Abstract: An ultrasound transient elasticity measurement device and a transient elasticity measurement method are provided. The device includes an ultrasound probe including a vibrator, a transmitting/receiving sequence controller, and a data processor.

Abstract: A histotripsy therapy system configured for the treatment of brain tissue is provided, which may include any number of features. In one embodiment, the system includes an ultrasound therapy transducer, a drainage catheter, and a plurality of piezoelectric sensors disposed in the drainage catheter. The ultrasound therapy is configured to transmit ultrasound pulses into the brain to generate cavitation that liquefies a target tissue in the brain. The drainage catheter is configured to detect the ultrasound pulses. An aberration correction algorithm can be executed by the system based on the ultrasound pulses measured by the drainage catheter to automatically correct for an aberration effect caused by the ultrasound pulses passing through a skullcap of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for receiving one or more digital images associated with a tissue specimen, detecting one or more image regions from a background of the one or more digital images, determining a prediction, using a machine learning system, of whether at least one first image region of the one or more image regions comprises at least one external contaminant, the machine learning system having been trained using a plurality of training images to predict a presence of external contaminants and/or a location of any external contaminants present in the tissue specimen, and determining, based on the prediction of whether a first image region comprises an external contaminant, whether to process the image region using an processing algorithm.

Abstract: Systems and methods for monitoring life signs in a subject. A radar unit comprising generates raw data and a processor unit receives raw data and identifies oscillating signals in a series of arrays of complex values representing radiation reflected from each voxel of a target region during a given time segment. A phase value is determined for each voxel in each frame and a waveform representing phase changes over time for each voxel is generated. Voxels indicating an oscillating signal are selected and life sign parameters are extracted.

Abstract: The subject matter of the present disclosure generally relates to techniques for neuromodulation that include applying energy (e.g., ultrasound energy) into an internal tissue to cause tissue displacement and identifying that the tissue displacement has occurred. In one embodiment, the presence of tissue displacement is associated with a desired therapeutic or physiological outcome, such as a change in a molecule of interest.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes an ultrasound probe and processing circuitry. The ultrasound probe includes a plurality of transducer elements arranged two-dimensionally and includes a plurality of transducer element groups of a Row-Column Addressing type in which, when ultrasound transmission is to be performed, a plurality of first transducer elements arranged in the direction of one of two axes intersecting each other are connected in common to one another and in which, when ultrasound reception is to be performed, a plurality of second transducer elements arranged in the direction of the other of the two axes are connected in common to one another. A plurality of sets that are each made up of the two axes and correspond to the plurality of transducer element groups of the Row-Column Addressing type are mutually different.

Abstract: In one aspect, an example method includes (i) determining a blur delta that quantifies a difference between a level of blurriness of a first frame of a video and a level of blurriness of a second frame of the video, wherein the second frame is subsequent to and adjacent to the first frame; (ii) determining a contrast delta that quantifies a difference between a contrast of the first frame and a contrast of the second frame; (iii) determining a fingerprint distance between a first image fingerprint of the first frame and a second image fingerprint of the second frame; (iv) determining a keyframe score using the blur delta, the contrast delta, and the fingerprint distance; (v) based on the keyframe score, determining that the second frame is a keyframe; and (vi) outputting data indicating that the second frame is a keyframe.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe that transmits an ultrasound wave and receives a reflected wave; a display that displays an ultrasound image on a screen; and a hardware processor that activates a screen saver processing of displaying an image hiding information displayed on the screen or a freeze processing of stopping transmission and reception of the ultrasound wave when conditions (A1) or (A2) is continuously satisfied for a predetermined time or more while the ultrasound image is displayed, wherein the conditions (A1) and (A2) are: (A1) a state in which, in an input captured image, a change amount of the probe and surroundings is a first threshold or less; and (A2) a state in which a volume of input voice is a second threshold or less, or a state in which a volume of a specific frequency of input sound is a third threshold or less.

Abstract: Apparatuses, systems, and techniques are presented to generate ultrasound images. In at least one embodiment, use one or more neural networks are used to generate one or more ultrasound images of one or more objects based, at least in part, upon one or more acoustic properties of the one or more objects.

Abstract: Systems and methods for reducing speckle while maintaining frame rate are disclosed. Multiple sub-images associated with different receive angles are acquired for a single transmit/receive event at an observation angle. The sub-images are compounded to generate a final image with reduced speckle. In some examples, multiple sub-images from multiple transmit/receive events are compounded to generate the final image. The observation angle and/or the receive angles may vary between transmit/receive events in some examples.

Abstract: Methods and systems for imaging. For example, a system may include a breast compression paddle, an imaging detector, at least one sensor incorporated into at least one of the breast compression paddle or the imaging detector. The system performs operations including generating, at a first time point, first spatial data of the breast based on data captured by the at least one sensor; generating, at a second time point, second spatial data of the breast based on data captured by the at least one sensor; based on the first spatial data and the second spatial data, determining an amount of motion of the breast that occurred; and based on the determined amount of motion performing at least one of: generating a motion map for the breast; discarding one or more acquired projections for use in generating a tomosynthesis reconstruction; or correcting a medical image acquired the second time point.

Abstract: In various embodiments, a consistency application constructs a consistent view of an eventually consistent database. The consistency application determines multiple backup files that are associated with at least one datacenter included in the eventually consistent database and extracts aggregated data from the backup files. The consistency application performs compaction operation(s) on the aggregated data to generate compacted data. Notably, the aggregated data includes at least two replicas for each data item stored in the eventually consistent database, whereas the compacted data includes a different consistent data item for each data item stored in that eventually consistent database. The consistency application generated the consistent view of the eventually consistent database based on the compacted data.

Abstract: A magnetic-based tracking system for tracking an ultrasound probe to create a three-dimensional visualization. The system can include a reference device including a reference magnet and an ultrasound probe including an ultrasound acoustic transducer or acoustic array that acquires ultrasound images and a magnetometer that detects a magnetic field generated by the reference magnet. The ultrasound probe couples a first ultrasound image with a first magnetic field strength, wherein both of the first ultrasound image is received and the first magnetic field strength is detected at a first time. The system can include a console including a processor and non-transitory computer-readable medium having stored thereon a plurality of processor executed logic modules that perform operations including receiving and recording a plurality of coupling of ultrasound images and detected magnetic field strengths, and generating a 3D visualization from the ultrasound images.

Abstract: Described here are systems and methods for improved ultrasound attenuation coefficient estimation (“ACE”) techniques. In one aspect, noise can be suppressed by using signal-to-noise ratio (“SNR”) as a quality control metric for restricting depth ranges for ACE. In this way, the proper depth range for each frequency component can be adaptively changed with sufficient SNR for ACE. In another aspect, elevation focusing normalization is used to reduce errors associated with diffraction effects when estimating attenuation coefficient. In another aspect, methods for suppressing noise in ACE techniques is provided. Noise can be suppressed based on a noise field computed from measurements obtained without ultrasound transmission, based on a unique combination of consecutive image frames, based on singular value decomposition (“SVD”) clutter filtering cutoff values, or combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes ultrasound systems configured to perform microbubble-based contrast imaging with enhanced sensitivity. The systems can enhance echo signals derived from microbubbles while suppressing echo signals derived from tissue by detecting phase shifts exhibited by microbubbles in resonance. To detect the phase shifts, and thereby distinguish between microbubble-based signals and tissue-based signals, the systems can transmit a series of ultrasound pulses into a target region in accordance with a predefined sequence. The sequence can include an initiation pulse configured to stimulate microbubbles into nonlinear oscillation, a detection pulse configured to detect the nonlinear oscillation, and a summation pulse formed by transmitting an initiation pulse and detection pulse with a small time delay therebetween.

Abstract: Provided are a medical image processing apparatus, a processor device, a medical image processing method, and a program that may suppress flickering of display when a region of interest in a medical image is reported. A medical image processing apparatus includes an image acquisition unit (40) that acquires an endoscopic image (38), a region-of-interest detection unit (41) that detects a region of interest, an emphasis region setting unit (42) that sets a location of an emphasis region for emphasizing the region of interest in accordance with a location of the region of interest when the medical image is displayed using a monitor device (16), and a display control unit (44) that updates display of the emphasis region using an update interval exceeding an update interval of display of the endoscopic image.

Abstract: A needle direction estimation unit estimates a needle direction L based on needle information generated by a needle information generation unit, and outputs the position information of the needle direction L. A search region setting unit sets the needle direction L in a tissue image based on the position information of the needle direction L, and sets a search region F that extends to both sides with a predetermined width r. A needle tip search unit calculates the brightness distribution of the tissue image, determines a maximum brightness point B in the search region F to be the needle tip, and outputs the position information of the needle tip. A needle tip visualizing unit visualizes a needle tip N, which is a predetermined point image, in the tissue image from the position information of the needle tip.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging method and an ultrasound imaging device. The method may include: determining a target imaging mode from preset imaging modes in response to the first instruction, where the preset imaging modes comprise a first contrast enhanced imaging mode and a second contrast enhanced imaging mode which have different frame rate; transmitting ultrasound waves to a target object and receiving ultrasound echoes returned from the target object according to the determined target imaging mode to obtain ultrasound echo signals; and generating a contrast enhanced image according to the ultrasound echo signals. An ultrasound imaging device is also be provided.

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. An ultrasound imaging system includes a communication interface in communication with an ultrasound imaging device. The communication interface receives an ultrasound image of a subject's anatomy. The system includes a processor in communication with the communication interface. The processor applies a predictive network to the ultrasound image to identify a plurality of locations of potential malignancies in the subjects anatomy and determines a plurality of malignancy likelihoods at the plurality of locations of potential malignancies. The processor outputs, to a display in communication with the processor, the plurality of locations of potential malignancies and the plurality of malignancy likelihoods for the plurality of locations of potential malignancies to guide a biopsy determination for the subject's anatomy.

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. In one embodiment, an intraluminal ultrasound imaging system includes a patient interface module (PIM) in communication with an intraluminal imaging device comprising an ultrasound imaging component, the PIM comprising a processing component configured to detect information associated with the intraluminal imaging device; and determine a waveform characteristic for ultrasound wave emissions at the ultrasound imaging component based on the detected information; and a trigger signal generation component in communication with the processing component and configured to generate a trigger signal based on the determined waveform characteristic to control the ultrasound wave emissions at the ultrasound imaging component.

Abstract: Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for spatial and temporal encoding of transmission in full synthetic transmit aperture imaging to achieve optimal spatial and contrast resolution and large signal-to-noise ratio for medical imaging applications with fewer signal transmissions, which can be equal to or less than the number of array elements within the aperture. In some aspects, a method of signal transmission is disclosed that includes a sequence of one or more sets of transmissions on a plurality of elements with unique, random, and/or optimized combinations of waveforms using amplitude and phase, and/or delay encoding. Sets of echoes corresponding to the sequence are beamformed such that fewer transmissions are needed than the number of array elements within the aperture, while maintaining complete spatial sampling of the aperture as if sampled according to a full set of synthetic transmit aperture transmissions on the same aperture.

Abstract: An ultrasound signal processor uses an excitation generator to cause displacement of a membrane or surface while a series of ultrasound pulses are applied to the membrane or surface. Phase differences between a transmitted signal and received signal are examined to determine the movement of the membrane or surface in response to the applied excitation. An examination of the phase response of the membrane or surface provides a determination as to whether the fluid type behind the membrane or surface is one of: no fluid, serum fluid, or purulent fluid.

Abstract: Systems and methods present multiple images of a three-dimensional model, including a three-dimensional representation of an anatomic structure and a representation of a medical device relative to the anatomic structure, on a graphical user interface. The multiple images correspond to different views (e.g., in multiple, different planes) of the three-dimensional model to provide complementary spatial information regarding a position of the medical device relative to the anatomic structure during a medical procedure performed on the anatomic structure. Such complementary spatial information can, for example, provide spatial context to facilitate controlling the position of the medical device relative to the anatomic structure during the medical procedure.

Abstract: Described herein are techniques for tracking objects (including human body parts such as a hand), namely: 1) two-state transducer interpolation in acoustic phased-arrays; 2) modulation techniques in acoustic phased-arrays; 3) fast acoustic full matrix capture during haptic effects; 4) time-of-flight depth sensor fusion system; 5) phase modulated spherical wave-fronts in acoustic phased-arrays; 6) long wavelength phase modulation of acoustic field for location and tracking; and 7) camera calibration through ultrasonic range sensing.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus wirelessly connected to a displayer includes: an image data generator that generates ultrasound image data based on a reception signal received from an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves to and from a subject; and a hardware processor that wirelessly transmits the generated ultrasound image data to the displayer to display the ultrasound image data on the displayer, acquires refresh rate information of the ultrasound image data displayed on the displayer from the displayer, determines whether or not the refresh rate information is equal to or less than a first threshold value, and causes a notifier to notify of notification information indicating that display of the ultrasound image data on the displayer is poor due to deterioration of the wireless communication state when the refresh rate information is equal to or less than the first threshold value.

Abstract: Methods and systems for identifying internal motion of a breast of a patient during an imaging procedure. The method may include compressing the breast of the patient in a mediolateral oblique (MLO) position. During compression of the breast, a first tomosynthesis MLO projection frame for a first angle with respect the breast is acquired and a second tomosynthesis MLO projection frame for a second angle with respect to the breast is acquired. Boundaries of the pectoral muscle are identified in the projection frames and boundary representations are generated. A difference between the first representation and the second representation is determined. A motion score is then generated based on at least the difference between the first representation and the second representation.

Abstract: An optimization and enhancement method for medical health physical examination big data includes following steps: all closed edges and all feature corner points in an anteroposterior spinal X-ray image are obtained, an internal difference coefficient of each closed edge relative to each other closed edge is obtained based on a positional distribution difference coefficient of each feature corner point within each closed edge relative to each feature corner point within each other closed edge, and the vertebral body edge probability of each closed edge is obtained by combing a rectangularity degree of each closed edge; the vertebral body edge confidence probability is obtained based on the rectangularity degree and the number of the feature corner points within each closed edge to select a reference vertebral body edge; all spinal vertebral bodies are obtained by a feature matching algorithm and grayscale enhancement is performed on all spinal vertebral bodies.

Abstract: A method for a radar system having a plurality of antennas is provided. The method includes processing a plurality of radar signals for determining a distance between the radar system and at least one target and a velocity of the at least one target, thereby forming a plurality of processed radar signals. Each radar signal of the plurality of radar signals is received by an associated antenna of the plurality of antennas. The plurality of processed radar signals are digitally beamformed for at least one beam direction, thereby forming a plurality of beamformed radar signals. The plurality of beamformed radar signals are summed from the plurality of antennas per beam direction.

Abstract: A system for determining accuracy of a surgical procedure to implant an implant on a patient bone. The system including at least one computing device configured to perform the following steps. Receive preoperative patient data including preoperative images of the patient bone and planned implant position and orientation data. Receive postoperative patient data including postoperative images of the patient bone and an implant implanted on the patient bone. Segment the patient bone and the implant from the postoperative images of the patient bone and the implant. Register separately the patient bone and the implant from the postoperative images to the patient bone from the preoperative images. And compare an implanted position and orientation of the implant from the postoperative images relative to the patient bone from the preoperative images to the planned implant position and orientation data relative to the patient bone from the preoperative images.

Abstract: A device and method for non-destructive testing of an object, such as a pipe, well casing, plane wing, rail track, weldment, bridge or manufactured part. A phased array of ultrasonic transducers moves relative to the part in one direction, while transmitting a steered wave in another direction to capture the texture from the object's surface. Diffuse and specular components of the received reflection signals are separated and beamformed for visualization. The object is then viewable as a 3D image with a texture map of the object's surface.

Abstract: A portable remote ultrasound scanning system is disclosed. A master device includes a handheld device and a master computer. A slave device includes a slave scanning robot, a slave ultrasound device, a slave environment sensing unit, and a data transceiver unit. The handheld device is configured to send velocity information of a movement of the handheld device, angular velocity information of a rotation of the handheld device, and a pressing force to a controller of the slave scanning robot through the master computer and the data transceiver unit. The controller is configured to control a movement of the robotic arm in a horizontal plane, an orientation movement of the robotic arm in space, and a movement of the robotic arm along a normal direction of a scanning surface. The master computer displays an ultrasound scanning image. An entire movement process of the robotic arm is performed through a compliance control.

Abstract: An apparatus for performing a medical procedure is disclosed. The apparatus includes a sensor adapted to convert an ultrasonic signal incident thereon into an electrical signal; and a wireless transceiver configured to receive the electrical signal from the sensor, and to transmit the electrical signal to a wireless receiver remotely located from the apparatus.

Abstract: Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a group of coefficients for a digital filter, and configuring the digital filter according to the group of coefficients. Further embodiments can include processing a group of statistics associated with a first data flow utilizing the digital filter, and determining a first statistic from the group of statistics does not satisfy a statistical threshold resulting in a first determination. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as localization markers during a surgical procedure. Adaptation includes incorporation of materials detectable under ultrasound during surgery, as well as features for co-registration with image guidance or other real-time imaging technologies during surgery. Such biopsy markers, when used as localization markers, improve patient comfort and reduce challenges in surgical coordination and surgery time. Additional disclosed biopsy markers are adapted to serve as monitoring and/or detection apparatuses. Localization of an implanted marker may be done with ultrasound technology. Ultrasound image data is analyzed to identify the implanted marker. A distance to the marker or a lesion may be determined and displayed. The determined distance may be a distance between the ultrasound probe and the marker or lesion, a distance between the marker or lesion and an incision instrument, and/or a distance between the ultrasound probe and the incision instrument.

Abstract: A system and method for creating ultrasound images of a moving medium is provided. The method includes emitting, by a portion of a plurality of emitters, a plurality of ultrasound waves until a motion of the moving medium below a predetermined threshold is determined, wherein the plurality of ultrasound wave is emitted towards the moving medium; receiving, by a portion of a plurality of sensors, a first plurality of received signals corresponding to the plurality of ultrasound waves; generating a model of a morphing function when the motion of the moving medium is below the predetermined threshold, wherein the motion of the moving medium is determined based on at least one received signal of the plurality of first received signals, wherein the morphing function defines morphing of the moving medium from an initial plurality of received signals; and performing a wave inversion on the model of the morphing function.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system computes real time physiological parameters from measurements of anatomical features in ultrasound image data using a neural network to identify the location of the anatomical features. In one embodiment, cardiac parameters are computed from endocardial wall tracings in M-mode ultrasound image data that are identified by the neural network.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to combined frequency and angle compounding for speckle reduction in ultrasound imaging. Such combined frequency and angle compounding can result in a multiplicative speckle reduction compared to using either frequency compounding or angle compounding alone. Compounding methods of this disclosure can make use of the full aperture of the ultrasound probe when acquiring individual images, hence there can be no compromise in resolution. In disclosed embodiments, ultrasound images can be obtained while an ultrasound probe is moving and the relative position and orientation of the ultrasound images can be determined from a measurement of the position and orientation of the ultrasound probe. Certain embodiments can correct for the movement and distortion of an object being imaged during the image acquisition.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic device including: an ultrasound probe that includes: multiple vibrators that are arrayed to be multiple rows in a long axis direction, the rows being arranged in a short axis direction, and that transmit and receive ultrasonic waves; a switching element that switches on and off of input of a drive signal to a vibrator in each of the rows and output of a received signal; an ultrasound image generator that generates ultrasound image data of a tomographic plane for each of the rows based on the received signal that is received by the vibrator corresponding to each of the rows via switching of the switching element; and a three-dimensional image generator that generates three-dimensional image data from the generated ultrasound image data of the multiple rows.

Abstract: Systems, devices, and methods for ultrasonic imaging by sparse sampling are provided. In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system comprises an array of ultrasound transducer elements, electronic circuitry in communication with the array of ultrasound transducer elements and configured to select a first receive aperture of the array comprising a plurality of contiguous ultrasound transducer elements and at least one non-contiguous ultrasound transducer element, and a beamformer in communication with the electronic circuitry. Each ultrasound transducer element of the first receive aperture is configured to receive reflected ultrasound echoes and generate an electrical signal representative of imaging data.

Abstract: Methods for reducing electromagnetic interference arising from use of multiple ultrasound transducers in an array, particularly inside a human body that is inside a magnetic resonance imaging device. Electrical signals driving the transducers are offset in phase with respect to one another so as to achieve maximum offset of electrical and magnetic fields arising from such signals and transducers. Phase offsets are dynamically adjusted to respond to changes in driving amplitudes and frequencies so as to maintain optimal reduction of electromagnetic interference.

Abstract: In part, the invention relates to a probe suitable for use with image data collection system. The probe, in one embodiment, includes an optical transceiver, such as a beam director, and an acoustic transceiver such as an ultrasound transducer. The optical transceiver is in optical communication with an optical fiber in optical communication with a beam director configured to transmit light and receive scattered light from a sample such as a wall of a blood vessel. The acoustic transceiver includes an ultrasound device or subsystem such as a piezoelectric element configured to generate acoustic waves and receive reflected acoustic waves from the sample.

Abstract: A device, system, and method for printing a vein map onto a patient's skin may include a probe and a printer. The probe may be configured to identify a location of a target vein beneath the patient's skin. The printer may be configured to receive the location and, using the location, print the vein map onto the patient's skin to indicate the location. The vein map may comprise antimicrobial ink printed onto the patient's skin with one or more colors and/or one or more patterns. The vein map may be a two-dimensional vein map or a three-dimensional vein map that indicates the location of the target vein within the patient, a width of the target vein, and/or a depth of the target vein within the patient.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus (1), which performs a compression test with respect to at least two points of a popliteal vein and a common femoral vein of a subject, includes an ultrasound probe (15), an image acquisition unit (8) that acquires an ultrasound image by transmitting an ultrasound beam toward the subject from the ultrasound probe (15), a vein detection unit (9) that detects the popliteal vein included in the ultrasound image, and an operation guiding unit (10) that guides a user, in a case where the compression test of the popliteal vein is performed, to operate the ultrasound probe such that the ultrasound probe (15) is positioned at a position in which only one popliteal vein is included in the ultrasound image based on the number of the popliteal veins detected by the vein detection unit (9).

Abstract: A LUS robotic surgical system is trainable by a surgeon to automatically move a LUS probe in a desired fashion upon command so that the surgeon does not have to do so manually during a minimally invasive surgical procedure. A sequence of 2D ultrasound image slices captured by the LUS probe according to stored instructions are processable into a 3D ultrasound computer model of an anatomic structure, which may be displayed as a 3D or 2D overlay to a camera view or in a PIP as selected by the surgeon or programmed to assist the surgeon in inspecting an anatomic structure for abnormalities. Virtual fixtures are definable so as to assist the surgeon in accurately guiding a tool to a target on the displayed ultrasound image.

Abstract: The invention provides for a method for switching between fields of view of an ultrasound probe. The method begins by obtaining an anatomical model representing a region of interest of a subject and establishing a first field of view relative to an ultrasonic probe, wherein the first field of view comprises an initial portion of the region of interest. Ultrasound data is then obtained from the first field of view by way of the ultrasonic probe and a first anatomical feature is identified within the first field of view based on the ultrasound data. A location in digital space of the first field of view relative to the anatomical model is determined based on the first anatomical feature. A second field of view is then established based on the anatomical model and the first field of view, wherein the first field of view functions as a reference field of view. The field of view is then switched from the first field of view to the second field of view.

Abstract: The present invention discloses to monitor viewing parameters of users in an immersive environment. Real-time inputs are received from sensors associated with participants in immersive environment. Inputs represent location data, gaze data, field of view (FOV) data, and movement data of the participants. Selection data indicating selected participants and selected viewing parameter is received from user. The inputs are processed to output the viewing parameters of the selected participants which include viewing angle, viewing range, viewing angle deviation, current FOV, relative location, and interaction status of the selected participants. A first set of pictorial representations is generated to represent the selected participants and selected viewing parameters. The first set of pictorial representations is displayed in a predefined region within FOV of the user in the immersive environment, to enable monitoring.

Abstract: A device comprises an ultrasound probe housing that has an ambient side and a body side and contains ultrasound probes configured to produce images of inside the body of a patient. The device may further include a needle guide assembly connected to the housing that receives a needle for insertion into the body of the patient so that the needle can be visualized by the ultrasonic probes in real time. Each of a first subset of the ultrasound probes is positioned such that a direction of ultrasound waves generated thereby is through the body side and perpendicular to the body side. Each of a second subset of the ultrasound probes is positioned non-perpendicular to the body side such that a direction of ultrasound waves generated by each of the second subset of ultrasound probes is toward a site of penetration of the needle into the body of the patient.

Abstract: Systems and methods for estimating acoustic properties in a region-of-interest in a subject or other object being imaged using a reference frequency method (“RFM”) is described. Using this RFM technique, ultrasound data acquired at a given frequency are normalized by ultrasound data acquired at different frequencies (e.g., adjacent frequencies or otherwise) in order to provide estimations of the acoustic properties (e.g., attenuation coefficient, a backscatter coefficient, or both) that are independent of the ultrasound system used to acquire the underlying data. For instance, the amplitude of each frequency component can be normalized by a different frequency in the power spectrum to cancel out the system-dependent effects. Because the methods described in the present disclosure are system independent, they can be applied to any transducer geometry (e.g., linear or curved arrays) and using any beam pattern (e.g., focused or unfocused).

Abstract: An image processing apparatus includes: an obtaining unit configured to obtain a first medical image of an object under examination; an image quality improving unit configured to generate, from the obtained first medical image, a second medical image with image quality higher than image quality of the obtained first medical image using a learned model; a comparing unit configured to compare an analysis result obtained by analyzing the obtained first medical image and an analysis result obtained by analyzing the generated second medical image; and a display controlling unit configured to cause a comparison result obtained by the comparing unit to be displayed on a display unit.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for fusing tissue characterization information into ultrasound images. In one example, a method includes obtaining first image data of an anatomical region of interest (ROI) of a patient, the first image data including tissue characterization information and acquired with a first imaging modality; obtaining second image data of the anatomical ROI of the patient, the second image data acquired with a second imaging modality; registering the first image data and the second image data; adjusting the second image data based on the tissue characterization information and the registration, wherein the adjusting includes filtering, adjusting colorization, adjusting brightness, and/or adjusting material appearance properties of one or more aspects of the second image data; generating a fused image from the adjusted second image data; and outputting the fused image for display and/or storage.