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 medical diagnostic ultrasonic imaging system acquires receive beams from spatially distinct transmit beams. The receive beams alternate in type between at least first and second types across the region being imaged. The first and second types of receive beams differ in at least one scan parameter other than transmit and receive line geometry, and can for example differ in transmit phase, transmit or receive aperture, system frequency, transmit focus, complex phase angle, transmit code or transmit gain. Receive beams associated with spatially distinct ones of the transmit beams (including at least one beam of the first type and at least one beam of the second type) are then combined. In this way, many two-pulse techniques, including, for example, phase inversion techniques, synthetic aperture techniques, synthetic frequency techniques, and synthetic focus techniques, can be used while substantially reducing the frame rate penalty normally associated with such techniques.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection and characterization are also provided.

Abstract: A spectral tissue Doppler processor for an ultrasound system produces Doppler phase shift estimates of sequences of signal samples from a sample volume with a short-lag autocorrelator. The autocorrelation products are summed and an arc tangent taken of each sum to produce angle estimates. The angle estimates, which are proportional to the tissue motion velocity, are plotted, smoothed, and displayed as a spectral tissue Doppler display. The angle estimates are also used to produce the audio Doppler signal which is frequency-adjustable by a user. The spectral Doppler display exhibits good time and velocity resolution for motion which is less than that of blood flow such as myocardial motion. Major causes of blurring, unevenness, and distortion are reduced or eliminated.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an image display device for displaying an image generated based on ultrasonic echo signals received from an subject on a screen, a trace pointer display device for displaying a trace pointer on the screen on which the image is being displayed during a trace measurement, and an operating device for allowing an operator to perform an action to instruct to start a trace measurement, an action to move the trance pointer on the screen, and an action to instruct to terminate a trace measurement. The image display device performs a zoomed-in display of an image portion in a section around the trace pointer.

Abstract: The present invention provides a mmode imaging method and apparatus for an ultrasonic diagnosis device to increase the continuity of the displayed mmode images. The mmode imaging method of the invention comprises steps: define a sample line on a frame of bmode image, so as to select bmode data of sample points constituting the sample line; convert the bmode data of the sample points obtained from two consecutive frames of bmode image into two of mmode lines arranged in time order in a mmode image; at predetermined positions between the two mmode lines, generate mmode data that constitute at least one mmode lines based on the echo data of corresponding sample points on the two mmode lines; and image the mmode data in time sequence.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and system for determining the cerebral hemodynamic model for depression, using carotid duplex ultrasound to establish percent stenosis of the extracranial right and left internal carotid arteries and transcranial Doppler ultrasound instrument to measure mean flow velocity within the cerebral including the right and left internal carotid arteries, right and left middle cerebral arteries, right and left anterior cerebral arteries, right and left posterior cerebral arteries, and basilar artery. The percent carotid stenosis and the mean flow velocity values in cerebral arteries are used to determine the cerebral hemodynamic model associated with depression in men and women, respectively.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic imaging device having an image synthesizing unit, correlation between images to be synthesized is computed for balancing between an improvement in contrast resolution and an improvement in spatial resolution, and an amount of displacement between the images is computed. When the amount of displacement is large, the signals after envelop detection are synthesized. When the amount of displacement is small, RF signals are synthesized. Alternatively, the mixing frequency may be variable according to the amount of displacement, and the balance between an improvement in spatial resolution and that in contract resolution is achieved according to a degree of the positional displacement.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ultrasound system and a method of forming an ultrasound image. The ultrasound system includes a signal processing unit, a processor, an input unit and a blood flow angle computation unit. The signal processing unit may form ultrasound image signals based on ultrasound echo signals reflected from a target object. The processor may form a B-mode image based on the ultrasound image signals. The input unit may allow a user to set a sample volume on the B-mode image. The blood flow angle computation unit may compute a blood flow angle in the sample volume. The signal processing unit may further compute a Doppler angle based on the blood flow angle and form Doppler signals based on the Doppler angle. Also, the processor may further form a Doppler spectrum image and Doppler sound based on the Doppler signals.

Abstract: A system controller according to the present invention communicates with a medical control device connectable to plural types of ultrasonic endoscopes. The system controller includes a plurality of operation instruction units, a communication unit, and a control unit. The plurality of operation instruction units are capable of issuing an instruction to the medical control device. The communication unit is capable of receiving a control command generated by the medical control device on the basis of table data representing the correspondence among the connection state of the ultrasonic endoscopes, the operational state of the medical control device, and the state of each of the plurality of operation instruction units. On the basis of the control command, the control unit performs a control to visually reflect, in each of the plurality of operation instruction units, the use state of respective functions achievable by the ultrasonic endoscopes and the medical control device.

Abstract: Blood flow information is used to reduce noise manifest in blood vessel ultrasound B-mode images. A blood flow signal is obtained by a flow detector. After wall filtering, only the flow signal power in the blood vessel lumen remains, while signal power from stationary tissue region is suppressed. The flow signal component is used to calculate a flow component parameter that is used to generate a gain control signal ? that reduces noise in a B-mode image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging method and system produce diagnostic contrast images depicting both tissue perfusion and flow velocity in larger vessels by utilizing both linear and nonlinear imaging techniques. A sequence of echoes from differently modulated transmit pulses is received and processed in different ways to detect nonlinear signals from microbubble-perfused tissue and Doppler blood flow in larger vessels. The Doppler flow signals may be either linear or nonlinear or a mixture of both. A decision circuit classifies the detected signals for display pixels in a perfusion and/or flow and/or tissue image. Separate perfusion and flow images can be simultaneously displayed or an image of both perfusion and flow can be displayed.

Abstract: An ultrasound image displaying method includes creating a 3D image based on B mode data with a high luminance and a low luminance in a B mode image being inverted, creating a color overlaid 3D image by applying colors based on color Doppler mode data only for pixels of the 3D image having a luminance not more than a predetermined value in the B mode image, and displaying the color overlaid 3D image.

Abstract: A method for automatic gain adjustment in spectral (pulsed wave—PW, and/or continuous wave—CW) Doppler for medical ultrasound includes separating a two-dimensional (2D) array of spectral levels (spectrogram) to be analyzed into signal and noise subsets. For each of the signal and noise subsets, a delta gain is calculated for achieving a predetermined display-based design specification. Subsequently, the separate signal and noise delta gains are combined into a single delta gain value, which is then applied to subsequent spectral Doppler signals or the spectrogram data stored in image memory, depending on whether the spectral Doppler mode is in a live or frozen state.

Abstract: A display controller causes a display to display a 3-dimensional B-mode image and a 3-dimensional colored Doppler image in a superimposed state. A marker generator generates three planar markers that are orthogonal to each other, and the display controller causes the display to display the three planar markers so as to be superimposed on the 3-dimensional B-mode image and so on. An image generator generates 3-dimensional B-mode image data of a region other than a region existing on a viewpoint side of regions sectioned by the three planar markers. Further, the image generator generates 3-dimensional colored Doppler image data for the region on the viewpoint side. For the region existing on the viewpoint side, only a 3-dimensional colored Doppler image is displayed on the display. An intersection of the three planar markers is set as a sample marker, and Doppler data of the intersection is acquired.

Abstract: In the present invention, an image processing device is configured by including an ultrasonic wave transmitting section, an ultrasonic wave receiving section, a transmission and reception control section, a B mode signal processing section, a B mode image generating and storing section, an image synthesizing section, a Doppler signal processing section, a Doppler image generating and storing section, a Doppler scan region setting section, a Doppler scan region storing section, a Doppler scan control section, a region marker movement control section and a region marker image generating section. By the configuration, an observation target of which blood state needs to be grasped can be always optimally observed in real time in a Doppler image by a Color Doppler mode or a Power Doppler mode.

Abstract: A novel contrast mechanism for imaging blood flow using magneto-motive optical Doppler tomography (MM-ODT), Optical Coherence Tomography, and Ultrasound. MM-ODT, OCT, and ultrasound combined with an externally applied temporally oscillating high-strength magnetic field detects erythrocytes moving according to the field gradient.

Abstract: An ultrasonographic method includes: a first encoding transmission/reception step for transmitting an ultrasonic beam encoded by an encoding set consisting of a plurality of modulation codes in which at least two are in complementary relationship and demodulating reception signals corresponding to the ultrasonic beam; a step for obtaining a first synthesis signal by synthesizing the demodulation signals demodulated by the first encoding transmission/reception step; a second encoding transmission/reception step for transmitting an ultrasonic beam encoded by a reverse encoding set consisting of a plurality of modulation codes in which the arrangement order of modulation codes of the encoding set is reversed and demodulating the reception signals corresponding to the ultrasonic beam; a step for obtaining a second synthesis signal by synthesizing the demodulated signals demodulated by the second encoding transmission/reception step; a step for obtaining a third synthesis signal by synthesizing the first synthesis

Abstract: A flow behavior monitor for presenting ultrasound measurements of an indicia of flow behavior of a fluid in a subject. The indicia of flow behavior are calculated for several frequency slices within a Doppler signal power spectrum and these indicia may be used to determine pulsatility and/or blood flow, as well as other parameters of flow behavior.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe capable of 2D scanning and 3D scanning; a transceiver device which drives said ultrasound probe to perform 2D scanning and 3D scanning of the inside of a subject with an ultrasound beam; a storage device which stores 3D data obtained by said 3D scanning; a display device which displays on a display device a 3D image resulting from the projection of said stored 3D data, the position of the 2D scanning plane for Doppler measurement, and a Doppler cursor in a prescribed projecting direction; an instruction-responsive altering device which accepts an instruction from the operator and alters said projecting direction and the position of said Doppler cursor in accordance with the instruction; and a Doppler measurement device which performs Doppler measurement by using the finalized position of the 2D scanning plane for Doppler measurement and the Doppler cursor.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a Doppler velocity information acquiring unit, a region-of-interest-setting unit and an instantaneous flow calculating unit. The Doppler velocity information acquiring unit is configured to acquire three-dimensional Doppler velocity information from an object by a three-dimensional scan with transmission and reception of an ultrasonic wave. The region-of-interest-setting unit is configured to set a region of interest spatially. The instantaneous flow calculating unit is configured to calculate an instantaneous blood flow in the region of interest with using the three-dimensional Doppler velocity information.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) for defining the lumen-intima interface (11) and media-adventitia interface (12) of a blood vessel (1), for example the carotid artery, includes means (40) for acquisition of a two-dimensional representation (10), for example a B-mode representation generated by an ultrasonographic machine (50), of a cross section of the vessel (1). The cross section of the vessel (1) can be longitudinal, obtained through sonographic linear probe (40) by means of not invasive analysis, or alternatively, a cross sectional view obtained by means of a sonographic intravascular probe. The two-dimensional representation (10) is given by means of a analog or digital video output transmitted to a calculator (60) for being computed by a specific algorithm.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic apparatus sends ultrasonic waves to a specimen, receives a reflection signal of the ultrasonic waves from the specimen to detect a Doppler signal, obtains blood flow information indicating a peak flow velocity of coronary blood flow, and displays the flow velocity information before and after the administration of a drug to the specimen on a display unit. Then, at least velocity ranges of the flow velocity information before and after the administration of the drug to the specimen are adjusted, and during an ultrasonic scan of the specimen, data on a plurality of acquired images having different velocity ranges are adjusted to the same velocity range. A system control unit displays the data on the plurality of images adjusted to the same velocity range on the display unit.

Abstract: Motion information of a tissue at a plurality of positions in a subject to be examined which is obtained by transmission/reception of an ultrasonic wave is acquired. This information includes, for example, a quantitative value associated with the strain of the tissue in the subject or a quantitative value associated with a displacement in the subject. A predetermined motion timing of the subject is calculated on the basis of the motion information of the tissue. A first image for indicating the motion timings of the tissue at a plurality of positions in the subject is generated.

Abstract: A method and system for estimating the volume of blood ejected from the left ventricle of the heart to a succeeding chamber/conduit, or vice-versa, while imaging the intersection of such structures is described. The process utilizes either the M-mode to estimate volume differences in a view of the ventricle over time or Doppler processing techniques to obtain flow profiles across intersections (e.g., valves), or blood vessels, which are then utilized to calculate output. This process can be combined with ECG guidance/triggering to measure/track changes in output from beat to beat, or during the course of an evaluation or therapeutic procedure. This process can be specifically used for the placement of permanent pacemaker electrodes.

Abstract: With the beam scanning probe system for surgery, a pointer indicating the observation point of a beam scanning probe is superimposed upon an image of a lesion to be operated on in the head which is obtained via a TV camera or a surgery microscope, and the superimposed image information is registered as such in an image recording device. With the beam scanning probe system for surgery, information of a cytological picture is also registered in the image recording device. With the beam scanning probe system for surgery, the image recording device registers the two image information in a paired fashion. Through this arrangement, the beam scanning probe system for surgery can smoothly locate, for a given cytological picture, a site of a tumor to be treated from which the picture was obtained, which will ease the operation.

Abstract: A gas emulsion forming composition comprising a dry, hollow, particulate, approximately microspherical material permeated with a gas or gas mixture, which upon dissolution in aqueous liquid forms a gas emulsion comprising a plurality of bubbles surrounded by a layer of at least a first and a second surfactant, wherein the first surfactant consists essentially of a phospholipid or mixture of phospholipids having at least one acyl chain which comprises at least 10 carbon atoms, and comprising at least about 5% w/w of total surfactant, and wherein the second surfactant may or may not be a phospholipid and is more water soluble than the first surfactant; kits for preparing such microbubbles; and methods for using such microbubbles as contrast agents.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus comprises an ultrasound probe, a transmitter (including a transmitting pulse generator and a transmitting beamformer), a receiver (including a preamplifier and a receiving beamformer), a CFM processor (including a moving-element signal extractor and a velocity corrector), a tomographic image processor, and a display unit. The apparatus scans a desired section of a subject by transmitting and receiving an ultrasound pulse to and from the subject, and displays images obtained by the scanning. The velocity corrector comprises a pulsation-characterizing-velocity (velocities of a moving element) calculator, a representative velocity (reference velocity) calculator, and a corrector to correct the velocities of the moving element based on the standard velocity. The corrected velocity data is visualized on display unit. The ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus makes it possible to display the pulsatility of blood vessels in an easier and useful way.

Abstract: The difference frequency component between a first fundamental wave of frequency f and a second fundamental wave of frequency f2 is caused to interact with a second harmonic wave, thereby to attain the enhancement of a second harmonic signal, etc., whereby a reflected wave component to be imaged is extracted at a high S/N ratio. By way of example, in a case where the difference frequency component is to appear on the lower frequency side of the second harmonic wave of the first fundamental wave so as to be superposed on this second harmonic wave, the frequencies are set at f2=2.8f or so. Besides, in a case where the difference frequency component is to appear on the higher frequency side of the second harmonic wave of the first fundamental wave so as to be superposed on this second harmonic wave, the frequencies are set at f2=3.2f or so.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to devices and methods of using a surgical drain, and more particularly to a surgical drain having at least one sensor for monitoring and/or recording the condition of the anatomical site or fluid emitted from the site where the surgical drain is placed. The invention may also include modifications of the surgical drain to improve stabilization or immobilization in the proximity of the anatomical site to be monitored.

Abstract: A first embodiment of the present invention describes a modular diagnostic ultrasound apparatus comprising a core unit, system electronics and an I/O port. The core unit comprises a housing and a system electronics package within the housing. The system electronics having one or more concatenated filters, including a front end transmit/receive circuit, a processor, a back end circuit for scan conversion, a system clock and a programmable system memory device. There is at least one I/O port connected to the front end and the back end of the system electronics package and extending through the core unit housing wherein all system data processing information is transmitted or received through the I/O port.

Abstract: An apparatus, method and system for cannulation of blood vessels. The apparatus comprises a sensor assembly including two linear transducer arrays oriented perpendicularly to each other to form a “T” shape to provide substantially simultaneous ultrasound images of at least one blood vessel in a portion of a patient's body in two perpendicular planes. The apparatus may also include one or more Doppler transducer elements to transmit and receive one or more Doppler beams at an incident angle beneath one of the transducer arrays and in alignment therewith to determine blood flow direction and velocity within the at least one blood vessel. The sensor assembly may be disposed within an elongated, flexible, protective sheath and secured to a graphically marked cover to facilitate orientation of the sensor assembly on the patient and guidance of a needle towards a desired target vessel during the cannulation procedure.

Abstract: A method for ultrasound imaging of tissues located in a tissue image region includes the steps of projecting at least one ultrasound beam into the tissue image region and receiving ultrasound reflections in order to transduce the ultrasound reflections into corresponding electric echo signals. The echo signals are processed according to at least two different modes including, an imaging mode for furnishing a panoramic image of the region under examination and a second processing mode that is a different echo processing mode for imaging particular tissues or tissue structures. The images obtained by processing are displayed on the same screen wherein the image obtained by the first mode is displayed with a gray scale and the image obtained by the second mode is displayed in a colored manner.

Abstract: A Doppler ultrasound system automatically and repeatedly scans an area of interest to construct at least one velocity profile through segments of arteries over an area of interest. Each scan includes taking measurements of blood flow in the area of interest substantially simultaneously from different angles. The velocity profiles and delta velocity profiles are automatically analyzed to determine a number of parameters indicative of potentially stenotic areas within the artery. The parameters and their changing value along the length of the artery indicative of stenosis are detected and compared with predefined threshold values to determine potentially stenotic areas. Scanning by the Doppler ultrasound system is triggered at a predefined point in an ECG cycle of the patient.

Abstract: Elevation fold-in artifact is reduced by combining Doppler and B-mode image signals. The B-mode image signals and Doppler image signals are combined using a modulated, non-linear function. Portions of the B-mode image signal associated with stationary tissue are intact while portions of the B-mode image signal associated with flow are substantially suppressed. The suppression is gradual rather than binary to avoid flash artifacts, such as providing an adaptive modulated, non-linear combination function. Doppler or flow image signals are less sensitive than tissue or B-mode signals to elevation beam width. Suppressing the B-mode image signal where flow exists better identifies small vessels that would otherwise be characterized as tissue. Small vessel or other small structure information associated with moving fluid is inserted within the gray-scale or B-mode image. Clutter within large vessels is more likely mapped to black or removed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus having a depth range setter 28 for setting a threshold value of detection level for a Doppler signal in an ultrasonic circuit unit 2, a unit for extracting a time at which the Doppler signal exceeds the set detection level and a signal level in excess of the set detection level, and a ROI depth data generator 29 for determining, for an adaptive phase controller 3, a ROI depth range for correction necessary to make echo signals of neighboring channels be in phase by using the extracted time and signal level, whereby the focal point can follow the ROI region in an object to be inspected by correcting echo signals from the region where the intensity of the Doppler signal reaches the detection level or its neighboring region so as to make them be in phase between adjacent transducers.

Abstract: To accurately measure wave intensity as an evaluation value using an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, a measurement line is set in a tomogram and anterior and posterior walls of a blood vessel are tracked on the measurement line, so that a change waveform concerning a blood vessel diameter is prepared. A tracking gate S is set on the measurement line, so that a blood velocity change waveform is prepared based on echo data concerning a part within the tracking gate S, the change waveform indicating averaged blood velocity. Wave intensity is calculated based on the blood vessel diameter change waveform and the blood velocity change waveform. Prior to the calculation of wave intensity, the blood vessel diameter change waveform is calibrated based on the maximum and minimum blood pressure values into a blood pressure waveform. A beam for Doppler measurement may be set intersecting with the displacement measurement beam.

Abstract: Elevation fold-in artifact is reduced by combining Doppler and B-mode image signals. The B-mode image signals and Doppler image signals are combined using a modulated, non-linear function. Portions of the B-mode image signal associated with stationary tissue are intact while portions of the B-mode image signal associated with flow are substantially suppressed. The suppression is gradual rather than binary to avoid flash artifacts, such as providing an adaptive modulated, non-linear combination function. Doppler or flow image signals are less sensitive than tissue or B-mode signals to elevation beam width. Suppressing the B-mode image signal where flow exists better identifies small vessels that would otherwise be characterized as tissue. Small vessel or other small structure information associated with moving fluid is inserted within the gray-scale or B-mode image. Clutter within large vessels is more likely mapped to black or removed.

Abstract: An ultrasound image is morphed for perfusion assessment. Various images within a sequence of images or movie clip are mapped to one frame of reference using local warping. Nonlinear local image transformations or other warping based on local estimates of motion are used to interpolate different images to the common reference. The elastic stretching and compression of local image data results in a sequence of images where the same spatial location in each image represents the substantially same spatial location of the imaged tissue. The organ, tissue or region of interest is stationary throughout the sequence of images.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining therapeutic pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound with diagnostic pulsed ultrasound are described. In both a therapeutic mode and in a diagnostic mode, the ultrasound is administered from a single probe to a patient suffering from thrombosis. The ultrasound can have the same or different frequency ranges in the diagnostic and therapeutic modes. The pulsed or continuous-wave ultrasound in the therapeutic mode enhances a lysing effect of a thrombolytic agent. The pulsed ultrasound in the diagnostic mode allows monitoring of blood flow to locate a thrombus, to determine an optimal window to administer the therapeutic pulsed ultrasound, and to detect when recanalization has occurred. If an operator attends the device, a graphical display operates during the diagnostic mode to display an image representative of the blood flow.

Abstract: Systems and methods for obtaining images of body organs or other tissue for each of their multiple characterizing aspects, and for classifying different tissue types within the images according to their characterizing aspects, are disclosed herein. The tissue may be irradiated with an ultrasonic signal, and an interaction signal received in return. Sinogram data may be constructed from the received interaction signal, and multiple characterizing data extracted therefrom. The multiple characterizing data representing multiple characterizing aspects may then be matched to tissue type within a database containing information correlating characterizing multi-aspect data with tissue type. Images of the tissue may then be presented with identifiers associating tissue portions with their matched tissue types.

Abstract: A remote palpation technique in breast imaging involves the use of multiple applications of radiation force in rapid succession throughout a two-dimensional plane in the target tissue medium (10), and combination of the small, two-dimensional displacement maps from each force location into a single, larger remote palpation image (block 43). Apparatus for carrying out the foregoing method is also disclosed.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection and characterization are also provided.

Abstract: In order to make both the maintenance of a scan range and a frame rate for ultrasonic imaging and high definition of an image compatible with each other, a sound-ray density for scan is made nonuniform, and a sound-ray density is rendered dense at a required portion and coarse at portions other than the portion.

Abstract: Methods and systems for providing consistent power and reducing power consumption for an ultrasound system are provided. The ultrasound system is provided with an uninterruptable power supply. Power is provided from an outlet through the uninterruptable power supply to the ultrasound scanner. If the power from the outlet falls below a threshold is of an insufficient quality or is otherwise unavailable, the uninterruptable power supply provides power. For mobility, the uninterruptable power supply provides power, avoiding the need to plug the ultrasound system into an outlet. To reduce the drain on the uninterruptable power supply or other source of power, the ultrasound system includes power reduction systems and methods. One or more electrical components, subsystems or the entire ultrasound system is operated in a reduced power state while not in use. For example, some digital electrical components draw more power in response to clock signal triggers.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging system uses a specially configured scanhead to provide ultrasound return signals that are processed by an imaging unit to generate a three-dimensional Doppler ultrasound image. One embodiment of the scanhead includes a first pair of apertures aligned along a first axis, and a second pair of apertures aligned along a second axis that is perpendicular to the first axis. All of the apertures lie in a common plane. Respective signals from the apertures along each axis are processed to generate two-dimensional Doppler motion vectors. The resulting pairs of two-dimensional Doppler motion vectors are then processed to generate three-dimensional Doppler motion vectors that are used to generate a three-dimensional Doppler image. In another embodiment, three co-planar apertures are arranged equidistantly from each other about a common center, and the three-dimensional Doppler image is generated from respective signals from the apertures.

Abstract: A region of interest (ROI) of a patient's body is repeatedly scanned using an ultrasound transducer array. Data sets representing an image property, such as intensity, from portions of the ROI are used to calculate a representation of the displacement profile within the ROI at different stress levels. From the displacement profile, a function of strain is also preferably calculated. According to one aspect of the invention, a data set representing an estimate of the elasticity profile within the ROI is color-coded and is displayed along with a B-mode display in a single, overlaid display. According to another aspect of the preferred embodiment of the invention, the display of elasticity is adaptively persisted as a function of, for example, a measure of image quality. The invention also provides an on-screen guide that indicates to a user a measure of quality of each of a series of estimated displacement data sets.

Abstract: A pulse Doppler ultrasound system and associated methods are described for monitoring blood flow and detecting emboli. A graphical information display includes simultaneously displayed depth-mode and spectrogram displays. The depth-mode display indicates the various positions along the ultrasound beam axis at which blood flow is detected. These positions are indicated as one or more colored regions, with the color indicating direction of blood flow and varying in intensity as a function of detected Doppler ultrasound signal amplitude or detected blood flow velocity. The depth-mode display also includes a pointer whose position may be selected by a user. The spectrogram displayed corresponds to the location identified by the pointer. Embolus detection and characterization are also provided.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method of contrast enhanced ultrasonic diagnostic imaging comprising administering to a subject a contrast enhancing amount of spherical particles comprising a matrix enclosing a gaseous contrast agent which reflects sound waves, said matrix being a biocompatible, biodegradable, non-immunogenic non-polyamino acid synthetic polymer; and generating an ultrasonic image of said subject. The polymer may be selected from the group consisting of carbohydrates, carbohydrate derivatives and non-polyamino acid synthetic polymers.

Abstract: One can impart outstanding resistance against collapse under pressure to gas-filled microvesicle used as contrast agents in ultrasonic echography by using as fillers gases whose solubility in water, expressed in liter of gas by liter of water under standard conditions, divided by the square root of the molecular weight does not exceed 0.003.