Abstract: An intravascular ultrasound probe is disclosed, incorporating features for utilizing an advanced transducer technology on a rotating transducer shaft. In particular, the probe accommodates the transmission of the multitude of signals across the boundary between the rotary and stationary components of the probe required to support an advanced transducer technology. These advanced transducer technologies offer the potential for increased bandwidth, improved beam profiles, better signal to noise ratio, reduced manufacturing costs, advanced tissue characterization algorithms, and other desirable features. Furthermore, the inclusion of electronic components on the spinning side of the probe can be highly advantageous in terms of preserving maximum signal to noise ratio and signal fidelity, along with other performance benefits.

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

Abstract: Aspects of the technology described herein relate to guiding collection of ultrasound data collection using motion and/or orientation data. A first instruction for rotating or tilting the ultrasound imaging device to a default orientation may be provided. Based on determining that the ultrasound imaging device is in the default orientation, a second instruction for translating the ultrasound imaging device to a target position may be provided. Based on determining that the ultrasound imaging device is in the target position, a third instruction for rotating or tilting the ultrasound imaging device to a target orientation may be provided.

Abstract: A method for performing a surgical procedure includes generating, by a computing device, an anatomical map of a patient from a plurality of images; positioning a trocar obturator adjacent to the patient; calculating, by the computing device, a projected path of the trocar obturator; overlaying, by the computing device, the projected path of the trocar obturator with the anatomical map of the patient; and displaying the projected path of the trocar obturator and the anatomical map of the patient on a display device to define an augmented image.

Abstract: An ultrasound circuit comprising a trans-impedance amplifier (TIA) with built-in time gain compensation functionality is described. The TIA is coupled to an ultrasonic transducer to amplify an electrical signal generated by the ultrasonic transducer in response to receiving an ultrasound signal. The TIA is, in some cases, followed by further analog and digital processing circuitry.

Abstract: Provided is an ultrasonic propagation member used in contact with a test target, wherein a surface of the ultrasonic propagation member contacting the test target has a shape conforming to a surface of the test target, or an ultrasonic propagation member having at least two surfaces, wherein hardness of one surface and hardness of another surface are different.

Abstract: A system and related methods for performing nerve detection during surgical access using ultrasound testing during surgery.

Abstract: A garment includes a securing portion operable to removably secure the garment about an abdomen of a wearer; a sensor attachment portion pivotably attached to the securing portion, the sensor attachment portion including a sensor mount configured to receive and retain a sensor therein; and a sensor received in the flexible sensor mount; the securing portion and the sensor attachment portion being configured such that, when the securing portion is secured around the back of a wearer, the sensor attachment portion pivots with respect to the securing portion so as to self-position the sensor attachment portion across (a) an upper portion of the wearer's abdomen or (b) a lower portion of the wearer's abdomen; the flexible sensor mount being configured to orient a sensor received therein to be flush with skin of the wearer when the garment is worn by the wearer and to self-adjust during the course of pregnancy.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic device includes a probe configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to a subject and to receive the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject; an image processor configured to convert ultrasonic image data based on the ultrasonic wave received by the probe, into digital data; a main body configured to output the digital data output from the image processor; and a connector configured to electrically connect and disconnect the image processor with respect to the main body.

Abstract: An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a hardware processor that generates a first B mode image and a second B mode image on the basis of a first reception signal and a second reception signal whose beam width in the slice direction is narrower than the first reception signal, displays a display image on a display section, determines whether the end of the puncture needle in the display image is the actual needle point, and presents the determination result. The hardware processor presents the determination result on the basis of the first puncture needle image included in the first B mode image and the second puncture needle image included in the second B mode image.

Abstract: Provided is a composition for an acoustic wave probe including a polysiloxane mixture containing at least polysiloxane having a vinyl group and a phenyl group, polysiloxane having two or more Si—H groups in a molecular chain, and zinc oxide, a silicone resin for an acoustic wave probe, the acoustic wave probe, an acoustic wave measurement apparatus, an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, an ultrasound probe, a photoacoustic wave measurement apparatus, and an ultrasound endoscope.

Abstract: A hollow puncture needle includes: a needle body portion; a needle distal end portion that extends from the needle body portion in a distal direction and that includes a blade surface that is inclined with respect to an axis of the puncture needle; and an ultrasonic wave reflecting structure including at least one reflecting portion having a concave or hole shape that opens on an inner peripheral surface of the needle distal end portion. An inner surface of the reflecting portion includes a pair of inclined surfaces that face each other, wherein a distance between the inclined surfaces becomes smaller in a direction towards an outer peripheral surface side of the needle distal end portion. The inclined surfaces is parallel to the axis of the puncture needle.

Abstract: An integrated hysteroscopic treatment system which includes an endoscopic viewing system, a fluid management system, a resecting device and a controller for operating all the systems.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe according to an embodiment comprises an ultrasonic-transducer element array, an offset and an exterior member. The ultrasonic-transducer element array is formed by a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements. The offset is provide on an ultrasonic-transmitting and receiving side of the ultrasonic-transducer element array and includes a contact portion with a subject. The exterior member supports the offset. The offset has at least a first region that is formed by a curved surface having a first curvature and arranged in the middle of the contact portion and a second region that is formed by a curved surface having a second curvature greater than the first curvature and arranged on an edge of the contact portion.

Abstract: A medical imaging element support unit is for use in fixing a medical imaging element (26) releasably against a region of skin of a subject. The includes a support body (14), having a base for engaging with skin of a subject in use and having a coupling means (22) for releasably coupling the medical imaging element (26) to the support body in use. A pneumatic positioning mechanism facilitates adjustment of a position of the medical imaging element relative to the support body, this being fluidly supplied by an air pump mechanism. The same air pump mechanism facilitates releasable fixation of the support body (14) to the skin, through creation of a configurable suction force at the skin engagement surface.

Abstract: A user interface for a surgical robotic system includes a plurality of handles, each removably attachable to a user interface assembly by a quick release connector. The selection of handles can include handles of varying size, degree of complexity, handles adapted for laparoscopic motion, handles adapted for true cartesian motion or handles customized to surgeon anthropometric data, etc.

Abstract: In a chip-on-array approach, acoustic and electronic modules are separately formed. The acoustic stack is connected to one interposer, and the electronics are connected to another interposer. Different connection processes (e.g., using low temperature bonding for the acoustic stack and higher temperature-based interconnect for the electronics) may be used. This arrangement may allow for different pitches of the transducer elements and the I/O of the electronics by staggering vias in the interposers. The two interposers are then connected to form the chip-on-array.

Abstract: A bidirectional communication channel between a robotic lawnmower and a charging station for data communication between the robotic lawnmower and the charging station. The communication channel includes a first interface provided on the robotic lawnmower and a second interface provided on the charging station. The first and second interface are connected to each other through charging contacts and configured to communicate data in a Direct Current, DC-balanced way. Each interface is provided with an inductor in a charging power path between the charging station and the robotic lawnmower. Each inductor includes a high impedance for enabling a high data transmission rate for frequencies above 50 kHz.

Abstract: Various methods and systems are provided for a multi-frequency transducer array. In one example, the transducer array may be fabricated via a wafer scale approach, where a first comb structure, with a first type of element, is formed by dicing a first acoustic stack and a second comb structure, with a second type of element, is formed by dicing a second acoustic stack. Combining the first and second comb structures may form a multi-frequency transducer array.

Abstract: There is provided a medicinal liquid injection port to be implanted subcutaneously. A housing main body is provided with a medicinal liquid storage portion therein, an opening portion that opens the medicinal liquid storage portion, and a discharge hole that communicates with the medicinal liquid storage portion and configured to be connected with a tube. A septum attached to the opening portion of the housing main body and provided with a puncturable region that can be punctured with a puncture needle. A contrast portion is disposed in the septum over a thickness direction of the septum so as to detect the puncturable region of the septum with the ultrasonic wave. The contrast portion is provided in the septum within a thickness region of the septum and all of the contrast portion is positioned at an inner side of the septum in the thickness direction of the septum.

Abstract: A device is provided for diagnostic measurement by simultaneous multimodal analysis of a subject's head wherein the cerebral blood flow variations as well as the concentration level of oxygenation in the subject's blood are used to determine the presence and the pathophysiology of neurocognitive disorders, including the neurodegenerative disease referred to as Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic probe includes: an oscillator; a base on which the oscillator is provided; a base conductive wire portion connected to the oscillator; a bump electrode portion supplying a signal to the oscillator via the base conductive wire portion; a pad portion engaging with the bump electrode portion; and an acoustic lens provided such that a force toward the bump electrode portion is applied to the pad portion.

Abstract: A pliable cover adapted to cover an active area of an ultrasound probe is described. The ultrasound probe includes a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements. The pliable cover includes a polymer layer that holds a coupling agent (4) that couples the ultrasound transducer elements to a body surface and a regular pattern of channels extending through the pliable cover. An ultrasound probe arrangement is also described and includes the pliable cover. An ultrasound system including the ultrasound probe arrangement, and a method of positioning the ultrasound probe in a region of a body are also described.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments relate to a portable ultrasound device. Specifically, the disclosed embodiments relate to an acoustic lens positioned at an ultrasound probe. The acoustic lens may be configured for impedance matching and signal attenuation. In one embodiment, ultrasound signal attenuation is provided by forming an acoustic lens as a solid admixture of signal attenuating particles in a polymer matrix.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe including ultrasonic vibrators for transmitting ultrasound and a housing for encasing the ultrasonic vibrators. The ultrasonic probe includes a heat dissipation member encased in the housing in thermal connection with the ultrasonic vibrators and housing, and constructed separately from the housing, wherein the heat dissipation member has opposing surfaces and facing inner surfaces of the housing, the opposing surfaces being secured in close contact with the inner surfaces.

Abstract: A PMUT ultrasound transducer includes a number of PMUT transmitting elements in a membrane layer. Behind each PMUT transmitting element is a cavity in the membrane layer. The cavities are partially or completely filled with a damping material to reduce ringing of the PMUT transmitting elements. Suitable damping materials include polymers, e.g., soft epoxies, benzocyclobutene or polyimide that are dispersed into the cavities or a phase changing material such as Parylene that precipitates out of a gas phase as a polymer when cured.

Abstract: A dual frequency ultrasound transducer includes a high frequency ultrasound array and a low frequency transducer positioned behind or proximal to the high frequency ultrasound array. In one embodiment, a dampening material is positioned between a rear surface of the high frequency array and the a front surface of the low frequency array. The dampening preferably is high absorbing of signals at the frequency of the high frequency array but passes signals at the frequency of the low frequency transducer with little attenuation. In additional, or alternatively, the low frequency can angled with respect to the plane of the high frequency transducer to reduce inter-stack multipath reflections. Beamforming delays compensate for the differences in physical distances between the elements of the low frequency transducer and the plane of the high frequency transducer.

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer positioning apparatus and method that are capable of securing an ultrasound transducer in a desired position on a patient's body are disclosed. In some implementations, pressure exerted by the apparatus on the ultrasound transducer influences the angle at which the ultrasound energy is delivered to the patient's body.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (102) includes a transducer array (108) with a two-dimensional non-rectangular array of rows (110) of elements, transmit circuitry (112) that actuates the elements to transmit an ultrasound signal into a field of view, receive circuitry (114) that receives echoes produced in response to an interaction between the ultrasound signal and a structure in the field of view, and a beamformer that processes the echoes, thereby generating one or more scan lines indicative of the field of view.

Abstract: A pulmonary treatment system includes a compact configuration for delivery to an airway of a patient. An energy delivery system of the pulmonary treatment system delivers ultrasound energy to target nerve tissue in or along an airway wall of the airway radially outward from surface tissue to reduce airway resistance in a downstream airway. The pulmonary treatment system may protect tissue in the airway wall of the airway located between the target nerve tissue and the ultrasound energy delivery system by a coolant system that may also act as a coupling fluid for the emitted ultrasound energy.

Abstract: A magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system can include a processor and a memory. The processor can receive an acquired magnetic resonance (MR) dataset having a first signal-to-noise ratio (SNR). The processor can extract, from the acquired MR dataset, a first set of values corresponding to a first variable having a second SNR and a second set of values corresponding to a second variable. The processor can apply a constraint function that includes a function of the first variable and the second variable. The processor can minimize a cost function according to the constraint function to generate a cost function solution. The processor can input the first variable and the second variable into the cost function solution to generate a modified first variable having a third SNR, the third SNR being greater than the second SNR.

Abstract: A method and system are provided for guiding a needle to a target location within a subject. The system comprises a probe and a needle guide. The probe includes two or more transducers that are arranged to direct sound waves toward a target location on a subject. The needle guide can be detachably coupled to the probe, and may be used to maintain the needle within viewing planes of the transducers while the needle is inserted into the subject. To facilitate guidance of the needle, a real-time image of the target region can be produced by overlaying images produced by the two or more transducers. Such a system may provide a more adaptive and reliable way to guide the insertion of a needle, allowing for more sophisticated and fool-proof viewing planes, improved versatility, and more ergonomic needle control.

Abstract: An ultrasonic system includes an ultrasound transducer housing, an ultrasonic catheter, and a transducer mechanism. The ultrasound transducer housing contains a transducer horn configured to be connected to a signal generator. The ultrasonic catheter includes an ultrasound transmission member having a proximal end and disposed in the lumen, a sonic connector that connects the proximal end of the ultrasound transmission member with the transducer horn, a control ring, and a nesting piece configured to selectively receive the sonic connector. The control ring is operatively coupled to the nesting piece to move the nesting piece. The transducer mechanism is configured to move from a first position to a second position, and wherein the transducer mechanism is configured such that movement of the transducer mechanism from the first position to the second position engages the control ring on the catheter to move the nesting piece.

Abstract: A medical device is disclosed, which includes a motor drive device that is connected to a proximal end of an image diagnosis catheter, and that rotates a drive shaft included in the image diagnosis catheter around an axial direction and moves the drive shaft along the axial direction, and a support unit that supports the motor drive device in a state where the motor drive device is separated in a vertical direction from a laying table on which a subject P is laid.

Abstract: An image diagnosis catheter that is configured to inhibit separation of a reflective coating of an optical transceiver includes an elongated sheath having a lumen, a rotatable drive shaft disposed in the lumen of the sheath, a housing disposed at the distal end portion of the drive shaft, and an optical transceiver held in the housing. The optical transceiver has a flat surface coated with a reflective coat, which reflects light propagating in an axial direction of the drive shaft. The housing has two side wall portions disposed to interpose at least the reflecting surface of the optical transceiver therebetween.

Abstract: A medical diagnostic-imaging apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry acquires three-dimensional medical image data in which a subject is imaged. The processing circuitry extracts a movable range of a probe based on a structure of the subject shown in the three-dimensional medical image data. The processing circuitry sets a target scan region to be a subject to scanning by the probe based on the extracted movable range. The processing circuitry displays the target scan region in the three-dimensional medical image data.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system (100) includes a 2-D transducer array (102) with a first 1-D array (104, 204) of one or more rows of transducing elements (106, 2041, . . . 2046) configured to produce first ultrasound data and a second 1-D array (104, 206) of one or more columns of transducing elements (106, 2061, . . . 2066) configured to produce second ultrasound data. The first and second 1-D arrays are configured for row-column addressing. The ultrasound imaging system further includes a controller (112) configured to control transmission and reception of the first and second 1-D arrays, and a beamformer (114) configured to beamform the received first and second echoes to produce ultrasound data, and an image processor (116) configured to process the ultrasound data to generate an image, which is displayed via a display (224).

Abstract: An ultrasound transducer and a method of making this transducer, where the transducer includes at least two piezoelectric elements, oriented adjacent to each other in a stack. Each piezoelectric element includes a first surface which includes an electrode of a first polarity, a second surface which includes an electrode of a second polarity, a thickness between the first surface and the second surface, and an ultrasound transmitting surface. This surface does not include an electrode. The transducer also includes a first electrical connection between a surface of a first of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the first polarity and a surface of a second of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the first polarity and a second electrical connection between a surface of a first of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the second polarity and a surface of a second of the at least two piezoelectric elements of the second polarity.

Abstract: A portable ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided, including a flexible display and a controller which changes a layout of an image displayed on the flexible display. An image necessary for diagnosing an object is appropriately disposed on a flexible display according to a situation, and thus, the user can intuitively determine an ultrasonic image.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transducer according to an embodiment includes a piezoelectric layer, a first electrode, a second electrode, a base layer, and a substrate. The first electrode is disposed in a front side of the piezoelectric layer and extends along a first direction. The second electrode is disposed in a back side of the piezoelectric layer and extends along a second direction intersecting with the first direction. The base layer is disposed in a back side of the second electrode. The substrate is disposed in a back side of the base layer. Each of the first electrode and the second electrode includes an overlap portion where the first electrode and the second electrode overlap each other when viewed from the front side of the piezoelectric layer. The substrate is provided with a cavity on a back side of the overlap portion on each of the first electrode and the second electrode.

Abstract: Methods for performing non-invasive thrombolysis with ultrasound using, in some embodiments, one or more ultrasound transducers to focus or place a high intensity ultrasound beam onto a blood clot (thrombus) or other vascular inclusion or occlusion (e.g., clot in the dialysis graft, deep vein thrombosis, superficial vein thrombosis, arterial embolus, bypass graft thrombosis or embolization, pulmonary embolus) which would be ablated (eroded, mechanically fractionated, liquefied, or dissolved) by ultrasound energy. The process can employ one or more mechanisms, such as of cavitational, sonochemical, mechanical fractionation, or thermal processes depending on the acoustic parameters selected. This general process, including the examples of application set forth herein, is henceforth referred to as “Thrombolysis.

Abstract: A piezoelectric microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) transducer that can operate as a microphone (e.g., contact microphone) or a speaker is presented herein. The piezoelectric MEMS transducer includes a substrate, a proof mass and folded displacement sensing structures. Each folded displacement sensing structure comprises a continuous beam, a first piezoelectric stress sensor coupled to a first portion of the continuous beam, and a second piezoelectric stress sensor coupled to a second portion of the continuous beam. The first portion of the continuous beam is coupled to a respective portion of the proof mass, and the second portion of the continuous beam is coupled to a respective portion of the substrate. The first and second portions of the continuous beam come together at an acute angle. The first and second piezoelectric stress sensors output stress information responsive to a stress induced in the continuous beam by displacement of the proof mass.

Abstract: A skin-mountable device (10) is disclosed comprising a surface (11) carrying an adhesive layer (20) for adhering the device to a skin region (1) and a removable non-adhesive cover layer (30) shaped as a loop having a first loop portion (31) covering the entire adhesive layer and a second loop portion (35) returning over the first loop portion, the second loop portion containing a pull tab (37) for pulling the cover layer from the adhesive layer when the skin-mountable device is positioned on said skin region. Also disclosed is a method of affixing such a skin-mountable device (10) to a skin region (1).

Abstract: An ultrasound medical device and an ultrasound diagnostic imaging device are provided that allow orally-fed fluid food, etc. to pass through the esophagus of the subject. The ultrasound medical device includes a capsule-type main body configured to incorporate ultrasound transducers, so that the ultrasound transducers in the capsule-type main body, which has been inserted in a tubular body part of a subject, send ultrasound waves to the subject's interiors and receive reflected waves. The ultrasound medical device further includes a support configured to be incorporated in the capsule-type main body and to have a form of tube with a through-hole axially passing through the tube. The ultrasound transducers are arranged external to the tube.

Abstract: A circuit of control of ultrasound transducers, is configurable according to the type of transducers to be controlled, and includes a first terminal intended to be coupled to a first electrode of each of the transducers, and a bias switch configurable to couple the first terminal to one or the other of first and second bias nodes according to the type of transducers to be controlled.

Abstract: A device is provided for automatically assessing functional hemodynamic properties of a patient is provided, the device comprising: a housing; an ultrasound unit coupled to the housing and adapted for adducing ultrasonic waves into the patient at a vessel; a detector adapted to sense signals obtained as a result of adducing ultrasonic waves into the patient at the vessel and to record the; and a processor adapted for receiving the recorded signals as data and transforming the data for output at an interface. Other devices, systems, methods, and/or computer-readable media may be provided in relation to assessing functional hemodynamics of a patient.

Abstract: An ultrasonic probe comprising a housing, a first ultrasonic transducer array, a second ultrasonic transducer array, a first light source, and a second light source. The first ultrasonic transducer array is coupled to the housing and configured to emit a first planar ultrasonic beam in a first direction within a first plane. The second ultrasonic transducer array is coupled to the housing and configured to emit a second planar ultrasonic beam in the first direction within a second plane, which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane. The first light source is coupled to the housing and configured to project a first light line substantially within the first plane. The second light source is coupled to the housing and configured to project a second light line within a third plane, which is substantially perpendicular to the first plane and intersects the second plane at an oblique angle. The first light line intersects and is substantially perpendicular to the second light line.

Abstract: A charging device for a physiological signal transmitter is disclosed, wherein the physiological signal transmitter is to receive and transmit a physiological signal from a subcutaneous tissue of a living body, and has a first electrical connecting port. The charging device comprises a body including a placing portion, a charging module and an operating module. The placing portion disposes thereon the physiological signal transmitter, and includes a bearing surface and a first opening. The bearing surface disposes thereon the physiological signal transmitter, and the first opening aligns therewith the first electrical connecting port of the physiological signal transmitter. The charging module is accommodated in the body and includes a second electrical connecting port, a third electrical connecting port and a circuit assembly. The second electrical connecting port is disposed in the opening and protrusive beyond or beneath the bearing surface.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a non-destructive inspection (NDI) apparatus. The NDI comprises a main body and a modulated-frequency ultrasonic source, coupled to the main body. The modulated-frequency ultrasonic source comprises a low-frequency ultrasonic source, selectively operable to emit a low-frequency ultrasonic beam having a first frequency. The modulated-frequency ultrasonic source also comprises a high-frequency ultrasonic source, selectively operable to emit a high-frequency ultrasonic beam having a second frequency higher than the first frequency. The modulated-frequency ultrasonic source is configured to mix the low-frequency ultrasonic beam and the high-frequency ultrasonic beam at least at a surface of a structure to be inspected.

Abstract: A three-axis gimbal and three-axis gimbal photographing apparatus are provided. The first electromechanical coupling apparatus of the three-axis gimbal includes a first hollow motor shaft. The first hollow motor shaft has a first accommodation cavity. A second electromechanical coupling apparatus includes a second hollow motor shaft. The second hollow motor shaft has a second accommodation cavity. A pitch axis arm includes a pitch axis accommodation cavity, A roll axis component includes a first conductive wire configured in the first accommodation cavity and the roll axis arm accommodation cavity. A pitch axis component includes a second conductive wire configured in the second accommodation cavity and the pitch axis arm accommodation cavity. The first conductive wire is connected to the second conductive wire.