Abstract: Actual ultrasound attenuation in tissue is used to calculate gain compensation profiles which are used to create a uniform image. Axial, lateral, elevation gain profiles are used to correct the attenuation and ultrasound variation in each direction. In addition, automatic activation of the automatic gain compensation is described.

Abstract: There are provided a transmission unit (102) and a reception unit (103) for transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic wave with respect to a subject, a tissue tracing unit (115) for analyzing a received signal to trace the movement of a tissue of the subject, and a property detection unit (120) for detecting a property concerning the movement of the tissue of the subject. The property detection unit (120) subjects either one of the received signal, a Doppler shift, and the movement of the tissue of the subject to signal processing, detects a property concerning the movement of the tissue of the subject that is in synchronization with a heartbeat, and generates an initializing pulse based on the detected property. The tissue tracing unit (115) is initialized by the initializing pulse.

Abstract: A three-dimensional transurethral ultrasound system includes a transurethral ultrasound probe, an ultrasound data processor configured to communicate with the transurethral ultrasound probe to receive ultrasound signals from the transurethral ultrasound probe and to output ultrasound imaging signals for three-dimensional ultrasound images of at least a portion of a patient's prostate, and a display system configured to communicate with the ultrasound data processor to receive the ultrasound imaging signals and to render three-dimensional ultrasound images of the at least the portion of the patient's prostate from the ultrasound imaging signals.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control method thereof include a probe to emit an ultrasonic signal to an object and receive the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object, a first mode image generator to generate an image of a first mode based on the ultrasonic signal received by the probe, a second mode image generator to generate an image of a second mode associated with the first mode image, a display unit to display the first mode image and the second mode image on one screen thereof, and a display controller to, when a part of a portion of the first mode image associated with the second mode image is not displayed on the display unit, move the first mode image displayed on the display unit to fully display the portion associated with the second mode image on the display unit.

Abstract: An optoacoustic imaging system includes a handheld probe and a computing subsystem. The probe includes an ultrasound transducer array, the array being capable of receiving an acoustic return signal. The system further includes a light source capable of generating pulses of light and delivering the pulses to the handheld probe. The computing subsystem generates images from the acoustic return signal, and the subsystem is configured to store raw data frames in a buffer. Upon actuation of a playback mode via the user input device, the computing subsystem is caused to switch from a live mode wherein images from the acoustic return signal are displayed substantially in real time to the playback mode wherein images are generated from the frames stored in the buffer.

Abstract: An adjunctive ultrasound mammography system and associated methods use an adjunctive ultrasound display configured for quick, intuitive, interactive viewing of volumetric ultrasound scans, displayed near a conventional x-ray mammogram display. Preferred navigations among a thick-slice image array, a selected enlarged thick-slice image, and planar ultrasound views are described, including a mode in which the planar ultrasound views are updated in real time as a cursor is moved across an active thick-slice image. In one example the thick-slice images are inverted prior to display, with non-breast areas of the image preferably segmented out and reset to dark. The inverted thick-slice images are of more familiar significance to radiologists as they are more like conventional x-ray mammograms and allow benign features to be more easily dismissed as compared to non-inverted thick-slice images.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic system is provided that includes an electrocardiograph (ECG) device and an ultrasound imaging device. The diagnostic system also includes a user interface having a display. The user interface is configured to receive operator inputs from an operator of the diagnostic system, wherein the user interface is configured to show on the display a plurality of different screens to the operator during a workflow. The screens include user-selectable elements that are configured to be activated by the operator during the workflow. The user interface is configured to display the different screens to the operator in a predetermined manner to guide the operator through the workflow to obtain an electrocardiogram of the heart of the patient and an ultrasound image of the heart. The user interface also configured to guide the operator to obtain structural measurements of the heart based on the ultrasound image.

Abstract: An ultrasound observation apparatus to which an ultrasound probe is connectable, the ultrasound probe including a capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer whose sensitivity can be controlled according to an applied bias voltage, the ultrasound observation apparatus including a transmit section that outputs a transmit signal for causing ultrasound to be transmitted; a receive section that performs signal processing on a received receive signal; a bias voltage outputting section that varies the applied bias voltage, an image mode setting section that designates and sets an image mode for displaying an ultrasound image corresponding to ultrasound scanning; a parameter setting section that designates and sets a parameter for signal processing performed by the transmit section or the receive section, and a control section that controls the bias voltage based on a designation signal corresponding to the designation and setting of the image mode and the parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound system has an ultrasound transducer equipped with a position marker and a needle equipped with a position marker. The position markers allow the position and orientation of the transducer and needle to be determined. Displays indicating a projection of the longitudinal axis of the needle onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer and displays indicating a projection of a reference position onto a plane of an ultrasound image acquired via the transducer are provided. Displays indicating in real-time whether the needle is substantially within the plane of the ultrasound image are provided.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a phase difference detection unit, a correction unit and an addition unit. The phase difference detection unit detects a phase difference between temporally adjacent reception signals of a plurality of reception signals on each scanning line at each sampling point on each scanning line. The correction unit performs correction processing including at least time delay correction for at least one of a plurality of reception signals for each scanning line based on the phase difference at each sampling point on each scanning line. The addition unit adds, for each scanning line, the plurality of reception signals including a reception signal subjected to the correction processing.

Abstract: A method of providing an ultrasound image, the method including: marking a cut line or a cut surface on a 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound image of an object which is obtained by using a probe, wherein the cut line and the cut surface are used to view a cross section of the 3D ultrasound image; detecting motion information about the probe by using a sensor included in the probe; and changing a location of the cut line or the cut surface based on the detected motion information about the probe.

Abstract: Methods and a system of determining a condition of a joint. A first signal indicative of a vibration generated by motion of the joint is received in a processor. The processor generate a vibroarthrograph from the first signal and extract a first signal feature from the vibroarthrograph based on a first statistical parameter of the vibroarthrograph. The first signal feature is then compared to a plurality of signal features in a database, each of the plurality of signal features in the database being associated with at least one joint condition. A condition of the joint may then be determine based at least in part on a correspondence between the first signal feature and a signal feature of the plurality of signal features in the database. Multiple signal features may also be combined into one or more functions that provide separation between vibrations from healthy joints and vibrations from injured joints.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system has a 3D location system and a data store for recording locations within a patient. Navigation to target locations is facilitated by providing graphical elements superposed on a 2-dimensional image. The size and/or color of the graphical elements are controlled in real time based on distance of the target location(s) from a current image plane. This provides intuitive visual feedback and can be achieved with low computational requirements.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a main body supporting ultrasound equipment that generates ultrasound image signals. First and second display units are electrically coupled to the ultrasound equipment, and display ultrasound images corresponding to the ultrasound image signals. A first coupling unit couples the second display unit and the main body and enables movement of the second display unit relative to the main body. As the position of the second display unit is adjustable, a patient may easily view ultrasound images displayed on the second display unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, scanning unit, ultrasonic image data generation unit, layout setting unit, and display unit. The ultrasonic probe includes transducers. The scanning unit scans an object with an ultrasonic beam via the ultrasonic probe. The ultrasonic image data generation unit generates data of ultrasonic images based on outputs from the scanning unit. The layout setting unit sets a specific display layout based on an aspect ratio of a display frame of the ultrasonic image or a size of the ultrasonic image and the number of ultrasonic images for simultaneous display. The display unit displays the ultrasonic images in accordance with the set display layout.

Abstract: A color flow image and a spectrogram are generated using the same acquired ultrasound signal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system comprises a processing system and an ultrasound imaging probe that is configured to transmit ultrasound energy into a selected portion of a subject and to receive echoes therefrom and to transmit data signals representative thereof to the processing system. The system further comprises a blood pressure sensor that is configured to measure the blood pressure of the subject and to transmit data signals representative thereof to the processing system. The processing system can processes the received ultrasound data signals to generate an ultrasound image and the received blood pressure data signals to generate a blood pressure trace. The processing system can also display the ultrasound image and blood pressure trace in a display image in which portions of the ultrasound image are displayed in temporal synchrony with portions of the blood pressure trace.

Abstract: Even when a region of interest (ROI) is changed on a frozen image, an elasticity image of ROI after the change can be displayed without executing re-measurement. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus 1 has a control unit 110 having a first ROI setting unit 38 and a second ROI setting unit 39. When ROI is set by the first ROI setting unit 38 of the control unit 110, an elasticity information calculating unit 32 sets an area larger than ROI as a calculation area, calculates distortion, elasticity modulus, etc. of a tissue corresponding to each measurement point on a tomographic image of the calculation area, generates elasticity information based on the distortion, the elasticity modulus, etc., and outputs the elasticity information to an elasticity information storing unit 33. The control unit 110 changes the position/size of ROI by the second ROI setting unit 39 under a state that the frozen image is displayed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of M-mode ultrasound imaging allows for M-mode imaging along user-defined paths. In various embodiments, the user-defined path can be a non-linear path or a curved path. In some embodiments, a system for M-mode ultrasound imaging can comprise a multi-aperture probe with at least a first transmitting aperture and a second receiving aperture. The receiving aperture can be separate from the transmitting aperture. In some embodiments, the transmitting aperture can be configured to transmit an unfocused, spherical, ultrasound ping signal into a region of interest. The user-defined path can define a structure of interest within the region of interest.

Abstract: A display system for ultrasound images and ECG data produces a common display of a cardiac ultrasound image of a given view and ECG traces relevant to that ultrasound view. The ECG traces relate to the heart anatomy seen in the ultrasound image. The user is given the ability to select certain ECG lead signals for display in conjunction with specific views of the heart. ST elevation values for the ECG leads may also be shown to enable the clinician to correlate electrical abnormalities with anatomical abnormalities of the ultrasound image such as abnormal wall motion or thickening. The ST elevation values are displayed on a bullseye chart in association with heart regions related to the leads for which the ST values were detected.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus is provided. The ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes a measuring unit configured to perform a measurement on an instructed part in at least one measurement ultrasonic image, a storing unit configured to store the at least one measurement ultrasonic image on which the measurement is performed, a statistical processing unit configured to perform a statistical process on results of measurements performed a plurality of times on the same object in the same subject by the measuring unit, and an image display control unit configured to read a display ultrasonic image stored in the storing unit and display the display ultrasonic image together with a statistical value obtained by the statistical processing unit.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image generator, a detector, and a controller. The processor is configured to acquire two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in a scan range formed of a plurality of scan lines, from two-dimensional or three-dimensional echo data collected through ultrasound transmission/reception performed in the scan range. The image processor is configured to generate blood flow images in time sequence from the two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in the scan range. The detector is configured to detect movement information in time sequence of speckles in a preset two-dimensional or three-dimensional region of interest, among the blood flow images in time sequence. The controller is configured to control a predetermined display to display movement information data that is data based on the movement information in time sequence.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for controlling the field of view in imaging systems are provided. For example, in one embodiment an imaging system includes a flexible elongate member sized and shaped for use within an internal structure of a patient, an imaging transducer positioned within the distal portion of the flexible elongate member, an imaging marker positioned to be detectable within a field of view of the imaging transducer, and a controller in communication with the flexible elongate member and configured to adjust a control signal of the flexible elongate member based on the detection of the imaging marker in data received from the flexible elongate member in order to achieve a desired field of view for the imaging transducer.

Abstract: A method of displaying an ultrasound image, the method including acquiring patient identification information; providing an examination list including a bookmark used to identify at least one ultrasound image based on the acquired patient identification information; receiving selection information regarding the at least one ultrasound image included in the examination list; and displaying the ultrasound image selected based on the selection information.

Abstract: An ultrasound apparatus comprising a control panel on which a plurality of key-sets are printed, wherein each of the plurality of key-sets responds to at least one beam from among a plurality of beams, and then is displayed on the control panel.

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

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a first unit includes a first ultrasonic image generation unit generating a first ultrasonic image at a first processing speed and with a first processing function based on a reception signal, a connection unit detachably connecting the first unit to a second unit, and a connection detection unit detecting connection between the first and second units. The second unit includes a second ultrasonic image generation unit having a second processing speed faster than the first processing speed and a second processing function higher than the first processing function and generating a second ultrasonic image having larger data than the first ultrasonic image based on the reception signal upon detection of the connection.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system in which the scan head either includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field subarray beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. When used with second stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images can be generated.

Abstract: Adaptive volume rendering is provided for medical diagnostic ultrasound. The opacity of B-mode data is set relative to the opacity of Doppler data. The opacities for the different types of data are set as a function of ray depth. For example, the opacity of B-mode data near a tissue border is set to be more opaque than for tissue away from the border, and the opacity for flow data near a flow border is set to be less opaque than for flow away from the border. An image is rendered using a rendering parameter set as a function of ray depth, B-mode information and Doppler information. Other processes for enhancing and/or using rendering may be used.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a detector detects a position at a leading end of a puncture needle. A determination unit determines a first scanning region in a subject and a second scanning region based on the position at the detected leading end, the second scanning region being narrower than the first scanning region. A transmission/reception controller controls a transmitter and a receiver to switches between first ultrasonic scanning for the first scanning region and second ultrasonic scanning for the second scanning region according to an instruction from an operator.

Abstract: Catheter navigation is coupled with ultrasound imaging to yield a context map showing the location on a heart of the ultrasonically imaged frame.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is provided. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe configured to perform transmission/reception of ultrasound on a subject, and an indicator display control unit configured to display indicators each indicative of a distance between at least a predetermined part of an outline of a transmission/reception region of real-time ultrasound of the subject and a corresponding position stored in advance at the outline.

Abstract: A system for identifying a presence of an object in a tissue region of interest includes a controller configured to obtain first and second image data sets from the region of interest. A contrast identification module is configured to identify a contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set corresponding to an object in the tissue region of interest. An image data enhancement module is configured to identify the object in the second image data set based on the contrasting region of altered stiffness in the first image data set.

Abstract: A 3D ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces 3D cardiac images at a 3D frame rate of display which is equal to the acquisition rate of a 3D image dataset. The volumetric cardiac region being imaged is sparsely sub-sampled by separated scanning beams. Spatial locations between the beams are filled in with interpolated values or interleaved with acquired data values from other 3D scanning intervals depending upon the existence of motion in the image field. A plurality of different beam scanning patterns are used, different ones of which have different spatial locations where beams are located and beams are omitted. A sequence of different beam scanline patterns may be continuously repeated, or the patterns of the sequence synchronized with the cardiac phases such that, over a sequence of N heartbeats, the same respective phase is scanned by N different scanline patterns.

Abstract: A 3D ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces 3D display images at a 3D frame rate of display which is equal to the acquisition rate of a 3D image dataset. The volumetric region being imaged is sparsely sub-sampled by separated scanning beams. Spatial locations between the beams are filled in with interpolated values or interleaved with acquired data values from other 3D scanning intervals depending upon the existence of motion in the image field. A plurality of different beam scanning patterns are used, different ones of which have different spatial locations where beams are located and beams are omitted. In a preferred embodiment the determination of motion and the consequent decision to use interpolated or interleaved data for display is determined on a pixel-by pixel basis.

Abstract: A mobile measurement device comprising a computing device; one or more sensors that are coupled to the computing device using one or more corresponding compatible digital interfaces; and logic encoded with instructions which when executed perform determining and storing vascular function information and one or more of: values of metrics or parameters; physiological analysis of the parameters and the vascular function information; recommendations for actions that an individual or healthcare provider should take in response to the recommendations or parameters. Embodiments further include processes for using vascular function information collected from a mobile measurement device to generate the parameters, analysis, and recommendations.

Abstract: A living tissue region determining unit of a gain correction data generating section determines a diagnostic living tissue region on the basis of an S/N and a dispersion value of ultrasound data collected from each of a plurality of slice sections in a gain correction scan mode intended for the generation of gain correction data for volume data. A gain correction map generating unit applies a least squares method to the average value of the ultrasound data in a plurality of regions set by dividing the living tissue region into predetermined sizes, thereby generating two-dimensional gain correction maps. Then, an interpolating processing unit interpolates, in a slice direction, the gain correction map generated for each of the plurality of slice sections, and generates three-dimensional gain correction data corresponding to each voxel of the volume data.

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for ocular ultrasound are provided having therapeutic and/or diagnostic applications. In one aspect, an ocular probe is disclosed that is uniquely configured for use in the eye on the basis of shape and frequency. The ocular probe may be multi-functional, providing sensor, optical or other functionality in additional to ultrasound energy.

Abstract: A displacement measurement method for achieving, at each position of interest, high accuracy measurement of a displacement, a velocity and a strain in an actually generated beam direction by measuring the beam direction angle from ultrasound echo data. The method includes the steps of: generating an ultrasound echo data frame through scanning an object in a lateral direction with an ultrasound steered beam having one steering angle; calculating both a beam direction and a frequency in the beam direction based on an azimuth angle ?=tan?1(fy/fx), a polar angle ?=cos?1[fz/(fx2+fy2+fz2)1/2], and a frequency (fx2+fy2+fz2)1/2 in the case where first spectral moments calculated from local ultrasound echo data at plural different temporal phases are expressed by a three-dimensional frequency vector (fx, fy, fz); and calculating a displacement component in the beam direction at each position of interest generated between plural different temporal phases.

Abstract: The method of one embodiment for ultrasound image computation of cardiac events comprises obtaining a first set of ultrasound data and a first electrocardiogram signal, obtaining a second set of ultrasound data and a second electrocardiogram signal, processing the first and second sets of ultrasound data to obtain first and second processed ultrasound signal events, relating the first and second processed ultrasound signal events to the first and second electrocardiogram signals in time, and determining a relative timing between the first and second processed ultrasound signal events.

Abstract: A method and system are disclosed for creating, in a coordinated manner, graphical images of a body including vascular features from a combination of image data sources. The method includes initially creating an angiographic image of a vessel segment. The angiographic image is, for example, either a two or three dimensional image representation. Next, a vessel image data set is acquired that is distinct from the angiographic image data. The vessel image data set comprises information acquired at a series of positions along the vessel segment. An example of such vessel image data is a set of intravascular ultrasound frames corresponding to circumferential cross-section slices taken at various positions along the vessel segment. The angiographic image and the vessel image data set are correlated by comparing a characteristic rendered independently from both the angiographic image and the vessel image data at positions along the vessel segment.

Abstract: A system and method for performing an ultrasound may include generating a set of continuous tone signals for injection into an object. A corresponding set of reflected tone signals in the frequency domain may be received The set of reflected tone signals may be converted from the frequency domain to the time domain to create a set of time domain signals. At least one region of interest may be identified from the set of time domain signals. A window may be defined around the identified region of interest in the set of time domain signals. The windowed time domain signals may be converted from the time domain to the frequency domain to create a set of windowed frequency domain signals. At least one characteristic parameter may be calculated from the set of windowed frequency domain signals. Information may be output based on the calculate at least one characteristic parameter.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe (3) of an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus (1) includes an acceleration sensor (5) provided for outputting acceleration information for use in obtaining an angle of the ultrasound probe at the time of diagnosing a subject. The acceleration information is converted into angle information of the ultrasound probe by an angle conversion section (11). The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus (1) includes a monitor (4) for displaying a diagnosing image of the subject obtained with the ultrasound probe (3), and a body mark (16) corresponding to the diagnostic mode selected at the time of diagnosing and a probe icon (15) placed at an angle corresponding to the angle information with respect to the body mark (16) are displayed on the monitor (4). This makes it possible to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which can display an angle of the ultrasound probe at the time of diagnosing the subject.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus has an ultrasonic probe, and a main body including a display unit provided on a front surface of the main body. An input device is provided at a rear surface of the main body to receive user command information from a user, which allows the user to operate the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus with a hand that is gripping the portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The apparatus may be used by moving the ultrasonic probe in contact with a surface of an object, sending ultrasonic signals from the object surface, receiving reflected ultrasonic signals from the object, and converting the ultrasonic signals into electrical signals.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system in which the scan head either includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field subarray beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. When used with second stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images can be generated.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, based on a reception signal, the Doppler signal generation unit generates a first Doppler signal attributed to motion of a living body in a ROI and a second Doppler signal attributed to slower motion. The velocity display scale determination unit determines first and second velocity display scales based on velocity distribution ranges for the first and second Doppler signals, respectively. The image generation unit generates first and second Doppler images based on the first and second Doppler signals, respectively. The display unit displays the first and second Doppler images with the first and second velocity display scales, respectively.

Abstract: Methods, and apparatuses are provided that include a first imaging element configured to generate a first observation of a first object, the first observation of the first object being generated at a first time, wherein the first object is associated with a volume of interest (VOI). The system further includes a second imaging element configured to generate a first observation of a second object, wherein the first observation of the second object is generated at a second time, and the second object is associated with the VOI. A first positioning of the VOI is determined based on the first observation of the first object and the first observation of the second object, a third time for the first imaging element is determined based on a positioning parameter associated with the first positioning of the VOI, and a second observation of the first object is generated at the third time.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure relate to medical devices and, in particular, to medical visualization systems and methods of use. In one embodiment, a medical visualization system may include a video source configured for insertion into a patient and an external data source. A central processing unit in communication with the video source and the external data source may be configured to merge data from the video source and data from the external data source into a left hybrid image and a right hybrid image. The medical visualization system may further include eyewear having left and right oculars in communication with the central processing unit. The left ocular and right ocular may each include a display, and the displays may be configured to project the left hybrid image on the left display and the right hybrid image on the right display.

Abstract: Adaptive persistence processing on elastic images in an ultrasound system is disclosed. An ultrasound data acquisition unit sequentially acquires a plurality of ultrasound data frames based on ultrasound echo signals reflected from a target object by repeatedly applying and releasing stress to/from the target object. A processing unit calculates inter-frame displacements of the frames between the ultrasound data frames to form elastic images. The processing unit adaptively performs persistence processing on the elastic images in consideration of application or release of the stress to/from the target object.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for timing of a plurality of imaging observation elements based on a volume of interest (VOI). One system includes a first imaging element configured to generate a first observation of a first object, wherein the first observation is generated at a first time, and the first object is associated with a volume of interest (VOI). A second imaging element is configured to generate a first observation of a second object, the first observation of the second object generated at a second time, wherein the second object is associated with the VOI. The system is configured to determine a first positioning of the VOI based on the first observation of the first object and the first observation of the second object, determine a plurality of imaging times for the first imaging element to generate a plurality of additional observations of the first object.