Abstract: A method of measuring the thickness of a biological tissue by ultrasounds and a device carrying out such method. The method is implemented with an ultrasound probe that emits ultrasonic pulses within a body under examination and receives echoes generated from structures of the body under examination. The probe includes an array of two or more electro-acoustic transducers and, in combination, means for processing the reception signals and means for orienting one or more lines of sight, along which the emission of the pulses and/or the reception of the echoes is focused, according to different angles with respect to an axis perpendicular to the emitting surface of the probe.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: a probe that transmits and receives ultrasound; a signal analysis unit that, when the probe scans a cross section of elevation direction of a blood vessel using ultrasound, detects a center scan line echo signal having passed through a center of the blood vessel among a plurality of scan line echo signals in the cross section of elevation direction of the blood vessel received by the probe, based on a part of each of the plurality of scan line echo signals that has a relatively small amplitude that corresponds to a reflected wave from a part of the blood vessel where blood flows; and an IMT measurement unit that computes an IMT from the center scan line echo signal. With this configuration, it is possible to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of performing wide-range IMT measurements with few errors even when a blood vessel seen from a body surface is not linear.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for acquiring, processing, and presenting boundaries of a cavity-tissue interface within a region-of-interest in an ultrasound image based upon the strength of signals of ultrasound echoes returning from structures within the region-of-interest. The segmentation of boundaries of cavity shapes occupying the region-of-interest utilizes cost function analysis of pixel sets occupying the cavity-tissue interface. The segmented shapes are further image processed to determine areas and volumes of the organ or structure containing the cavity within the region-of-interest.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are disclosed for non-invasive bone evaluation based on a broadband ultrasonic transducer emitting a train of ultrasonic wave packets of multiple carrier frequencies ranging from about 50 kHz to about 2 MHz. Receiving broadband ultrasonic transducer accepts broadband ultrasonic signal propagated through the bone. Computer processor provides for data analysis and feature extraction allowing diagnostic evaluation of the bone, including comparing the features of the received signal to a database of known bone conditions.

Abstract: An elastographic imaging system providing for axial, lateral and elevational strain measurements employs a series of one-dimensional axial measurements to deduce a coarse axial, lateral and/or elevational displacement that is used to guide one or more, two- or three-dimensional cross-correlations of smaller kernels providing improved image resolution.

Abstract: A non-invasive method and apparatus for monitoring the bladder volume in humans or animals. The monitoring measurements are based on the analysis of ultrasound signals from at least two individual ultrasound transducer arrays. Each one individual ultrasound transducer array has a contact face, which is arranged in order to transmit an ultrasonic signal through an abdominal surface of an individual being monitored. The method and apparatus includes the arranging of each individual transducer array on the abdominal surface around an axis which extends from a point on the abdominal surface through a point on or within the urinary bladder. The method and apparatus further comprises that each individual transducer array is arranged to scan the bladder using a two-dimensional scan plane which extends radially from the transducer array through the bladder.

Abstract: An echo signal reflected from a microbubble contrast agent is discriminated from an echo signal generated upon reflection of a nonlinearly propagated transmission pulse from the body tissues without degradation of the axial resolution, by performing transmission/reception twice or less which would hardly decrease the imaging speed. By detecting a difference in phase of the second harmonic component based on the fundamental component included in the echo signal, an echo signal generated upon nonlinear reflection from a microbubble contrast agent is discriminated from an echo signal generated upon linear reflection of a nonlinearly propagated transmission pulse from the body tissues. The phase of the second harmonic component is detected through phase sensitive detection in which the square of the fundamental component is used as a reference wave.

Abstract: Described herein is an apparatus that includes an endotracheal tube or airway device having a proximal end and a distal end and an occlusion cuff. The occlusion cuff includes a sensor for helping determine proper endotracheal or airway device placement.

Abstract: A transmission and reception unit repeatedly scans a three-dimensional scanning area including a specific part of a patient with an ultrasonic beam via an ultrasonic probe. A volume data set generation unit generates a plurality of volume data sets whose scanning times different from one another in accordance with the output from the transmission and reception unit. A section image generation unit respectively generates the data of a plurality of the section images concerning the predetermined section of the specific part based on the plurality of the volume data sets. An image display unit displays the plurality of section images by changing at least one of the position and the size of each of the plurality of section images against the display area in accordance with variation of at least one of the position and the shape of the specific part on the plurality of section images.

Abstract: In a process of varying pressure of a pressure container (24) accommodating a forearm (22) of a subject (20) in a pressure range including negative pressure, a diameter (cross-sectional shape value) (D) of an artery 44 in the forearm (22) accommodated in the pressure container (24) is measured non-invasively by a vascular diameter calculating unit (76). In addition, a display controller (display controlling means) (80) operates to display on a displaying device (16) a variation of an internal pressure (Pc) in the pressure container (24) and a variation of the diameter (D) of the artery (44) varying depending thereon. Based on the diameter (D) of the artery (44) obtained in the high pressure region, the variation of the internal pressure Pc in the pressure container 24 and the variation of the diameter (D) of the artery 44 varying depending thereon i.e. mechanical properties of the artery (44) are displayed on the displaying device (16).

Abstract: An apparatus for diagnosing a patient includes a catheter having a tip. The apparatus includes a bioptome disposed in proximity to the tip to obtain a tissue sample of the patient. The apparatus includes a radiodetector disposed in proximity to the tip to detect radiation in the patient. A method for diagnosing a patient includes the steps of moving a tip of a catheter to a desired location in a blood vessel of the patient determined by radiation detected by a radiodetector disposed in proximity to the tip. There is the step of obtaining a tissue sample of the patient with a bioptome disposed in proximity to the tip.

Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for non-invasively assessing one or more hemodynamic parameters associated with the circulatory system of a living organism. In one aspect, the invention comprises a method of measuring a hemodynamic parameter by measuring a non-calibrated value of the parameter non-invasively, and inducing a stress of the circulatory system while measuring a second parameter. The response of the circulatory system to the stress is determined directly from the subject, and a calibration function is derived from the response and applied to the non-calibrated measured value to produce a calibrated measure of the actual value of the hemodynamic parameter. Methods of using backscattered acoustic energy for determination of hemodynamic markers are also disclosed.

Abstract: Provided is a bone inspecting system for placing the lower legs (L) of an examinee (P) on a proximal support block (26) and a distal support block (28) mounted on a turning base (24). The proximal support block supports the heads of fibula, and the distal support block supports the lateral malleolus or medial malleolus of a tibial distal end of the examinee. The turning base is supported turnably on a turning axis positioned near the knees of the examinee, with respect to a main base (22), and is moved up and down by an elevating mechanism (30) disposed near the ankles. The turning base (24) is turned by the elevating mechanism while bearing the lower legs thereon, thereby positioning the lower legs horizontally.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods to quantify the volume of urine in a human bladder with a limited number of acoustic beams is disclosed. In a first version the apparatus is composed of a transducers assembly that transmits a plurality of narrow ultrasound beams in different directions towards the bladder and receives the returning ultrasound signals; a receiver detector for processing the returned signals; an analog-to-digital converter; a memory to store the digitized data and a volume display allowing to define the optimal position of the transducer assembly. The apparatus also includes a signal processing software that automatically determines the bladder Depth D and Height H and computes the volume of urine using an empirical formula corrected by specific, empirically measured, filling dependant correction factors. In a second version a single wide angle ultrasound beam transducer transmitting ultrasound signals at fundamental frequency is used to quantify the urine volume.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a transmitting section that generates a drive signal to drive a probe in order to transmit an ultrasonic wave toward a subject to be deformed periodically under stress. A receiving section receives an echo, produced when the ultrasonic wave is reflected from the subject, at the probe to generate a received echo signal. A computing section determines a thickness change waveform, representing a variation in distance between two arbitrary measuring points on the subject, based on the received echo signal. A reference waveform generating section outputs a reference waveform. The apparatus obtains a subject's internal information by comparing the thickness change waveform and the reference waveform to each other.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling access of individuals to a service, device or location in order to restrict access to members of a particular age and/or gender category, by machine-sensing a predetermined biometric characteristic of the individual indicative of the particular age and/or gender category, and utilizing the machine-sensed characteristic for automatically controlling access of the individual. The method and apparatus are particularly suited to controlling access of children to certain Internet sites, TV programs, chat rooms, or other places inappropriate to children.

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

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

Abstract: A system and method are provided for monitoring bladder distention. Independently controllable acoustic transmitters are coupled to the surface of a user's abdomen region in a spaced-apart fashion. Each transmitter can introduce a broadband acoustic signal into a portion of the abdomen region. Acoustic receivers are also coupled to the surface of the abdomen region to detect acoustic reflections generated when the acoustic signals are introduced into the abdomen region. A controller is positioned on the user and is correlated to an orientation of the user. The controller stores a profile indicative of anatomical features of the user. The controller initiates periodic activations of selected ones of the transmitters based upon the profile and the orientation of the user. The controller uses a weighted combination of all of the acoustic reflections to determine bladder distention of the user. The weighted combination is defined by at least the profile and orientation of the user.

Abstract: A system and method are disclosed that facilitate characterizing vascular plaque tissue based upon spectral analysis of intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. In particular, a power spectrum analysis of an integrated backscatter parameter renders a set of characterizing parameter values based on received intravascular ultrasound echo signal segments. The resulting parameter values are applied to plaque tissue characterization criteria to render a plaque tissue characterizations for regions of interest. The system and method include computer-executable instructions performed on a computing device to render an estimate of a system transfer function using a homomorphic deconvolution technique.

Abstract: There is described a device for use with a position sensing system to register position and orientation in a reference-coordinate system, the device comprising a set of at least three base units removably and non-invasively attachable to a skin surface covering a bone, each of the base units having a reference marker attached thereto, the reference markers being one of passive and active devices recognized by the position sensing system and positioned and oriented in the reference coordinate system with respect to a fixed reference, the base units adapted to measure a distance between the skin surface and the bone in conjunction with an ultrasound component.

Abstract: A measurement method of time varying events in a target body, including the steps of (a) providing time dependent measurements signals of parameters of the time varying events in the target body, (b) providing ecographic M-mode image data whose spatial direction is along scan-lines or along a line or curve on a 2D or 3D image of an image sequence, (c) defining a time interval within which the measurement signal has to be displayed and/or evaluated, (d) generating bi-dimensional graph information, (e) generating bi-dimensional M-mode images, (f) determining the time instant of begin of the time interval having a univoquely relation to time varying events, (g) rescaling the time scale of each graph, and (h) displaying the graph of the function corresponding to one or more of the time dependent measurement signal on a background.

Abstract: Ultrasound transducer comprises an array of elements forming rows and columns and wires within a transducer cable configured to connect at least a portion of the elements to an ultrasound system. The array comprises a central row and at least first and second outer rows positioned along opposite sides of the central row. First set of lines electrically connects elements within a first portion of the central row to one of the wires. First portion comprises less than a total number of elements within the central row. Second set of lines electrically connects at least a portion of the elements within first and second outer rows that are in the same column and electrically connects elements within a second portion of the central row to elements that are in the same column. Each line within the second set of lines is connected to one of the wires.

Abstract: A user interface element for a diagnostic ultrasound system including a user determined seed point, a perimeter defining a closed region of similar echoic intensity surrounding the seed point, here that region corresponds to a cross section through a physical feature within a body, a first calculated value being an area of said closed region, a second calculated value being a volume of said physical feature, calculated using preselected assumptions about the shape of the physical feature, wherein the perimeter is user adjustable.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for non-invasive and quantitative assessment of the status of a lumbar vertebral body in a living being for at least one of several quantities (e.g., bone-mineral density, bone mass, etc.) is provided. The method includes the steps of acoustically coupling first and second transducers to nearby skin on opposite sides of a torso of the living being and generating an ultrasound signal and directing the ultrasound signal from the first transducer to the second transducer through the torso. At least a portion of the ultrasound signal passes through the lumbar vertebral body and the second transducer generates an output signal responsive to receipt of the ultrasound signal. The method further includes the step of processing the output signal to obtain an estimate of the at least one quantity.

Abstract: It is intended to provide an ultrasonic probe permitting a reduction of a number of switching components while transmitting and receiving signals with the picture quality level held capable of being maintained. An ultrasonic the probe comprises transducers, transducer side cables which number is equal to a number of said transducers and are connected to the transducers, apparatus body side cables which number is less than a number of the transducer side signal lines and are connected to an apparatus body, switching units for switching connections of a transducer side cables of groups A and C which is connected to the apparatus body side cables of group D, and resistors provided between the transducer side cables of group B and the apparatus body side cables of group E.

Abstract: A method of measuring the thickness of a biological tissue by ultrasounds and a device carrying out such method. The method is implemented with an ultrasound probe that emits ultrasonic pulses within a body under examination and receives echoes generated from structures of the body under examination. The probe includes an array of two or more electro-acoustic transducers and, in combination, means for processing the reception signals and means for orienting one or more lines of sight, along which the emission of the pulses and/or the reception of the echoes is focused, according to different angles with respect to an axis perpendicular to the emitting surface of the probe.

Abstract: According to some exemplary embodiments, a method or system can involve associating a plurality of biokinetographic comparison results with a first specific dysfunction from a group of specific dysfunctions, each of the biokinetographic comparison results obtained from a comparison of a biokinetographic value to a standard for a corresponding biokinetographic variable.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention provide a system for image processing including a database, an image processor, and a display. The database includes a plurality of image slices. Each image slice in the plurality of image slices is based at least in part on an object. The image processor is adapted to generate a display image. The display image includes a selected image slice rendered about perpendicular to a localizer image. The selected image slice is selected from the plurality of image slices. The display is adapted to display the display image.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for calibrating images and imaging devices to common coordinate systems utilize, in some embodiments, rods that detectably reflect an acoustic signal regardless of the incidence angle of the signal with respect to the rods. Typically, the rods are disposed within a “phantom” at known positions with respect to a room coordinate system. Images of the cylindrical rods may be obtained from different directions, allowing the imaging device to be calibrated to the room coordinate system.

Abstract: Signal processing techniques reduce the impact of noise (including speckle noise and shot noise) on ultrasound images by reducing the intensity of pixels that are probably noise and increasing the intensity of pixels that are probably signal. The decision of whether a given pixel is probably noise or probably signal is made based on spectral characteristics of the samples in and around the given pixel, based on knowledge of the expected spectral characteristics of the signal and the expected spectral characteristics of the noise.

Abstract: Disclosed an apparatus for measuring an amount of urine in a bladder using ultrasonic signals. The apparatus is comprising: a transducer; a switch for selecting one of operational modes, which include a preliminary scan mode and a scan mode; a transducer drive unit for driving the transducer; and a central control unit for operating according to the operational mode to provide an amount of urine in the bladder. The central control unit in the preliminary scan mode acquires the ultrasonic signals for a single scan plane from the transducer, generates a 2-dimensional B-Mode ultrasonic image using the acquired ultrasonic signals, and displays the B-Mode ultrasonic image. The central control unit in the scan mode acquires ultrasonic signals for a plurality of scan planes from the transducer, measures an amount of urine in the bladder using the acquired ultrasonic signals, and provides the amount of urine.

Abstract: An ultrasonic method for indicating a characteristic of intracranial components' volume changes includes the transmission of broadband ultrasound from a transmitting transducer positioned on one side of a human head to a receiving transducer located on another side of the human head with decomposition of the received signal into narrowband components and determination therefrom of group delay, phase angle and attenuation as a basis for derivation of the characteristic of the intracranial media.

Abstract: A system and method for regional anesthesia using ultrasound to assist in locating the anesthetic needle are disclosed. One or more piezo-electric crystal transducers is placed either at the tip of the needle or near the tip of the needle on a stylet which is inserted into the lumen of the needle. The transducer(s) are pulsed with ultrasonic frequency, the reflected ultrasonic signals from structures are detected and converted into a digital signal and may be displayed in an oscilloscopic format to indicate anatomical structures forward to the needle and allow the medical professional to avoid errors and/or increase efficiency and accuracy. An array of transducers can be pulsed in a phased array fashion to generate a 2D image, or a single transducer can be pulsed to generate a 1D image. A 2D image can also be obtained by mechanically sweeping a single transducer, for example by means of a miniature motor in or at the base of a needle or stylet.

Abstract: An ultrasonometer for bone assessment in infants includes a focusing acoustic wave transducer, an acoustic wave detector, and an elongated chamber filled with an acoustically-coupling fluid. The chamber is equipped with an acoustically-transparent flexible membrane facing the extremity of the infant. Supporting means such as a gliding rod is adapted to retain at least one of the transducer or the detector inside the chamber facing the subject. Supporting means is further adapted to move the transducer or detector along the chamber to perform the bone scanning without repositioning of the probe. A focused ultrasound transducer is adapted to remotely generate an acoustic wave in the bone by acoustic radiation force.

Abstract: A method of determining the total body fat of a person comprising measuring a subcutaneous fat thickness at four points on the person's body, located in the right anterior part of the left mid-thigh, in the left anterior part of the right mid-thigh, in the right dorsal part navel level and in the left dorsal part at navel level, respectively, and determining a first estimate of the person's total body fat as a function of these measurements.

Abstract: The invention discloses a bone examination apparatus which includes a shaking module, a multi-mode ultrasonic detecting module, and a processing module. The shaking module is disposed close to a distal end of an examinee's femur, for inputting a shaking signal to the distal end. The multi-mode ultrasonic detecting module is disposed close to a near end of the examinee's femur, for detecting the shaking signal through the examinee's femur at the near end and generating a detecting signal. Additionally, the processing module is connected to the shaking module and the multi-mode ultrasonic detecting module respectively, for determining the examinee's bone density in accordance with the shaking signal, the detecting signal, and a first criterion.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for using ultrasound data backscattered from vascular tissue to estimate the transfer function of a catheter (including components attached thereto—e.g., IVUS console, transducer, etc.). Specifically, in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention, a computing device is electrically connected to a catheter and used to acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure (e.g., a blood vessel, etc.). The backscattered ultrasound data is then used, together with an algorithm, to estimate the transfer function. The transfer function can then be used (at least in a preferred embodiment) to calculate response data for the vascular tissue (i.e., the tissue component of the backscattered ultrasound data). In a second embodiment of the present invention, an IVUS console is electrically connected to a catheter and a computing device and is used to acquire RF backscattered data from a vascular structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for non-invasive monitoring of brain density variations. At least two ultrasonic pulses having different frequencies are provided into the brain for transmission therethrough. The reflected ultrasonic pulses are then sensed and the sensed signal data are then processed for determining at least two phase differences between the phases of the at least two reflected ultrasonic pulses and the phases of the at least two provided ultrasonic pulses. A phase of at least a beat frequency is determined in dependence upon the at least two phase differences. Data indicative of a brain density variation are determined based on the at least two phase differences and the at least a beat frequency.

Abstract: A method for early detection of a pregnancy complication, including touching a position sensor to a point on a fetal presenting part of a fetus in a mother, and capturing a position of the position sensor, touching the position sensor to a set of points on the mother and capturing the position of the position sensor at each point, and detecting a pregnancy complication sign based upon a predefined criterion for said pregnancy complication. Methods and apparatus are provided for identifying the BPD pattern in an ultrasound image, for determining characteristics of body parts outside of a pelvic region, for BPD reconstruction and for an adapter for a position sensor are also described among other embodiments.

Abstract: A body height measuring apparatus is disclosed comprising a measuring bar, a ground mainframe, an ultrasound signal transmit unit and an ultrasound signal receive unit, a synchronous signal transmit unit and a synchronous signal receive unit. The first operational control unit and a second operational control unit synchronize the operation of the ultrasound signal transmit unit and the ultrasound signal receive unit through manipulation of the synchronous signal transmit unit and the synchronous signal receive unit, and calculate a height based on a transmission time during which an ultrasound signal travels from the ultrasound signal transmit unit to the ultrasound signal receive unit. As the body height is measured based on a unidirectional transmission of the ultrasound signal, the measurement error is reduced, the measuring accuracy is improved and an advantage in use is achieved.

Abstract: Methods and systems for varying a pattern as a function of steering angle for medical imaging with a multidimensional array are provided. Transmit waveform, delay, phase or apodization patterns in addition to delays, phases or apodization for focusing are used with a multidimensional array. By applying a periodic variation perpendicular to the steering direction, the effects of grating lobes due to the variation may be reduced. Along the steering direction, additional offsets are not provided, but may be provided. This different or non-existent offsets provide less grating lobe clutter. The transmit aperture is adjusted to be parallel to a direction of steering of non-normal transmit scan line or scan lines. The variation pattern is selected to result in enhancement or isolation of one or more frequency bands from one or more other frequency bands, such as isolation of second harmonic information from fundamental transmit frequency information.

Abstract: The present invention provides a system for improving the accuracy of the measurement of the osteoporosis condition of the human body parts especially bones using more than three parameters, viz., the broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) quantity, the velocity of ultrasound (SOS) in the bone, the broadband ultrasonic back scattering (BUB) intensity, and the Width of received maximum (WORM) values are calculated from received ultrasound signals. The accuracy of each measured diagnostic parameter is improved by measuring the tissue thickness and the squish amount in the coupling pad instead of assuming constant thickness for the tissue. The several operating modes of the device are controlled and the frequency and the timing of the emitted ultrasounds signals are adjusted by using a field programmable gate array. The error generated in the measurement of the bone mineral density due to the variation in the anatomy and the size of the foot, is removed by using a removable footpad.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described for acquiring, processing, and presenting boundaries of a cavity-tissue interface within a region-of-interest in an ultrasound image based upon the strength of signals of ultrasound echoes returning from structures within the region-of-interest. The segmentation of boundaries of cavity shapes occupying the region-of-interest utilizes cost function analysis of pixel sets occupying the cavity-tissue interface. The segmented shapes are further image processed to determine areas and volumes of the organ or structure containing the cavity within the region-of-interest.

Abstract: An apparatus for optical imaging of a breast is described, the apparatus comprising: a supporting platform for positioning a patient in a face down prone position, the platform having a cavity for the breast to be pendantly suspended therethrough; a flexible fluid-filled receptacle below the cavity holding an optical matching fluid for the optical imaging, wherein the breast is immersed in the fluid during the optical imaging; a supporting mechanism surrounding a perimeter of the receptacle for supporting the receptacle within the cavity and preventing it from falling through the cavity when holding the optical matching fluid; and a source and detector coupling device for orienting source and detector ports with respect to the receptacle and for contacting the receptacle to obtain a desired geometry of the breast and the optical matching fluid.

Abstract: Using configurable arrays, synthetic aperture processes may be used along an elevation dimension for increasing resolution. The increased resolution is used for two-dimensional or three-dimensional imaging. Alternatively or additionally, wide band synthetic elevation aperture focusing processes, such as beamformation, are provided along the elevation dimension to increase resolution. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, a transducer is rotated about a center of the transducer within the elevation and azimuth plane. An aperture associated with the transducer is mechanically or electronically rotated, and ultrasound data acquired associated with a plurality of different positions. The ultrasound data is then used for synthetic elevation aperture processing. In yet another alternative or additional embodiment, multiple scanning modes are provided. In a survey mode, imaging is provided without synthetic elevation aperture processing.

Abstract: A structure for adjusting the positional relationship between an ultrasonic transducer and a blood vessel such that an acoustic line from the ultrasonic transducer passes the center of a cross-section of the blood vessel for measuring an elasticity characteristic is provided. An ultrasonic probe includes a transducer for transmitting an ultrasonic wave and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected by a tissue of a biological body; and a driving device for physically moving the transducer. For measuring the elasticity characteristic of the blood vessel by an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the driving device moves the transducer based on a control signal from the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to change at least one of a direction and a position at which the ultrasonic wave is to be transmitted.

Abstract: The present invention provides elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus etc. for measuring in the ROI in living tissues elastic constants such as shear modulus, Poisson's ratio, Lame constants, etc., visco elastic constants such as visco shear modulus, visco Poisson's ratio, visco Lame constants, etc. and density even if there exist another mechanical sources and uncontrollable mechanical sources in the object. The elastic constant and visco elastic constant measurement apparatus is equipped with means of data storing 2 (storage of deformation data measured in the ROI 7 etc.) and means of calculating elastic and visco elastic constants 1 (calculator of shear modulus etc. at arbitrary point in the ROI from measured strain tensor data etc.), the means of calculating elastic and visco elastic constants numerically determines elastic constants etc. from the first order partial differential equations relating elastic constants etc. and strain tensor etc.

Abstract: An ophthalmic ultrasonic diagnosing apparatus for measuring an ocular axial length of an examinee's eye includes an ultrasonic probe for A-mode measurement including a transducer arranged to emit an ultrasonic wave toward the inside of the eye, and receive return echoes from eye constituent parts, and an analysis unit for identifying, by analyzing signals of the received echoes, the respective signals as a return echo signal from a cornea of the eye, a return echo signal from an intraocular lens implanted in the eye, multiple return echo signals produced from the signals repeatedly returning between the intraocular lens and the transducer, and a return echo signal from a retina of the eye, while distinguishing the retinal signal from the multiple signals based on a property shown by the multiple signals and/or a property shown by the retinal signal, and calculate the axial length based on the corneal and retinal signals.

Abstract: An apparatus and methods to quantify the volume of urine in a human bladder with a limited number of acoustic beams is disclosed. In a first version a plurality of narrow ultrasound beams is transmitted in different directions towards the bladder. Returning echoes are converted to digital form and stored in memory. A volume display on the apparatus allows to define the optimal apposition of the transducer assembly. Signal processing software automatically determines the bladder Depth D and Height H and computes the volume of urine. In a second version, a single wide angle ultrasound beam transducer transmits ultrasounds signals at a fundamental frequency to quantify the urine volume. Return signals originating from a depth beyond the usual position of the posterior wall depth of a filled bladder are analyzed for presence of higher harmonic signals, which in turn are related to the presence or absence of urine.