Abstract: An integrated respiratory monitor and imaging device apparatus (10) is provided. The apparatus is useful for establishing pre-operative and intra-operative breath hold congruency in patients and for other interventional work. The apparatus (10) includes a respiratory monitor system (12) and an imaging device (14). The respiratory monitor system is adapted to engage a patient and generate a respiratory signal representative of a breath hold level of the patient during a breath hold. The imaging device (14) is adapted to scan the patient during the breath hold and generate a volumetric image data set of the patient. The respiratory sensor and imaging device are operatively connected to associate the respiratory signal representative of the breath hold level of the patient together with the volumetric image data set of the patient. A data storage device (64) is provided for storing a set of respiratory signals in association with a corresponding set of volumetric image data sets in the subject apparatus (10).

Abstract: A patient support table for breast MRI systems, the table including a base configured to slide into and out of the bore of an MRI system; a patient support member attached to the base and having a top surface shaped to support a patient in a prone position; two breast openings in the patient support member, the breast openings being sized and positioned to permit the patient's breasts to extend downward beneath the patient support member, at least a pair of breast immobilization paddles, one on each side of a breast opening, the immobilization paddles comprising a grid of breast contact elements that contact the breast while providing a plurality of openings through which a surgical tool may be inserted into the breast, and the paddles having a convex curvature along the Z direction (head to toe) so that the breast contacting surface of each paddle is further from the Y-axis center line of the breast opening midway along the Z extent of the paddle than at the Z extremities of the paddle.

Abstract: A fast semi-automatic prostate contouring method is provided using model-based initialization and an efficient Discrete Dynamic Contour (DDC) for boundary refinement. The user initiates the process of the preferred embodiment by identifying four (4) points on the prostate boundary, thereby scaling and shaping a prostate model, and then the final prostate contour is refined with a DDC. The method of the present invention has particular application during the pre-implant planning phase of a brachytherapy procedure. However, this method also has uses in any phase of dose planning in the brachytherapy procedure or any other therapy approach.

Abstract: A three dimensional ultrasonic imaging system acquires volume segments of a wide field of view volume image in coincidence with an ECG waveform. The ECG waveforms acquired during acquisition of the volume segments are displayed in a comparative display in which a different ECG waveform can be visually distinguished. A volume segment acquired during an arrhythmic heartbeat can be reacquired or replaced in the wide field of view volume data set. The ECG waveforms can be displayed vertically aligned by their R-waves, in overlapping alignment, or differently shaded or colored. A processor can compare the ECG waveforms automatically and automatically replace the data of a volume segment acquired during an arrhythmic heartbeat.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an automatic contour extracting unit that contains an initial contour extracting unit for roughly extracting an initial contour of an object to be examined from an ultrasound image by performing a predetermined operation (such as equalization, binarization, and degeneration) on the ultrasound image. The automatic contour extracting unit also contains a dynamic contour extracting unit for accurately extracting a final contour of the object by using the extracted initial contour as an initial value and by applying an active contour model, such as the SNAKES model, to the object within the ultrasound image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for displaying an enhanced image based on an image plane of data. A volume data set is acquired, and a plane is defined on an image based on the volume data set. The plane may be a C-plane. Data within the volume data set which is defined by the plane is processed with an image enhancing technique and the resultant enhanced image is displayed.

Abstract: Spatial derivatives are computed. In one method, gradients are determined from data in an acoustic domain rather than a Cartesian or display coordinate domain. The gradients determined from data in the acoustic domain are then transformed to the Cartesian coordinate or display screen domain. For example, a matrix function representing the spatial relationship between the acoustic domain and the Cartesian coordinate domain transforms the coordinates. As a result, spatial gradients in the Cartesian system are provided where acoustic domain data is being processed. In another method for volume rendering or three-dimensional imaging, a gradient is calculated from data in the display or screen domain. Data from a reconstructed 3D Cartesian coordinate grid or data in an acoustic domain is resampled to ray lines. The ray lines correspond to the display domain as compared to an arbitrary Cartesian coordinate format. The gradients are calculated from the resampled data in the screen domain.

Abstract: Three or four-dimensional ultrasound data acquisition for extended field of view imaging is provided. Multiple volumes are registered with respect to each other and spliced together to form an extended volume. The extended volume is a contiguous volume larger than a volumetric region that a multi-dimensional or wobbler transducer array is capable of imaging without movement. Information representing different volumes is registered with respect to each other by sensing the transducer position associated with each of the different volumes. The position is sensed using a position sensing mechanism, such as magnetic optical or gyroscope measurements. Acoustic data may be used to determine decorrelation of speckle or correlation of features to sense position. After the volumes are registered, any overlapping regions are compounded. The resulting extended field of view volume is displayed and manipulated for viewing by the user.

Abstract: A method of obtaining a three-dimensional deformation of an organ which is deformable over time and extends in a three-dimensional space from at least two sets of data (DS(t1), DS(t2)) representing points of said organ and corresponding to distinct times (t1, t2) in the deformation of the organ. A correspondence (SEL(t1,t2)) between the points in the sets of data being determined (COR), said method uses a definition (DEF) of notional planes (Pi) on which there are defined explicit equations (EQi) of the deformation of the organ including unknown parameters (PARi(t1, t2)). The parameters (PARi(t1, t2)) are calculated (CAL) for each equation (EQi) and the explicit equations (Esp.) obtained are then utilized (EXT) in order to define the deformation in the three-dimensional space (DEF3D(t1,t2)) by weighting functions defined for the points in the space.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3-D) ultrasound computed tomography (UCT) system for providing a 3-D image of a target is presented. The 3-D UCT system includes an imaging chamber having a plurality of piezoelectric elements. The plurality of piezoelectric elements are arranged as a plurality of cylindrical rings. When activated, the plurality of piezoelectric elements generate and receive an ultrasound signal in a cone beam form. The 3-D UCT system also includes a processor coupled to the imaging chamber. The processor receives and processes the ultrasound signal and constructs the 3-D image of the target. A display device is also included with the 3-D UCT system. The display device exhibits the 3-D image of the target for analysis.

Abstract: The preferred embodiments described herein relate to three-dimensional pictograms and indicators for use with medical images. In one embodiment, a three-dimensional pictogram representing anatomy shown in a medical image is displayed along with a marker that represents a medical instrument used to create the medical image. A user can adjust an orientation of the marker with respect to the three-dimensional pictogram. In another embodiment, a set of three-dimensional pictograms of anatomy is displayed. A user can select one of the three-dimensional pictograms for display near a medical image and rotate the three-dimensional pictogram. In another embodiment, a saved three-dimensional pictogram is retrieved, and a user can rotate the three-dimensional pictogram starting from the orientation shown in the retrieved pictogram. In yet another embodiment, a three-dimensional pictogram is used as an indicator for a three-dimensional medical image.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-dimensional ultrasound image method and apparatus for reducing distortions of ultrasound images by precisely estimating a distance between consecutive two-dimensional frames obtained by a manual scanning. The apparatus comprises a transducer array for transmitting ultrasound signals to a target object and receiving echo signals reflected from the target object; a receive-focusing unit for receive-focusing the echo signals to generate a plurality of consecutive two-dimensional ultrasound image frames; a converter for converting the consecutive two-dimensional ultrasound image frames into a three-dimensional ultrasound image; and a display for displaying the three-dimensional ultrasound image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for acquiring and processing a volumetric scan of a periodically moving object having uneven periods of time are included. A volumetric scan is performed of a periodically moving object. A time interval of a periodic movement of the periodically moving object is identified within the volumetric scan. The volumetric scan is divided into volume subsets based on the time interval. The periodic movement is analyzed to determine a correction between adjacent volume subsets, and the time interval is adjusted based on the correction.

Abstract: A surgical instrument navigation system comprises an ultrasound machine and a computer coupled to the ultrasound machine. A memory is coupled to the computer and includes computer instructions that when executed by the computer cause the computer to generate an icon representing the surgical instrument with a tip and the surgical instrument's trajectory and to overlay the icon on a real-time ultrasound image having an image plane, such that when the surgical instrument crosses the ultrasound image plane the format of the surgical instrument's trajectory is changed to represent the surgical instrument's crossing of the ultrasound image's plane. The system also comprises a localizer coupled to the ultrasound machine, and a display coupled to the computer for displaying the generated icon superimposed on the real-time image.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for acquiring and processing a volumetric scan of a periodically moving object. A volumetric scan is performed of the periodically moving object which repeats a cycle of movement over time. A time interval of the periodic movement of the object is identified within the volumetric scan, and the volumetric scan is rearranged based on the time interval.

Abstract: An electrical impedance scanner having a probe in its contact surface [lacuna] an electrode matrix for detection of the surface distribution of the body current and/or body potentials originating from an opposing electrode which is fitted at some other point on the body of the patient, in which case additional ultrasound transducers (12) for the transmission and reception of ultrasound waves are installed in the contact surface (9) of the probe (3) and are connected to an ultrasound investigation appliance which has a monitor.

Abstract: A volume imaging system which progressively constructs, analyzes, and updates three dimensional models while acquiring cross-sectional data is described. The system constructs and displays three-dimensional renderings, and performs quantitative calculations in real time during the imaging system data collection process, displays interactive three-dimensional renderings in a traditional post-data collection process, as well as prescribes, archives, films, and transmits rendering procedures, parameters, renderings, measurements, and processed data, during data collection and post-acquisition.

Abstract: In a medical treatment/examination device and method for the acquisition and presentation of a medical instrument introduced into a cavity organ of a patient to be examined or treated, particularly in the framework of a cardial examination or treatment with a catheter, intracorporeal registration of 2D ultrasound images of the cavity organ is undertaken using a catheter-like ultrasound acquisition device guided into the cavity organ with simultaneous acquisition of the spatial position and orientation of a 2D ultrasound image by a position acquisition system, a 3D ultrasound image dataset is generated from the 2D ultrasound image, following introduction of the instrument, the instrument is acquired in a coordinate system registered with the 3D ultrasound image dataset, and a 3D reconstruction image is generated on the basis of the 3D image dataset and is presented at a monitor, containing a positionally exact presentation of the instrument in the 3D reconstruction image.

Abstract: A data collection device obtains three-dimensional ultrasound scan information of a portion of the abdominal aorta. A plurality of transducer elements are arranged to provide overlapping coverage. The data collection device is first positioned over the aorta by an operator; a one-dimensional scan with a Doppler sound generator operating on the blood flow is used to verify proper initial positioning of the device. Three-dimensional scan information is then obtained and converted from plane coordinates into spherical coordinates such that the resulting converted scan line planes are perpendicular to the aorta. The information in each converted scan line plane is then processed to determine the boundaries of the aorta, from which diameter information is then calculated. Diameter measurements over a given region of the aorta can be used to determine and monitor an aneurysm in the aorta.

Abstract: An ellipsoidal axes setting unit sets major and minor axis of an ellipsoid based on cross sectional position information and ellipsoidal parameters input by a user while viewing a display. A major axis end detector unit, a front view minor axis end detector unit, and a side view minor axis end detector unit detect ends of the major and minor axes based on the major and minor axes set at the ellipsoidal axes setting unit and a target tissue surface image for each time phase output from an edge extractor unit. A major/minor axes setting unit selects appropriate lengths of the major and minor axes from the input ends of the major and minor axes and outputs the selected lengths to a region-of-interest generator unit where a three-dimensional region of interest is generated.

Abstract: A system for generating a three-dimensional image of the compressed breast 40 of a subject includes an x-ray mammography unit 24 for generating x-ray mammography data, a mechanical scanner 20 including an x-ray mammography compression paddle assembly 22, a control and motion system 26, 28 for driving the mechanical scanner 20 and for sensing the control and motion system's position, an ultrasound probe 32 for generating ultrasound image data in spatial registration with the x-ray mammography unit 24, and a computer 38 for generating from the ultrasound image data and the x-ray mammography data the three-dimensional ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus forms a three-dimensional echo data acquisition space. A beam address array is composed of a plurality of ultrasonic beam addresses constituting a three-dimensional echo data acquisition space. The beam address array is divided into a plurality of address groups, and address scanning is repeated twice for each of the address groups. Thus, when a differential operation or the like of two data items obtained at the same beam position is performed, the time interval between acquisition of the two data pieces becomes short. The existence or behavior of an ultrasonic contrast agent within tissue of a living body is displayed as a three-dimensional differential image.

Abstract: A method for adaptively determining reconstruction signals in an ultrasound system comprises determining a size of a receive aperture, comparing the size of receive aperture at each imaging point with a predetermined number of reconstruction channels, if the size of the receive aperture is not greater than the number of reconstruction channels, processing received echo signals for the receive aperture to produce an ultrasonic image, and if the size of the receive aperture is greater than the number of reconstruction channels, preprocessing the received echo signals to produce reconstruction signals, the number of reconstruction signals being equal to the number of reconstruction channels. The reconstruction signals are further processed to produce an ultrasonic image. In one embodiment, the receive aperture is a function of location of an imaging point in a medium under investigation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is capable of displaying a three-dimensional image by performing three-dimensional scanning in an object with ultrasonic beams at rapid speed. Small transducer blocks are formed through selective connection on a two-dimensional transducer array of an ultrasonic probe. Driving pulse signals are modulated and these driving pulse signals, each having respectively different frequencies, are simultaneously provided to the selected small transducer blocks, causing said small transducer blocks to transmit ultrasonic beams to the interior of the object. Waves reflected from the interior of the object are received by each small transducer block. After the echo signals received by each small transducer block are demodulated, these signals are input to a phasing circuit to generate a plurality of received beam signals. The selected position of the small transducer blocks is moved at each repetition of ultrasonic transmission/repetition.

Abstract: For the purpose of allowing easy perception of the imaging direction of an image produced by post-processing, the present apparatus comprises: data acquiring means for acquiring three-dimensional image data on a subject to be imaged based on ultrasound using an ultrasonic transceiver; specifying means for specifying a simulative imaging direction based on spatial information with respect to a hand instrument that is manually operated; and image producing means for producing an image corresponding to an image captured in the simulative imaging direction based on the three-dimensional image data.

Abstract: A method of characterizing an adnexal mass is disclosed, the method is effected by (a) obtaining a cross-sectional or projectional image of an examined adnex including the adnexal mass; (b) extracting boundaries of the adnexal mass; and (c) using a first algorithm for quantifying at least one morphological feature of the adnexal mass, thereby providing quantification of the at least one morphological feature.

Abstract: Methods and systems for volume rendering three-dimensional ultrasound data sets in an acoustic grid using a graphics processing unit are provided. For example, commercially available graphic accelerators cards using 3D texturing may provide 256×, 256×128 8 bit volumes at 25 volumes per second or better for generating a display of 512×512 pixels using ultrasound data. By rendering from data at least in part in an acoustic grid, the amount of scan conversion processing is reduced or eliminated prior to the rendering.

Abstract: An image generation unit generates image data of a tomographic image based on an electric signal received from a send/receive unit through a control unit. An ROI setting unit sets an ROI to the generated tomographic image. A characteristic value extraction unit extracts a characteristic value (such as volume of left ventricular of a heart) to the set ROI. A synchronization generation unit generates a synchronization signal based on the extracted characteristic value. A synchronization information addition unit adds information that represents the generated synchronization signal to image data and stores the image data in an image data storage unit. A data reading unit reads out the image data to which the information that represents the synchronization signal is added from the image data storage unit. An image display unit displays a tomographic image of the read-out image data.

Abstract: A system and method of ultrasound quantification acquires acoustic image data from anatomic locations distributed in more than 2 dimensions, and uses a segmentation algorithm to provide real-time volume measurements. A 2D array is used to acquire two orthogonal (bi-plane) 2D images simultaneously. The images are segmented individually to determine the volume borders using any number of acoustic algorithms. The borders from the two bi-plane images are mathematically combined to give a volume measurement. A control processor controls the system to thereby obtain instant feedback of the segmented image data and enhance the volume measurements of the image. The system and method is extended to a number of simultaneous 2D images and to a full 3D volume acquisition.

Abstract: A method and system for selecting and recording biopsy sites in a body organ. The method comprises obtaining a three-dimensional image of the organ; and a first two-dimensional sub-image of the organ. The position of the first two-dimensional sub-image in the three-dimensional image is determined. Sites in the first two-dimensional sub-image where a biopsy is to be obtained are selected, and sites at which biopsies were obtained are indicated in the three-dimensional image. Additional two-dimensional sub-images of the organ are sequentially obtained, and for each sub-image, the position of the sub-image in the three-dimensional image is determined, and any sites in the sub-image where biopsies have previously been obtained are indicated. One or more sites in the sub-image where biopsies are to be obtained are selected and any sites where biopsies were obtained are indicated in the three-dimensional image.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and an apparatus for recording volume in humans or animals. The method is non-invasive, and two or more phased-array ultrasound transducers are used for the recording of the volume of the bladder, which, in a bell or a waistband of a pair of trousers, are positioned on the same circle, whose centre is disposed above the bladder whose volume is to be determined. The transducers are oriented in such a manner relative to the bladder to be measured that the ultrasound signals penetrate the surface of the bladder to some extent perpendicularly to it, thereby optimizing the signal/noise ratio. The apparatus, which forms part of the invention, contains no mechanically movable parts and is therefore sturdy, has a low noise level and may easily be powered by small batteries. The apparatus has a low weight and volume and may be used for long term monitoring of the volume of the bladder of ambulatory or sleeping individuals without appreciable discomfort.

Abstract: The ultrasonic probe (1) is provided for a stereoscopic image forming system, which relates to a raster-like recording of data and its electronic processing. The probe includes groups (12) of sound transducers (11), which are arranged inside an elastomeric envelope (10) on a cylindrical carrier, rotatable around a longitudinal axis. The carrier is made up of at least two segments (3, 4). The segments are tiltable relative to one another through a tilting angle, and what is more about a tilting axis, which lies transversely to the longitudinal axis and preferably eccentrically to it. There is a stable positional state, in which the segments adopt a position with alignment in the direction of the longitudinal axis under the influence of a dynamic and/or static resetting force.

Abstract: Intraoperative ultrasound (US) is integrated with stereotactic systems, where a system interactively registers two-dimensional (2D) US and three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) images. The registration is based on tracking a US probe with a bC magnetic position sensor. A transformation algorithm is performed to transform coordinates of points between two different spaces, where MR and US image spaces are independently registered with the position sensor space and where coordinate points can be registered between the MR and US spaces. A calibration procedure can be performed, and a phantom can be used to determine and analyze registration errors. The registered MR images can reconstructed using either zero-order or first-order interpolation.

Abstract: A method and system for screening and/or diagnosing a tumor in a subject breast using ultrasonically obtained image information is described. A user interface displays a three-dimensional view of the tumor suspended within a three-dimensional semitransparent view of a breast, the tumor suspended at a position corresponding to the actual position of the tumor inside the breast. A larger, close-up view of the tumor is also provided that a user can manipulate (e.g., rotate, enlarge, etc.) for clearer analysis. A semi-transparent view of the opposing breast is placed adjacent to the semi-transparent view of the subject breast in a manner that reflects the actual positioning of the breasts on the patient's body, or in a manner that emulates a mammogram-like view of the breasts.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) ultrasound imaging system performs receive-focusing at voxels corresponding to pixels of a display device. The system comprises a display device; transducers for transmitting ultrasound signals toward the object and receiving echo signals from a voxel corresponding to a pixel on the display device, wherein the voxel is on a scanning region of the object; an RF volume memory for storing signals from the transducers; a signal processor for processing the stored signals to obtain 3D data sets with respect to the voxel; and an image former for forming the 3D image.

Abstract: Methods are described for the production of a three-dimensional reconstruction of a undeformed object from two different views of the object under deformation using a volume constraint and also by matching corresponding features in the two images. The volume constraint involves assuming that the deformed volume is the same as the undeformed volume, and calculating the deformed volume from one of the images. Further, the deformation of the object can be parameterised by finding corresponding image entities in the each of the images. The method is particularly applicable to breast mammograms in which case the two images are the cranio-caudal (CC) image and medio-lateral oblique (MLO) image whose angular separation varies from 35 to 60 degrees. The image entities which are detected in the two images are microcalcifications, and these are matched by detecting a value representing their volume a looking for matches in this value between the two images.

Abstract: A control unit (116) resets a time stamp value whenever a pulsation is detected. In accordance with an electric signal from an ultrasonic search unit (101) and a send/receive unit (102), the image generating unit (110) generates ultrasound image data, attaches a time stamp to the generated image data, and places it into a data storing unit (112). A contour extracting unit (113) extracts a contour within the image data stored in the data storing unit (112), generates contour data, and attaches the same time stamp as the stamp attached to the image data to the contour data. An interpolated data generating unit (114) interpolates between the contour data in accordance with the attached time stamp to generate contour data corresponding to times at which sampling was not performed. A volume calculating unit (115) calculates a left ventricular volume (LVV) of a heart from the interpolated contour data according to the Modified Simpson method.

Abstract: An adaptive multidimensional beamformer having near-instantaneous convergence for ultrasound imaging systems deploying multidimensional sensor arrays is disclosed. In a first step, the multidimensional beamformer is decomposed into sub-apertures. Each sub-aperture is then again decomposed into two coherent subsets of circular and/or line array beamformers in different coordinate directions of the multidimensional array. Implementation of the multidimensional beamformer according to the present invention provides the basis for a 3D ultrasound imaging system according to the present invention comprising a compact multidimensional sensor array and a compact processing unit that is field deployable and generates high resolution three-dimensional images in real time. It is also possible to capture four-dimensional images, the fourth dimension being time and the resulting images forming a video image of a volume of a moving organ.

Abstract: Systems and method for generating three dimensional (3D) models of bones are described. In one embodiment, a method of generating a 3D model of a bone can include determining contours of the bone based two dimensional (2D) images of the bone and, based on the contours, modifying a 3D template model of the bone to generate a 3D model of the bone.

Abstract: A catheter-based ultrasonic transducer array is provided which includes a piezoelectric member sandwiched between matching layers and a backing member. A flexible stiffening element or elements is embedded in the backing member. The element is opaque to radio frequencies and integrated along the azimuthal axis of the array so as to enable a user to view the element in an image of the array derived from the array output and thus determine the angular position of the array. A flexible interconnection assembly provides an electrical connection between the electrodes of the piezoelectric member and external cabling. Different methods are provided for adding a surrounding protective cover to the array.

Abstract: An ultrasonic apparatus and method are described in which a volumetric region of the body is imaged by biplane images. One biplane image has a fixed planar orientation to the transducer, and the plane of the other biplane image can be varied in relation to the fixed reference image. In a preferred embodiment one image can be rotated relative to the other, and can be tilted relative to the other. An image orientation icon is shown on the display screen together with the two biplane images depicting the relative orientation of the two planar images.

Abstract: An ultrasound information processing system is disclosed in which ultrasound image data is packetized into ultrasound information packets and routed to one or more of a plurality of processors for performing image processing operations on the ultrasound image data, the ultrasound information packets being routed according to entries in a host-programmable routing table. A common distribution bus is coupled between packetizing circuitry and dedicated input buffers corresponding to each processor for distributing the ultrasound information packets, and a common output bus to is used to transfer processed image data from the processors to an output device. The disclosed ultrasound information processing system architecture allows for a high throughput rate for accommodating real-time image processing operations, while also allowing for ready programmability and upgradability.

Abstract: A method is provided for observing three-dimensional pulsatile activity in a volume of a subject's tissue, which includes activating an ultrasonic probes array (25) subset portion (20) having a curvature including focussing the ultrasound energy of probes (25) constituting a selected contiguous portion of the subarray in a selected portion of a selected slice of tissue (21) along a line, converting the reflected ultrasound energy to output signals and providing output data corresponding to the pulsatile activity, varying the focus of ultrasound energy along the line and repeating the converting and processing steps to thereby select additional lines within the selected slice, selecting additional subsets of the ultrasound array of probes so as to select additional slices within the volume, and performing tomographic analysis of the output data corresponding to pulsatile activity in the plurality of selected portions of tissue, so as to obtain a three dimensional image of pulsatile activity in the presele

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for generating ultrasound images of a plurality of scatterers disposed in a target region. More particularly, a method of the invention derives model response functions for each of a plurality of transducers for a given distribution of scattering media. The interrogation pattern can be selected to include a set of unfocused ultrasound waves generated by one or more of the transducers. The interrogation pattern is transmitted into the target region, and the transducers are utilized to detect echoes generated by the scatterers in the target region in response to the interrogation pattern. The methods and systems of the invention advantageously allow obtaining ultrasound images of a target region without employing beamforming either in transmission of ultrasound waves into the region or in detection of echoes generated by scatterers in the target region in response to the transmitted waves.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a two-dimensional ultrasound transducer array is provided in which the transducer array is formed by a plurality of transducer elements sequentially arranged in the azimuth direction and each transducer element has a non-uniform thickness and each transducer is divided into a left and a right half which can be independently excited.

Abstract: A system and method for identifying and selecting a volume of interest within a volume rendered image is disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention collects acoustic data, develops a three dimensional (3D) ultrasound image from the collected acoustic data, renders the ultrasound image on a display, modifies selected portions of the acoustic data, and displays the modified acoustic data in the form of a highlighted region on the rendered ultrasound image, wherein the highlighted region defines an included volume.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes first and second probes. The inside of an object to be examined is scanned with a first ultrasound beam through the first probe to acquire first ultrasound image data associated with the object. The inside of the object is scanned with a second ultrasound beam through the second probe to acquire second ultrasound image data associated with the object. The second ultrasound image data is synthesized with the first ultrasound image data on the basis of the position of the first probe relative to the second probe, which is detected by a position detector.

Abstract: A method and device are provided for use in medical applications that permit affordable 3D imaging of blood flow using a low profile easily long-term unattended Doppler ultrasound monitoring in spite of motion of the patient or pad. The pad, and associated processor collects, Doppler processes ultrasound blood velocity data in a 3D region through the use of a planar phased array of piezoelectric elements. The invention locks onto, and tracks the points in 3D space that produce the locally maximum blood velocity signals. The integrated coordinates of points acquired by the accurate tracking process is used to form a 3D map of blood vessels, provide a display that can be used to select multiple points of interest for expanded data collection, for long-term continuous, and unattended blood flow monitoring.

Abstract: Disclosed is a three-dimensional ultrasound image method and apparatus for reducing distortions of ultrasound images by precisely estimating a distance between consecutive two-dimensional frames obtained by a manual scanning. The apparatus comprises a transducer array for transmitting ultrasound signals to a target object and receiving echo signals reflected from the target object; a receive-focusing unit for receive-focusing the echo signals to generate a plurality of consecutive two-dimensional ultrasound image frames; a converter for converting the consecutive two-dimensional ultrasound image frames into a three-dimensional ultrasound image; and a display for displaying the three-dimensional ultrasound image.

Abstract: A system and method for individually varying the orientation of scan lines in at least two dimensions in an ultrasound scan are disclosed. In one embodiment, the invention includes a system for generating a three-dimensional ultrasound volume scan, comprising a transducer probe having elements arranged in a plurality of dimensions and a system controller capable of generating a scan line apparently emanating from a location other than the geographic center of the transducer probe.