Abstract: A soft tissue diagnostic apparatus for diagnosis of stress and injury in anatomical soft tissue by detecting the response of the soft tissue to acoustic energy and a method of detecting soft tissue damage or stress and treating the tissue. An acoustic transmitter transmits excitation acoustic energy toward a target area of soft tissue of a subject. An acoustic receiver receives responsive acoustic energy generated by the soft tissue in response to the excitation acoustic energy transmitted by the acoustic transmitter and generates an output signal representative of the response of the soft tissue to the excitation acoustic energy. An analyzer receives the output signal of the acoustic receiver and provides an indication of at least one of stress and injury in the soft tissue based on the output signal. Areas of stress are inhibited to find the origin of soft tissue pain.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, a color Doppler ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, a transmission/reception unit, a quadrature phase detection unit configured to perform quadrature phase detection of an output from the transmission/reception unit, a filter unit configured to perform first orthogonal transformation for an output from the quadrature phase detection unit in a depth direction, perform second orthogonal transformation for a result obtained by the first orthogonal transformation in an ensemble direction, apply a two-dimensional filter to obtained frequency data to extract a blood flow component from the frequency data, and sequentially perform inverse transformation of the second orthogonal transformation and inverse transformation of the first orthogonal transformation for an output from the two-dimensional filter, and a blood flow component information calculation unit configured to calculate blood flow component information based on an output from the filter unit.

Abstract: A system for monitoring blood flow confined by at least one vessel wall, the system including: at least one implantable diffraction-grating transducer being embedded within or adjacent to a vessel wall, the diffraction-grating transducer being suitable for emitting ultrasound into or receiving Doppler shifted ultrasound from the blood flow; and, a source for pulse-exciting the implantable diffraction grating; wherein, the Doppler shift is indicative of the blood flow.

Abstract: A blood rheology measuring apparatus has a measuring portion for measuring a flow velocity of the blood flowing in a blood vessel of a person in a mode of a Doppler shift signal by transmitting and receiving a wave to and from a surface of the person's skin. An information processing portion calculates an intensity at each of frequency components of the Doppler shift signal, extracts a maximum frequency in a signal at an intensity level equal to or larger than a threshold in the histogram or a maximum frequency when an integrated value from a low frequency component reaches a predetermined rate of a total thereof in the histogram, and provides a temporal change waveform of the extracted frequency. The blood rheology is analyzed based on the maximum frequency in the frequency waveform.

Abstract: A medical imaging apparatus, such as including a processor circuit, can be used to construct a first image of a plane parallel to the surface of an ultrasonic imaging transducer, the plane corresponding to a locus at a specified depth within a first region of tissue. The apparatus can obtain information about a location of a vessel in the first image, then obtain, from a second region of tissue, imaging information corresponding to loci in planes parallel to the surface of the transducer, the planes at depths automatically determined at least in part using the obtained information about the location of the vessel in the first image. In an example, the apparatus can automatically determine an adjusted depth corresponding to the location of the vessel in the second region, and construct a second image of a plane corresponding to the adjusted depth within the tissue.

Abstract: Disclosed is an ultrasound color Doppler image system. The ultrasound color Doppler image system includes a calculation unit that calculates a mean value associated with an I/Q signal corresponding to a pixel of a color image in an ultrasound image and generates a multiplication value using the calculated mean value; a comparison unit that compares the generated multiplication value with the mean value; and a masking unit that performs masking of the pixel based on a comparison result, and, the calculation unit calculates the mean value of the I/Q signal for each frame, selects a reference mean value based on scales of the calculated mean values, and generates the multiplication value by multiplying the selected reference mean value and a scale factor.

Abstract: Combined blood flow and blood pressure measurements are used for the calculation of central vascular blood flow parameters. Blood flow measurements may be made simultaneously with arterial pressure measured either centrally or peripherally and central venous pressure for the monitoring of human subjects. A combined blood flow and blood pressure measurement device for hemodynamic monitoring may include a Doppler ultrasound probe utilizing a continuous wave or pulse wave ultrasound beam for the measurement of blood flow in the aorta, combined with arterial pressure measurement, or signal input from a suitable pressure transducer system from one of either the radial, brachial, dorsalis pedis or femoral artery. The ultrasound probe may comprise either an esophageal or suprasternal ultrasound probe, while the blood pressure measurement may be either an electronic transducer blood pressure sphygmomanometer on the arm, or a finger cot infrared light optical pulse detector.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a velocity measuring method and a velocity measuring device for carrying out the method.

Abstract: A technology for performing the filter processing of blood flow velocity data having aliasing by only common filter processing means and common addition and subtraction means and actualizing image display of smooth blood flow velocity is disclosed. According to this technology, when performing image display of the blood flow velocity of blood within a subject biological body using an ultrasonic wave Doppler method, the difference values of data D33 of an arbitrary focus point and data D32 and D34 of points spatially prior and subsequent to this focus point are calculated in the pre-processing unit (difference calculating unit) 41. Then, in the filtering unit 42, after filter processing is performed on these difference values, data D39 after filter processing and data D33 of the arbitrary focus point are added in the post-processing unit (addition processing unit) 43.

Abstract: A method is provided to improve the frame-rate in color-flow ultrasound imaging using simultaneous spatially-distinct transmit beams with one or more frequency bands per transmit beam. Pulses of different center frequencies are used simultaneously in different (lateral and/or elevational) directions, thereby reducing the scanning time and improving the frame-rates. Optionally, a multi-modal pulse is used, and flow is estimated separately for the different frequencies. The flow estimates for these pulses are appropriately combined to improve low-velocity sensitivity and to reduce aliasing. A flow sample count with two or more different pulse repetition intervals can be used to further improve low-flow sensitivity and minimize aliasing.

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

Abstract: The present invention realizes a Doppler velocity detecting technique capable of performing velocity detection and analysis with a suppressed error while excellently distinguishing a clutter signal, and provides an ultrasonographic device using the technique.

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: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe, a transmission/reception unit, an echo signal storage unit, a reception delay addition processing unit, a Doppler signal generating unit, and a focus position decision unit. The echo signal storage unit stores a plurality of echo signals obtained by the transmission/reception unit. The reception delay addition processing unit generates a plurality of reception signals corresponding to a plurality of reception focus positions by performing delay addition of the plurality of stored echo signals. The Doppler signal generating unit generates a plurality of Doppler signals corresponding to the plurality of reception focus positions from the generated reception signals. The focus position decision unit performs selection of a Doppler signal from the plurality of generated Doppler signals based on a blood flow characteristic and decides a reception focus position corresponding to the selected Doppler signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and device for color blood flow frame averaging. In the present invention, whether aliasing occurs to an output blood flow velocity of a previous frame is first determined. If aliasing does occur to the output blood flow velocity of the previous frame, the output blood flow velocity of the previous frame will be moved, and the moved output blood flow velocity of the previous frame is then subjected to the frame averaging. The present invention can improve and eliminate the “shadow” in the output blood flow velocity of the current frame due to velocity aliasing of the previous frame existing in the prior color frame averaging processing, such that the blood flow velocity appears more natural and has a more reasonable distribution.

Abstract: A system and method for providing a vascular image are disclosed wherein a single composite display simultaneously provides a first view of a patient including an angiogram image and a second view including an intravascular image rendered from information provided by an imaging probe mounted on a distal end of a flexible elongate member. A cursor, having a position derived from image information provided by a radiopaque marker proximate the imaging probe, is displayed within the angiogram image to correlate the position of the imaging probe to a presently displayed intravascular image and thus provide an easily discernable identification of a position within a patient corresponding to a currently displayed intravascular image. The resulting composite display simultaneously provides: an intravascular image that includes information about a vessel that is not available from an angiogram and a current location within a vessel of a source of intravascular image data from which the intravascular image is rendered.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an electromagnetic flow sensor device for monitoring flow of fluid in a channel. The sensor device includes a first electrode to be disposed along the channel and in communication with the fluid, a second electrode to be disposed along the channel and in communication with the fluid, and a radially expandable frame to structurally support the first electrode and the second electrode while conforming to the channel to position the first electrode and the second electrode along the channel. The device may also include an antenna coupled to the first and second electrodes to wirelessly provide an indication of a voltage induced between the first and second electrodes. In some embodiments, the radially expandable frame includes an insulating link such that the first and second electrodes are not electrically connected via the radially expandable frame.

Abstract: A diagnostic system for detecting a right-to-left cardiopulmonary shunt in a patient. The system includes at least one Doppler ultrasound transducer, a transducer housing, a transducer housing placement device to affix the Doppler ultrasound transducer housing over a peripheral blood vessel, and a control system configured to receive and process the echoes and transform the echoes into data indicative of the presence or absence of a bubbles within the peripheral blood vessel, thereby determining whether or not the patient has a right-to-left cardiopulmonary shunt. A method of detecting a right-to-left cardiopulmonary shunt in a patient is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for electronic volume data acquisition using ultrasound generates image data in a scanning and imaging process known as coherent aperture combining beamforming (CAC-BF). The CAC-BF technique can be applied in an azimuth dimension and/or an elevation dimension, to form an ultrasound image line, image plane, or image data cube. Several innovations relating to the design and ordering of shots and efficient weighting algorithms that address various performance issues associated with B-mode and other modes such as Doppler, and harmonic imaging are disclosed. The invention has significant advantages over other synthetic aperture imaging techniques and conventional imaging techniques by supporting higher resolution, larger volumes and/or shorter acquisition times than comparative techniques, using similar system hardware complexity.

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

Abstract: A Doppler sensor for non-invasive continuous Doppler monitoring for arterial blood flow to a distal body part of a patient that employs a Doppler transducer for placement at the distal body part of the patient and an adhesive conductive gel for placement between the Doppler transducer and the distal body part of the patient. The adhesive conductive gel holds the Doppler transducer in position at the distal body part of the patient during medical procures so that continuous monitoring of arterial blood flow is provided via a Doppler monitor.

Abstract: A dual spiral transducer and method of manufacture of same is disclosed. In one aspect, the transducer comprises a central rod, a first spiral piezoelectric electrode wrapped around a circumference of the rod, the electrode being advanced around the rod at a determined angle determined based on a length of a single complete turn around the rod and a diameter of the rod and a second spiral piezoelectric electrode wrapped around the circumference of the rod, the second spiral electrode being electrically isolated, and offset, from the first spiral electrode by a known distance. A second set of spiral electrodes can be integrated into the structure so that both transmission and reception of signals is feasible.

Abstract: A method for determining the risk of rupture of a blood vessel using an appropriate set of 2-D slice images obtained by scanning the blood vessel, the method comprising: generating a mesh model of the blood vessel using the set of 2-D slice images; conducting finite element stress analysis on the mesh model to calculate the level of stress on different locations on the mesh model; and determining the risk of rupture of the blood vessel based on the calculated levels of stress on different locations on the mesh model.

Abstract: Some embodiments include acquisition of color Doppler data, and detection of one or more transitions of the color Doppler data, each of the one or more transitions being between a first area representing flow velocity in a first direction and a second area representing flow velocity not in the first direction. A normalized energy function across one or more of the one or more transitions is calculated, a configuration of flow areas within the color Doppler data is determined, and aliasing corrections for the color Doppler data are determined based on the normalized energy functions and the configuration of flow areas.

Abstract: Diagnostic ultrasound flow imaging is performed with coded excitation pulses. Due to the use of frequency coded excitation pulses, flow information may suffer from spatial misregistration and estimate errors. Spatial position shift in flow data is offset for alignment with B-mode or other imaging. The flow estimates are compensated for the imaging center frequency variation with depth. The wide bandwidth information available due to coded excitation may allow anti-aliasing by estimating velocities from two frequency bands.

Abstract: A method of monitoring the intended injection of fluid into a blood vessel during a scanning or imaging procedure, the method including the steps of receiving an indication of the start of an injection of fluid into the blood vessel, measuring the flow velocity in the blood vessel downstream of the point of injection, and automatically controlling the scanning or imaging procedure based on the measured flow velocity.

Abstract: A system for determining at least one index out of a blood reflux rate index and increased blood resistance index in cerebral veins in a patient including a detection source set (TCCS, ECD) for detecting: —i) a blood reflux in at least one of the deep cerebral veins, —ii) a blood reflux in at least one of the internal jugular and/or vertebral veins; —iii) a stenose in at least one of the internal jugular vein; —iv) a lack of Doppler detectable blood flow in at least one of the internal jugular and/or vertebral veins; and —v) a negative difference between the cross-sectional area of at least one of the internal jugular veins in the supine posture and in the erect posture of said patient. The system further includes a processing module (PC) operatively connected to the detection source set (TCCS, ECD) to sense the condition where at least two of indexes i) to v) are positive so that the processing module (PC) emits an advice signal in case said condition is sensed.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for obtaining the absolute value of intracranial pressure in a non-invasive manner is described by using an ultrasonic Doppler measuring device which detects the intracranial and extracranial blood flow velocities of the intracranial and extracranial segments of the ophthalmic artery. The eye in which the blood flow is monitored is subjected to an external pressure, sufficient to equalize the intracranial and extracranial angle-independent blood flow factors calculated from the intracranial velocity signal and extracranial velocity signal. The absolute value of the intracranial pressure is identified as that external pressure at which such equalization occurs.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes an ultrasonic probe and an ultrasonic scanning unit configured to repeatedly scan an interior of an subject with an ultrasonic wave via the ultrasonic probe and repeatedly acquire echo signals. An image generation unit generates data of blood flow images based on the echo signals. An interpolation processing unit identifies at least one pixel in which clutter components occupy the majority of the pixel value, and to interpolate a pixel value of the identified pixel based on pixel values of at least two other blood flow images corresponding to a substantially same cardiac phase as that of the blood flow image including the identified pixel.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes a storage unit, a ultrasonic probe, a transmission/reception unit, a measured value calculation unit, a distance calculation unit, and a determination unit. The storage unit stores data of a state space based on a first measured values of a measurement item associated with an able-bodied person. The transmission/reception unit transmits ultrasonic waves to a subject via an ultrasonic probe, and generates reception signals corresponding to an ultrasonic waves reflected by the subject. The measured value calculation unit calculates a second measured value of the measurement item associated with the subject based on the reception signals. The distance calculation unit calculates a Mahalanobis distance of the subject based on the state space and the second measured value. The determination unit compares the Mahalanobis distance with a threshold to determine whether the subject has the disease evaluated by the measurement item.

Abstract: The invention uses a transducer and ultrasound system to form and direct ultrasound beams through the blood stream that will detect the Doppler shift in frequency between the beams and the return echo off the blood. The transducer can be secured onto the surface of the patient's skin with a transducer housing holder. A 1-D transducer, subject to an optimized angle with respect to the blood vessel, will generate and direct ultrasound beams electronically through a blood vessel below the skin and analyze the received echo, searching for the maximum signal amplitude of the Doppler frequency shift from the blood. Furthermore, the device continuously controls the direction of the ultrasound beams to achieve maximum return signal amplitude. Then, the condition and trend of the blood flow is recorded and displayed continuously over the desired diagnostic interval the device is in use.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a data acquisition unit, a correction unit and a display unit. The data acquisition unit acquires phase signals as Doppler data from a moving object in an object by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from the object. The correction unit performs global aliasing correction processing of the phase signals based on a continuity in a two-dimensionally phase change. The display unit displays phase signals after the aliasing correction processing.

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 method of monitoring the intended injection of a fluid into a blood vessel, the method including the steps of conveying the fluid to a point of injection, introducing a disturbance into the fluid flow prior to injection, and monitoring the fluid flow in the blood vessel downstream of the point of injection using a Doppler ultrasound sensor.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method of volume-panorama imaging processing, which generates a volume-panorama image by subsequently splicing respective image frames from an image sequence obtained in a real-time way or stored in a medium based upon the fact that the immediately adjacent image frames have the largest correlation. The method comprises the steps of: reading the image sequence, and firstly initializing an aligned image and a spliced image; dividing the i-th image frame Fi into a plurality of sub-regions; calculating a motion vector of the i-t image frame with respect to the aligned image; fitting the motion vector to calculate a transform coefficient; splicing the Fi to the current spliced image based upon the transform coefficient, and updating the aligned image; entering into a self-adaptive selection of a next image frame until the end of the splicing; and outputting the current spliced image as a resultant image.

Abstract: In a tissue tracking imaging (TTI) method, a velocity distribution image from which a translation velocity component or a rotation velocity component resulting from movement of a body, etc. is removed is generated every time phase. By tracking a predetermined position of a tissue on the basis of the velocity distribution image and generating a motion information image, it is possible to provide a diagnostic image having higher reliability.

Abstract: A new approach to processing and displaying received Doppler signals is disclosed. This approach starts with a set of N power spectra corresponding to each of N times. Those power spectra are then used to create of set of pixels for display with respect to an X axis and a Y axis so that the X coordinate of each pixel in the set corresponds to a time and the Y coordinate of each pixel in the set corresponds to a quantized power level. An attribute (e.g., color or intensity) of each pixel in the set is set to represent the highest velocity for the time-and-quantized-power-level combination that corresponds to the X and Y coordinates of each pixel in the set.

Abstract: Embodiments of adaptively performing clutter filtering are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from a target object to thereby output a plurality of ultrasound data for obtaining a color Doppler mode image, wherein the target object includes at least one of a tissue and a blood flow; and a processing unit placed in communication with the ultrasound data acquisition unit and being configured to locate the plurality of ultrasound data on a complex plane, the processing unit being further configured to perform a circle fitting upon the plurality of ultrasound data located on the complex plane and perform a downmixing and a clutter filtering upon the circle-fitted ultrasound data in consideration of speed of the tissue.

Abstract: Doppler ultrasound may be used to detect stenosis in a blood vessel using a variety of approaches. In one approach, the flow envelope is extracted from the Doppler ultrasound measurements, and the extracted flow envelope is parameterized. Classification is then done based on those parameters (and optionally other parameters), to determine whether a stenosis exists. A second approach uses Doppler data that is acquired in a direction that is perpendicular to the direction of blood flow, and detects artifacts that are consistent with turbulences that usually appear downstream from stenoses.

Abstract: A system including an implantable neurostimulator device capable of modulating cerebral blood flow to treat epilepsy and other neurological disorders. In one embodiment, the system is capable of modulating cerebral blood flow (also referred to as cerebral perfusion) in response to measurements and other observed conditions. Perfusion may be increased or decreased by systems and methods according to the invention as clinically required.

Abstract: A method for eliminating abnormal blood flow velocities in an ultrasonic imaging system is provided in present invention. The method comprises: receiving signals of blood flow; pre-processing the received signals to generate velocity signs in real time; obtaining a plurality of the velocity signs in a predefined spatial and temporal order, and performing weighted smoothing on the plurality of the velocity signs; determining the direction of blood flow at the pixel to be confirmed according to result of the weighted smoothing. A module for performing above method and a color flow imaging system with such a module are also provided in present invention. The method and apparatus provided by present invention can judge the practical direction of blood flow intelligently by performing spatial-temporal smoothing only on the signs of blood flow velocities, so that the estimation error caused by the system noise, clutter residue, speckle effect and etc. can be corrected.

Abstract: A method and system of imaging of a vessel is provided. The system can include a matrix transducer array (120) for transmitting ultrasonic waves into a region of a body having a vessel and receiving echoes in response, where the echoes are associated with blood flow through the vessel; and a processor (100) operably coupled to the matrix transducer array. The processor can adjust positions of sample volumes (250) associated with the echoes. The processor can electronically steers the ultrasonic waves at one or more of the positions of the sample volumes. The processor can determine a wall of the vessel at each of the positions of the sample volumes based on a Doppler spectrum captured at each of the positions of the sample volumes. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of obtaining information on a pressure gradient in a blood vessel based on only reception signals of ultrasonic echoes reflected within an object. The apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe for outputting reception signals; a measuring unit for measuring an inside radius of a blood vessel within the object and blood flow velocities in plural locations in a radial direction substantially at the same time based on the reception signals; and a computing unit for computing a velocity gradient in the radial direction at an inner wall point of the blood vessel by differentiating the blood flow velocities measured by the measuring unit in the radial direction, and computing a pressure gradient at ends of a predetermined length of the blood vessel based on the computed velocity gradient, the measured inside radius of the blood vessel, and a predetermined viscosity of blood.

Abstract: A method and system for detecting spectral Doppler blood flow velocity are disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: obtaining Doppler signals of the flow by demodulating, filtering, and analog-to-digital converting RF ultrasonic echoes; analyzing the spectrum of the Doppler signals to obtain each of the power spectral lines of the Doppler signal varying with time; determining a threshold; and determining the frequency shift parameters or the blood flow velocity corresponding to the current power spectral line based on the threshold and the current power spectral line.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for simultaneously determining the position and velocity of objects. Moreover the method comprising the steps of: 1) simultaneously generating a first signal for determining the velocity and a second signal for determining the position; 2) mixing the first signal with the second signal to form a mixed signal and subsequently transmitting the mixed signal towards an object using a transmitter, so that the mixed signal can be at least partially reflected by the object; and 4) evaluating an echo signal. Such a method may be used for various applications, such as monitoring blood vessel access and/or for pericardiocentesis, as well as for determining the blood flow velocity and the position of blood vessels.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces a spectral Doppler display on which automated measurements may be made. The waveform is analyzed by the ultrasound system to identify the peak velocity of each cardiac cycle of the sequence, and the cardiac cycle with the highest peak velocity value. When a measurement tool is launched, the system displays the highest peak velocity cycle and makes the selected measurement on the data of that heart cycle. The system may advantageously use a peak velocity tracing algorithm in support of this feature. The technique can be used with a variety of measurement tools.

Abstract: Described herein are systems and methods for determining the cardiac output of a patient. One such method includes measuring the patient's height and the velocity time integral or stroke distance of blood flowing from the heart of the patient, and subsequently utilising these measurements to determine the cardiac output of the patient based on a valve cross sectional area estimate.

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: Methods and apparatus are provided for renal neuromodulation using a pulsed electric field to effectuate electroporation or electrofusion. It is expected that renal neuromodulation (e.g., denervation) may, among other things, reduce expansion of an acute myocardial infarction, reduce or prevent the onset of morphological changes that are affiliated with congestive heart failure, and/or be efficacious in the treatment of end stage renal disease. Embodiments of the present invention are configured for percutaneous intravascular delivery of pulsed electric fields to achieve such neuromodulation.

Abstract: A medical device of the type used for assisting a user in manually delivering repetitive therapy to a patient (e.g., chest compressions or ventilations in cardiac resuscitation), the device comprising a feedback device configured to generate feedback cues to assist the user in timing the delivery of the repetitive therapy, at least one sensor or circuit element configured to detect actual delivery times, at which the user actually delivers the repetitive therapy, and a processor, memory, and associated circuitry configured to compare the actual delivery times to information representative of desired delivery times to determine cue times at which the feedback cues are generated by the feedback device.