Abstract: A body profiling system includes multiple pivotally connected links and multiple probes. Each of the probes is disposed on one of the links and includes any one or any combination of a transmitter configured to send a signal, a receiver configured to receive the signal, and a transceiver configured to send and receive the signal.

Abstract: For clutter reduction in ultrasound elasticity imaging, the contribution of clutter to different frequency components (e.g., the transmit fundamental and the propagation generated second harmonic) is different. As a result, a difference in displacements determined at the different frequency bands is used to reduce clutter contribution to displacements used for elasticity imaging.

Abstract: An endobronchial ultrasound (EBUS) bronchoscope is configured as a single-use (e.g., disposable) device. The bronchoscope includes an insertion tube having a proximal section adjacent the handle and a distal tip. An ultrasound transducer assembly is located at the distal tip. The ultrasound transducer assembly includes an ultrasound transducer array, transmit-and-receive circuitry for the ultrasound transducer array, and a flexible interconnection between the ultrasound transducer array and the transmit-and-receive circuitry. The insertion tube further includes an imaging lumen including one or more power cables and one or more communication wires that extend from the ultrasound transducer assembly through the proximal section and a working channel that is separate from the imaging lumen.

Abstract: Ultrasound image devices, systems, and methods are provided. An intraluminal ultrasound imaging system, comprising a patient interface module (PIM) in communication with an intraluminal imaging device comprising an ultrasound imaging component, the PIM comprising a first reconfigurable logic block including a first plurality of logic elements interconnected by first reconfigurable interconnection elements; a configuration memory coupled to the first reconfigurable logic block; and a processing component coupled to the configuration memory, the processing component configured to detect a device attribute of the intraluminal imaging device in communication with the PIM; and load at least one of a first configuration or a second configuration to the configuration memory based on the detected device attribute to configure one or more of the first reconfigurable interconnection elements such that the first plurality of logic elements are interconnected for communication with the ultrasound imaging component.

Abstract: A portable ultrasound probe is described having a mechanical transducer, rotating mirror, and mirror motor. The transducer can be used for diagnostic imaging and procedural guidance imaging. The probe has a light weight design for easy one-handed use, and can use external processors to provide proper image display with accompanying software.

Abstract: A distributed patient monitoring system comprises at least one standalone portable ultrasound imaging unit configured to be fixed to a stable position against the skin on a patient's body and capable of prolonged ultrasound data acquisition, including an ultrasound imaging array, transmit-receive circuitry, a beamformer, backend signal and image processing subsystem, power and communication subsystems, and a monitoring workstation connected to each standalone portable ultrasound imaging unit configured to request and receive ultrasound imaging information from each standalone portable ultrasound imaging unit, and configured to analyze and display acquired ultrasound information.

Abstract: The present disclosure is directed to a precision ultrasound scanner for imaging, for example, the prostate in a way that produces a superior image of the prostate while removing the iatrogenic risk and patient discomfort associated with other methods of providing an ultrasound image of the prostate. The present disclosure describes an apparatus and method for forming a high precision image of the prostate from outside the patient's body wherein the resolution in sufficient to image, for example, cancerous lesions on the surface of the prostate. To achieve such images, coded excitation, tissue harmonic imaging, advanced transducers operating in the 10 MHz to 40 MHz range is used to achieve a useable signal-to-noise reflection while being able to position the imaging transducer as close as possible to the prostate without risk or discomfort to the patient.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a processor for executing by a program: a first calculating function of, based on a first echo signal of first ultrasound transmitted to biological tissue in a subject to be examined, calculating a value relating to elasticity of said biological tissue; and a second calculating function of calculating a value of attenuation of ultrasound in said biological tissue; and a display device on which a first image produced based on a first two-dimensional (2D) color map CM1 is displayed, wherein said color map CM1 defines a display mode according to the value relating to elasticity of said biological tissue and the value of attenuation in said biological tissue.

Abstract: A guidance system providing real-time, three-dimensional (3D) augmented reality (AR) feedback guidance to a user of an equipment system, to achieve improved procedural outcomes in the use of the equipment system.

Abstract: Methods for providing real-time, three-dimensional (3D) augmented reality (AR) feedback guidance to a user of a medical equipment system to achieve improved diagnostic or treatment outcomes in the use of the medical equipment. The methods involve providing real-time position-based 3D AR feedback and real-time outcome-based 3D AR feedback to the user via an augmented reality user interface (ARUI). The feedback may be provided to the user via a head mounted display (HMD).

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for fully automated image optimization based on automated organ recognition. In medical imaging systems, during medical imaging based on a particular imaging technique, an anatomical feature in an area being imaged may be automatically identifying, and based on the identifying of the anatomical feature, one or more imaging parameters or settings for optimizing imaging quality for the identified anatomical feature may be automatically determined. Imaging functions may then be configured based on the determined one or more imaging parameters or settings, and, based on processing of medical imaging dataset acquired based on that configuration, one or more medical images for rendering. A deep learning and/or neural network based model may be used in identifying the anatomical feature and selecting the one or more imaging parameters or settings.

Abstract: A medical guidance system providing real-time, three-dimensional (3D) augmented reality (AR) feedback guidance to a novice user of medical equipment having limited medical training, to achieve improved diagnostic or treatment outcomes.

Abstract: Methods for providing real-time, three-dimensional (3D) augmented reality (AR) feedback guidance to a user of an equipment system to achieve improved outcomes in the use of the equipment. The methods involve providing real-time real-time position-based 3D AR feedback and the real-time outcome-based 3D AR feedback to the user via an augmented reality user interface (ARUI). The feedback may be provided to the user via a head mounted display (HMD).

Abstract: A contact angle measurement system includes a housing that can hold a volume of a first fluid having a first density, an adjustable rock sample holder positioned within the housing, a fluid dropper attached to the housing, an image capturing a device, and a computer system. The holder can support a rock sample. An orientation of the holder relative to the housing is adjustable such that an outer surface of the rock sample is at a non-zero angle relative to a lower wall of the housing. When the orientation of the holder relative to the housing is such that the outer surface of the rock sample is at the non-zero angle relative to the lower wall, the fluid droplet traverses the outer surface of the rock sample. The image capturing device can capture images of the fluid droplet as the fluid droplet traverses the outer surface of the rock sample.

Abstract: An electronic device including an array of ultrasonic transducers, a temperature sensor for determining a temperature of the array of ultrasonic transducers, and a control module communicatively coupled to the array of ultrasonic devices and the temperature sensor. The control module is for receiving the temperature and for controlling operation of the array of ultrasonic transducers based at least in part on the temperature.

Abstract: A signal generator generates an electrical signal that is sent to an amplifier, which increases the power of the signal using power from a power source. The amplified signal is fed to a sender transducer to generate ultrasonic waves that can be focused and sent to a receiver. The receiver transducer converts the ultrasonic waves back into electrical energy and stores it in an energy storage device, such as a battery, or uses the electrical energy to power a device. In this way, a device can be remotely charged or powered without having to be tethered to an electrical outlet.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic device for measuring a carotid artery wall property includes a transmission-reception processor, a transverse cross-sectional image generator, a transverse cross-sectional image selector, and a relative angle calculator. The transmission-reception processor performs transmission and reception processing of ultrasound with respect to the carotid artery. The transverse cross-sectional image generator generates transverse cross-sectional images based on reception signals for carotid artery cross-sections at different positions. Each generated image depicts a carotid artery transverse cross-section perpendicular to a longitudinal direction. The transverse cross-sectional image selector selects a specific image among the generated images that depicts ICA and ECA cross-sections.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a split phase accumulator having a plurality of sub phase accumulators are provided. Each sub phase accumulator receives a portion of a frequency control word. The first sub phase accumulator includes a first register and the remaining sub phase accumulators include a register and an overflow register. At each discrete point in time, the first sub phase accumulator is configured to be responsive to the first portion of the frequency control word at that discrete point in time and to the first sub phase accumulator value at the immediately previous discrete point in time, and each of the remaining sub phase accumulators is configured to be responsive to a value of its corresponding portion of the frequency control word at that discrete point in time and to the same second sub phase accumulator value at the immediately previous discrete point in time.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe diagnosing apparatus which diagnoses an ultrasound probe having an array of a plurality of ultrasound transducing elements on the basis of how the ultrasound probe receives reflected ultrasound waves from a test object placed to face the ultrasound probe, includes a part which detects a posture of the ultrasound probe with respect to the test object by comparing reflected ultrasound signals received by at least some of the plurality of ultrasound transducing elements, and a presenting part which presents information based on the detected posture.

Abstract: Disclosed are embodiments of devices and methods for imaging the inside of a body part, such as a blood vessel. In particular embodiments, a catheter has a chamber within which is a transducer mounted to a pivot mechanism, a motor for turning the transducer, and a coil for providing a pivot force to the transducer. A magnet is attached to the transducer and is receptive of a torque applied by a magnetic field produced by energizing of the coil.

Abstract: A magnetic guiding device (robotics) for an intracorporeal object includes a motor-driven positioning device having a maximum of three degrees of freedom to be activated for translational motion of a connecting interface of the positioning device to which a magnetic end effector is connected or connectable, the latter including a maximum of two degrees of freedom to be activated for rotational motion of a magnetic field generator. At least one of the two degrees of freedom of the magnetic end effector is encased in an effector housing.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed to an ultrasound transducer whose holding device moves along a guide track while the transducer on the end of the holding device oscillates about a known position during ultrasound transmission and receiving. In this embodiment, most refractive eye components including zonules and their connection points can be imaged.

Abstract: Ultrasound apparatus or techniques can include obtaining reflected ultrasound echo information, which can be used to construct a two-dimensional or three-dimensional representation of an at least approximately specular reflected target, such as bone. In an example, echo information can be obtained from spatially-overlapping tissue regions, such as using one or more of an array of ultrasonic transducers, or mechanically-scanning one or more ultrasonic transducers. In an example, one or more of a deformable housing or a deformable coupling pad can be used, such as to couple ultrasonic energy between one or more transducers and a tissue region.

Abstract: A device for guiding a medical imaging probe in order to move the probe close to an anatomical space, the probe having a mechanism for acquiring images of the anatomical space, and the device having at least one sensor mounted to the probe. The device includes a processing mechanism for deducing a rotation of the probe in the space from the signals generated by the sensor and for estimating a plurality of plausible positions of the probe relative to the anatomical space by deducing the rotation of the probe in the space. The processing mechanism is arranged such as to determine the position of the probe relative to the anatomical space from the plausible positions. Also disclosed is a method for guiding the probe.

Abstract: A novel diagnostic ultrasound apparatus has a plurality of ultrasound probes 1, delay means pairs 4 and 7 arranged respectively in the plurality of ultrasound probes to electronically delay the timings of transmissions or receptions of ultrasonic waves by the ultrasonic transducers, position/orientation detecting means 10 and delay control signal generating means for generating a delay control signal to control signal delays of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers of the plurality of ultrasound probes, using information acquired from the means 10. The delay control signal is input to the delay means to control the timings of transmission of ultrasonic waves to a target object of examination.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample using a modular transducer system. In one example, a system for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample comprises: an adjustable arm; a scanning assembly attached to the adjustable arm, the scanning assembly including a housing configured to remain stationary during scanning and a module receiver that is configured to translate with respect to the housing during scanning; and a transducer module comprising a transducer array of transducer elements, wherein the transducer module is configured to be removably coupled with the module receiver in order to establish both a mechanical connection and an electrical connection between the module receiver and the transducer module.

Abstract: The invention relates to an ultrasonic measuring device including an ultrasonic array configured to detect ultrasonic signals, and a housing. The housing includes an acoustic window portion and a housing wall. The ultrasonic array is arranged in the housing in acoustic contact with the acoustic window portion. The acoustic window portion is configured to adhere to a surface of the object to be examined. The invention further relates to an examination apparatus, which includes at least one such ultrasonic measuring device, and to a method for ultrasonic signal detection, in particular for ultrasound-based imaging.

Abstract: Sub-aperture control is provided for high intensity focused ultrasound. Test transmissions are made sequentially from different sub-apertures. The tissue response at the focal regions is determined and used to select sub-apertures. For example, one or more sub-apertures are not used where temperature does not rise above certain threshold or tissue displacement is weak, such as associated with intervening bone or attenuating tissue. Other factors may be used instead or in addition to tissue response at the focal region. Relative proximity of the sub-apertures to a lesion, angular distribution of the sub-apertures, shape or size of the sub-aperture focal regions as compared to the tissue to be treated, or combinations thereof may be used. Once selected, the relative weight for each sub-aperture may be adjusted based on measured tissue response for each sub-aperture, such as to provide more equal treatment contribution from different sub-apertures.

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

Abstract: An external ultrasound probe assembly capable of scanning a three-dimensional volume is provided. The ultrasound probe assembly contains a plurality of ultrasonic transducers disposed along a longitudinal axis of the probe assembly. The plurality of ultrasonic transducers is disposed on a mechanism operable to reciprocally pivot the plurality of ultrasonic transducers enabling the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to scan the entire three-dimensional volume. A helically disposed electrical interconnection member may be disposed about a pivot axis of the plurality of ultrasonic transducers and may electrically interconnect the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to an ultrasound imaging system. The ultrasound probe assembly may be fluid filled and contain bubble position control and fluid expansion compensation features.

Abstract: An ultrasonic blood vessel inspecting apparatus provided with a longitudinal cross sectional blood vessel image generating portion configured to generate a longitudinal cross sectional image of a blood vessel located below a skin of a live body, on the basis of reflected wave signals of an ultrasonic wave by using an ultrasonic probe placed on the skin of said live body, includes: an index value calculating portion configured to calculate an index value indicative of a degree of clarity of an image which represents an intima-media complex of said blood vessel and which exists within said longitudinal cross sectional image of the blood vessel.

Abstract: An ultrasonograph of the present invention comprises a probe (1), a controller (3) connected to the probe (1), and a display (4) connected to the controller (3). The controller (4) causes the display (4) to display a detected image of a target object detected by the probe (1) and an angular position relationship image showing a relative angular position of the probe to the detected image of the target object. This enables even a non-expert to take accurate measurements.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method comprises: providing a probe that includes one or more transducer elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves; generating a sequence of spatially distinct transmit beams which differ in one or more of origin and angle; determining a transmit beam spacing substantially based upon a combination of actual and desired transmit beam characteristics, thereby achieving a faster echo acquisition rate compared to a transmit beam spacing based upon round-trip transmit-receive beam sampling requirements; storing coherent receive echo data, from two or more transmit beams of the spatially distinct transmit beams; combining coherent receive echo data from at least two or more transmit beams to achieve a substantially spatially invariant synthesized transmit focus at each echo location; and combining coherent receive echo data from each transmit firing to achieve dynamic receive focusing at each echo location.

Abstract: Embodiments for forming multiple plane images for a target object in an ultrasound system are disclosed. A processor forms volume data indicative of the target object by using ultrasound data. The processor is configured to: set a reference plane in the volume data; detect a falx contour and a contour of a cerebrum in the reference plane and an entire contour of the brain in the volume data; normalize the volume data by using the falx contour, the cerebrum contour and the entire contour of the fetal brain; and set multiple planes with respect to the reference plane in the volume data. The processor forms plane images corresponding to the respective multiple planes by using the volume data.

Abstract: Volume data are collected by swing scanning in which frames in different field angle settings are mixed by a wide scan set at a wide field angle to image a diagnostic target and an index part for recognizing the position of the diagnostic target and by a narrow scan set at a field angle ?2 narrower than the field angle in the wide scan to image the diagnostic target with high time resolution. Then, the wide ultrasonic image is used to set spatial coordinates based on the index part. The spatial coordinates are used to align the narrow ultrasonic image. While this positional relation is being maintained, the wide ultrasonic image, the narrow ultrasonic image and a given ultrasonic image are displayed in a predetermined form.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a three-dimensional ultrasound image of a volume (50) and an ultrasound imaging system (10). In particular, the current invention applies to live three-dimensional imaging. To improve three-dimensional dimensional ultrasound imaging of a large volume, it is contemplated to adjust the central receive frequency (70) of a bandpass filter (35) of a signal processor (34) as a function of a spacing (60) of scanning lines (59) of a transducer array (26).

Abstract: Apparatus and related methods for facilitating volumetric ultrasonic scanning of a breast are described. In one preferred embodiment, a generally cone-shaped radial scanning template having a vertex and a wide opening angle is provided, the radial scanning template having a slot-like opening extending outward from the vertex through which an ultrasound transducer scans the breast as the radial scanning template is rotated. In another preferred embodiment, a flexible membrane for compressing a skin surface of the breast is provided, the flexible membrane being mounted on a mechanical assembly such as a roller assembly to form a slot-like opening through which an ultrasound transducer directly contacts the skin surface, the flexible membrane rising and falling relative to the skin surface but not moving laterally as the slot-like opening and ultrasound transducer move laterally across the compressed breast, whereby stabilization of the breast and direct transducer-skin contact are concurrently achieved.

Abstract: The object of the present invention is to provide a ultrasound probe and an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus which are able to reduce the time and labor for the operation and to prevent image quality from deteriorating. the ultrasound probe of the embodiments comprises an acoustic window, a transducer part, and a moving mechanism. The acoustic window comprises more than one holding surface with a recessed surface shape that engages with a subject. The transducer part comprises a plurality of transducers arranged in one or a plurality of rows for transceiving ultrasound waves with respect to the subject that comes into contact with the holding surface via the acoustic window. The moving mechanism moves the transducer part in a direction vertical to the arrangement direction of each row of the transducers.

Abstract: The invention generally relates systems and methods to for producing an image from a rotational intravascular ultrasound device.

Abstract: Methods of probing a material under investigation using an ultrasound beam. Echolocation data is generated using a multi-dimensional transform capable of using phase and magnitude information to distinguish echoes resulting from ultrasound beam components produced using different ultrasound transducers. Since the multi-dimensional transform does not depend on using receive or transmit beam lines, a multi-dimensional area can be imaged using a single ultrasound transmission. In some embodiments, this ability increases image frame rate and reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required to generate an image.

Abstract: A system and a method related to improving ultrasound examination of a patient, specifically of a patient's breast by sensing and controlling the pressure/force that an ultrasound probe and/or a compression/scanning assembly housing the probe exert on the breast and/or the chest wall of the patient.

Abstract: Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an unit 7 for forming time series tomographic images on the basis of a reflection echo signals received by ultrasound probe 2, an unit 8 for obtaining the elasticities of body tissue on the basis of the reflection echo signals and forming elasticity images on times series, an unit 9 for forming a superimposition image on time series by superposing the tomographic image on the elasticity image, an unit 43 for inputting an instruction for controlling superimposition image formation, and an unit 10 for displaying the superimposition image. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further includes a freezing control portion (7, 8) for outputting an image, as a frozen image, selected in response to a freezing instruction for freezing the display operation on time series of any of the tomographic image or the elasticity image input into the input unit to the superimposition image forming unit.

Abstract: The ultrasound probe includes a first priority setting unit which sets a priority regarding which of temporal resolution and spatial resolution is given preference, and a measurement parameter setting unit which sets values of measurement parameters relating to the temporal resolution and the spatial resolution in accordance with the priority set by the first priority setting unit and a measurement depth set in advance such that power consumption falls within the allowable power consumption.

Abstract: A method and system of producing an ultrasound image of an imaging region of a body, the image comprising pixels, the method comprising: a) transmitting time-varying ultrasound into the imaging region, over a time interval, from a surface of the body, the transmitted ultrasound simultaneously having an angular spread in the imaging region corresponding to a plurality of the pixels of the image; and b) receiving echoes of the transmitted ultrasound, and recording received signals of the echoes; c) combining the received signals at the different sub-intervals of the time interval based on said time varying, according to expected ultrasound propagation times to scatterers localized at different pixels, to find image densities at the pixels.

Abstract: Methods of probing a material under investigation using an ultrasound beam. Echolocation data is generated using a multi-dimensional transform capable of using phase and magnitude information to distinguish echoes resulting from ultrasound beam components produced using different ultrasound transducers. Since the multi-dimensional transform does not depend on using receive or transmit beam lines, a multi-dimensional area can be imaged using a single ultrasound transmission. In some embodiments, this ability increases image frame rate and reduces the amount of ultrasound energy required to generate an image.

Abstract: In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging method comprises: providing a probe that includes one or more transducer elements for transmitting and receiving ultrasound waves; generating a sequence of spatially distinct transmit beams which differ in one or more of origin and angle; determining a transmit beam spacing substantially based upon a combination of actual and desired transmit beam characteristics, thereby achieving a faster echo acquisition rate compared to a transmit beam spacing based upon round-trip transmit-receive beam sampling requirements; storing coherent receive echo data, from two or more transmit beams of the spatially distinct transmit beams; combining coherent receive echo data from at least two or more transmit beams to achieve a substantially spatially invariant synthesized transmit focus at each echo location; and combining coherent receive echo data from each transmit firing to achieve dynamic receive focusing at each echo location.

Abstract: A method for generating a composite image using an intravascular imaging device includes receiving reflected echo signals from at least one transducer along a first of a plurality of radial scan lines. The received echo signals are passed through a plurality of signal processing channels to form a plurality of filtered signals. The filtered signals include a high-resolution tissue structure signal and at least one first pre-blood-flow-mask signal. High-resolution tissue structure signals are processed to form a high-resolution tissue structural image. First pre-blood-flow-mask signals are cross-correlated with second pre-blood-flow-mask signals from an adjacent radial scan line to form blood-flow-mask signals. Blood-flow-mask signals are processed to form a blood-flow mask.

Abstract: The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present embodiments includes an ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit, a tomographic image generating unit, an analyzing unit, and an analysis result display controller. The ultrasound transmitting and receiving unit is configured to transmit ultrasonic beams in multiple directions and is configured to receive echo signals of the multiple directions. The tomographic image generating unit is configured to generate a tomographic image in accordance with each of the directions of the ultrasonic beams. The analyzing unit is configured to compare echo signals of corresponding spatial positions in the tomographic images generated by the tomographic image generating unit with respect to each of the directions of the ultrasonic beams, and is configured to perform an analysis based on the comparison. The analysis result display controller is configured to display the analysis result obtained by the analyzing unit onto the displaying unit.

Abstract: A method can include targeting a region of interest below a surface of skin, which contains fat lobuli and delivering ultrasound energy to the region of interest. The ultrasound energy generates a conformal lesion with said ultrasound energy on a surface of a fat lobuli. The lesion creates an opening in the surface of the fat lobuli, which allows the draining of a fluid out of the fat lobuli and through the opening. In addition, by applying ultrasound energy to fat cells to increase the temperature to between 43 degrees and 49 degrees, cell apoptosis can be realized, thereby resulting in reduction of fat.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a transmission and reception circuit which electronically scans with a transducer array in an ultrasound probe for acquiring two-dimensional image data; an image producer which produces a three-dimensional ultrasound image using the acquired two-dimensional image data while mechanically scanning with the transducer array in a direction substantially orthogonal to the array direction of the transducer array; and a controller which, when the internal temperature of the ultrasound probe is equal to or higher than a first set value, controls the transmission and reception circuit such that a composite scan including two different electronic scans is performed.