Abstract: An apparatus for displaying a moving region of interest located within a body includes a positioning system to determine a position and orientation (P&O) of a medical device as well as to track, using an internal position reference sensor, the motion of the region of interest over time. A compensation function block generates a motion compensation function based on the motion of the region of interest, which is configured to compensate for the motion of the region of interest between a first time, for example a time at which an image was acquired and a second time, for example a time at which a P&O of the device was measured. The measured P&O is corrected using the compensation function. A representation of the medical device is superimposed on the image in accordance with the corrected P&O.

Abstract: A location device is provided for determining the location of an acoustic sensor. A location process makes use of a plurality of transmit beams (wherein a beam is defined as a transmission from all transducers of an ultrasound array), with a frequency analysis to identify if there is a signal reflected from the acoustic sensor. A location is obtained from the plurality of frequency analyses.

Abstract: A method comprises: generating a shear wave in a target tissue; selecting an ultrasound transducer group in an ultrasound probe, and determining a focus position and a transmitting aperture corresponding to the ultrasound transducer group, such that a sound field boundary range formed by the ultrasound transducer group completely covers a region of interest in the target tissue; controlling the array elements to transmit ultrasound waves according to the corresponding relative time delays, so as to cause a transmitting focusing effect; receiving ultrasound echoes returned from the region of interest, obtaining echo information of different positions in the region of interest, and obtaining, according to the echo information, shear wave information corresponding to the region of interest.

Abstract: A digital transmit beamformer for an ultrasound system has a waveform sample memory which stores sequences of samples of different pulse transmit waveforms of differing pulse widths. The memory is shared by a plurality of transmit channels, each of which can access its own selected sample sequence, independent of the selections by other channels. Waveform sample readout by the channels occurs substantially simultaneously during a transmit event, producing a transmit beam from a transmit aperture with different pulse waveforms applied to different elements of the transmit aperture. Higher energy waveforms with wider pulse widths are applied to central elements of the aperture and lower energy waveforms with narrower pulse widths are applied to lateral elements of the aperture to produce an apodized transmit beam.

Abstract: Devices and methods for photoacoustic tomography are disclosed herein. One exemplary photoacoustic tomography device uses a laser to produce acoustic waves in a sample. A transducer receives the acoustic waves through a slit formed by one or more blades positioned substantially parallel to the receiving aperture of the transducer. An acoustic absorber is affixed to each of the one or more blades along a surface proximal to the transducer. A processor acquires acoustic data and reconstructs photoacoustic tomographic images based on the acquired data. Reconstructing the image involves setting reconstruction parameters, defining a reconstruction area, reconstruction position, and pixel size, and calculating an acoustic travelling path for the sample to each transducer element. The acoustic travelling paths are saved into a three-dimensional array.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging system beamforming method comprises reconfiguring the aperture at distinct beamforming instances by i) Increasing the number of channels forming the aperture at a beam forming instance while simultaneously decreasing the sampling rate with an increasing depth of focal point; ii) Increasing the number of array elements that are part of a composite element of a channel forming the aperture at a beam forming instance with an increasing depth of focal point, wherein a composite element is a plurality of individual array elements forming a single channel at a beam forming instance; and/or iii) Defining allowable delay error for each depth of focal point and selecting a base channel for each beamforming instance to form the aperture and selecting additional channels to form the aperture at the beam forming instance which have a delay error relative to the base channel less than the allowable delay error.

Abstract: A method and system for treating tissue with a combined therapy profile is disclosed. In one exemplary embodiment, ultrasound energy is used to treat numerous depths of tissue within a region of interest and the spatial and temporal properties of the ultrasound energy are varied for more effective treatment. The method and system of the present invention are configured to treat all of the tissue from the surface on down and not spare intervening tissue.

Abstract: There is provided an optical tracking system for tracking a location and a posture of a marker. The system includes an image capturing device having a first image capturing part, which captures a part of the marker to generate a light field image, and a second image capturing part, which captures an outgoing light emitted from an aperture, and a processor, which determines the posture of the marker based on a first image, which captures a part of a pattern surface and is obtained by extracting an image from the light field image at an infinite focal length, and the location of the marker based on a second image obtained by extracting an image from the light field image at a shorter focal length than the infinite focal length and a third image obtained by capturing the outgoing light emitted from the aperture to the second image capturing part.

Abstract: An apparatus (100) comprises a probe (102) including a transducer array (108) with a plurality of elements (110), a communications interface (112), and an interconnect (114) configured to route electrical signals between the plurality of elements and the communications interface. The interconnect includes a flexible printed circuit with a first surface with a first metal layer (406, 12101), a second opposing surface with a second metal layer (408, 12102), a first end (432, 1305), and a second opposing end (434, 1307). The apparatus further includes traces (430, 440, 1304, 1306, 1502, 1804) configured to readout signals from at least one of the first and second opposing ends.

Abstract: A sampled analog beamformer for ultrasound beamforming includes an array of transducers for transmitting analog signals and receiving reflected analog signals, and a sampled analog filter for filtering the received reflected analog. The sampled analog filter includes a delay line for adding a delay to each of the received reflected analog signals. Using a sampled analog filter in an ultrasound beamforming system reduces the power usage of the system and decreases the number of components in the system.

Abstract: A double-tilt in-situ nanoindentation platform for TEM (transmission electron microscope) belongs to the field of in-situ characterization of the mechanical property-microstructure relationship of materials at the nano- and atomic scale. The platform is consisted of adhesive area, support beams, bearing beams, sample loading stage and mini indenter. The overall structure of the platform is prepared by semiconductor microfabrication technology. The in-situ nanoindentation experiment can be driven by bimetallic strip, V-shaped electro-thermal beam, piezoelectric ceramics, electrostatic comb or shape memory alloys et. al. The sample is obtained by focused ion beam cutting. The integrated platform can be placed in the narrow space on the front end of the TEM sample holder, giving rise to the condition of double-axis tilt. The driving device drives the mini indenter to carry out in-situ nanoindentation, in-situ compression and in-situ bending and the like of the materials in TEM.

Abstract: A microbeamformer integrated circuit has sixty-lour microbeaauCormer channels which may be utilized with a 64-element or 128-element array transducer. Each microbeamformer channel includes a transmitter, a plurality of connection points for selectively coupling the transmitter to one or more transducer elements, a transmit/receive switch coupled to an output of the transmitter, and a receive channel including a variable delay. The connection points may be configured with only one connection point coupled to a transducer element, two connection points coupled to the same transducer element, or multiple connection points coupled to multiple transducer elements. The transmitter may also comprise a separate pulser coupled to each connection point. The receive channels are grouped in groups of sixteen which may be selectively coupled to one of two channel drivers to provide partially beamformed signals to the channels of a system beamformer.

Abstract: A transmission circuit for ultrasonic diagnosis includes a delay processing circuit that delays a transmission signal pattern and an operational circuit that calculates a delay time. A transmission timing for supplying the transmission signal pattern to a plurality of piezo electric elements corresponding to a plurality of channels is approximated by a multi-dimensional polynomial with locations of the plurality of piezo electric elements being variables so that the transmission timing becomes linear or arc-like. Coefficients in the multi-dimensional polynomial are supplied to the transmission circuit for ultrasonic diagnosis. The delay time in the delay processing circuit is determined by a first coefficient. The operational circuit calculates the delay time based on a second coefficient.

Abstract: In the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, the ultrasonic wave transmitter/receiver transmits and receives an ultrasonic beam to a subject to generate reception data; the delay correction unit corrects a delay time of the reception data to align a phase of the reception data; the reception aperture level setting unit sets two or more reception aperture levels of reception data from reception data after correction of the delay time; the image producer produces ultrasound images corresponding to the set reception aperture levels, by performing phase matching addition on the reception data after correction of the delay time; and the image quality determination unit determines image qualities of the ultrasound images corresponding to the set reception aperture levels and selects an ultrasound image having a predetermined image quality.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a transducer device has a flexible substrate and a plurality of tiles coupled to the substrate. The tiles each include a plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements and a base adjoining and supporting the plurality of piezoelectric transducer elements. The substrate has disposed therein or thereon signal lines to serve as a backplane for communication to, from and/or among integrated circuitry of the tiles. In another embodiment, the integrated circuitry of the tiles are each pre-programmed to implement any of a respective plurality of operational modes. Signals exchanged with the tiles via the flexible substrate facilitate operation of the transducer device to provide a phased array of transducer elements.

Abstract: There is set forth herein a uterine probe having one or more transducer for detecting a uterine parameter. The one or more parameter can be a fetal heart rate. The one or more parameter can be uterine contraction. In one embodiment a uterine probe can include a transducer operative to emit sound waves for detection of a fetal heart rate (FHR). In one embodiment a uterine probe can include a transducer operative to emit sound waves for detection of a uterine contraction. The one or more transducer can be of a common technology or can be of different technology. In one embodiment a uterine probe can include one or more transducer that is operative to be driven in different signaling configurations. A first signaling configuration can be a signaling configuration for detection of a fetal heart rate. A second signaling configuration can be a signaling configuration for detection of uterine contraction.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ultrasound image acquisition device (46) for use together with a console device (16, 18) to form an ultrasound imaging system (10) and a corresponding method. The ultrasound image acquisition device (46) particularly comprises a recognition device for recognizing an operating mode of the ultrasound image acquisition device, wherein the recognition device is configured to recognize the operating mode depending on a type of the console device (16, 18) and/or an applicable communication standard of the interface (50). By this, a dual purpose image acquisition probe (14) may be provided.

Abstract: A mechanically tuned rapid capacitive discharge forming apparatus and methods that utilize compliant and shock absorbing components in electrode assemblies in order to accommodate the stresses and strains of the thermally-expanding feedstock and maintain continuous electrical contact between the electrodes and the feedstock throughout the duration of the electrical discharge.

Abstract: A method for efficiently achieving full-matrix ultrasonic data capture which includes the steps of providing an ultrasound array apparatus, the ultrasound array apparatus further comprising a probe, collecting data over a plurality of inspection locations, generating a plurality of data matrices, each of the data matrices reflecting data collected at the locations, and collecting, initially, a subset of a quantity of data needed for reconstruction of each of the inspection locations. In the method, as the probe moves from collection location to collection location, a data matrix at a prior collection location is gradually filled in as the probe moves to subsequent collection locations. In certain embodiments physical scanning of a probe with few elements is replaced by electronically scanning using an array with many elements.

Abstract: A system includes a transducer configured to emit ultrasound in response to receiving an electrical signal from a driving circuit. The transducer includes a first dimension that determines a frequency of the ultrasound and a second dimension that determines an impedance of the transducer. The frequency is independent of the second dimension.

Abstract: Ultrasound imaging systems can include a probe, and a cable that can be removably connected to the probe. The probes for ultrasound imaging systems may include a transducer array that emits acoustical energy and receives return reflections of the acoustical energy, a circuit board, a transmitter mounted on the circuit board and communicatively coupled to the transducer array for transmitting information relating to the return reflections, and a housing. The housing has an interior volume and the transducer array, the circuit board, and the transmitter are positioned in the interior volume. A battery pack may be removably mounted to the housing. The battery pack may provide electrical power for the transducer array.

Abstract: Saturation of received signals and generation of artifacts that are associated with tap concentration are prevented from occurring even if the differences in the delay amount between each of transducers are small. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus comprises a plurality of ultrasound transducers, a plurality of taps, a delay amount calculator, a channel distributor, and a delay processor. The delay amount calculator calculates a first delay amount. The channel distributor specifies the minimum delay amount and the maximum delay amount from the first delay amount. Further, the channel distributor divides the range from the minimum delay amount to the maximum delay amount by the number of taps, and relates each to a tap. The channel distributor also inputs a signal output from an ultrasound transducer to the tap related to the divided range including the corresponding first delay amount.

Abstract: The invention relates to a diagnostic apparatus 1 for detecting delamination in the thickness of a panel of laminated composite. The diagnostic apparatus can be used to inspect a panel having a non-constant thickness along its length. The diagnostic apparatus comprises an ultrasonic probe 30 intended to be brought into contact with the front face of the panel to be inspected, an electronic device 40 for controlling the emission and reception of ultrasonic pulses 51 by the ultrasonic probe 30, and a display device 41 having, notably, indicators showing the presence or absence of delamination in the panel.

Abstract: A device for treatment of an ocular pathology characterized in that it comprises at least one eye ring (1) wherein the proximal end of said eye ring (1) is suitable to be applied onto the globe and a generator (2,17) to generate ultrasound beam fixed on the distal end of the eye ring (1), the generator to generate ultrasound beam presenting a concave segment shape conformed along a single curvature corresponding to a single direction wherein the concavity is designed to be tuned towards the eyeglobe.

Abstract: A method and a system to simulate ultrasound images and hence for simulating the evaluation of a subject with such images as a diagnostic tool. For the purpose of simulating ultrasound images, these images may be considered to be planar slices of a given geometry. These slices are generated from the surface geometry of the portion of the subject which would receive the ultrasound waves if the ultrasound diagnostic procedure was actually be performed. Simulating such ultrasound images may therefore be performed by determining such images from surface models, and then rendering those ultrasound images at the desired position. The rendering of such simulated ultrasound images also optionally and preferably includes the simulation of the “grainy” quality of such images.

Abstract: In an ultrasonic diagnostic device S according to the present invention, a reference signal generation unit 30 generates a reference signal to be used in correlation processing based on a direct reception signal obtained by receiving a first ultrasonic signal prior to being transmitted to a subject. Consequently, the ultrasonic diagnostic device S configured in this manner is able to generate a more suitable reference signal.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for the non-destructive inspection of a test object with a large material thickness by means of ultrasound. The apparatus includes an ultrasonic test probe with an ultrasonic transducer divided into a plurality of individually activatable transducer segments wherein the transducer segments are concentric circles or rings, or sections thereof. A first group j (j=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of transducer segments is selected in such a way that a parallel activation of these transducer segments results in a circular active surface Fj of the ultrasonic transducer (22). An ultrasound inspection of the test object is undertaken with the first group j (j=1, 2, 3, . . . ) of transducer segments, wherein they are activated in parallel.

Abstract: A beamforming method includes generating a control signal for implementing a delay time for each of a plurality of transducers of each of a plurality of two-dimensional (2D) transducer-arrays, transmitting the control signal to a plurality of driving units respectively corresponding to the plurality of 2D transducer-arrays via an interposer that electrically connects the plurality of 2D transducer-arrays to each other, and driving each 2D transducer-array of the plurality of 2D transducer-arrays with a corresponding driving unit of the plurality of driving units according to the control signal transmitted via the interposer.

Abstract: An ultrasound imaging method transmits ultrasound into a medium from a source and receives and samples signals resulting from interaction of the ultrasound with the medium for each of a plurality of sources. The sampled signals are stored. Criteria are applied to select subsets of the stored sampled signals. In some embodiments the criteria relate to locations of a source and/or receiving element corresponding to a sampled signal. Images are generated from the subsets.

Abstract: Provided is a measuring apparatus, including: a moving mechanism for moving a probe in an elevation direction; a first delay and sum circuit for performing delay and sum of reception signals at individual positions along the elevation direction to output a first add signal; a signal extraction circuit for letting an output of the first delay and sum circuit to pass through delay circuits to output in parallel first add signals obtained at different positions; a second delay and sum circuit for performing delay and sum of the first add signals output from the signal extraction circuit to output a second add signal; and an image processing circuit for generating image data by using the second add signal. Accordingly, image resolution in the elevation direction may be improved with a simple structure without deteriorating an image obtaining speed in the measuring apparatus for obtaining an ultrasonic image.

Abstract: According to an embodiment, a nuclear reactor monitoring device comprises: an ultrasonic wave transmission means which is installed on the outside surface of a reactor pressure vessel and transmits ultrasonic pulses to the interior of the reactor pressure vessel; an ultrasonic wave receiving means which is installed on the outside surface of the reactor pressure vessels and receives reflected pulses including ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic pulses reflected by an inspection object in the reactor pressure vessel; a preprocessing means which specifies and removes the reflected ultrasonic pulses generated in the wall of the reactor pressure vessel from the reflected pulse signal received by the ultrasonic wave receiving means or selectively extracts the reflected pulse signal; and a calculation means which determines the vibration of the inspection object from the reflection pulse signal processed by the preprocessing means in accordance with the observation time of the inspection object.

Abstract: A reception circuit disposed within an ultrasound probe is provided. The reception circuit includes, at least one amplifying unit configured to amplify echo signals received by ultrasound transducers, and at least one delay unit connected to the amplifying unit and including a first circuit and a second circuit each configured to apply a delay time to an output from the amplifying unit, wherein the first and second circuits each have a plurality of capacitor banks. Each capacitor bank includes two or more capacitors each configured to write therein a signal amplified by the amplifying unit, wherein the two or more capacitors are different from one another in capacitance, write switches configured to write an output current into the first and second capacitors of the two or more capacitors, and read switches configured to read the output written into the first and second capacitors.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments include a method, system, and device for conducting ultrasound interrogation of a medium. The method includes transmitting a non-beamformed or beamformed ultrasound wave into the medium, receiving more than one echoed ultrasound wave from the medium, and converting the received echoed ultrasound wave into digital data. The method may further transmit the digital data. The transmission may be wireless. The system may include a main unit, a remote unit, a locator module, transducer elements, an analog-to-digital converter in communication with the transducer elements, and a transmitter in communication with the analog-to-digital converter. The main unit and the remote unit may be part of an ultrasound imaging system and the remote unit may communicate with the main unit. The locator module may communicate with the remote unit or the main unit. The locator module may identify a location of the remote unit or the main unit.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments generally relate to non-destructive evaluation methods. More particularly, the disclosed embodiments relate to ultrasonic non-destructive evaluation methods for the evaluation of friction welded bladed discs (“blisks”). In an embodiment, a method for non-destructive evaluation of a bladed disc structure includes identifying a region of interest on the bladed disc structure; positioning an ultrasonic transducer and receiver in the region of interest; scanning the region of interest using the ultrasonic transducer and receiver to produce a scan image; and comparing the scan image against a reference image to determine the presence of an anomaly in the region of interest.

Abstract: An ultrasonic inspection apparatus includes: an ultrasonic probe apparatus including an ultrasonic transducer; a drive element selecting section that selects a required piezoelectric vibrator of the ultrasonic transducer; a signal detecting circuit that detects an electric signal dependent on a reflected echo of an ultrasonic wave emitted from the selected piezoelectric vibrator; a signal processing section that produces data on an internal image of the inspection object based on the detected reflected echo; a second display unit that combines multiple pieces of image data acquired from the signal processing section and displays an integrated visualization data result; and an second input unit that is used to perform an operation command such as a command input to start or terminate an inspection or an a command to set inspection condition.

Abstract: Frequency-steerable acoustic transducers (FSATs) that allow directional generation or sensing of waves propagating in two-dimensional domains. Directionality is the result of the spatial filtering effect produced by the characteristic shape of the sensing surface. A wavenumber spiral FSAT (WS-FSAT) maps the direction of wave sensing in the [0°, 180°] range to a specific frequency component in the spectrum of the received signal. The use of a wavenumber spiral FSAT operating in sensing mode can be used for the localization of broadband acoustic events. One configuration includes a broadband source generating guided elastic waves in an isotropic plate. The WS-FSAT records the plate response and defines the source location through a time-frequency analysis of the received signal. The frequency selective response of the WS-FSAT directly maps the dominant component of the received signal to the direction of arrival of the incoming wave, thus greatly facilitating the source localization procedure.

Abstract: An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus having an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit and receive an ultrasonic wave, a transmitter for configured to supply a signal to the ultrasonic probe and forming an ultrasonic beam, a receiver configured to receive a reception signal obtained by transmitting the ultrasonic beam to an object, a signal processor configured to form an ultrasonic image on the basis of the reception signal, a display unit configured to display the ultrasonic image, and a control unit configured to control the transmitter, the receiver, the signal processor and the display unit, comprising a setting unit configured to set an operation mode of the transmitter to a low power consumption operation mode or a high spatial resolution operation mode.

Abstract: A method of establishing position dependent focal laws and dynamically accessing these focal laws during inspection is disclosed comprising the steps of partitioning a CAD model into distinct geometric regions prior to inspection, generating a dedicated set of focal laws for each of the geometric regions, and associating each position of the scanner with one of the geometric regions. A method of compressing an A-Scan using a windowing technique is also disclosed. Additionally, methods for computing and displaying volumetric slices in real-time are disclosed. Finally, a method of firing multiple probes at different firing frequencies is disclosed, as well as a multi-probe inspection system that enables parallel firing.

Abstract: In one aspect the invention relates to a shear wave generator. The shear wave generator includes a first piezoelectric element having a first polarity in electrical communication with a first electrode; a second piezoelectric element having a second polarity in electrical communication with a second electrode, wherein the second polarity is an inverse of the first polarity; a boundary layer disposed behind both the first piezoelectric element and the second piezoelectric element; and an excitation signal generator in electrical communication with the first electrode and the second electrode, wherein the first piezoelectric element vibrates in a first direction and the second piezoelectric element vibrates in a second direction in response to an excitation signal. In one embodiment, the piezoelectric elements are disposed within an ultrasound imaging probe.

Abstract: The embodiments contemplate methods and devices for communicating an acoustic emission via an array of transducers and wirelessly communicating data via a transceiver, where the transceiver may be in communication with the array of transducers. Embodiments also contemplate providing power for the acoustic emission via a power source and providing information regarding a temperature sensor to the transceiver. The wirelessly communicated data may include the information regarding the temperature sensor. Embodiments also contemplate processing the wirelessly communicated data at a relatively remote location with respect to both the power source and the temperature sensor.

Abstract: A device is disclosed that, in an illustrative embodiment, includes an input line, a main gain component, a first local gain component, and a second local gain component. The main gain component, the first local gain component, and the second local gain component each have a communicative connection with the input line. The main gain component is configured for applying a main gain to an ultrasonic wave signal received via the input line, thereby providing a main gain signal. The first local gain component is configured for applying a first local gain to a portion of the ultrasonic wave signal within a first signal gate, and thereby providing a first local gain signal. The second local gain component is configured for applying a second local gain to a portion of the ultrasonic wave signal within a second signal gate, and thereby providing a second local gain signal.

Abstract: A method for the non-destructive material testing of a test object at least solid in some regions by subjecting the test object to ultrasonic waves and capturing the ultrasonic waves reflected within the test object. The method includes the steps, computer-supported dividing of the test object into a prescribed number of volume elements, subjecting the test object to ultrasound on a plurality of surface elements while probing the surface or at least one surface segment of the test object, capturing the sound waves reflected at the volume element while probing the plurality of surface elements on the surface or at least the surface segment of the test object, and in-phase addition of the sound waves reflected at the same volume elements and captured at various surface elements of the surface of the test object. Angle-dependent amplitude distribution is used in the sound field of the test head.

Abstract: Disclosed is a welding inspection method which does not require the inspector to be highly skilled, does not require waiting for the spot welded part to cool off, and with which the probe is not consumed or damaged. A probe temporarily mounted close to the welded part on the surface of a metal plate emits ultrasonic waves from an oblique direction with respect to the boundary surfaces between a plurality of metal plates. At this time, the probe is temporarily mounted at the position where the incident ultrasonic waves pass through the welded part at the boundary between the plurality of metal plates in an oblique direction with respect to the boundary surface. Also, a display processing means displays the intensity of the refrected ultrasonic waves. Alternatively, the display processing means displays the details of the detection result estimated based on the intensity of the reflected ultrasonic waves.

Abstract: Equipment of the invention provides ultrasonic flaw detection equipment using a volume focusing flaw detection method, the ultrasonic flaw detection equipment described below. That is, this equipment performs internal flaw detection of a material being tested, the material having a virtually circular cross-sectional shape, and transducers 1 . . . 1 are arranged in an arc along a circle exhibited by the material being tested. Array probes 10 . . . 10 are disposed so as to surround the material being tested. An exciting unit enables flaw detection of the material being tested to be performed by vertical and oblique flaw detection methods.

Abstract: Equipment of the invention uses a volume focusing flaw detection method. In a sectional view of a material m being tested, a plurality of transducers 1 . . . 1 of one of array probes 10 are arranged along one side of a rectangular shape of the material being tested, and a plurality of transducers 1 . . . 1 of the other of the array probes 10 are arranged along one of sides adjacent to the one side.

Abstract: A method and system related to phased array ultrasonic systems identifies faults in individual element on a regular basis. The method and system are based on a simple approach of calculating energy levels in response signals from each individual element and then identifying any discontinuities or unexpected drops in energy levels sensed during a typical phased array operation, by comparing responses for individual transducer elements to the group response.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for three-dimensional visualization and analysis for automatic non-destructive examination of a solid Rotor using ultrasonic phased array is disclosed. Data is acquired by scanning a solid rotor with a phased array ultrasound transducer producing a plurality of two dimensional ultrasound scans. Each of a plurality of sample points of a plurality of two dimensional ultrasound scans are associated with a corresponding 3D image point of a regular grid. A kernel function for each of the plurality of sample points defining a size and shape of a kernel located at the corresponding image point is determined. A weight is assigned to each kernel which, in one embodiment, is based on the sample point value. A value for each image point of the regular 3D grid is determined based on kernels overlapping each image point. A three-dimensional volume representing the solid rotor is then visualized.

Abstract: An ultrasonic imaging device which narrows the width of annular areas to be established, without increasing the number of channels. The controller establishes the annular areas 421 to 42p the number of which is larger than the number of signal lines, along line intersections between wave surfaces 51 to 54 of reflective waves and a multi-dimensional surface of the probe 1. The controller selects multiple annular areas (0, 0), (0, 1), and (0, 2) with focal depths differing, for example, by an integral multiple of the ultrasonic wavelength ?, out of the multiple annular areas being established, and connects the multiple transducer elements positioned within the selected multiple annular areas with an identical signal line. Accordingly, the received signals from the selected multiple annular areas arrive at multiple time points shifted by the time corresponding to the wavelength, and the signals do not cancel one another out.

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

Abstract: Methods and systems for detecting features in thin-wall structures are provided. A plurality of ultrasonic waves are generated within a thin-wall structure. At least one echo from the plurality of ultrasonic waves within the thin-wall structure is detected. The at least one echo is processed to determine a position of at least one feature in the thin-wall structure based on Embedded Ultrasonic Structure Radar (EUSR) beamforming performed in the frequency domain.