Abstract: Radiation pulses from a high energy therapeutic ultrasound system are used to stimulate tissue motion by radiation pressure. The tissue motion is monitored using a diagnostic ultrasound system.

Abstract: A dual-frequency band ultrasonic apparatus provides a first ultrasound signal to a region at a first frequency band and a second ultrasound signal at a second frequency band for monitoring the region. A processor controls the first and second ultrasound signals such that a predetermined phase relationship is achieved between the first frequency band signal and the second frequency band signal. The apparatus can employ a single transducer operable at both frequency bands or separate transducers for the first and second frequency bands.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting and locating brachytherapy seeds using Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA). The method exploits the presence of seed-specific repetitive echo signals in detecting seeds and determining their location. Radio frequency (rf) echo signals received from a scanned area of interest are converted to zero-mean envelope-detected signals and then processed using SSA to produce a spectral-power line (a P line). The P line indicates the relative likelihood of a seed being present. A colored P-mode image derived from a set of P lines is superimposed on a conventional ultrasound B-mode image to depict seed location.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for detecting and locating brachytherapy seeds using Singular Spectrum Analysis (SSA). The method exploits the presence of seed-specific repetitive echo signals in detecting seeds and determining their location. Radio frequency (rf) echo signals received from a scanned area of interest are converted to zero-mean envelope-detected signals and then processed using SSA to produce a spectral-power line (a P line). The P line indicates the relative likelihood of a seed being present. A colored P-mode image derived from a set of P lines is superimposed on a conventional ultrasound B-mode image to depict seed location.

Abstract: Clinical data, ultrasonic radio frequency (RF) backscatter spectral data and histological results of corresponding biopsy sites are stored in a database and are used to train a classifier suitable for real-time tissue classification and imaging. In clinical use, clinical data and ultrasonic RF backscatter data are applied as input variables to the trained classifier which assigns a likelihood of cancer (LOC) score to each pixel location in an ultrasound image. The LOC scores are then categorized by ranges, which can be established by user selected threshold values, to apply different colors or grey scale values distinguishing varying levels of suspicion (LOS) to each pixel position in real-time. This classification and display technique is especially valuable for guiding a person performing a needle biopsy of the prostate.

Abstract: An ultrasound system is provided which includes a therapy ultrasound transducer and a diagnostic ultrasound transducer and operates in accordance with a method to direct the application of the therapy ultrasound. The method includes operating the diagnostic ultrasound transducer to acquire a first ultrasound image; simultaneously operating the diagnostic ultrasound transducer and therapy ultrasound transducer for a second interval to acquire a second ultrasound image; and determining a difference in the first and second images indicative of the pattern of the therapy ultrasound transducer signal. The difference in the images, which result from enhanced non-linearities and propagation distortions induced by the high intensity therapy ultrasound, can be obtained by subtracting the two images.