Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising: an ultrasound probe which has ultrasound transducers capable of outputting reception signals from fundamental waves and harmonics; an image producer which produces a B-mode image and an M-mode image from the reception signal output from the ultrasound transducers with reception of the fundamental waves, and produces a B-mode image from the reception signal output from the ultrasound transducers with reception of the harmonics; and an actuation controller for the ultrasound probe which switches the ultrasound transducers at a predetermined timing between the output of the reception signal from the fundamental waves and the output of the reception signal from the harmonics.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising: an ultrasound probe which has ultrasound transducers transmitting ultrasonic waves, receiving an ultrasonic echo reflected by a subject, and outputting a reception signal according to the received ultrasonic echo; an image producer which produces a B-mode image and an M-mode image from the reception signal output from the ultrasound transducers; and a boundary detector which detects a blood vessel anterior wall boundary in the B-mode image using a time phase of the M-mode image corresponding to the B-mode image.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus adapted to measure the elastic modulus of a vascular wall includes a heartbeat selector for selecting a heartbeat in an M-mode image during the B/M-mode display and, after a heartbeat is selected, displays a B-mode image of a predetermined position in the selected heartbeat. The predetermined position is set in advance during the period of a heartbeat plus two additional periods before and after the heartbeat, with the length of each additional period being 20% on the length of the heartbeat. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus as such allows the display of an appropriate B-mode image corresponding to the heartbeat to be analyzed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes a frequency analyzing unit that analyzes frequencies of received ultrasonic sound waves and calculates a frequency spectrum; a feature data extracting unit that performs approximation and correction of the frequency spectrum so that there is a decrease in the contribution of attenuation, and extracts feature data of the specimen; a storing unit used to store feature data of frequency spectrums, each being extracted based on ultrasonic sound waves reflected from one of a plurality of known specimens, and tissue characterizations of the known specimens in a corresponding manner; and a tissue characterization determining unit that determines tissue characterization of a predetermined area of the specimen by referring to feature data, which is stored by the memory unit in a corresponding manner to the tissue characterizations of the plurality of known specimens, and by referring to the feature data extracted by the feature data extracting unit.

Abstract: A modular, flexible architecture for offering full-field breast ultrasound (FFBU) functionality and general-purpose ultrasound functionality in a single system is described. A conventional, general-purpose ultrasound system (202) is modified with an FFBU toolkit to create a dual-capability ultrasound system (200), the dual-capability ultrasound system (200) being able to accommodate both general-purpose ultrasound functionality and FFBU functionality, using a single ultrasound engine (112). Among other advantages, real-world clinical environments may enjoy cost savings for initial system procurement, space savings on clinic floors, easier and less expensive system upgrades, and the ability to use a single system and user interface for both FFBU screening and for follow-up diagnosis, biopsy, etc.

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: A patient monitoring system has one or more ultrasound devices that monitor patients. The ultrasound devices can communicate to a central station by way of a wireless data communication network. Ultrasound images acquired by the ultrasound devices may be displayed at the central station. Alarms may be generated based upon conditions detected by the ultrasound devices. An ultrasound device may have a strap that permits it to be held in place with a transducer against the skin of a subject to permit ultrasound observation of the subject either continuously or intermittently over an extended period.

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: The surgical operation system includes a treatment section for treating a living tissue of a treatment target; an ultrasound generation section for providing ultrasound to the treatment section; an ultrasound drive power supply section for supplying ultrasound drive power to generate ultrasound to the ultrasound generation section; a high-frequency power supply section for supplying high-frequency power to the treatment section; an impedance detection section for detecting the impedance of the ultrasound provided to the living tissue and the impedance of the high-frequency power supplied to the living tissue; and a control section for controlling the ultrasound energy amount and the amount of high-frequency power or a crest factor value thereof in response to the detected impedance values of ultrasound and high-frequency wave.

Abstract: A BC-mode image with an improved frame rate in an ultrasound system is formed. A transmit/receive unit forms first and second receive signals responsive to first and second control signals. An image processing unit is configured to form a B-mode image and a C-mode image based the first and second receive signals and to combine them to form a BC-mode image. The control signal generates a third control signal for a B-mode scan along scan lines, which are not within the color box to form third receive signals. The control unit repeatedly generates the second and third control signals. The image processing unit is further operable to form a B-mode image based on the third receive signals and the second signals.

Abstract: User interaction is provided for a medical imaging system. The user interacts with the display rather than programmed buttons. The context between the user input and the display, such as identifying user selection of a bottom edge of a displayed image, is determined. The imaging system is controlled based on the context, such as altering the depth of imaging as the user drags the selected bottom edge up or down on the screen.

Abstract: An ultrasonograph comprising a probe (10) for transmitting/receiving an ultrasonic wave to/from a subject, a transmitting section (12) for supplying a drive signal to the probe (10), a receiving section (12) for receiving a reflection echo signal outputted from the probe (10), image constructing sections (17, 19, 21) for reconstructing a diagnosis image from the received reflection echo signal, a displaying section (25) for displaying the reconstructed diagnosis image, and a control section for controlling the other sections, wherein the rise of temperature of the probe (10) is suppressed by adequately judging whether the probe (10) is left in the air or not. The ultrasonograph further comprises a judging section (22) for judging from diagnosis image information whether or not the probe (10) is left in the air.

Abstract: A pre-acquired reference image, a currently picked-up ultrasonic image, and position information indicating a relation between a position of the ultrasonic probe when the reference image was picked-up and a current position of the ultrasonic probe are displayed on a display portion as navigation information. Also, when the following diagnosis image is to be acquired, probe movement information, specifying a position or the like to which the ultrasonic probe has to be moved, is displayed on the display portion as the navigation information.

Abstract: Strain is directly estimated in ultrasound elasticity imaging without computing displacement or resorting to spectral analysis. Conventional ultrasound elasticity imaging relies on calculating displacement and strain is computed from a derivative of the displacement. However, for typical parameter values used in ultrasound elasticity imaging, the displacement can be as large as a hundred times or displacement differences. If a tiny error in the calculation of displacement occurs, this could drastically affect the calculation of strain. By directly estimating strain, image quality is enhanced and the reduction in computational effort facilitates commercialization to aid in diagnosing disease or cancerous conditions.

Abstract: A BC-mode image with an improved frame rate in an ultrasound system is formed. A transmit/receive unit forms first and second receive signals responsive to first and second control signals. An image processing unit is configured to form a B-mode image and a C-mode image based the first and second receive signals and to combine them to form a BC-mode image. A control unit is configured to divide scan lines into a plurality of scan line groups and to generate a third control signal for alternately selecting one of the scan line groups for a B-mode scan for forming scan line group receive signals. The control unit repeatedly generates the second and third control signals. The image processing unit is configured to update the first receive signals with the scan line group receive signals and form a B-mode image based on the updated first receive signals.

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: An ultrasonic transceiver obtains scanning data by transmitting ultrasound to a subject and receiving a reflected wave from the subject. A biological motion part measures, during said scanning, cyclic biological motion of said targeted organ and then calculates a measured waveform that shows motion in relation to time used for said biological motion. An image data generator converts the scanning data into image data shown in a specified coordinate system, and generates an ultrasonic tomographic image. A display controller superposes a standard waveform for a measured waveform, and a measured waveform for the latest cycle, so as to match a specified time phase for each waveform, and causes a display part to display these with the ultrasonic tomographic image.

Abstract: A BC-mode image with an improved frame rate in an ultrasound system is formed. A transmit/receive unit forms first and second receive signals responsive to first and second control signals. An image processing unit is configured to form a B-mode image and a C-mode image based the first and second receive signals and to combine them to form a BC-mode image. The control signal generates a third control signal for a B-mode scan along scan lines, which are not within the color box to form third receive signals. The control unit repeatedly generates the second and third control signals. The image processing unit is further operable to form a B-mode image based on the third receive signals and the second signals.

Abstract: An ultrasound image processing apparatus includes first and second connecting portions to which first and second ultrasound probes are removably connected, the probes including first and second ultrasound transducers driven by first and second different ultrasound scanning systems respectively. The ultrasound image processing apparatus also includes an ultrasound image signal processing circuit that performs signal processings for generating first and second ultrasound images corresponding to the first and second ultrasound scanning systems from ultrasound signals received by the first and second ultrasound transducers.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a digital beamformer in ultrasound imaging after the process of receiving a digital echo signal. Provided herein is a time multiplexed device and method for beamforming. The device includes an echo data write/read unit, a multi-beam processing unit, a channel data summing unit, and a parameter distributing and synchronizing unit for distributing and synchronizing respective receive parameters to the echo data write/read unit and the multi-beam processing unit through a parameter load bus for each of the beams in the channel.

Abstract: A computer-aided image acquisition and diagnosis system, which generates and files images for facilitating the reading and diagnosis based on the acquired images. The X-ray CT apparatus for obtaining diagnosis image from the projection data of imaging of a subject, includes a selector means for selecting the detection object to be anticipated, a scanner means for scanning the subject placed in position, an image processing means for reconstructing the subject image from the projection data obtained from the scanner means, an extractor means for extracting the detection object selected in the selector means from within the reconstructed image, and a display means for displaying the detection object extracted by the extractor means.

Abstract: Highly specific measurements of flow in vessels, such as the coronary artery, can be obtained by processing cubic fundamental information. By showing flow in vessels with a high degree of contrast-to-tissue specificity, ultrasound based 3D contrast agent based coronary artery angiograms may be possible. Measurement and display of the velocity of agent from the cubic fundamental signal is provided simultaneously with display of cubic fundamental energy, such as providing a display map indexed by both energy and velocity. High pulse repetition frequency (PRF) for cubic fundamental detection in conjunction with long velocity measurement intervals may increase low velocity sensitivity and measurement precision. Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler may be improved by using a cubic fundamental sensitive pulse sequence.

Abstract: Systems and methods for toggling between a high frame rate setting and a high resolution setting while acquiring image data are provided. A method can include: receiving an indication that a high frame rate setting or a high resolution setting should be used to acquire image data, retrieving scan parameters that are associated with the indicated setting from real-time accessible and rewriteable memory, and using the scan parameters to acquire image data using an image acquisition device. An indication to toggle between settings can be triggered manually by an operator of the image acquisition device or automatically based on acquired image data. When successive sets of image data indicate image data is changing at least a minimum amount, a high frame rate setting can be automatically selected. When successive image frames indicate image data is not changing at least a minimum amount, a high resolution setting can be automatically selected.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a transmission and reception unit, a blood flow image generating unit, a Doppler spectrum image generating unit and a scanning sequence setting unit. The transmission and reception unit transmits first and second ultrasonic waves to an object and receive first and second echo signals from the object. The blood flow image generating unit generates a blood flow image from the first echo signals. The Doppler spectrum image generating unit generates a Doppler spectrum image from the second echo signals. The scanning sequence setting unit sets up a scanning sequence with mutual transmission and reception of the first and the second ultrasonic waves. The scanning sequence setting unit alters the scanning sequence into one having a modulated number of ensembles so as to make a frame rate of the blood flow image beyond a predetermined preset value.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound system for providing ultrasound images in a duplex mode. The ultrasound system comprises a transmission/reception unit for alternately transmitting a first ultrasound beam and a second ultrasound beam to a target object. The first and second ultrasound beams are transmitted for first and second time durations, respectively. The ultrasound system further comprises an image processing unit for forming a first diagnostic mode image based on echoes of the first ultrasound beam and a second diagnostic mode image containing a gap corresponding to the first time duration based on echoes of the second ultrasound beam. The image processing unit is further configured to perform gap filling based on edge points of the second diagnostic mode image to form a second diagnostic image with the gap removed.

Abstract: A statistical (a) Computer Aided Diagnostic (CAD) technique is described for symptomatic versus asymptomatic plaque automated classification of carotid ultrasound images and (b) presents a cardiovascular risk score computation. We demonstrate this for longitudinal Ultrasound, CT, MR modalities and extendable to 3D carotid Ultrasound. The on-line system consists of Atherosclerotic Wall Region estimation using AtheroEdge™ for longitudinal Ultrasound or Athero-CTView™ for CT or Athero-MRView from MR. This greyscale Wall Region is then fed to a feature extraction processor which uses the combination: (a) Higher Order Spectra; (b) Discrete Wavelet Transform (DWT); (c) Texture and (d) Wall Variability. Another combination uses: (a) Local Binary Pattern; (b) Law's Mask Energy and (c) Wall Variability. Another combination uses: (a) Trace Transform; (b) Fuzzy Grayscale Level Co-occurrence Matrix and (c) Wall Variability. The output of the Feature Processor is fed to the Classifier which is trained off-line.

Abstract: A method for localizing hard objects in soft tissue utilizing a computer based system includes receiving ultrasound data from an ultrasound scanner and converting on the computer based system the ultrasound data into a reflectivity image. The method also includes selecting voxels from the reflectivity image that exceed an adaptive threshold, locating disjointed voxel clusters formed by the selected voxels, and outputting to an external processor locations of the voxel clusters that form a desired shape to an external processor.

Abstract: A method and system for providing ultrasound treatment to a deep tissue that contains a lower part of dermis and proximal protrusions of fat lobuli into the dermis. The invention delivers ultrasound energy to the region creating a thermal injury and coagulating the proximal protrusions of fat lobuli, whereby eliminating the fat protrusions into the dermis. The invention can also include ultrasound imaging configurations using the same or a separate probe before, after or during the treatment. In addition various therapeutic levels of ultrasound can be used to increase the speed at which fat metabolizes. Additionally the mechanical action of ultrasound physically breaks fat cell clusters and stretches the fibrous bonds. Mechanical action will also enhance lymphatic drainage, stimulating the evacuation of fat decay products.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements using a validation embedded segmentation method.

Abstract: A method for controlling a spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging device adapted for operating both in a spectrum-live Doppler measurement mode (S3) and in an image-live measurement mode (S1, S6) is proposed. In accordance with the present invention, the method comprises automatically switching to the image-live measurement mode (S6) upon detection (S5) of a change of a sampled region. A change of a sampled region may be indicated by an operator by actuating a sampled region control device such as a trackball, angle knob or sample gate controller and, upon such actuation, the spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging device may automatically switch to the image-live measurement mode (S6) to allow for adapting or correcting of a position and/or orientation of the sampled region. After the sampled region has been positionally stable for a predetermined duration, the spectral Doppler ultrasound imaging device may be switched back (S7) to the spectrum-live measurement mode (S3).

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for generating accurate and precise ultrasonic images of biological materials or animate objects, such as the cornea and lens of the eye, and, in particular, to an ultrasonic scanning apparatus that can position its virtual center of curvature such that its ultrasonic transducer will emit pulses that reflect substantially perpendicularly from a curved specular surface of interest within the eye. This invention can allow real time imaging of a lens as it accommodates and can better enable researchers and ophthalmic surgeons to develop, fit, implant and diagnose performance of accommodative lenses.

Abstract: In some illustrative embodiments, an incoming signal from a transducer in an ultrasound imaging beam-former apparatus is applied to an in-phase sample-and-hold and a quadrature sample-and-hold. The quadrature sample-and-hold may be clocked a quarter period behind the in-phase sample-and-hold. The output of the sample-and-holds are applied to in-phase and quadrature analog-to-digital converters. A magnitude calculator receives the in-phase and quadrature digital values, and outputs a magnitude. A phase calculator receives the in-phase and quadrature digital values, and outputs a phase. An apodizer applies a difference between an amplitude of the outgoing signal and the magnitude and applies a first illumination to a image point in substantial proportion to the difference, and a phase rotator applies a second illumination to the image point in substantial proportion to the phase.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound imaging system employs a mechanically focused multi-element circular annular transducer that is mechanically scanned using a motor. Received echoes are processed to form two dimensional gray scale B mode images or two dimensional color tissue flow images which are displayed on a display unit. In case of color flow imaging, a high pulse repetition frequency imaging sequence is employed for a reasonable frame rate and special down-sampling techniques are applied to achieve an effective low pulse repetition frequency for flow estimation with enough signal to noise ratio. The system also includes a docking subsystem which charges a system battery and transfers patient and image data between a PACS system, workstation or other information system and the portable ultrasound imaging system.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for visualizing movements of an object, preferably the movements of blood vessels during the cardiac cycle. The method includes scanning the object by at least a two dimensional ultrasonic image scanning apparatus at discrete acquisition times to acquire a data set by using surface reconstruction and/or volume rendering techniques. Next, the three-dimensional data set is partitioned into a plurality of volume units, wherein each volume unit has a unit surface. The method further includes calculating the change of volume of each volume unit over the acquisition times to obtain level information of each corresponding unit surface over time, and displaying the three-dimensional data set with its level information over time.

Abstract: A laparoscopic tool or minimally invasive device is augmented with a forward looking ultrasonic transducer that is processed to extract information regarding subsurface structures and to generate haptic, audio, or visual effects to provide relevant feedback to a user that is operating the tool. In one embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer detects the distance or depth of subsurface structures such as a luminal hollow structure or a tumor mass. In another embodiment, the ultrasonic transducer extracts tissue identification information, tissue stiffness, velocity, or other pertinent information regarding subsurface structures that is subsequently communicated to the operator as haptic, audio, and/or visual feedback. The ultrasonic transducer may be operable in one or more modes, including A-mode or Doppler mode.

Abstract: A medical image processing device of the invention includes: an image acquisition unit that acquires three-dimensional image data including a moving organ; an image display unit that displays the three-dimensional image data as a three-dimensional image; an object-to-be-measured setting unit that sets a desired object to be measured on the three-dimensional image displayed on the image display unit; a diagnostic index calculating unit that calculates the amount of displacement of the three-dimensional image data in each time phase for the desired object to be measured and calculates a diagnostic index on the basis of the amount of displacement calculated in each time phase; and a control unit that performs control to display the diagnostic index on the image display unit.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes an image memory, an output-information creating unit, and a control unit. The image memory associates and stores an ultrasound image and a first image that is set in accordance with a schematic image representing a portion imaged onto the ultrasound image and a positional image indicating a scanning position with ultrasound when creating the ultrasound image. The output-information creating unit creates a second image based on a shape of the first image stored by the image memory. The output-information creating unit then creates an image that image information extracted from the ultrasound image associated with the first image is superimposed onto the created second image, as output information. The control unit performs control of outputting the output information created by the output-information creating unit to an external device.

Abstract: An integrated surgical anchor/localization sensor is disclosed. The anchor is adapted to be secured to an anatomical structure and contains a sensor housing. A receiver is located within the sensor housing and is adapted to sense reference signals generated by a surgical guidance system. A transmitter, connected to the receiver, conveys to a processor signals received by the receiver, so that the signals transmitted by the receiver are indicative of a current position of the anchor. Various other structures and methods are also disclosed.

Abstract: To carry out objective or definitive diagnosis on the basis of an elastic image regardless of experience and proficiency, a method of displaying an elastic image includes the steps of measuring ultrasound cross-section data of a cross-section region of a subject by applying pressuring to the subject, determining a physical value correlating with the elasticity of tissue in the cross-section region on the basis of the ultrasound cross-section data, generating an elastic image of the cross-section region on the basis of the physical value and displaying the elastic image on a display device, determine compression state information relating to the compression state of the cross-section region on the basis of the pressure applied to the subject, and displaying the compression state information together with the elastic image on the display device.

Abstract: A method for ultrasonic imaging includes transmitting ultrasonic radiation toward a target and receiving the ultrasonic radiation reflected from a region of the target. A main reflected signal and an auxiliary reflected signal are defined. The reflected signals have different respective main and auxiliary beam patterns. A difference between the main reflected signal and the auxiliary reflected signal is taken, so as to generate an output signal containing a reduced level of clutter in comparison with the main reflected signal.

Abstract: A computer-implemented system and method for intima-media thickness (IMT) measurements using a validation embedded segmentation method. Various embodiments include receiving biomedical imaging data and patient demographic data corresponding to a current scan of a patient; checking the biomedical imaging data in real-time to determine if an artery of the patient has a calcium deposit in a proximal wall of the artery; acquiring arterial data of the patient as a combination of longitudinal B-mode and transverse B-mode data; using a data processor to automatically recognize the artery by embedding anatomic information; using the data processor to calibrate a region of interest around the automatically recognized artery; automatically computing the weak or missing edges of intima-media and media-adventitia walls using labeling and connectivity; and determining the intima-media thickness (IMT) of an arterial wall of the automatically recognized artery.

Abstract: An ultrasound-imaging system and method is provided that permits an operator to acquire an image of a volume-of-interest in a time critical fashion, that is capable of referencing the volume rendering to a standard two-dimensional imaging mode, and permits the operator to selectively choose a number of display-mode parameters that result in an operator directed view of the volume-of-interest. The ultrasound-imaging system comprises an input device configured to receive a plurality of imaging parameters and a controller in communication with the input device. The ultrasound-imaging system generates an operator-directed transmit-beam scan sequence in response to the imaging parameters and transmits a spatially modified transmit-beam scan sequence over a portion of the volume-scan range of the ultrasound-imaging system. Moreover, the ultrasound-imaging system provides the flexibility for an operator to direct a plurality of operator-configurable multi-dimensional views.

Abstract: An embodiment of a medical imaging system is proposed. The system includes means for providing a sequence of recorded input images each one offering a digital representation at a corresponding instant of a body part being perfused with a contrast agent, each input image including a plurality of visualizing values each one representing a corresponding portion of the body part, and means for associating each sequence of corresponding sets in the input images of at least one visualizing value with a model function of time; the system further includes means for generating a sequence of computed images at further instants, each computed image including a plurality of further visualizing values each one being determined by an instantaneous function-value which is calculated from the associated model function at the corresponding further instant, and means for displaying the sequence of computed images.

Abstract: A medical system includes: an image signal acquiring portion for acquiring a signal to generate an image corresponding to a picture of a subject; an image generating portion for generating a real-time image of an inside of the test subject based on the acquired signal; a detecting portion for outputting a position and an orientation of an image position and orientation detecting element as a detection value; a reference image data storage portion for storing reference image data made up of anatomical images of the test subject; a guide image generating portion for generating a guide image to provide guide information about at least one of an anatomical position and orientation within the test subject of the real-time image, based on the detection value and the reference image data; and a detection state notification information generating portion for generating information to notify a detection state of the detection value.

Abstract: An ultrasonic image scanning system for scanning an organic object that includes a display system for displaying a scanned image of the organic object in a plurality of display modes wherein the display system further includes a user input device sensor for sensing a motion of a user input device in at least one of display modes to automatically switch from one display mode to a different display mode. Furthermore, the display system further counts a length of time the user input device staying idle in at least one of the display modes for switching the display mode back to a last display mode at a predefined idle time limit.

Abstract: A method and system for determining contact along a surface of an ultrasound probe are provided. The method includes frequency analyzing ultrasound signals received by the ultrasound probe and displaying indicators of acoustic contact of the ultrasound probe with an object based on the frequency analysis.

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 two-dimensional drawing module (25) (i) periodically reads acoustic line data (S401), (ii) checks a scanning method of a physical structure of a probe and acoustic line data, and (iii) selects the optimum coordinate conversion algorithm (S402). After that, the two-dimensional drawing module (25) (i) selects an interpolation algorithm, based on a display rate (S403), (ii) generates display data by performing a two-dimensional DSC process using the selected coordinate conversion algorithm and the like (S404a, 404b or 404c), (iii) performs a persistence process for the display data (S405), a frame interpolating process for a “B mode” image data (S406) and a display color conversion process (S407), and (iv) transmits the display data after such processes as described above to the display unit (14) (S408).

Abstract: Devices, systems and methods for measuring and detecting properties of a variety of particles or cells in suspension. Properties, such as, for example, velocity of particles, concentration and/or size may be measured according to the methods of the invention. Acoustic energy may be introduced to a focal zone and narrow band interrogating signals may be used. The acoustic energy may cause movement or streaming of the fluid or suspension. The acoustic streaming may allow a Doppler effect measurement without any other source of velocity.

Abstract: A method for improving quality of an image is described. The method includes reconstructing a first image of a sample volume, segmenting the first image to generate a first region and a second region, reconstructing a second image of the sample volume, and generating a final image from a combination of the segmentation, the first image, and the second image.