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.

Abstract: A vascular flow sensor assembly includes an ultrasound transducer (1-5) which is attached to the body by an adhesive or mechanical substrate to create acoustic coupling between the ultrasound transducer and the body. The assembly includes a force sensor (150) responsive to the attachment force which produces a signal representative of the force of attachment. The signal is detected by a monitoring instrument and used to alert a user to improper attachment of the vascular sensor. In an illustrated embodiment the signal actuates an indicator located on the sensor assembly.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonograph that can automatically optimize the sweep rate of Doppler images and M-mode images according to the heart rate of a test subject, without the need for an operator to perform a troublesome operation. The ultrasonograph is provided with a means for sending an ultrasonic beam into body tissue, a means for receiving an ultrasonic signal that has been reflected off the body tissue and a blood flow, a means for constructing a cross-sectional image of the body tissue from the received ultrasonic signal, a means for performing phase detection on an ultrasonic Doppler blood flow signal that has been reflected off the body tissue by the blood flow, a means for calculating a frequency component of the Doppler blood flow signal on which phase detection has been performed, and a means for performing a sweeping display of the calculated frequency component as Doppler images in a time series.

Abstract: A blood rheology measurement device and a blood rheology measurement method which detect a fingerprint or a vein to thereby measure a positional relation between an artery in a living body and a sensor on the same conditions for each subject during non-invasive measurement and which correctly evaluate a change of blood rheology with elapse of time. A vein pattern or a fingerprint pattern peculiar to a subject is detected, recognized, and stored, a position of a sensor is adjusted so that the detected vein pattern or fingerprint pattern agrees with the stored vein pattern or fingerprint pattern every measurement, and a blood rheology index value indicating blood fluidity (fluidity/viscosity) is measured.

Abstract: Systems and methods for grading signals from microemboli in blood flow monitored using a Doppler ultrasound system. Signals from microemboli in blood flow are graded by calculating a value related to a power for the signals from microemboli in blood flow and categorizing the signals into one of at least two grades based on the calculated value. Alternatively, signals can be categorized by assessing a power value for the microemboli in blood flow during a period of monitoring. In response to the power value being greater than or equal to a threshold value, the microemboli in blood flow are categorized based on the power value, and in response to the power value being less than the threshold value, a number of microemboli are counted during at least a portion of the period of monitoring and the microemboli are categorized based on the number.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for treating a uterine disorder which receive its blood supply from a uterine artery. In particular, uterine fibroids are effectively treated by occluding the uterine arteries using trans-vaginal, trans-uterine, transrectal, or retroperitoneal approaches. The devices and methods are advantageous because the inventive procedures may be performed by a patient's gynecologist in the course of treatment, avoiding the need for referrals to specialist practitioners and for more radical treatments, such as hysterectomies. The methods include both temporary and permanent occlusion of the arteries. A cannula carries an imaging device and a member which will easily penetrate tissue, the member including a device which partially or completely, and temporarily or permanently, occludes a uterine artery.

Abstract: A new method is introduced able to track the motion of a thin object, e.g. a wall, from a series of digital field data (e.g. images) in order to analyze field information corresponding to the moving position of the object. The method is based on the extraction of M-mode images where the wall can be identified and the wall properties can be extracted and analyzed. The digital implementation of the method into electronic equipments improves the quality of the information that can be extracted from field data and the potential diagnostic capability when applied to echographic medical imaging.

Abstract: Embodiments of a needle insertion system and method are disclosed. One method embodiment includes transmitting a sound beam along an axis to contact a blood vessel; receiving the reflected sound beam from the blood vessel; processing the reflected sound beam to detect the location of the blood vessel; and, responsive to the detection, receiving a needle in a guideway that is oriented parallel to the axis.

Abstract: A system for controlling blood flow through a zone of a patient limb, the zone being bounded by a proximal end and a distal end, comprises: a cuff configured for securing to the limb and for covering the zone, the cuff being inflatable to provide pressure to the zone for occluding the flow of blood flowing through the zone in the direction from the proximal to distal ends of the zone; an array of sensors fitting between the cuff and the limb and arranged for sensing and signaling the amount of penetration of blood flow into the zone; and a control instrument connected to the array and to the cuff for regulating the pressure in the cuff to occlude the blood flow in the zone depending upon the amount of blood flow penetration signaled by the array.

Abstract: A system uses non-invasive laser, ultrasound or electro-magnetic monitoring, to derive CO/SV, CO/SV deviation, and related cardiac function parameters. The non-invasive system determines cardiac stroke volume and includes an input processor for receiving determined values provided using a measurement processor. The determined values comprise, a blood vessel internal diameter and rate of flow of blood through the blood vessel in a heart cycle. A computation processor calculates a vessel stroke volume comprising volume of blood transferred through the blood vessel in a heart cycle using the measured blood vessel internal diameter and the rate of flow of blood. The computation processor determines cardiac stroke volume by determining a factor for use in adjusting the vessel stroke volume to provide a cardiac stroke volume and adjusting the vessel stroke volume using the determined factor to provide the cardiac stroke volume.

Abstract: Blood-flow image display equipment for displaying a CFM image that is not affected by a motion of a tissue in an object area during capturing of images or is affected in a reduced manner.

Abstract: Disclosed is a channel estimator and a method for changing a coefficient of an IIR filter depending on a moving speed of a mobile communication terminal. In the channel estimator, a coefficient changing unit receives I and Q signals from a current base station, and selects a coefficient of the IIR filter optimized depending on the moving speed of the current mobile communication terminal. The coefficient changing unit sets the selected coefficient of the IIR filter to the IIR filter of the channel estimator. Accordingly, it is possible to prevent the performance degradation of the channel estimator caused by the speed of the mobile communication terminal.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which utilizes one or more transducer arrays affixed to the head of a patient to diagnose and treat stroke victims. The transducer headset produces a two or three dimensional image of the vasculature inside the cranium, preferably assisted by a microbubble contrast agent. A vascular flow map is produced by the system which may be diagnosed for signs of a blood clot. If a blood clot is detected, a therapeutic beam is transmitted while the contrast agent is present to break up the blood clot by the disruption of microbubbles. The headset may also be used in a monitoring application to detect the recurrence of blood clots in a stroke victim.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which utilizes one or more transducer arrays affixed to the head of a patient to diagnose and treat stroke victims. The transducer headset produces a two or three dimensional image of the vasculature inside the cranium, preferably assisted by a microbubble contrast agent. A vascular flow map is produced by the system which may be diagnosed for signs of a blood clot. If a blood clot is detected, a therapeutic beam is transmitted while the contrast agent is present to break up the blood clot by the disruption of microbubbles. The headset may also be used in a monitoring application to detect the recurrence of blood clots in a stroke victim.

Abstract: Systems and methods described herein include an array of sensors positioned on a tool. In one embodiment, among others, a tool includes a handle configured to be manipulated by a user. The tool also includes an end portion arranged in mechanical communication with the handle. In addition, the tool includes an array of sensors mounted on the end portion, in which the array of sensors is configured to sense a property of an object. The tool also comprises a processing device configured to process the properties of the object sensed by the array of sensors and to obtain spatial information of the object. The processing device is further configured to communicate the spatial information to the handle.

Abstract: A dual blood flow monitoring system includes an electronic first sensor, an electronic second sensor, and an electronic monitoring device in communication with the first sensor and the second sensor. The first sensor monitors a first blood flow and the second sensor monitors a second blood flow. The electronic monitoring device is operative to receive signals from the sensors and to calculate and display a differential value representing a difference between the at least one parameter of the first blood flow and the at least one parameter of the second blood flow. A dual blood flow monitoring system is provided in a method for simultaneously monitoring extracorporeal arterial and venous blood flows, in which the sensors are placed in communication with respective tubing lines carrying the arterial and venous blood flows.

Abstract: There is provided an image processing system, which includes: an image forming unit for forming a number of color flow images based on input image signals; a reference image selecting unit for selecting a reference image for gain control among the color flow images; a gain control value calculating unit for calculating a gain control value based on the reference image; and a gain control unit for controlling gains for the color flow images based on the gain control value.

Abstract: A method of determining the blood flow characteristics from a monitoring signal indicative of blood flow in the vicinity of a heart, the method including the steps of: (a) extracting a flow envelope from the monitoring signal; (b) extracting a series of temporal markers from the flow envelope. (c) removing extraneous flows such as valve opening and closing flows from the flow envelope; (d) extracting features from the flow envelope and monitoring signal, such as peak velocity; (e) Producing cardiac parameters based on said monitoring signal.

Abstract: A method for predicting whether ultrasound insonation is likely to be effective in treating the symptoms of small vessel occlusion, including opening an occluded blood vessel. The method involves the steps of: identifying vessel occlusion in a patient; insonating the appropriate vessel using m-mode ultrasound, identifying on the ultrasound image the area of occlusion, and identifying whether there is blood flow beyond the area of occlusion. Identification of blood flow beyond the area of occlusion is by way of a directional flare signal. This identification indicates that ultrasound insonation is likely to be effective in treating the symptoms of small vessel occlusion, including opening the occluded blood vessel.

Abstract: An ultrasonic Doppler diagnostic equipment according to the present invention is characterized by including a Doppler signal detection device which executes a filtering process for a plurality of reception signals obtained in time series at unequal intervals from a predetermined position within a patient by a transmission/reception device, thereby to detect Doppler signals based on a mobile object; a velocity calculation device which selects Doppler signals obtained at a predetermined time interval, from among the plurality of Doppler signals obtained at the unequal intervals by the Doppler signal detection device, and which calculates a velocity of the mobile object on the basis of the selected Doppler signals; and an image data generation device which generates velocity image data on the basis of the velocity of the mobile object as calculated by the velocity calculation device.

Abstract: A method and system for processing Doppler signal gaps is disclosed. The method comprising the steps of: receiving Doppler signals during Doppler signal acquisition to obtain data of in-phase (I) component and quadrate (Q) component signals of the Doppler signals; receiving interruption of the Doppler signals; estimating the data of the Doppler signals interrupted in said gap period filling the interrupted Doppler signals with the data of the estimated Doppler signals so that the data of the I and Q component signals in said gap period are filled to form a continuous output; and generating Doppler spectrum data or Doppler sound based on the data of the filled I and Q component signals.

Abstract: Certain embodiments of the present invention include methods, systems, and computer readable media for real-time structure suppression in ultrasonically scanned volumes. A method includes receiving a plurality of datasets, each of said plurality of datasets representative of an ultrasonically scanned volume. The method further includes automatically applying in real-time a suppression filter to said plurality of datasets to form a plurality of filtered datasets, wherein at least two of said plurality of filtered datasets are sequenceable to form a data stream.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system produces 3D images of blood flow which depict both the location of blood pools and flow velocity in one image. B mode data is acquired over a volumetric region and inverted to a range of grayscale value which highlights anechoic regions relative to regions of strong echo returns. Flow data is acquired over the same volumetric region and both data sets are volume rendered. The two volume renderings are then merged into a single 3D image in which the B mode pixel values are tinted in accordance with flow at the pixel locations.

Abstract: A non-invasive system and method for determination of cardiac output and blood volume of a patient includes compensating for a change in the fluorescence of an indicator circulating in the bloodstream of a tissue or organ that is caused by a variation of the blood content at the site of the measurement.

Abstract: Ultrasonic treatment equipment is provided which repeats therapeutic ultrasound exposure while measuring a degree of vessel constriction on a therapeutic ultrasound exposure basis.

Abstract: Unipolar, bipolar or sinusoidal transmitters may leave the transmitter in any of various states at the end of one pulse. Undesired acoustic energy may be generated to change states prior to beginning another transmit sequence or pulse. For example, phase inversion for tissue harmonic imaging is performed where two sequential pulses are transmitted with different phases. The first waveform starts at a low state and ends at the low state of a unipolar transmitter. The next waveform starts at the high state. Transmit apodization or spectrum control techniques may require a pattern of waveform starting states different than a current state. Acoustic disruption due to a change of state of the transmitter between transmissions for imaging is minimized.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method for use in the presence of contrast agents is disclosed in which acoustic waves are transmitted at a first fundamental transmission frequency and are focused on at least one scan line. Acoustic beams reflected from the body under examination and the contrast agents are separated into at least one harmonic or subharmonic components along with the fundamental frequency component. The amplitudes of these components compared to determine whether the reflecting material is either body tissue or the contrast agent.

Abstract: According to embodiments, a sensor assembly and/or systems for ultrasound-optical measurements may provide information related to hemodynamic parameters. An ultrasound beam may be used to generate a Doppler field for optical elements of a sensor assembly. By combining information received from ultrasound and optical elements of the sensor assembly, more accurate values for hemodynamic parameters may be determined.

Abstract: Phase unwrapping is applied to velocity data to remove aliasing artifacts. Phase unwrapping is applied on multidimensional regions of velocity data. The unwrapped velocity image is displayed. The displayed image may have high sensitivity to slow motion but may also avoid aliasing of fast motion despite being undersampled.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, including a first imaging unit for configuring plural pieces of first-image data based on reception signals received by an ultrasound probe, a velocity vector detector for measuring blood and tissue velocity vectors based on the plural pieces of first-image data inputted from the first imaging unit, a blood-flow image extracting unit for configuring a blood-flow image based on the velocity vectors measured, a histogram unit for calculating number of pixels for each brightness with respect to the blood-flow image configured, a threshold controller for inputting a brightness threshold value, an information processing unit for color-mapping pixels whose brightness are higher than the brightness threshold value, and configuring second-image data by adding the pixels to at least the one piece of first-image data, and a display for displaying the second-image data configured.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic ultrasound system comprises several subsystems, such as a transmit beamformer, a receive beamformer, a B-mode processor, a Doppler processor and a scan converter. These subsystems are within the ultrasound data processing path for processing ultrasound data. One or more of these subsystems are implemented with one or more re-programmable logic devices. For example, one or two field programmable gate arrays are used is each subsystem to perform most or almost all of the subsystems essential functionality.

Abstract: A method and diagnostic apparatus for determining the condition of a patient's artery or arteries by the use of an ultrasound imaging system which operates in the triplex mode, with a B-mode image of a selected artery location, an A-mode perpendicular to the plane of the artery, at the selected location and a pulsed doppler, at the selected location at an angle to the plane of the artery, with the signals combined, the artery physically or chemical stimulated, the percent dilation of the artery is determined after stimulation, and therefore the condition of the artery is obtained.

Abstract: Embodiments for adaptively forming color Doppler images in an ultrasound diagnostic system are disclosed. A method of forming a color Doppler image in an ultrasound diagnostic system comprises: scanning a first set of scan lines set at a full scan region to detect at least one scan line that passes a moving object in the full scan region among the first set of scan lines; setting a second set of scan lines based on the detected scan lines; and scanning the second set of scan lines to form a first color Doppler image.

Abstract: Non-imaging mode system for acquiring cardiac parameters using Doppler acoustic signals. Some embodiments use only a single transducer, optionally aimed in an apical view. Some embodiments detect specifically peak events in the heart.

Abstract: A method includes acquiring vibrational cardiac data from an array of N transducers wherein the transducers are coupled to a human. A master replica is selected from a segment of the vibrational cardiac data. The master replica is correlated with the segment to obtain a plurality of local maxima. Vibrational cardiac data that were emitted during a diastolic interval are extracted from each heart cycle with the aid of the plurality of local maxima. A two-dimensional space-time frequency power spectrum is processed for Equivalent Rectangular Bandwidth, which provides estimates of the energy produced by turbulent blood flow through a coronary stenosis.

Abstract: The same analytic data is combined in response to different relative phases. The resulting combinations are detected. The combination associated with the maximum magnitude is then selected for further processing. As a result, the complex data is processed across a variety of possible temporal discontinuities using candidate or possible phase shifts. The phase shift with the least cancellation and the associated combination is selected to minimize motion artifact cancellation.

Abstract: An ultrasonic sensor is attached to the body to detect flow in a blood vessel. Signals from the sensor are processed to produce measures of flow during the administration of CPR such as flow velocity and flow pulsatility. The flow measures are compared with flow characteristics desirable during CPR and the result used to produce audible instructions guiding a caregiver in the administration of CPR. The flow measures may be used in conjunction with other detected physiological parameters such as compression force or depth, chest impedance, blood pressure, and ECG data to guide CPR.

Abstract: A method for identifying blood flow patterns based on contrast-enhanced ultrasound imaging and, in particular, echocardiography. The method includes indicating a blood flow type in the cavity through which imaged blood is flowing by correlating the identified blood flow pattern with a selected pattern. Further, a report indicative of a condition of the cavity can be generated based on the indicated blood flow type.

Abstract: The implantable device is capable of performing thermal dilution analysis of the cardiac output of a patient using power delivered from an external source. By using power from an external source, the implantable device conserves its power resources for other purposes, such as for pacing or defibrillation therapy. In one example, an external programmer or bedside monitor provides power through a hand-held power delivery wand via electromagnetic induction, with the power routed from a subcutaneous coil to a heating element implanted in the right atrium, which heats blood as it passes through the right atrium. In another example, the heating element is formed of a material that generates heat in response to a beam of ultrasound provided by the wand. In either case, a downstream blood temperature profile is detected using a thermistor implanted in the pulmonary artery and cardiac output is then estimated by analyzing the temperature profile.

Abstract: A volumetric method for 2-D flow imaging is provided in medical diagnostic ultrasound. Flow data for a volume is acquired. For more rapid acquisition, broad beam transmission and reception along many scan lines distributed in the volume is used. The volumetric flow data is filtered, such as by calculating statistical information, to generate a planar/2-D flow image. The statistical information from the three-dimensional flow data is used to determine the display values for the flow imaging.

Abstract: Peak blood velocity measurement for automated stenosis detection is provided. Ultrasound measurements of the peak blood velocity are corrected by a calculation of the Doppler angle, which exists from misalignment of the ultrasound transducer axis and the true blood velocity. The direction of the blood velocity and the Doppler angle are found by imaging a set of planar cross-sections of a blood vessel, such as the carotid artery, to obtain velocity maps of the blood flowing in the blood vessel. Peak blood velocity can be correlated with an amount of stenosis therefore accurate peak blood velocity measurements are necessary for medical diagnosis. Automated stenosis detection allows for implementation in many medical settings. A capacitive micromachined ultrasound transducer array is also provided to measure the planar cross-sectional images.

Abstract: A method and technique for the continuous, non-invasive measurement of blood pressure. The blood pressure measurement technique of the present invention utilizes ultrasound measurements to determine the diameter of the blood vessel in which the blood pressure is being measured as well as the flow rate of blood at both an input point and an output point along the blood vessel. The system utilizes a transmission line model to relate various blood vessel measurements with electrical components. The transmission line model, in combination with data management techniques including state variable representations and Kalman filtering, is used to develop a blood pressure measurement in real time.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for continuously measuring the absolute intracranial pressure in a non-invasive manner is described by using an ultrasonic Doppler device which detects the pulsatility indexes of the blood flow inside the eye artery for both intracranial and extracranial eye artery portions. The eye in which the blood flow is monitored is subjected to a small pressure, sufficient to equalize the pulsatility index measurements of the internal and external portions of the eye artery. The pressure at which such equalization occurs is used as a reference for autocalibration of the apparatus so that continuous absolute intracranial pressure measurements may be taken over a particular sampling period.

Abstract: An oesophageal Doppler monitoring probe is comprised of an elongated flexible shaft having a distal end and a proximal end. In one embodiment, the elongated flexible shaft includes a pitched spring. The probe further includes a probe tip coupled to the distal end, wherein the probe tip includes an ultrasound transducer assembly, and a connector coupled to the proximal end, wherein the connector is configured to electrically couple the monitoring probe to a host processor. In one embodiment, the ultrasound transducer assembly may be configured to detect blood flow characteristics based on the Doppler effect.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for extracting an envelope curve of a spectrogram, for use in measurement of blood flow velocity by using spectral Doppler techniques, the method comprising steps of: processing RF ultrasound echo signals to obtain Doppler signals; performing spectral analysis on the Doppler signals, to obtain a corresponding power spectrum P(f); estimating a forward maximum frequency fmax+ and a backward maximum frequency fmax? for the Doppler signals at a predetermined moment, according to the power spectrum P(f) of the Doppler signals at the predetermined moment; determining a noise frequency range according to the two maximum frequencies, so as to estimate an average noise power E; and correcting the forward maximum frequency and the backward maximum frequency by using the average noise power E. With the method of the invention, influence from the SNR and bandwidth on the envelope curve may be reduced, so as to be useful for accurate computation of blood flow parameters.

Abstract: A method for processing Doppler signal gaps may include receiving Doppler signals during Doppler signal acquisition to obtain data of in-phase (I) component and quadrate (Q) component signals of the Doppler signals. The method may also include receiving interruption of the Doppler signals and estimating the data of the Doppler signals interrupted in the gap period filling the interrupted Doppler signals with the data of the estimated Doppler signals so that the data of the I and Q component signals in the gap period are filled to form a continuous output. The method may further include generating Doppler spectrum data or Doppler sound based on the data of the filled I and Q component signals.

Abstract: A non-invasive method for monitoring of cerebrovascular blood flow autoregulation state includes sensing intracranial blood volume waves, filtering a slow wave, respiratory wave, and pulse wave informative components from said intracranial blood volume waves, filtering slow wave and respiratory wave reference components from the pulse wave envelope, calculating a first phase shift between said slow wave informative component and said slow wave reference component, calculating a second phase shift between said respiratory wave informative component and said respiratory wave reference component, and calculating the index of evaluation of the status of cerebral autoregulation state (ICAS) from said first phase shift and said second phase shift.

Abstract: The invention relates to systems and methods for assessing blood flow in single or multiple vessels and segments, for assessing vascular health, for conducting clinical trials, for screening therapeutic interventions for effect, for assessing risk factors, for evaluating intracranial pressure and for analyzing the results in a defined manner. The invention enables direct monitoring of therapies, substances and devices on blood vessels, especially those of the cerebral vasculature. Relevant blood flow parameters include mean flow velocity, systolic acceleration, and pulsatility index. Measurement and analysis of these parameters, and others, provides details regarding the vascular health of individual and multiple vessels and a global analysis of an individual's overall vascular health. The invention is applicable as both a system and method for monitoring and improving the design, performance, marketing and use of vascular stents.

Abstract: A method, system and apparatus for ultrasonically imaging boli that are swallowed, as they are passed through the esophagus. The trajectories of the boli are tracked, and image data corresponding to the esophagus thereby identified. Analysis of boli and esophagus image data enable esophageal parameters correlated thereto to be determined.

Abstract: A system is provided for compressing one or both of the uterine arteries of a patient which is at least in part shaped to complement the shape of the exterior of the cervix, which allows the system to be self-positioning. One or more Doppler chips can be mounted or incorporated into the system which permit the practitioner to better identify the uterine artery and monitor blood flow therein. A tenaculum-like element can be further included which secures the system to the patient's cervix.