Abstract: Provided is a method of controlling voltage levels of overall outputs in a combinational mode, in an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus that may operate in the combinational mode. A judging unit of the ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus may judge whether at least a part of individual modes included in the combinational mode exceeds a threshold determined by safety standards, in accordance with an inputted overall output voltage level control command. When it is judged that at least the part of the individual modes exceeds the threshold determined by the safety standards, an output control unit may maintain an individual output with respect to the at least the part, among the voltage levels that may be outputted from a transducer, to be below the threshold, so that the individual output may be below the standards in accordance with the overall output control command.

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

Abstract: A fatty tissue image display device includes a light source, an ultrasonic wave transmission/reception mechanism, an analysis unit which calculates a velocity change of ultrasonic waves after irradiation with a heating beam as compared to before irradiation with light, a display control unit which displays the distribution of the calculated velocity change of the ultrasonic waves, a designation unit which waits for the designation of a region of interest, a histogram calculation unit which, based on luminance information or color information within the designated region of interest, calculates the histograms of a fatty region showing a negative velocity change of the ultrasonic waves and a normal region showing a positive velocity change of the ultrasonic waves, and an index calculation unit which, from the calculated histograms of the fatty and normal regions, calculates a fatty change index that is an index of a proportion of fatty tissue.

Abstract: Adaptive acoustic pressure estimation is provided in medical ultrasound. The responses of tissue of a specific patient at different frequencies (e.g., linear and non-linear responses) are measured. The responses are used to determine the acoustic pressure. The measurement in a specific patient adapts the estimate to the patient. The acoustic pressure for the desired locations is determined in order to set the transmit power to the desired level, such as for contrast agent imaging with high SNR but with limited destruction of the contrast agents or to provide the desired thermal dose the acoustic therapy.

Abstract: New methods and systems for noninvasive glucose monitoring and sensing with electromagnetic waves or ultrasound are disclosed. The methods are based on absolute or relative measurement of tissue dimensions (or changes in the dimensions) including, but not limited to: thickness, length, width, diameter, curvature, roughness as well as time of flight of ultrasound and optical pulses and optical thickness, which change with changing blood glucose concentrations. By measuring noninvasively absolute or relative changes in at least one dimension of at least one tissue or tissue layer or absolute or relative changes in time of flight of ultrasound or optical pulses, one can monitor blood glucose concentration noninvasively.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for generating transverse elastic waves, a method and apparatus for acquiring images using the transverse elastic waves. The present disclosure provides a technique for generating transverse elastic waves by focusing the ultrasonic waves respectively on a number of focal points which are virtually present in a viscoelastic medium and also become wave sources of the transverse elastic waves, and controlling the generated transverse elastic waves to have peak positions with their overlapping points residing and translating in two line segments extending in parallel or at an acute angle to facilitate increasing elastic deformations of the viscoelastic medium to an appropriate level, and thus acquiring images with improved accuracy in the viscoelastic medium.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for treating uterine tissue with ultrasound energy. The method manipulates the position of the patient's uterus to decrease its distance from an ultrasound therapy transducer while simultaneously engaging a partially filled bladder such that the bladder is compressed to force any bowel tissue out of an acoustic window between the patient's abdominal wall and uterus. Ultrasound energy is then applied to the uterine tissue.

Abstract: Provided is a ?E measuring device minimizing external magnetic disturbance, more particularly, a ?E measuring device measuring a change (?E) in elastic modulus under a magnetic field by removing a bias effect by the earth's magnetic field and a magnetic tool and device and using a magneto acoustic resonance method. With the ?E measuring device, a space minimizing external magnetic disturbance using three-axis Helmholtz coils is provided and the ?E measuring device having a plurality of coil structures is inserted into the space, thereby making it possible to minimize external magnetic field disturbance.

Abstract: Method and system for non-invasive determination of a pressure characteristic associated with carpal tunnel (CT) region of a subject. Speed of a shear wave induced in the tissue of the subject and propagating through the CT region is measured at least once. The pressure characteristic is substantially proportional to determined speed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image processing method and device, and an ultrasonic image processing program which can correspond to analytical methods different depending on a region or the purpose of a diagnosis or treatment. The ultrasonic image processing method comprises an image data creation step which stores a detection result obtained by irradiating a subject with ultrasonic waves by an irradiating section and detecting an ultrasonic signal from the subject by a detecting section and creates at least two-frame image data different in detection timing on the basis of the stored detection result, a motion vector distribution image creation step which creates a motion vector distribution image on the basis of a predetermined motion vector analysis through the use of a plurality frames of the image data, and a conversion step which converts a vector distribution image to a scalar distribution image on the basis of a plurality of established regions of interest (ROI).

Abstract: A patient monitor capable of measuring microcirculation at a tissue site includes a light source, a beam splitter, a photodetector and a patient monitor. Light emitted from the light source is split into a reference arm and a sample arm. The light in the sample arm is directed at a tissue site, such as an eyelid. The reflected light from the tissue site is interfered with the light from the reference arm. The photodetector measures the interference of the light from both the sample arm and the reference arm. The patient monitor uses the measurements from the photodetector to calculate the oxygen saturation at the tissue site and monitor the microcirculation at the tissue site.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound transducer assembly (10) comprising: an ultrasound transducer head (14), an electrical conductor (16) for connecting the transducer head (14) to an electrical power supply (20) of a base station (12) and for transmitting electrical power from the power supply (20) to the transducer head (14), a connector element (22) for connecting the electrical conductor (16) to the power supply (20) and for receiving an input voltage (V20) from the power supply (20), and a capacitor (34) electrically connected or electrically connectable to the electrical conductor (16) for storing electrical charge, wherein the capacitor (34) has a capacitance larger than or equal to 100 ?F.

Abstract: A system and method for determining tissue changes. Shear waves are transmitted across the tissue in response to an ultrasonic signal input exterior to the tissue surface. Adaptive beam forming signal processing is applied to signal returns and arrivals to remove distortions by targeting velocity contrasts. Shear-wave dispersion, such as due to viscosity and mass changes in the tissue, are then estimated and compared to reference data to determine tissue health.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus configured to perform speed measurement while lessening the influence of the wave surface feature and scattering resulting from the shear wave propagation, which transmits burst wave as first ultrasonic wave to the subject from the probe 11 and ultrasonic transmission-reception section 13 to apply radiation pressure. The track pulse wave as the second ultrasonic wave is transmitted to and received from the subject to detect displacement of medium in the subject resulting from the shear wave propagation in the subject at the radiation pressure. The elasticity evaluation section 17 of the controller 12 measures the first arrival time at the first depth and the second arrival time at the second depth of the shear wave with the single track pulse wave at the predetermined angle ?(?0) to the subject depth direction using the data received from the ultrasonic transmission-reception section 13.

Abstract: This invention relates to methods for ascertaining at least one of liver fibrosis or cirrhosis in a subject, by processing of one or more medical images of the liver, using a computing machine, to quantify nodularity of the surface of the liver and calculate a liver surface nodularity score.

Abstract: An elasticity information providing method performed by an ultrasound apparatus includes acquiring an elastography image of an object, detecting a region corresponding to a predetermined elastic modulus in the elastography image, and providing information about the region that is detected along with the elastography image.

Abstract: The invention relates to methods of increasing the genetic progress of a line, breed or herd of swine through the use of sex-selected sperm cells in artificial insemination techniques. The invention also encompasses methods of artificially inseminating a swine via deep intrauterine catheter or via a laparoscopic procedure, which allow the use of reduced doses of sex-selected sperm cells.

Abstract: A method of providing an ultrasound elastography image that includes inducing a shear wave by transmitting a first ultrasound signal pushing an object to the object, transmitting a second ultrasound signal tracing the shear wave to the object to receive a response signal to the second ultrasound signal from the object; acquiring an elastography image of the object, based on the response signal, and providing the elastography image of the object and transmission position information of the first ultrasound signal.

Abstract: A non-invasive liver fibrosis evaluation device and a method thereof are related. The device comprises an ultrasound unit, a Nakagami parameter generation unit, a hardness value generation unit, a data base, and a determination unit. The method comprises steps of: scanning the external body part corresponding to the liver by a transducer of the ultrasound unit to produce plural ultrasound image data sets; analyzing one ultrasound image data set with the Nakagami distribution to produce a Nakagami parameter by using the. Nakagami parameter generation unit; analyzing plural ultrasound image data sets to produce a hardness value by using the hardness value generation unit; and evaluating the liver fibrosis by comparing the Nakagami parameter and the hardness value with plural reference parameter sets stored in the data base by using the determination unit.

Abstract: A method for generating a region of interest (ROI) wherein in setting ROIs in biological tissues to be compared, burden on a subject can be reduced and the reproducibility of elasticity measurement improved, including: setting candidate points in an arbitrary designated region in a notable tissue in a contrast image of an object designated by an input device; determining partial differential values of pixel values in a two-dimensional direction in the contrast image and thus detecting a tissue boundary; acquiring a shortest distance between the detected tissue boundary and each point, and setting a circle or polygonal region inscribed in the circle having the maximum shortest distance as a radius around the candidate point having the maximum shortest distance as a region of interest; and imaging the region of interest and superimposing it on the contrast image and displaying it on an image display unit.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus provided with an elasticity evaluation technology that an error caused by a tissue structure has been reduced. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus that measures a velocity of a shear wave that propagates in a test object by utilizing an ultrasonic wave to evaluate elasticity of the aforementioned test object transmits and receives a first ultrasonic wave to the test object to detect a position and a size of the tissue structure of the test object and to automatically decide a measurement region except the tissue structure, transmits a second ultrasonic wave to the measurement region to make it generate the shear wave, and transmits and receives a third ultrasonic wave to the measurement region to measure an amount of displacement in association with propagation of the shear wave and to calculate the shear wave velocity by utilizing this displacement amount.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described.

Abstract: Velocities are unaliased using conditional random fields. To constrain the energy minimization function, a global term includes a measure of a level of aliasing. In one example, the measure of the level of aliasing is based on a change in volume, such as the volume of the left ventricle. The unaliasing is performed along one or more surfaces, such as surfaces intersecting the mitral annulus and the left ventricle outflow tract. The anatomy used is identified and/or tracked using one or more machine-learnt detectors. Both B-mode and velocity information may be used for detecting the anatomy.

Abstract: A system and method include generating at least one bubble in tissue using ultrasound. The at least one bubble generated is detected and correlated to gas saturation of the tissue.

Abstract: Intravascular devices, systems, and methods are disclosed. In some embodiments, a medical imaging system for imaging vasculature of a patient is provided. The imaging system includes a console that has one or more processors with a medical imaging system interface running thereon, an acquisition card in communication with the one or more processors and in communication with a patient interface module (PIM), and an intravascular imaging component in communication with the PIM and disposed on a distal end of a flexible elongate member. The medical imaging system interface provides a plurality of settings groups for selection by a user, each of the settings groups having pre-acquisition parameters and post-acquisition parameters that are optimal for imaging a desired viewing target within the vasculature. Associated methods and computer-readable media are provided.

Abstract: For simpler scanning in 3D ultrasound imaging, free hand 3D ultrasound imaging is used. Various registration techniques, such as filtering of position signals based on density of scanning and/or counteracting depth deformation due to pressure, may be used for aligning frames relative to each other in 3D space. To deal with curvature of the skin surface resulting in different frames of data representing the same locations, the frames are grouped by orientation. Data representing the same locations in frames of the same or similar orientation are combined. Frame groups of different orientations but of a same sweep of the transducer along the skin are combined into a volume. Volumes from different sweeps are combined. For combining data representing a same location, the values are weighted based on the likelihoods of ultrasound values representing different locations being accurate or correct.

Abstract: When subject tissue such as a living body is a viscoelastic body, a shear wave propagation velocity is changed according to the frequency of a shear wave. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus applies a displacement generating transmission beam from an ultrasound probe based on a signal from a displacement generating unit to generate a shear wave, applies a pulse wave to the biological tissue by a displacement detecting unit, detects the particle velocity of the shear wave, estimates a viscosity parameter from a temporal extent of a waveform of the particle velocity of the shear wave detected at a viscoelasticity analyzing unit, and displays the estimated viscoelasticity on a display unit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method having a highly-reliable elastic evaluation unit for tissues. The invention includes a signal processing unit that processes received data obtained after ultrasonic waves are transmitted and received to/from an inspection target through a probe. An ROI detection unit of the processing unit obtains a distance index indicating a region proper for an elastic evaluation based on brightness distribution of the received data obtained by transmitting and receiving first ultrasonic waves to/from the probe, and sets an ROI based on the distance index. Then, second ultrasonic waves are transmitted to the ROI to generate shear waves. An elastic evaluation unit calculates a shear wave velocity based on the received data obtained by transmitting and receiving third ultrasonic waves in the ROI, and outputs the shear wave velocity and an elastic evaluation value of the ROI as a reliability index.

Abstract: An improved apparatus and method for interfacing a time variant waveform between two hardware environments. In one aspect, the invention comprises a circuit for accurately simulating the output of one or more types of sensing device (e.g., passive bridge pressure transducer) for use with a plurality of different monitoring and/or analysis devices, thereby obviating the need for specialized interface circuitry adapted to each different monitor/analyzer. In one exemplary embodiment, the sensing device comprises a non-invasive blood pressure monitor (NIBPM), which universally interfaces with prior art patient monitors via the interface circuit of the invention. In a second aspect of the invention, an improved NIBPM device incorporating the interface circuit is disclosed. An improved disconnect circuit adapted to sense the status of the electrical connection between the sensing device and monitor is also described.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described.

Abstract: An apparatus for detecting circulating tumor cells is provided. A support system for mounting on a patient is provided. An imaging system is attached to the support system. The imaging system comprises a transmitter and receiver system for generating and transmitting signals into the patient and receiving signals from the patient and a controller. The controller comprises a processor and computer readable media. The computer readable media comprises computer readable code for transmitting signals into the patient, computer readable code for receiving signals from the patent, and computer readable code for providing in vivo circulating tumor cell imaging agent data from the received signals from the patient.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation system includes: an ultrasound transducer that transmits ultrasound to a subject and receives ultrasound from the subject and generates an ultrasound signal; a displacement measurement circuit for elasticity image generation that measures a displacement of the subject based on the ultrasound signal; an elasticity modulus calculation circuit that calculates an elasticity modulus of the subject based on the measured displacement; a first automatic pressurization mechanism that generates a pressurization displacement in the subject; a signal waveform analysis circuit that analyzes a periodic motion based on a waveform of a signal that is based on a spontaneous displacement of the subject; and a pressurization mechanism control circuit that controls the first automatic pressurization mechanism so as to generate a pressurization displacement that reduces an influence of the spontaneous displacement of the subject at a time that an elasticity modulus is calculated based on the signal wavef

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a signal processing unit, an indicator calculating unit, a storage unit and a controller. The signal processing unit generates, based on a reflection wave signal of an ultrasonic wave that is transmitted into a subject, strain information about a strain of a tissue that is pressured and released in the subject in chronological order. The indicator calculating unit calculates an indicator of a state of pressure and release to the tissue at generation of the strain information. The storage unit stores a time phase at generation of the strain information and the indicator at generation of the strain information in an associated manner. The controller extracts a candidate time phase being a time phase of a candidate based on the indicator associated with each of the time phase.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described that include ultrasound imaging devices, which may operate in a transmissive ultrasound imaging modality, and which may be used to detect properties of interest of a subject such as index of refraction, density and/or speed of sound. Devices suitable for performing high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU), as well as HIFU and ultrasound imaging, are also described.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a transmitting and receiving unit that transmits and receives an ultrasound wave to and from a subject; a first image data generating unit that generates first image data based on a first parameter, from a reception signal received by the transmitting and receiving unit; a second image data generating unit that generates second image data having an image taking region of which at least a part overlaps with that of the first image data and being based on a second parameter that is different from the first parameter, from a reception signal received by the transmitting and receiving unit; and an image processing unit that calculates a feature amount from at least such a part of the second image data that overlaps with the first image data and corrects the overlapping part of the first image data on a basis of the calculated feature amount.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic device is provided. The ultrasonic diagnostic device includes a transmission control unit configured to control an ultrasonic probe such that transmission of a push pulse of an ultrasonic wave to a biological tissue of a test object and transmission of an ultrasonic pulse for measurement for measuring a shear wave generated in the biological tissue with the push pulse are alternately performed a plurality of times, the transmission control unit configured to control the ultrasonic probe such that an ultrasonic pulse for detection is transmitted, wherein the ultrasonic pulse for detection is for detecting that a first shear wave generated with a first push pulse has passed through a region through which an ultrasonic pulse for measurement corresponding to a second push pulse to be transmitted next to the first push pulse is scheduled to be transmitted.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus is provided. The ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit ultrasonic push pulses to a biological tissue of a test object and further configured to transmit measuring ultrasonic pulses to the biological tissue subjected to the transmitted push pulses in order to measure an elasticity of the biological tissue, a respiration detection part configured to detect respiration of the test object, and a notification part which, based on the detection by the respiration detection part, is configured to give notification allowing a transmission timing of the push pulses to be recognized.

Abstract: An accurate real-time measurement of a displacement vector is achieved on the basis of the proper beamforming that require a short time for obtaining one echo data frame without suffering affections by a tissue motion. The displacement measurement method includes the steps of: (a) yielding ultrasound echo data frames by scanning an object laterally or elevationally using an ultrasound beam steered electrically and/or mechanically with a single steering angle over an arbitrary three-dimensional orthogonal coordinate system involving existence of three axes of a depth direction, a lateral direction, and an elevational direction; and (b) calculating a displacement vector distribution by implementing a block matching on the predetermined ultrasound echo data frames yielded at more than two phases.

Abstract: A therapy planning system (10) includes at least one processor (74, 72) programmed to receive an initial elasticity image of the target generated prior to execution of a fraction of a treatment plan for the target. The target is delinated in the initial elasticity image to segment the initial elasticity image. One or more elasticity images of the target generated during and/or after execution of the fraction are received and delineated to segment the elasticity images. The segmentation of the initial elasticity image is compared against the segmentations of the additional elasticity images to identify motion of the target and/or changes of the target. Based on the comparison, the treatment plan is updated and/or execution of the fraction is controlled.

Abstract: Tissue Pulsatility Imaging (TPI) is an ultrasonic technique developed to measure tissue displacement or strain in the brain due to blood flow over the cardiac and respiratory cycles. Such measurements can be used to facilitate the mapping of brain function as well as to monitor cerebral vasoreactivity. Significantly, because tissue scatters ultrasound to a greater extend than does blood, using ultrasound to measure tissue displacement or strain in the brain is easier to implement than using ultrasound to measure blood flow in the brain. Significantly, transcranial Doppler sonography (TCD) has been used to measure blood flow in the brain to map brain function and monitor cerebral vasoreactivity; however, TCD can only acquire data through the three acoustic windows in the skull, limiting the usefulness of TCD. TPI is not so limited.

Abstract: A device for measuring an ultrasonic or biomechanical parameter of a viscoelastic medium, includes an ultrasound transducer; at least one vibrator having a fixed part and a mobile part, the ultrasound transducer being secured to the mobile part of the at least one vibrator; at least one adhesive element secured to the vibrator, the adhesive element being configured to be fixed adhesively to a surface facing it belonging to the viscoelastic medium and to keep the emission and reception face of the ultrasound transducer facing the surface.

Abstract: A myography system and method involves the use of reflected energy and/or pass-through energy to determine muscle activity as an alternative or in addition to using native signals which originate from the muscle being studied.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a stimulation unit which stimulates an object so that particular waves are induced, a conversion unit which receives at least one of the particular waves and ultrasound including information about the particular waves, and a circuit board including a first circuit unit that drives the stimulation unit, and a second circuit unit that receives electrical signals corresponding to the ultrasound from the conversion unit.

Abstract: A method of ultrasound imaging includes acquiring ultrasound data with a plurality of transducer elements. The ultrasound data includes a plurality of signals. The method includes detecting an electromagnetic noise signal during the process of acquiring the ultrasound data. The method also includes modifying the plurality of signals based on the electromagnetic noise signal to generate a plurality of noise-cancelled signals.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic diagnostic device, on the basis of a displacement distribution in a 2D direction, a locus related to displacement in a discretionary region of an ultrasonic image is formed. The ultrasonic diagnostic device includes: an image forming unit (tomographic image forming unit and elastic image forming unit) for forming an ultrasonic image of a diagnosis location on a subject via an ultrasonic probe; an image display for displaying the ultrasonic image; and a locus forming unit (display parameter calculation unit, display data storing unit, 2D locus creating unit) that, on the basis of a displacement distribution in a 2D direction in a discretionary region of the ultrasonic image, forms a locus related to displacement in such region, and that display the formed locus on the image display.

Abstract: Shear waves are detected with ultrasound. The detection of the shear wave is constrained using prior measurements in a more controlled environment (e.g., less noise). For example, shear waves measured in a phantom are used to constrain the detection of shear waves in a patient to avoid false positive detections.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the cryoablation of a target volume of tissue with ultrasound elastography, the method comprising acquiring a first elastography image encompassing said target volume of tissue, performing at least one cycle of freezing and thawing of tissue encompassed in said target volume, acquiring a second elastography image encompassing said target volume, and comparing said first and said second elastography images over said target volume. The elastography provides either relative or quantitative measurements of tissue elasticity. The elastography maps of tissue elasticity, before and after cryoablation of one region, can guide the cryoablation of another region. The use of elastography provided feedback to the operator to achieve effective treatment with cryoblation over a planned target.

Abstract: Shear wave characteristics are estimated from analytic data. Measures of displacement are converted into complex representations. The magnitude and/or phase components of the complex representation may be used for estimating various characteristics, such as velocity, center frequency, attenuation, shear modulus, or shear viscosity. The zero-phase of the phase component represents an occurrence of the shear wave at that location.

Abstract: A device for correlating trend data with respect to a patient's weight and lower extremity displacement can identify conditions indicative of congestive heart failure. An imaging mechanism is operable to measure lower extremity displacement over a period of time. An over-time trend analysis of both the patient's weight and the lower extremity displacement measurements is performed to determine whether over a particular sample period an increase in a patient's lower extremity displacement can be correlated with an increase in the patient's weight. When such a correlation does not exist, an alert can be issued of conditions indicative of congestive heart failure.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging device noninvasively measures cardiac muscle stiffness or intracardiac pressure. The device includes: an ultrasonic probe (2) transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the heart; a signal-processing section (15) processing reflected echo signals; a display section (14) displaying results of signal processing as an image; and an input section (10) setting a predetermined point on the image.