography dataset of the examination region by application of a trained generator function to the three-dimensional mammography dataset via a processing unit, wherein the trained generator function is based on a trained GA network. Through this method, it is possible efficiently to create two-dimensional mammography datasets, which are visually similar to real two-dimensional mammography datasets and can therefore be appraised with standardized methods.

Abstract: A dynamic analysis apparatus includes: an index value meter that measures, in a plurality of areas in a dynamic image obtained by performing radiography on a region including a blood vessel with respect to a subject, a temporal change of an index value regarding a position and a shape of the blood vessel; an elongation rate calculator that calculates an elongation rate of the blood vessel in each area on the basis of the temporal change of the index value in each area measured by the index value meter; and an elongation rate display that displays a list of the elongation rate in each area calculated by the elongation rate calculator.

Abstract: A medical imaging device that includes: a press plate that presses a breast; an emitter that radiates radiation onto the breast; an acquisition section that acquires various information indicating a type of an acoustic matching member inserted between the press plate and the breast in cases in which ultrasound imaging of the breast is performed; and a setting section that sets a tube voltage of the emitter to a first tube voltage, in cases in which radiographic imaging of the breast is performed alone, and that sets the tube voltage of the emitter to a second tube voltage that is different from the first tube voltage, by employing the various information acquired by the acquisition section, in cases in which radiographic imaging and ultrasound imaging of the breast are performed consecutively with the acoustic matching member still inserted.

Abstract: A control unit of a console functions as an acquisition unit that acquires a radiographic image and imaging conditions in which the radiographic image has been captured. In addition, the control unit functions as a derivation unit that derives the amount of signal included in the radiographic image on the basis of a primary radiation distribution of the radiographic image derived on the basis of the imaging conditions or on the basis of the imaging conditions and a body thickness distribution of an object in the radiographic image and outputs the ratio of the derived amount of signal to the amount of noise included in the radiographic image as an index value of the amount of radiation emitted in the capture of the radiographic image.

Abstract: An X-ray fluoroscopy and imaging and apparatus prevents error in a foot switch having a sensor. The detection sensor detects whether the operator is contacting each switch installed on the foot-switch. The information detected by the sensor is displayed as a textual format and/or an image that are visually recognizable, so that the operator can confirm the accuracy of a contacted-switch indication. Accordingly, the operator can comprehend instantly and accurately information relative to the switch currently selected.

Abstract: Provided is an X-ray imaging apparatus capable of properly performing an automatic exposure control and an appropriately performing X-ray imaging control with a simple configuration. In cases where there exists a plurality of AEC photo pickup fields for automatic exposure, based on the positional information on an X-ray irradiation area and the AEC photo pickup field(s), the presence or absence of AEC photo pickup field(s) where all areas of the sensitive area are not included in the X-ray irradiation area is detected. In cases where there exist one or more AEC photo pickup fields not included in the X-ray irradiation area, the corresponding AEC photo pickup field is set to be unused. As a result, it is possible to appropriately perform an automatic exposure control and/or perform an X-ray imaging control appropriately with a simple structure.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for predicting x-ray tube liquid bearing failure are disclosed. An example circuit board device includes a sensor to detect, in a free run mode of an x-ray tube, vibration in an x-ray tube housing. The example device includes a digital signal processor to process vibration information representing vibration detected to generate x-ray tube characterization information. The example device includes a communication interface to relay the x-ray tube characterization information to a cloud infrastructure to process the characterization information to generate a failure prediction based on x-ray tube bearing coast down characteristics extracted from the characterization information. Other example instructions cause a machine to receive x-ray tube characterization information related to bearing vibration in the x-ray tube.

Abstract: An intracardiac imaging system has an MRI compatible intracardiac echography catheter having transmitters, receivers, a multiplexer, and a beamformer. The catheter can include an atraumatic tip disposed on the distal end of the catheter, a pair of inductively coupled coils proximal the atraumatic tip, at least one CMUT-on-CMOS volumetric imaging chip disposed between the pair of coils, and a cable lumen disposed within the volume sized to house a small number of electrical connections due to significant multiplexing in the CMUT-on-CMOS chip. The catheter can be made of MRI compatible materials and can include active cooling channels.

Abstract: An acoustically registerable probe includes a transducer (212) to generate acoustic pulses, and a beamformer (222) coupled to the transducer to adjust a field of view of the acoustic pulses. The transducer is configured to iteratively send and receive acoustic energy with a decremented field of view angles to identify a position of the transducer (216) to other transducers and to reveal positions of the other transducers to the transducer through a medium carrying the acoustic pulses to register the transducer to the other transducers coupled to the medium.

Abstract: An intravascular imaging device (102) is provided. In one embodiment, the intravascular imaging device includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for insertion into a vessel of a patient, the flexible elongate member having a proximal portion and a distal portion; an imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, the imaging assembly including: a flex circuit (214); and a support member (230) around which the flex circuit is positioned, the support member having a proximal portion, a distal portion, and a central portion having greater flexibility than the proximal and distal portions. In one embodiment, the intravascular imaging device includes a flexible elongate member; an imaging assembly including: a flex circuit; and a first support member component; and a second support member component spaced from the second support member component, wherein the flex circuit is positioned around the first and second support member components.

Abstract: An adaptor for adjusting electrical signals propagated along an electrically-conductive path between a drive unit and a catheter of an intravascular ultrasound imaging system includes a catheter connector disposed along a first end of a housing and configured to receive the catheter. A drive-unit connector is disposed along a second end of the housing and is configured to couple the adaptor to the drive unit. A catheter-conductor interface electrically-couples to a transducer conductor of the catheter. A drive-unit-conductor interface electrically-couples to an electrical conductor of the drive unit. An adaptor conductor electrically-couples the catheter-conductor interface to the drive-unit-conductor interface. A tuning element is electrically-coupled to the adaptor conductor and is configured to adjust electrical signals propagating along the adaptor conductor based, at least in part, on an operational frequency of a transducer disposed in the catheter.

Abstract: An endoscopic instrument includes: a body extending in a lengthwise direction, and having a first channel and a second channel parallel to each other; and an optical portion provided with an incident surface formed at an end part of the first channel so as to receive an external image, the optical portion disposed at the first channel, wherein the second channel is formed such that a laser module is insertable thereinto, and the laser module is configured to output laser in a direction crossing the lengthwise direction, and wherein the incident surface is formed to be inclined from a sectional surface of the first channel, such that the optical portion captures an image disposed on a path of the outputted laser. With such a configuration, a surgery can be performed through a single punched hole.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic system includes a portable ultrasound diagnostic device and an extended docking device to which the portable ultrasound diagnostic device is detachably mounted, wherein at least one of the probes and channels are extended when the portable ultrasound diagnostic device is mounted to the extended docking device. Also, the ultrasound diagnostic system may further include an indoor ultrasound diagnostic device including a portable docking part, and the portable ultrasound diagnostic device may include a cart-based docking part and be connected to the indoor ultrasound diagnostic device. The ultrasound diagnostic system may enhance portability of the portable ultrasound diagnostic device and simultaneously achieves superior ultrasound diagnostic performance and quality also in the portable ultrasound diagnostic device through extension of the probes, signal channels, diagnostic items, or diagnostic performance, as occasion demands.

Abstract: An ultrasonic endoscope has a laminated body that includes an ultrasonic transducer array in which a plurality of ultrasonic transducers are arranged, and a backing material layer that supports the plurality of ultrasonic transducers; a cable portion that includes a plurality of cables each of which is electrically connected to a corresponding one of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers, and a shield member that covers the plurality of cables from outside and that is made of a metal; and a first heat conductive member that is disposed on a side surface of the laminated body. The first heat conductive member is extended to the shield member that is grounded to a housing and is thermally connected to the shield member.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system comprising a multi-use electronic display device and an ultrasound imaging device. The multi-use electronic display device is capable of communicating with one or more ultrasound imaging devices and selecting which to connect with based on at least one of previously store information, user input, and information gathered from the ultrasound imaging devices. The multi-use electronic display device may communicate with the ultrasound imaging devices while they are in a low power standby state. This approach reduces the complexity of the pairing process and provides a means for quickly and easily selecting between multiple ultrasound imaging devices.

Abstract: A system and a method are provided for enabling a user to interactively navigate through a set of slice images, the set of slice images jointly representing an image volume showing an anatomical structure of a patient. A user may be enabled to switch from a static viewing mode to a navigation mode based on navigation commands received from a user input device operable by the user. A display processor may be configured for, in the static viewing mode, generating an output image comprising one slice image of the set of slice images. The display processor may be configured for, in the navigation mode, replacing the said one slice image in the output image by a volume rendering of a slab of the image volume, the slab comprising more than one slice image. The system and method thus selectively switch to volume rendering, namely during navigation, whereas in a static (i.e., non-navigation) viewing mode, a slice image is shown.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a probe and a console. The probe includes an elongate shaft with a long axis, a transducer array disposed the shaft along the long axis and configured to generate signals indicative of received echoes, and a motor with a position sensor configured to rotate the shaft within a predetermined arc. The console includes a beamformer configured to process the signals from the transducer array and generate at least a volume of data for each sweep of the transducer array along the arc. The console further includes a display configured to display the volume of data.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe for transmitting a first ultrasonic beam BM1 to biological tissue in a subject; a transmission control section for transmitting an ultrasonic beam for generating shear waves in the biological tissue from the ultrasonic probe to the biological tissue while applying steering to the beam; and a region-defining section for defining a region in an ultrasonic image of the subject, wherein the transmission control section transmits the first ultrasonic beam while applying steering to the beam by setting transmission parameters such that the first ultrasonic beam travels closest to and outside of the region.

Abstract: There is provided a method of improving a measurement of the flow velocity of blood in a blood vessel of a subject, the method comprising using an ultrasound transducer to emit an ultrasound beam to measure flow velocity in a part of a body of a subject; forming a spatial time velocity profile for the part of the body from the measured flow velocity; and analyzing the spatial time velocity profile to determine a correction to the angle of the ultrasound beam with respect to the subject, the correction being based on a difference between the position of a peak in the spatial time velocity profile and the center of the spatial time velocity profile.

Abstract: Provided is an information processing apparatus, including: an image acquiring unit configured to acquire a photoacoustic image which originates from a photoacoustic wave generated by irradiating an object with light; an interpretation result acquiring unit configured to acquire interpretation result information, which represents a result of interpreting the photoacoustic image; a biopsy result acquiring unit configured to acquire biopsy result information, which represents a result of biopsy performed on the object; and a data generating unit configured to generate data in which the photoacoustic image, the interpretation result information and the biopsy result information are associated one another.

Abstract: A reception beamformer 140 makes use of an ultrasound probe that includes N transducers in an azimuth direction, and includes: a partial frame memory 1432 partitioned into M0 azimuth direction×D depth direction addresses, where M0?N; and a synthesizer 143 that makes a correlation between acoustic line signal line data corresponding to transmission events and addresses of the partial frame memory 1432, synthesizes acoustic line signal line data obtained from transmission events by summing acoustic line signals with data stored at correlation addresses S which have been correlated with the acoustic line signals, and generates acoustic line signal frame data having N lines in the azimuth direction.