Abstract: Various approaches for microbubble-enhanced ultrasound treatment of target tissue include retrieving a treatment plan stored in memory; causing administration of an exogenous agent in accordance with the treatment plan; causing, in accordance with the treatment plan, an ultrasound transducer to transmit ultrasound waves to the target tissue and generate a focus therein in the presence of administered exogenous agent; receiving, from a monitoring system, a measured parameter value indicating a treatment condition in response to administration of the exogenous agent and transmission of the ultrasound waves during treatment; and adjusting the treatment plan based at least in part on the measured parameter value.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are described for use with an imaging device (12) configured to acquire a set of angiographic images of a lumen. At least one processor (10) includes blood-velocity-determination functionality (16) that determines blood velocity within the lumen, via image processing. Current-flow-related-parameter-determination functionality (18) determines a value of a flow-related parameter at the location based upon the determined blood velocity. Flow-related-parameter-receiving functionality (19) receives an indication of a value of a second flow-related parameter of the subject, and index-determination functionality (21) determines a value of a luminal-flow-related index of the subject at the location, by determining a relationship between the value of the current flow-related parameter and the value of the second flow-related parameter. Other applications are also described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a blood flow determination apparatus (5) comprising a speckle density determination unit (7) for determining a speckle density value being indicative of a level of a speckle density in an ultrasound image of an inner lumen of a blood vessel, which has been generated at an imaging location being behind an introduction location at which a fluid has been introduced into the blood vessel (20) with a known volumetric fluid flow rate. A blood flow rate determination unit (8) determines a blood flow value being indicative of a volumetric blood flow rate based on the determined speckle density value and the volumetric fluid flow rate. This allows determining the intravascular blood flow with an improved accuracy.

Abstract: A system and method of tracking a flexible elongate instrument within a patient is disclosed herein. The system is configured to obtain remote localization measurement data of the flexible elongate instrument and obtain elongation measurement data of the flexible elongate instrument. This data is combined and transformed to a coordinate reference frame to produce a localization of the flexible elongate instrument that is more accurate than the remote localization measurements or elongation measurement data alone. The combined localization is then provided to a localization consumer.

Abstract: Various approaches of focusing an ultrasound transducer having multiple transducer elements to a target region include generating at least one acoustic reflector in the target region; transmitting ultrasound waves to the acoustic reflector; measuring reflections off the acoustic reflector; and based at least in part on the measured reflections, adjusting the parameter value associated with the transducer element(s).

Abstract: A system and method for enhancing ultrasound images acquired at a low acoustic power to simulate an acquisition at a high acoustic power is provided. The method may include acquiring, by an ultrasound system, a first ultrasound image at a first acoustic power. The method may include processing, by at least one processor, the first ultrasound image to generate a second ultrasound image simulating a second acoustic power that is greater than the first acoustic power. The method may include presenting the second ultrasound image simulating the second acoustic power at a display system.

Abstract: A measurement and imaging instrument capable of beamforming with high speed and high accuracy without approximate calculation. The instrument includes a reception unit which receives a wave arriving from a measurement object to generate a reception signal; and an instrument main body which performs a lateral modulation while superposing two waves in a two-dimensional case and three or four waves in a three-dimensional case in beamforming processing of the reception signal in which at least one wave arriving from the measurement object is processed as being transmitted or received in the axial direction or directions symmetric with respect to the axial direction to generate a multi-dimensional reception signal, performs Hilbert transform with respect to the multi-dimensional reception signal, and performs partial derivative processing or one-dimensional Fourier transform to generate analytic signals of the multi-dimensional reception signals of the two waves or the three or four waves.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed herein for frequency adjustment in a wireless network, particularly a Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN). Embodiments of a method performed by a User Equipment (UE) are disclosed. In one embodiment, a method performed by a UE for compensating for a Doppler shift in a wireless network comprises obtaining, from a network node, a characterization of Doppler variations in a particular cell. The method further comprises tuning a local frequency reference fRef, of the UE to a received downlink frequency for the particular cell and adjusting the local frequency reference fRef, over time according to the pre-calculated characterization of Doppler variations in the particular cell. In this manner, the communication between the UE and the network node in the presence of large and varying Doppler shifts is enabled. Embodiments related to compensating for timing drift are also disclosed.

Abstract: An echogenic needle may have at least one V-shaped spiral groove formed at its distal portion adjacent to its patient end. The walls of the groove are orthogonal to each other. The groove is titled at a given angle from a neutral position toward the proximal end of the needle so that when the needle is inserted into the patient at an insertion angle under ultrasound imaging, the ultrasound wave emitted from the ultrasound transducer is reflected in a substantially reverse direction back to the transducer by at least one wall of the spiral groove. A pair of crisscrossing grooves may be spirally wound about the distal portion of the needle with each groove being tilted to the given angle to enhance echogeneity. The echogeneity of the needle may also be enhanced by increasing the pitch density of each groove while maintaining the crisscrossing groves at their neutral position.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging apparatus, a method for detecting a shear index of a vascular wall using ultrasonic waves, and a computer readable storage medium are provided. The method comprises: transmitting ultrasonic waves to an region of interest comprising a vessel; receiving the ultrasonic waves to obtain echo signals; acquiring an ultrasonic image according to the echo signals; acquiring particle jet velocities of a plurality of points in the vessel, the particle jet velocity comprising flow velocity and flow direction; determining a vascular wall in the ultrasonic image; acquiring a position to be detected of the vascular wall; calculating, according to particle jet velocities of a plurality of points near the position to be detected, the shear index of the position to be detected of the vascular wall; and displaying the ultrasonic image and the shear index of the vascular wall.

Abstract: An ultrasound system is disclosed. Embodiments in accordance with the present invention include a transducer configured to acquire pulse-echo data at each transmit frequency bandwidth of interest. In addition, a bandpass filter is configured to receive a signal of the pulse-echo data, wherein the signal is bandpass-filtered over a plurality of frequencies. Further, a processor is configured to calculate a spatial coherence of the bandpass-filtered signal. The spatial coherence of the signal is calculated in a spatial domain or a frequency domain. The spatial coherence is used to predict target conspicuity. The processor selects a preferred frequency based on and, preferably, to realize, the target conspicuity.

Abstract: Encoded transmit signals are provided to an ultrasound array such diverging ultrasound waves are sequentially transmitted. Each diverging ultrasound wave is generated by a respective set of encoded transmit signals, where each set of encoded transmit signals is encoded by a respective row of an N×N invertible orthogonal matrix. Only a selected subset of M rows, with N<M, is employed to encode the transmit signals. Sets of receive signals detected in response to the transmitted diverging ultrasound waves are decoded via a transposed matrix generated based on the invertible orthogonal matrix, with each set of decoded receive signals being associated with insonification via a subset of the ultrasound array elements in the fixed aperture. Synthetic aperture beamforming is performed on the decoded receive signals to generate an ultrasound image.

Abstract: A method for morphological identification, trajectory tracking, and velocity measurement of high-concentration microbubbles, includes collecting images of a microbubble group, performing image pre-processing, segmenting overlapped pixel blocks of the image of the microbubbles, identifying the image of the microbubbles, obtaining morphological information of each of the microbubbles, obtaining an equivalent diameter of each of the microbubbles, calculating a size distribution of the microbubbles; correlating the images of the microbubbles at two adjacent instants, and obtaining a velocity field and motion trajectory of the microbubbles. The method applies to morphological identification and correlation of high-concentration microbubbles and obtains the particle size distribution and velocity field information of the microbubbles.

Abstract: The invention presents an apparatus (6) for characterization of a condition of a vessel (12) wall of a living being (2). The relationship between temporal blood pressure (621) and blood flow (622) measurements of pulsatile blood motion within the vessel (12) is an indication of the health of the vessel (12) wall. Furthermore, the invention discloses a system (1) comprising the apparatus (6), and a method (100) of characterizing the condition of vessel (12) walls.

Abstract: Clinical assessment devices, systems, and methods are provided. A clinical assessment system, comprising a processor in communication with an imaging device, wherein the processor is configured to receive, from the imaging device, a sequence of image frames representative of a contrast agent perfused subjects tissue across a time period; classify the sequence of image frames into a plurality of first tissue classes and a plurality of second tissue classes based on a spatiotemporal correlation among the sequence of image frames by applying a predictive network to the sequence of image frames to produce a probability distribution for the plurality of first tissue classes and the plurality of second tissue classes; and output, to a display in communication with the processor, the probability distribution for the plurality of first tissue classes and the plurality of second tissue classes.

Abstract: Various approaches to focusing an ultrasound transducer includes causing the ultrasound transducer to transmit ultrasound waves to the target region; causing the detection system to indirectly measure the focusing properties; and based at least in part on the indirectly measured focusing properties, adjusting a parameter value associated with at least one of the transducer elements so as to achieve a target treatment power at the target region.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a transmission and reception circuitry configured to perform, via an ultrasound probe, a first ultrasound scan on a first region in a subject who has a contrast agent injected and a second ultrasound scan on at least a part of a second region in the subject overlapping with the first region, the second ultrasound scan including transmitting and receiving two types of ultrasound waves of which one or both of amplitude levels and phases are different from each other; and processing circuitry configured to generate a blood flow image corresponding to one frame by implementing a Doppler method on the basis of a data sequence including reception data obtained from the first ultrasound scan performed multiple times in mutually the same position within the first region to have the second ultrasound scan performed in-between and to generate a contrast-enhanced image based on a result of the second ultrasound scan performed at least one time.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system includes a transducer array with a plurality of transducer elements configured to transmit an ultrasound signal, receive echo signals produced in response to the ultrasound signal interacting with structure, and generate electrical signals indicative of the echo signals. The system further includes a beamformer configured to process the electrical signals and generate radio frequency data, an in-phase quadrature processor configured to process the radio frequency data and generate in-phase quadrature data, and a frame processor configured to envelope detect and log compress the in-phase quadrature data, producing compressed envelope data. The system further includes a time gain compensation controller configured to continuously process the in-phase quadrature data and the compressed envelope data and continuously and automatically apply time gain compensation data to an envelope data image.

Abstract: An integrated photoacoustic transducer, sensing system and method for assisting in sensing a concentration of a species in a fluid such that the integrated photoacoustic transducer includes a waveguide structure. The waveguide structure has an optical resonance spectrally overlapping a spectral absorption line or band of the species. The photoacoustic transducer includes at least one acoustic cavity formed in a portion of the waveguide structure and configured for receiving the fluid for sensing comprising the species. The at least one acoustic cavity has an acoustic resonance spectrally overlapping with a harmonic of a modulation frequency. At least one acoustic transducer comprising a deformable mechanical portion is included in the photoacoustic transducer.

Abstract: The present invention aims to obtain and provide one or more types of information desired by an operator with a high efficiency. From a probe that transmits an ultrasonic wave to a subject and receives the ultrasonic wave coming from the subject due to the transmission, a reception signal is received and the reception signal is processed. Accordingly, a movement vector indicating a movement amount and a movement direction is calculated and a movement vector distribution is determined for a plurality of points set at least two-dimensionally in the subject. A distribution of one or more desired movement vector components is extracted from the movement vector distribution.

Abstract: A method of imaging an implant device in a computing device is provided. The computing device includes a processor interconnected with a memory and a display. The method includes, at the processor: obtaining a first magnetic resonance (MR) image of a patient tissue, the first MR image containing a first magnetic field strength indicator; responsive to the implant device being inserted in the patient tissue, obtaining a second MR image of the patient tissue, the second MR image containing a second magnetic field strength indicator smaller than the first magnetic field strength indicator; registering the second MR image with the first MR image; generating a composite image from the first MR image and the second MR image; and presenting the composite image on the display.

Abstract: Disclosed is an intraluminal ultrasound imaging system, including a processor circuit in communication with an intraluminal ultrasound imaging catheter, and configured to receive a plurality of intraluminal ultrasound images obtained by the imaging catheter while the imaging catheter is moved through a body lumen of a patient. The processor circuit is further configured to determine a longitudinal translation speed of the imaging catheter based on the plurality of images and a known time interval between images, and display a speed indicator based on the longitudinal translation speed.

Abstract: A computing system and a non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions for processing ultrasound images are presented. The computing system is configured to: receive an ultrasound image that includes image data representing subdermal tissue; apply a trained neural network to the ultrasound image to generate at least one of: a pliability parameter value which indicates pliability of the subdermal tissue, one or more regions of the ultrasound image that represents damaged tissue, or an indication of presence and/or location of an entrapped nerve.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging method and an ultrasound imaging device. The method may include: determining a target imaging mode from preset imaging modes in response to the first instruction, where the preset imaging modes comprise a first contrast enhanced imaging mode and a second contrast enhanced imaging mode which have different frame rate; transmitting ultrasound waves to a target object and receiving ultrasound echoes returned from the target object according to the determined target imaging mode to obtain ultrasound echo signals; and generating a contrast enhanced image according to the ultrasound echo signals. An ultrasound imaging device is also provided.

Abstract: A measurement control apparatus includes a sensor data acquisition unit configured to acquire biological information of a user measured by a sensor, an extraction unit configured to extract a feature quantity with periodicity from the biological information acquired by the sensor data acquisition unit, an interval acquisition unit configured to acquire a period of the extracted feature quantity, a determination unit configured to determine whether or not the feature quantity will have appeared by a set end time on the basis of the acquired period of the feature quantity, and a termination processing unit configured to terminate an operation of the sensor data acquisition unit when the determination unit determines that the feature quantity will not have appeared by the set end time.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and combinations for reducing the infarct volume in a tissue of a subject undergoing ischemia or at risk of developing ischemia.

Abstract: A method can include placing a high intensity focused ultrasound (HIFU) probe proximate a first location of a designated treatment volume of a patient. The probe can include at least one transducer. The method can also include energizing the transducer to ablate a first lesion on or in the designated treatment volume, de-energizing the transducer, and focusing or moving the transducer to a second location on or in the designated treatment volume. The method can also include reenergizing the transducer to ablate a second lesion on or in the treatment volume, de-energizing the transducer, and focusing or moving the transducer to a third location on or in the designated treatment volume. The method can further include reenergizing the transducer to ablate a third lesion on or in the treatment volume, and de-energizing the transducer.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method for contrast-enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) including use of a fluid dynamics model for the analysis of dynamic contrast-enhanced ultrasound (DCEUS).

Abstract: A reception beamformer 140 includes a delay-and-sum unit 142 that performs delay-and-sum processing with respect to reception signal sequences from multiple channels based on reflected ultrasound to calculate acoustic line signal line data. The delay-and-sum unit 142, in first reception beamforming processing, synthesizes the acoustic line signal line data calculated in the delay-and-sum processing by summing acoustic line signals associated with the observation points having the same positions, and, in the second reception beamforming processing, outputs the acoustic line signal data calculated in the delay-and-sum processing as is. Time taken by the delay-and-sum unit 142 to generate the acoustic line signal line data per set of acoustic line signal line data is equal or approximately equal in the first reception beamforming processing and the second reception beamforming processing.

Abstract: Methods and systems are provided for improving image quality of ultrasound images by automatically determining one or more image quality parameters via a plurality of separate image quality models. In one example, a method for an ultrasound system includes determining a plurality of image quality parameters of an ultrasound image acquired with the ultrasound system, each image quality parameter determined based on output from a separate image quality model, and outputting feedback to a user of the ultrasound system based on the plurality of image quality parameters.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for detecting one or more objects under a surface of a water body. The method includes transmitting one or more ultrasonic waves into the water body according to a transmit beam pattern. The method further includes determining a bottom characteristic of a bottom of the water body and dynamically adjusting the transmit beam pattern, based on the bottom characteristic of the water body.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed for conducting an ultrasonic-based inspection. The systems and methods perform operations comprising: receiving a plurality of scan plan parameters associated with generating an image of at least one flaw within a specimen based on acoustic echo data obtained using full matrix capture (FMC); applying the plurality of scan plan parameters to an acoustic model, the acoustic model configured to determine a two-way pressure response of a plurality of inspection modes based on specular reflection and diffraction phenomena; generating, by the acoustic model based on the plurality of scan plan parameters, an acoustic region of influence (AROI) comprising an acoustic amplitude sensitivity map for a first inspection mode amongst the plurality of inspection modes; and generating, for display, a first image comprising the AROI associated with the first inspection mode for capturing or inspecting the image of the at least one flaw.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods for evaluating a vessel of a patient are provided. The method includes outputting, to a touch-sensitive display of a bedside controller, a screen display including: a visual representation of a first pressure ratio of pressure measurements obtained by first and second instruments positioned within a vessel while the second instrument is moved from a distal position to a proximal position relative a stenosis and the first instrument remains stationary; and a first proximal pressure waveform and a first distal pressure waveform; receiving, through the touch-sensitive display of the bedside controller, a user touch input on the first proximal pressure waveform and/or the first distal pressure waveform identifying a time at which pressure measurements were obtained; and modifying the screen display, in response to the user touch input, to further include a visual representation of the obtained pressure measurements corresponding to the identified time.

Abstract: A region-of-interest detection unit detects a region of interest from a medical image. A display control unit keeps displaying a detection result of the region of interest for a certain period of time on a monitor, in a case where a position of the region of interest is changed in accordance with a movement of the region of interest, at a detection position of the region of interest detected by the region-of-interest detection unit before the position of the region of interest is changed.

Abstract: A system and method for controlling the delivery of ultrasound energy to a subject is provided. In particular, such a system and method are capable of safely disrupting the blood-brain barrier. Ultrasound energy is delivered to produce cavitation of an ultrasound contrast agent at a selected pressure value. An acoustic signal is acquired following cavitation, from which a signal spectrum is produced. The signal spectrum is analyzed for the presence of harmonics, such as subharmonics or ultraharmonics. When subharmonics or ultraharmonics are present, the pressure value is decreased for subsequent sonications. If a previous sonication resulted in no subharmonics or ultraharmonics being generated, then the pressure value may be increased. In this manner, the blood-brain barrier can be advantageously disrupted while mitigating potentially injurious effects of the sonication.

Abstract: According to embodiment, an image processing apparatus comprising a specifying unit and a display controller. The specifying unit that specifies an acquisition position of an indicator relating to blood flow on a blood vessel-containing image collected by a medical image diagnostic apparatus. The display controller that displays the acquisition position on the blood vessel-containing image and displays the indicator on a display unit in association with the acquisition position.

Abstract: An intravenous (IV) catheter system may include a catheter hub, a needle hub and a needle shield. The needle hub may include a needle having a high friction surface part. Furthermore, embodiments may include an open and closed IV catheter system. Embodiments may include a needle hub and a shielded needle system.

Abstract: A photoacoustic measurement probe and a probe unit capable of preventing generation of artifacts in a photoacoustic measurement apparatus are obtained. In a photoacoustic measurement probe having a light emitting unit that emits measurement light toward a subject, an acoustic wave detection element that detects an acoustic wave emitted from a portion of the subject that has received the measurement light, and a housing which has a surface facing the subject at the time of use and in which the light emitting unit and the acoustic wave detection element are housed, at least one slit that is opened to the housing surface and that extends from the housing surface toward the inside of the housing is provided between the light emitting unit and the acoustic wave detection element.

Abstract: Various approaches to generating and maintaining an ultrasound focus at a target region include configuring a controller to cause transmission of treatment ultrasound pulses from a transducer having multiple transducer elements; cause the transducer to transmit focusing ultrasound pulses to the target region and generate an acoustic reflector therein; measure reflections of the focusing ultrasound pulses from the acoustic reflector; based at least in part on the measured reflections, adjust a parameter value associated with one or more transducer elements so as to maintain and/or improve the ultrasound focus at the target region.

Abstract: The present disclosure generally relates to using high frequency ultrasound to assess blood volume changes in a subject. A baseline blood volume value can be determined based on a weight of a subject or based on an initial/previous assessment test value. An image taken with the high frequency ultrasound can be retrieved. A test blood volume value can be measured in a field of view of the image. For example, the test blood volume can be determined based on a destruction/replenishment of a contrast agent during imaging by the high frequency ultrasound. A change in blood volume in the subject can be estimated by comparing the test blood volume value to the baseline blood volume value. The estimate of the change in blood volume can be used to assess a condition of the subject.

Abstract: For estimating attenuation, diffraction effects are corrected by transmitting at different frequencies using apertures sized to match the on-axis intensity profile and/or resolution cell size between the transmissions where there is no attenuation. Attenuation causes a variance in return. A rate of change is estimated from a ratio of the magnitude of the signals or displacements responsive to the transmissions. The attenuation is calculated from the rate of change over depth of the ratio.

Abstract: An ultrasound probe according to an embodiment includes: transducer elements, phase reversal processing circuitry, and delay processing circuitry. The transducer elements, each of which is configured to generate a first echo signal by receiving a reflected wave of a first ultrasound wave and to generate a second echo signal by receiving a reflected wave of a second ultrasound wave corresponding to an ultrasound wave obtained by reversing the phase of the first ultrasound wave. The phase reversal processing circuitry is configured to reverse the phase of the second echo signal. The delay processing circuitry is configured to delay the first echo signal and the phase-reversed second echo signal.

Abstract: A technique comprising: receiving a set of digital signals representative of a set of analogue electrical signals generated by radio transmissions in one or more antenna elements; generating at least two beamformed signals from the same set of digital signals; multiplying together said beamformed signals; and performing demodulation at least partially on an output of multiplying said beamformed signals.

Abstract: A steering adjustment for a needle visualization ultrasound system includes a needle, an ultrasound interface and one or more processing electronics. The ultrasound interface receives ultrasound imaging information from a first set of ultrasound firings. The processing electronics are coupled to the ultrasound interface. The processing electronics utilize the information from the first set of firings and identify the angle of the needle and the optimized steering frame angle. The processing electronics are further configured to cause a second set of firings. The second set of firings are configured for the identified needle angle and steering frame angle. The processing electronics are further configured to utilize the ultrasound information from the second set of firings to adaptively and dynamically enhance the visualization of the needle.

Abstract: Methods and systems for assessing regional variations in aqueous outflow vessels of the eye and for optimizing locations within the eye stent implantation or other surgical procedures intended to increase aqueous outflow and reduce intraocular pressure.

Abstract: A method of forming an image of a region of interest using a pulse-echo imaging device is described. The method includes the steps of transmitting a pulse, discriminating an echo of the pulse by comparison to a plurality of Hermite polynomials, and determining a color for display based on the comparison. A system for forming an image of a region of interest is also described. The system includes a pulse-echo imaging device for transmitting a pulse and a control unit in communication with the pulse-echo imaging device. The control unit is configured to discriminate an echo of the pulse by comparison to a plurality of Hermite polynomials and determine a color for display based on the comparison.

Abstract: A system and a method of ultrasound imaging includes acquiring ultrasound data, acquiring a quality parameter while acquiring the ultrasound data, determining an acquisition quality level based on the quality parameter, displaying an image generated based on the ultrasound data and displaying an ROI on the ultrasound image, where a color of the ROI represents the acquisition quality level.

Abstract: An ultrasound inspection apparatus includes a region setting section setting a plurality of regions within the inspection object; a sound velocity calculator calculating a sound velocity of each of the plurality of regions; a sound velocity obtainer obtaining a preliminary sound velocity of a region of interest; and an image quality determiner determining an image quality of the region of interest based on the preliminary sound velocity. The preliminary sound velocity obtained by the sound velocity obtainer is employed as a sound velocity of the region of interest when a determination result made by the image quality determiner is positive, and the sound velocity of the region of interest is calculated by the sound velocity calculator when the determination result is negative.

Abstract: Ultrasonic imaging is performed by constructing spatial coherence images of a target having microbubbles in it. The basis for this approach is the observation that the spatial coherence of microbubbles differs from the spatial coherence of tissue and the spatial coherence of image noise. Therefore, imaging based on spatial coherence provides a way to suppress noise signals and tissue signals relative to the microbubble signals.

Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods of evaluating risk associated with a condition of the vessel and issuing an automatic recommendation based on co-registered physiological measurements are disclosed. The includes steps of obtaining image data for the vessel of the patient, obtaining physiological measurements for the vessel of the patient, co-registering the obtained physiological measurements with the obtained image data such that the physiological measurements are associated with corresponding portions of the vessel of the patient, analyzing the co-registered physiology measurements to identify a region of interest, and outputting, to a user interface, a suggested diagnostic procedure for the region of interest based on the analysis of the co-registered physiology measurements.