Abstract: A multi-array ultrasound system for haptic engagement is provided. The system may include a computing device with a processing system, a tracking device communicatively coupled to the processing system, two or more ultrasound transducer arrays including a plurality of ultrasound transducers, and a driver communicatively coupled to the processing system and the two or more ultrasound transducer arrays.

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: The present invention provides scanning mechanisms for imaging probes using for imaging mammalian tissues and structures using high resolution imaging, including high frequency ultrasound and/or optical coherence tomography. The imaging probes include adjustable rotational drive mechanism for imparting rotational motion to an imaging assembly containing either optical or ultrasound transducers which emit energy into the surrounding area. The imaging assembly includes a scanning mechanism having including a movable member configured to deliver the energy beam along a path out of said elongate hollow shaft at a variable angle with respect to said longitudinal axis to give forward and side viewing capability of the imaging assembly. The movable member is mounted in such a way that the variable angle is a function of the angular velocity of the imaging assembly.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes an ultrasound probe including a plurality of transducers arranged in a plurality columns and a switching element which switches input of a driving signal to the transducers and output of a receiving signal, a transmitter which outputs the driving signal to the transducers, a receiver which acquires the receiving signal corresponding to the transducers, and a hardware processor which generates ultrasound image data corresponding to each of the columns from the receiving signal, makes partial images in the ultrasound image data respectively have representations, synthesizes the ultrasound image data respectively including the partial images to generate composite image data, generates first identification information indicating to which position in a depth direction of the composite image data each of the representations of the partial images in the composite image data corresponds, and displays the generated first identification information and composite image data on

Abstract: There is provided a method of improving a measurement of the flow velocity of blood in a blood vessel of a subject, the method comprising using an ultrasound transducer to emit an ultrasound beam to measure flow velocity in a part of a body of a subject; forming a spatial time velocity profile for the part of the body from the measured flow velocity; and analyzing the spatial time velocity profile to determine a correction to the angle of the ultrasound beam with respect to the subject, the correction being based on a difference between the position of a peak in the spatial time velocity profile and the center of the spatial time velocity profile.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a medical image processing device (10), comprising: —a receiving unit (60) for receiving a first and a second medical image (72, 74) of an anatomical object of interest (84), wherein each of the first and the second medical images (72, 74) comprises a different field of view of the anatomical object of interest (84), and wherein the first medical image and the second medical image (72, 74) show a same or similar anatomical state of the anatomical object of interest (84); —a registration unit (64) that is configured to determine a transformation from an image space of the second medical image (74) to an image space of the first medical image (72); —a transformation unit (66) that is configured to transform the second medical image (74) into the image space of the first medical image (72) based on said transformation in order to receive a transformed second medical image (74?); and —a segmentation unit (68) that is configured to perform an overall segmentation that makes use of

Abstract: A robotic catheter system includes a controller with a master input device. An instrument driver is in communication with the controller and has a guide instrument interface including a plurality of guide instrument drive elements responsive to control signals generated, at least in part, by the master input device. An elongate guide instrument has a base, distal end, and a working lumen, wherein the guide instrument base is operatively coupled to the guide instrument interface. The guide instrument includes a plurality of guide instrument control elements operatively coupled to respective guide drive elements and secured to the distal end of the guide instrument. The guide instrument control elements are axially moveable relative to the guide instrument such that movement of the guide instrument distal end may be controlled by the master input device.

Abstract: The disclosure herein generally relates to a device for use in marine seismic surveying. A displacement apparatus has a base and an actuated head. The actuated head is coupled to an actuation means comprising a shaft, a cam, and a motor. The cam is coupled to the shaft at a radial position from the center of the cam. A vacuum piston is optionally coupled to the actuation means. A variable resonance spring, such as an air spring, is coupled to the actuated head in order to tune the apparatus to operate in resonance at a range of frequencies.

Abstract: A pair of programmable state machines may be included in a transmitter integrated circuit of a scanner (e.g. a body scanner) to control the sub-circuits of the transmitter integrated circuit. The first programmable state machine may be used to control the signal processor of the transmitter that facilitates generation of a signal to be transmitted at a target, such as a user to be scanned. The second programmable state machine may be used to control the transmitter's selection of a transmission channel for transmitting the signal in which provides the signal to be transmitted to an antenna. Further, the receiver integrated circuit of the scanner may include a similar pair of programmable state machines for controlling the receive signal processor and receiver of the receiver integrated circuit. The inclusion of the state machines can reduce both the scan time and the circuit complexity of the scanner.

Abstract: A pair of programmable state machines may be included in a transmitter integrated circuit of a scanner (e.g. a body scanner) to control the sub-circuits of the transmitter integrated circuit. The first programmable state machine may be used to control the signal processor of the transmitter that facilitates generation of a signal to be transmitted at a target, such as a user to be scanned. The second programmable state machine may be used to control the transmitter's selection of a transmission channel for transmitting the signal in which provides the signal to be transmitted to an antenna. Further, the receiver integrated circuit of the scanner may include a similar pair of programmable state machines for controlling the receive signal processor and receiver of the receiver integrated circuit. The inclusion of the state machines can reduce both the scan time and the circuit complexity of the scanner.

Abstract: A system for performing an ultrasound scan of cellular tissue includes an ultrasound scanning device having an ultrasound probe, to generate cross-sectional images of the cellular tissue. A probe enclosure houses the ultrasound probe, has a bottom formed by a flexible membrane, is configured to hold an ultrasonic coupling material, and forms a pressurizable cavity adjacent the flexible membrane. An armature supports the probe enclosure and is configured to move the probe enclosure into a position where the flexible membrane is placed adjacent to and displaced by the cellular tissue. A probe positioning assembly supports the ultrasound probe within the probe enclosure and moves the ultrasound probe over the flexible membrane with a head of the ultrasound probe submerged in the ultrasonic coupling material, the ultrasound scanning device generating the cross-sectional images of the cellular tissue as the probe positioning assembly progressively moves the ultrasound probe over the flexible membrane.

Abstract: A method of presenting a suggested path for an ultrasound probe along a patient's surface includes obtaining a three-dimensional, non-ultrasound image of the patient and an ultrasound image of the patient. A treatment area is defined within the within the three-dimensional, non-ultrasound image, and using the images, defining a scanning site contour of an anatomical structure of interest within the patient and an external contour of the patient's surface. A preferred path of the ultrasound scan is projected onto the external contour such that an operator can reproduce the ultrasound scan without knowledge of the anatomical structure of interest.

Abstract: Ophthalmic Ultrasound Bio-Microscope (UBM) apparatus for eye examinations of a human subject in a supine position and fixating the gaze of his examined eye on an illuminated overhead fixation target. The ophthalmic UBM apparatus has a vertical UBM examination centerline on which overhead fixation target is located therealong and a UBM scanner with a UBM probe directed towards an examined eye at a known spatial position with respect to the overhead fixation target for acquisition of UBM scans of fixated examined eyes.

Abstract: A mechanically rotating intravascular ultrasound probe relates to the technical field of medical devices, and aims to provide a forward-looking mechanically rotating intravascular ultrasound probe having a small volume, a high image resolution and good imaging stability. The intravascular ultrasound probe includes a catheter, an ultrasonic transducer disposed at a front end of a cavity of the catheter and a driving apparatus that drives the ultrasonic transducer to rotate mechanically. The driving apparatus is a micro motor disposed in the cavity of the catheter, including a rotor and a stator.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are directed to various aspects of imaging systems, including permeable and impermeable barriers separating liquid compartments, one of which contains the object to be imaged and the other an ultrasonic transducer, a fluidic bearing between a transducer carriage and guide supporting the carriage, a linear motor for the carriage, and a location sensing device for the carriage.

Abstract: The present invention related to an ultrasound imaging system win which the scan head includes a beamformer circuit that performs far field subarray beamforming or includes a sparse array selecting circuit that actuates selected elements. When using a hierarchical two-stage or three-stage beamforming system, three dimensional ultrasound images can be generated in real-time. The invention further relates to flexible printed circuit boards in the probe head. The invention furthermore related to the use of coded or spread spectrum signaling in ultrasound imagining systems. Matched filters based on pulse compression using Golay code pairs improve the signal-to-noise ratio thus enabling third harmonic imaging with suppressed sidelobes. The system is suitable for 3D full volume cardiac imaging.

Abstract: A tension transmission device as a control system for a probing portion of a three-dimensional mechanical probe is fitted to a support portion. The tension transmission device includes a driving shaft, a first tension member, and a second tension member. The driving shaft defines first and second fastening points. The first fastening point and the second fastening point are located at axially-distanced points of the driving shaft which are not diametrically opposite. The first and second tension members wind around a circumference of the driving shaft guided by a first pulley and a second pulley, to rotate and manipulate the driven shaft of the probing portion.

Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

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

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasonic oscillator that heats a target using ultrasonic waves. The ultrasonic oscillator includes: a plurality of ultrasonic oscillation elements that oscillates the ultrasonic waves; a retention portion that retains the plurality of ultrasonic oscillation elements in a state where the ultrasonic oscillation elements are arranged along a concave thereof opposing the heating target; and a controller that controls the ultrasonic oscillation elements so as to oscillate the ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: Embodiments of an ultrasonic button and methods for using the ultrasonic button are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasonic button may include an ultrasonic transmitter configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave, a piezoelectric receiver layer configured to receive a reflected wave of the ultrasonic wave, a platen layer configured to protect the ultrasonic transmitter and the piezoelectric receiver layer, a first matching layer configured to match an acoustic impedance of the platen layer with an acoustic impedance of ridges of a finger, and an ultrasonic sensor array configured to detect the finger using the reflected wave.

Abstract: An object information acquiring apparatus includes a probe configured to irradiate ultrasonic waves to an object, receive ultrasonic echoes, and convert the ultrasonic echoes into electric signals, a scanning unit configured to cause the probe to perform back-and-forth scanning on the object, an ultrasonic control unit configured to control irradiation of ultrasonic waves, a signal processing unit configured to obtain an ultrasonic, and a combining unit configured to combine a plurality of ultrasonic images. The scanning unit causes the probe to perform back-and-forth scanning on the object such that regions subjected to ultrasonic irradiation performed by the probe in forward and backward paths in the back-and-forth scanning overlap with each other. The ultrasonic control unit employs different methods for irradiating ultrasonic waves in the forward and backward paths. The combining unit combines a plurality of ultrasonic images with one another.

Abstract: A method, an apparatus, and a system for estimating body fat that are capable of measuring a portion of an abdominal outline by a simple method are provided. A method of estimating the body fat according to the present embodiments includes: a step of obtaining orientation information and motion information of the apparatus itself; a step of calculating a portion of an abdominal outline by a control unit based on the orientation information and the motion information; and a step of estimating, based on the portion of the abdominal outline, at least one of a visceral fat area and a subcutaneous fat area of the abdominal cross-section.

Abstract: A surgical instrument includes an ultrasonic transducer, a body, and a transducer carrier assembly. The ultrasonic transducer is operable to deliver energy through the surgical instrument to a surgical site. The body is operable to house the ultrasonic transducer. The transducer carrier assembly is in communication with the body and the ultrasonic transducer. The transducer carrier assembly is operable to enable the translation and/or the rotation of the ultrasonic transducer within the body.

Abstract: A method of determining whether a biometric object is part of a live individual is described. In one such method, image information is acquired from the biometric object by using a sensor, such as an ultrasonic sensor. The image information may be analyzed in at least two analysis stages. One of the analysis stages may be a temporal analysis stage that analyzes changes in the image information obtained during a time period throughout which the biometric object was continuously available to the sensor. For example, a dead/alive stage may analyze differences between image information taken at two different times in order to identify changes from one time to the next. Other stages may focus on aspects of a particular image information set, rather than seeking to assess changes over time. These other stages seek to determine whether an image information set exhibits characteristics similar to those of a live biometric object.

Abstract: Noninvasively imaging biological tissue using a handheld device. A light pulse is focused into a predetermined area inside an object using a flexibly mounted cantilever beam, acoustic waves emitted by the object in response to the at least one light pulse are detected by a transducer, and an image of the predetermined area inside the object is generated based on a signal generated by the transducer representative of the acoustic waves.

Abstract: A system to treat a patient comprises a user interface that allows a physician to view an image of tissue to be treated in order to develop a treatment plan to resect tissue with a predefined removal profile. The image may comprise a plurality of images, and the planned treatment is shown on the images. The treatment probe may comprise an anchor, and the image shown on the screen may have a reference image marker shown on the screen corresponding to the anchor. The planned tissue removal profile can be displayed and scaled to the image of the target tissue of an organ such as the prostate, and the physician can adjust the treatment profile based on the scaled images to provide a treatment profile in three dimensions. The images shown on the display may comprise segmented images of the patient with treatment plan overlaid on the images.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a low-profile ultrasound transducer. The low-profile ultrasound transducer includes a piezoelectric component operative to receive a driving signal from an energy generating module and to emit the driving signal as ultrasonic energy. The piezoelectric component has a front surface and a back surface, and the energy generating module includes a plurality of electronic components. The low-profile ultrasound transducer also includes a lens component directly or indirectly deposited on the front surface of the piezoelectric component. The lens component includes a lens portion and a support portion. The lens portion of the lens component is configured to control the direction and wave pattern of the ultrasonic energy emitted from the piezoelectric component. The support portion of the lens component is configured to hold the piezoelectric component in place and to provide a chamber for housing at least one electronic component of the energy generating module.

Abstract: A force-controlled ultrasound imaging device uses a linear drive system to maintain a suitable contact force with a subject. A combination of hardware and software limits on travel for the linear drive system provide intuitive user feedback while helping to ensure that the linear drive system remains active throughout the scan, while responding appropriately to initiation and termination of scans.

Abstract: The apparatus of one embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a flexible sheath instrument, a flexible guide instrument, and a tool. The flexible sheath instrument comprises a first instrument base removably coupleable to an instrument driver and defines a sheath instrument working lumen. The flexible guide instrument comprises a second instrument base removably coupleable to the instrument driver and is threaded through the sheath instrument working lumen. The guide instrument also defines a guide instrument working lumen. The tool is threaded through the guide instrument working lumen. For this embodiment of the apparatus, the sheath instrument and guide instrument are independently controllable relative to each other.

Abstract: Method and related apparatuses are described for performing automated ultrasound mammography with reduced nipple shadow effects. The breast is compressed in a direction generally toward the chest wall of the patient with one side of a compressive member which is preferably a membrane. The breast is scanned with an ultrasonic transducer array positioned in acoustic communication with the other side of the membrane. Beamsteering is used. The signals from the beamsteered energy are combined to generate one or more compound images having a reduced nipple shadow effect. An acoustic couplant is preferably applied between the breast and the membrane. The images of the sub-nipple region are also preferably enhanced by making comparisons with reference areas of the breast in areas away from the nipple shadow effected area. The images are preferably displayed to a user, either automatically or upon receiving a preference from the user.

Abstract: An instrument driver comprises a base and a jaw assembly coupled to the base. The jaw assembly includes a first jaw having a gripping surface and a second jaw having a gripping surface. The instrument driver further comprises a driver assembly operably coupled to the jaw assembly to advance an elongated member relative to the base by translating the first and second jaws toward each other, thereby closing the jaw assembly and gripping the member between the respective gripping surfaces of the first and second jaws, translating the jaw assembly in a first axial direction when the jaw assembly is closed, translating the first and second jaws away from each other, thereby opening the jaw assembly and releasing the member from between the respective gripping surfaces of the first and second jaws, and translating the jaw assembly in a second axial direction when the jaw assembly is opened.

Abstract: A quantitative method to analyze phase-resolved, raw backscatter echo data or the envelope of phase-resolved, raw backscatter echo data to characterize vitreous inhomogeneities as they relate to normal aging and vitreo-retinal disease. The technique can be applied to 2D or 3D data acquired from the vitreous. The approach provides an objective end value to characterize the vitreous and provide a tool for early diagnosis, monitoring and planning treatment of vitreo-retinal diseases.

Abstract: An image processing device includes an extraction process executing unit that extracts a 3-dimensional initial region satisfying a predetermined condition from the volume data, a region correction process executing unit that extracts a 3-dimensional corrected region by performing a correction process on the initial region, and a visualization process executing unit that generates a plurality of cross-sectional diagrams of the 3-dimensional image from the volume data and outputs at least some of the plurality of cross-sectional diagrams. When the initial region is displayed, one or more cross-sectional diagrams having voxels in the initial region are outputted so that the voxels included in the initial region are distinguishable from other regions. When the corrected region is displayed, one or more cross-sectional diagrams having voxels in the corrected region are outputted so that the voxels included in the corrected region are distinguishable from other regions.

Abstract: An embodiment is a method and apparatus for ultrasonic contact imaging. A thin-film transistor (TFT) array is deposited on a substrate. A receiver having a plurality of receiver elements is deposited on the TFT array to receive a received signal. A transmitter adjacent to the receiver generates a transmit signal at an ultrasonic frequency. The transmit signal is reflected from a surface to produce a reflected signal. The received signal is a superposition of the transmit signal and the reflected signal as result of interference. The received signal is representative of differences in acoustic impedances across the surface.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a portable ultrasound system that can be used for a wide range of ultrasound applications. The portable ultrasound system includes an energy generating module operative to generate a driving signal that can be transformed into ultrasonic energy, where the energy generating module includes a power source, an oscillator, and a driver component. The portable ultrasound system also includes an ultrasound transducer having a piezoelectric component and a lens component. The ultrasound transducer is operative to receive the driving signal from the energy generating module, to transform the driving signal into ultrasonic energy, and to control the direction of the ultrasonic energy emitted from the ultrasound transducer. Also disclosed are devices containing the portable therapeutic ultrasound system of the present invention, as well as methods of using the system.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe includes a substrate having an opening section, a support film disposed on the substrate, a piezoelectric body disposed on the support film at the opening section, first and second resin sections, and a communicating section. The first resin section is disposed at a position overlapping the opening section in the plan view and spaced apart from the support film with the liquid being arranged therebetween. The communicating section is connected to the first resin section. The second resin section is connected to the communicating section to house the liquid flowing in through a communication hole of the communicating section. At least portions of the first and second resin sections are configured to deform such that a first liquid filled volume formed between the first resin section and the support film and a second liquid filled volume formed by the second resin section are changed.

Abstract: Multiple mobile devices can request or wait for acknowledgement from a device associated with a mobile telecommunications network. Embodiments of the present invention include creating and broadcasting a single acknowledgment to multiple mobile devices. Mobile devices can be associated with identifiers that include sets of characters. In order to acknowledge more than one device with one broadcast, subsets of characters from more than one identifier can be included in one value. One acknowledgement is broadcast to multiple devices. The devices are able to identify the unique subsets of characters and compare them to portions of identifiers. Multiple devices can recognize acknowledgement based on a shared value that is broadcast to the devices.

Abstract: A non-destructive inspection apparatus, system and associated method are provided to facilitate the inspection of a workpiece. The non-destructive inspection apparatus includes an ultrasonic sensor configured to be placed in operable contact with the workpiece. The ultrasonic sensor is configured to emit ultrasonic signals into the workpiece and to receive return signals from the workpiece. The non-destructive inspection apparatus also includes a grip operably connected to the ultrasonic sensor such that the grip and the ultrasonic sensor are movable in concert. The grip is configured to support an operator's palm, such as a majority of the operator's palm, such that force applied to the ultrasonic inspection apparatus by the operator is transferred via the grip to the ultrasonic sensor. The non-destructive inspection system may also include a computer in communication with the non-destructive inspection apparatus to receive information relating to the return signals received by the ultrasonic sensor.

Abstract: A wiring board electrically connected to a back side of an ultrasound transmitting/receiving section that transmits/receives ultrasound includes a rigid circuit board included in a stiff portion, and a wrapping portion extending out from the rigid circuit board (stiff portion), and a plurality of drive wirings electrically connected to the wiring board are inserted into a wiring insertion portion of a housing with the plurality of drive wirings wrapped and bundled by the wrapping portion.

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: Various methods and systems are provided for imaging a tissue. In one example, a system comprises an adjustable arm, a scanning assembly attached to a first end of the adjustable arm, a counterweight coupled to a second end of the adjustable arm, and a weight adjustment system coupled to the counterweight and configured to modify an effective weight of the scanning assembly.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a removable transducer module having memory. In one example, a transducer module for an ultrasound imaging system comprises a casing configured to fit into a module receiver of the ultrasound imaging system, an array of transducer elements, and a non-transitory memory configured to store at least one of usage data and specification data for the transducer module.

Abstract: A method and system acquiring, processing and displaying breast ultrasound images in a way that makes breast ultrasound screening more practical and thus more widely used, and reduces the occurrence of missing cancers in screening and diagnosis, using automated scanning of chestwardly compressed breasts with ultrasound. Enhanced, whole-breast navigator overview images are produced from scanning breasts with ultrasound that emphasize abnormalities in the breast while excluding obscuring influences of non-breast structures, particularly those external to the breast such as ribs and chest wall, and differentiating between likely malignant and likely benign abnormalities and otherwise enhancing the navigator overview image and other images, thereby reducing the time to read, screen, and/or diagnose to practical time limits and also reduce screening or diagnostic errors.

Abstract: One embodiment includes a biometric sensor for generating a three-dimensional representation of a portion of a finger, the finger comprising a three-dimensional structure including a surface tissue layer and a subsurface tissue layer, the biometric sensor comprising: a platen; a first transducer; a drive system; a controller; and a software module. The platen is configured to receive the finger. The first transducer is arranged about the platen, configured to scan at least a portion of the finger by transmitting ultrasound waves toward the finger and receiving the ultrasound waves after the waves reflect off of the finger, and further configured to output signals based upon the received ultrasound waves. The drive system is configured to motivate the set of transducers accurately about a central axis substantially parallel to the length of the finger to be scanned. The controller is configured to control the motion of the drive system.

Abstract: A method for generating an ultrasound image includes receiving an image frame having consecutive ultrasound scan lines obtained using a rotating ultrasound imaging arrangement and determining first and second cross-correlation values for a plurality of the scan lines. For each individual scan line, the first cross-correlation value includes a cross-correlation coefficient between a first subframe of consecutive scan lines including the individual scan line and a second subframe of scan lines shifted from the first subframe by a first integer value. The second correlation value includes a cross-correlation coefficient between the first subframe and a third subframe of scan lines shifted from the first subframe by a second integer value. The method further includes evaluating, individually for multiple scan lines, whether that scan line exhibits non-uniform rotation distortion using at least one of the first and second cross-correlation values. A correction for non-uniform rotation distortion is applied.

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 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: Systems and methods for image processing based on ultrasound data. The system may include an IVUS catheter configured to collect data vectors including ultrasound data and an imaging engine configured to process the ultrasound data of the data vectors. The imaging engine may receive the data vectors and divide the data vectors into different sets. The ultrasound data of each respective set may be averaged and then an envelope of each set may be detected. The envelopes of each set may then be averaged to generate an enhanced data vector which may be used to generate an image.