УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВАЯ ЦВЕТОВАЯ КАРТА ПОТОКА ДЛЯ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ МИТРАЛЬНОЙ РЕГУРГИТАЦИИ

Изобретение относится к медицинской технике, а именно к диагностическим ультразвуковым системам визуализации. Система, формирующая цветовые изображения скорости потока и движения, содержит ультразвуковой зонд, имеющий массив преобразователей для передачи ультразвуковой энергии и приема ультразвуковых эхо-сигналов от местоположения, содержащего движущуюся ткань или текучую среду, допплеровский процессор, для выработки измерений скорости перемещения ткани или скорости кровотока, процессор количественной оценки движения, преобразующий измерения скорости во множество различных цветов для цветового допплеровского изображения, графический процессор, вырабатывающий цветовой индикатор для отображения вместе с цветовым допплеровским изображением, причем цветовой индикатор имеет конечный уровень скорости и опорный уровень для нулевой скорости. Цвета цветового индикатора выполнены с возможностью демонстрации отчетливого перехода цвета в точке между опорным уровнем и конечным уровнем скорости, причем ...

СИСТЕМА И СПОСОБ ДЛЯ ОТСЛЕЖИВАНИЯ ПРОНИКАЮЩЕГО ИНСТРУМЕНТА

Группа изобретений относится к медицинской технике, а именно к средствам отслеживания проникающего инструмента. Система содержит матрицу интраоперационных измерительных преобразователей, выполненную с возможностью генерировать сигналы из положений в матрице и обеспечивать одно или более изображений целевой области в реальном времени, проникающий инструмент, имеющий тело с по меньшей мере одним датчиком, установленным в целевом положении на теле проникающего инструмента, причем датчик реагирует на сигналы из положений в матрице, модуль обработки сигналов, выполненный с возможностью определять положение и ориентацию проникающего инструмента в соответствии с сигналами из положений в матрице, причем модуль обработки сигналов дополнительно выполнен с возможностью классифицировать среду, в которой позиционировано целевое положение, на основе реакции упомянутого по меньшей мере одного датчика на сигналы из положений в матрице, модуль наложения, выполненный с возможностью генерировать наложенное ...

УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВАЯ СИСТЕМА ВИЗУАЛИЗАЦИИ И СПОСОБ ДЛЯ ПРОЦЕДУРЫ НАВЕДЕНИЯ ПО ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЮ

... 1. Система ультразвуковой визуализации (10), включающая в себя:- ультразвуковой датчик (20), имеющий матрицу (21) измерительных преобразователей, выполненную с возможностью обеспечивать ультразвуковой сигнал приема,- блок (30) обработки объема B-режима, выполненный с возможностью генерировать объем (31) B-режима на основе ультразвукового сигнала приема,- блок (40) обработки изображений B-режима, выполненный с возможностью обеспечения текущего изображения (41) B-режима на основе объема (31) B-режима,- блок (95) сегментации сосуда, выполненный с возможностью создания трехмерной карты (51) сосудов путем выполнения методики сегментации сосуда,- память (50), выполненную с возможностью хранения предварительно полученной трехмерной карты (51) сосудов,- блок (60) совмещения, выполненный с возможностью совмещения ранее полученной трехмерной карты (51) сосудов с объемом (31) B-режима и выбирать часть (61) трехмерной карты сосудов, соответствующую текущему изображению (41) B-режима,- дисплей (16), ...

УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВАЯ ЦВЕТОВАЯ КАРТА ПОТОКА ДЛЯ ИССЛЕДОВАНИЯ МИТРАЛЬНОЙ РЕГУРГИТАЦИИ

... 1. Диагностическая ультразвуковая система, которая формирует цветовые изображения скорости потока или движения, содержащая:ультразвуковой зонд, имеющий массив преобразователей для передачи ультразвуковой энергии и приема ультразвуковых эхо-сигналов от местоположения, содержащего движущуюся ткань или текучую среду;допплеровский процессор, чувствительный к принимаемым эхо-сигналам, для выработки допплеровских измерений скорости ткани или скорости кровотока;процессор количественной оценки движения, чувствительный к допплеровским измерениям скорости, который преобразует измерения скорости во множество различных цветов для цветового допплеровского изображения;графический процессор, чувствительный к различным цветам, который вырабатывает цветовой индикатор для отображения вместе с цветовым допплеровским изображением, причем цветовой индикатор имеет конечный уровень скорости и опорный уровень для нулевой скорости, причем цвета цветового индикатора выполнены с возможностью демонстрации отчетливого ...

Verfahren und Gerät zur Anzeige der Blutströmung mittels Ultraschall

Method of and apparatus for non invasive medical imaging using waveform inversion

There is provided a non-invasive method of generating image data of intra-cranial tissue using ultrasound energy that is transmitted across a head of a subject throughthe skull of the subject. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing an ultrasound observed data set derived from a measurement of one or more ultrasound waveforms generated by at least one source of ultrasound energy, the ultrasound energy being detected by a plurality of receivers located at an opposing side of a region within the intra-cranial cavity with respect to at least one source such that thereceivers detect ultrasound waveforms from the source which have been transmitted through the skull and intra-cranial cavity, the observed data set comprising a plurality of observed data values; b) providing at least one starting model for at least a portion of the head comprising a skull component and a soft tissue component, the skull component comprising a plurality of model parameters representative of the physicalproperties ...

Method of and apparatus for non invasive medical imaging using waveform inversion

3D ultrasound imaging system for nerve block applications

The present disclosure is directed to an ultrasound imaging system for generating 3D images. The system includes an ultrasound probe having a transducer housing and a transducer transmitter. The housing has a body extending from a proximal end to a distal end along a longitudinal axis. The distal end includes an internal cavity that extends, at least, from a first side to a second side along a lateral axis of the housing. The transmitter is mounted to the first and second sides within the cavity and is configured to rotate about the lateral axis for scanning of an ultrasound beam. Thus, during operation, the transmitter is free to rotate in a clockwise direction and/or a counter-clockwise direction about the lateral axis so as to continuously scan two-dimensional (2D) images. The system may also include a controller configured to receive and organize the 2D images in real-time and generate a 3D image based on the 2D images.

METHOD, SYSTEM AND APPARATUS FOR ADAPTIVE IMAGE ACQUISITION

A method of adaptive image acquisition includes obtaining a guide image of patient tissue; receiving an intraoperative image of a portion of the patient tissue from an imaging instrument; and storing the intraoperative image. The method includes comparing the intraoperative image with the guide image to identify at least one region of the guide image matching the intraoperative image; and determining whether the at least one region identified meets at least one accuracy criterion. When the at least one region meets the at least one accuracy criterion, the guide image is rendered with an indication of the at least one region on a display. When the at least one region does not meet the at least one accuracy criterion, the method includes receiving and storing a further intraoperative image; combining the further intraoperative image with the intraoperative image; and repeating the comparing and determining.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR ENHANCED IMAGING OF OBJECTS WITHIN AN IMAGE

Systems and methods which implement a plurality of different imaging signatures in generating an image frame are shown. A first imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to subsurface regions of living tissue, for example, whereas a second imaging signature may be configured for providing relatively high quality images with respect to interventional instruments inserted into living tissue at a steep angle. Image sub-frames generated using each such different imaging signature are blended to form a frame of the final image providing a relatively high quality image of various objects within the volume being imaged.

Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment, image processing apparatus, and image processing method

Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment according to an embodiment of the invention comprises an acquisition unit (16a) and a detection unit (16b). The acquisition unit (16a) acquires fluid volume data indicating fluid information related to a fluid that flows in an area three-dimensionally scanned by ultrasonic waves. The detection unit (16b) uses the fluid information to detect an area, in which the fluid exists in the aforementioned area, and uses the detected area to detect the luminal area of a lumen in the volume data that is to be image-processed.

Ultrasound image processing

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SPATIAL COLOR FLOW FOR DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL IMAGING

Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and ultrasound image display method

TECHNIQUE BY SPECTRAL DOPPLER HAS MULTIPLE BEAMS OF THE IMAGERY OF DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL BY ULTRASOUND

Des informations Doppler Spectral distinctes spatialement sont acquises (30). Des faisceaux d'émission distincts spatialement sont formés (26) à un même instant ou en parallèle. Un ou plusieurs faisceaux de réception sont formés (28) en réponse à chaque faisceau d'émission, fournissant des échantillons pour une pluralité d'emplacements à distance latéralement les uns des autres. Un spectre est déterminé (30) pour chacun d'une pluralité d'emplacements. Suivant une autre technique, des échantillons sont acquis pour des régions différentes à des instants différents. Le balayage pour chaque région est entrelacé (40) sur la base de l'opération anatomique. Comme l'estimation (30) spectrale repose sur des séries continues dans le temps d'émission et de réception, le balayage pour les régions a lieu sur une durée suffisante pour une estimation spectrale avant que le balayage pour une région différente ait lieu. En utilisant une opération anatomique, un temps suffisant est fourni pour l'estimation ...

METHOD FOR MONITORING THE TEMPERATURE OF A TREATMENT PART BY USING AN ULTRASONIC WAVE, A DEVICE THEREOF, AND A SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT WITH THE ULTRASONIC WAVE

PURPOSE: A method for monitoring the temperature of a treatment part by using an ultrasonic wave, a device thereof, and a system for diagnosis and treatment with the ultrasonic wave are provided to efficiently perform ultrasonic wave treatment by accurately monitoring the temperature of surroundings and a tumor during the treatment of the tumor. CONSTITUTION: An obtaining unit(410) obtains an echo signal of an ultrasonic wave for treatment emitted to a treatment part. A candidate temperature image generating unit(4210) generates candidate temperature images corresponding to each temperature detecting method from the obtained echo signal by using different temperature detecting methods. A merging unit(430) merges the generated candidate temperature images by applying the accuracy of each temperature detecting method to the generated candidate temperature images. A final temperature image generating unit(4230) generates a final temperature image based on the merged result. COPYRIGHT KIPO ...

System and Method for Ultrasound Treatment

Ultrasound system with high frequency detail

An ultrasound imaging system is configured to interface with a dual frequency ultrasound transducer having one or more low frequency ultrasound arrays and one or more high frequency ultrasound arrays. The imaging system produces driving pulses for both the high frequency ultrasound array and the low frequency ultrasound imaging array. Analog echo signals are processed to produce a low frequency ultrasound image and a high frequency ultrasound image that are simultaneously displayed. Tissue shown in the high frequency ultrasound image is a portion of the tissue shown in the low frequency ultrasound image.

ELECTRICAL STIMULATION ENHANCED ULTRASOUND (ESEUS)

Embodiments provided herein generally relate to electrical stimulation enhanced ultrasound. In some embodiments, a device for ultrasound imaging is provided and includes an ultrasound head and an electrical stimulator. Ultrasound images can be taken before, during, and/or after electrical stimulation to determine if the ultrasound characteristics of a tissue have changed due to the electrical stimulation.

Ultrasound system and method of obtaining ultrasound image

A method of obtaining an ultrasound image, the method including: obtaining a bio cycle of an examinee comprising at least one section; setting an ultrasound mode corresponding to each of the at least one section of the bio cycle or a beam forming method; transmitting an ultrasound signal to an object of the examinee according to the set ultrasound mode or beam forming method, receiving an echo signal from the object, and obtaining ultrasound data; and generating an ultrasound image of the object by using the obtained ultrasound data.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS DEVICE AND OPERATING METHOD OF THE SAME

Disclosed are an ultrasound diagnosis device and an operating method of the same. The operating method of an ultrasound diagnosis device includes generating a first ultrasound image based on first ultrasound signals received from an object at a first point in time, calculating a value of at least one parameter of the object based on the first ultrasound image, generating a second ultrasound image based on second ultrasound signals received from the object at a second point in time, calculating a value of the at least one parameter of the object based on the second ultrasound image, and displaying a comparative image obtained by comparing the first and second ultrasound images and a comparative result obtained by comparing the calculated values of the at least one parameter.

System and method for visualization of tissue microvascular using ultrasound

Methods and systems for producing a visually-perceived representation of a sub-millimeter-sized blood vessel located at a depth of many centimeters in the biological tissue, in which the background clutter is suppressed (by at least 30 dB using SVT and additional 23 dB using a combination of morphology filtering and vessel enhancement filtering) as compared to an image obtained with the use of a B-mode ultrasound imaging, while at the same time maintaining the morphology of the blood vessel.

Systems and methods for improving ultrasound image quality by applying weighting factors

Systems and methods for improving the quality of ultrasound images made up of a combination of multiple sub-images include giving more weight to sub-image information that is more likely to improve a combined image quality. Weighting factor information may be determined from the geometry (e.g., angle or path length) of a location of one or more specific transducer elements relative to a specific point within a region of interest or a region of an image. In some embodiments, any given pixel (or other discrete region of an image) may be formed by combining received echo data in a manner that gives more weight to data that is likely to improve image quality, and/or discounting or ignoring data that is likely to detract from image quality (e.g., by introducing noise or by increasing point spread).

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENHANCED VISUALIZATION OF MOVING STRUCTURES WITH CROSS-PLANE ULTRASOUND IMAGES

An ultrasound probe may continuously acquire a first cross-plane image and a second cross-plane image. The second cross-plane image may intersect the first cross-plane image at a cross-plane intersection line of the first-cross plane image. A processor may receive a selection of a reference position in the first cross-plane image along the cross-plane intersection line of the first cross-plane image. The reference position may correspond with at least a portion of a structure in the first cross-plane image. The processor may track movement of the selected reference position in the first cross-plane image over time. The processor may update an image acquisition position parameter of the second cross-plane image based on the tracked reference position such that the second cross-plane image intersects the first cross-plane image at the tracked reference position. A display system may continuously and simultaneously present the acquired first cross-plane image and the acquired second-cross ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS DISPLAYING SHEAR WAVE DATA FOR OBJECT AND METHOD FOR OPERATING SAME

Provided are an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus for displaying shear wave data relating to an object and an operation method thereof. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a processor configured to obtain the shear wave data of the object with respect to each of a plurality of cross sections spaced apart by a predetermined distance and set a region of interest (ROI) in a reference cross section among the plurality of cross sections; and a display displaying a graphic user interface (GUI) representing shear wave data of a region corresponding to a same location as that of the ROI in the plurality of cross sections along a depth direction.

METHODS AND APPARATUSES FOR DETERMINING AND DISPLAYING LOCATIONS ON IMAGES OF BODY PORTIONS BASED ON ULTRASOUND DATA

Aspects of the technology described herein relate to displaying locations on images of body portions. Based on ultrasound data collected from a subject by an ultrasound device, a first location on an image of a body portion may be determined. The first location on the image of the body portion may correspond to a current location of the ultrasound device relative to a subject where the ultrasound device collected the ultrasound data. A first marker may be displayed on the image of the body portion at the first location. A second location on the image of the body portion may be determined, where the second location on the image of the body portion corresponds to a target location of the ultrasound device relative to the body portion of the subject. A second marker on the image of the body portion at the second location may be displayed. 1. An apparatus , comprising a processing device in operative communication with an ultrasound device , the processing device configured to:determine, based on first ultrasound data collected from a body portion of a subject by the ultrasound device, a first location on an image of a body portion, wherein the first location on the image of the body portion corresponds to a current location of the ultrasound device relative to the body portion of the subject where the ultrasound device collected the first ultrasound data; anddisplay a first marker on the image of the body portion at the first location.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing device is configured claim 1 , when displaying the first marker on the image of the body portion claim 1 , to display the first marker on a display screen of the processing device.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the processing device is further configured to receive the first ultrasound data from the ultrasound device.4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the processing device is further configured to update the first location of the first marker as further ultrasound data is ...

ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

Provided is an ultrasound imaging apparatus including: an ultrasound probe configured to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object and receive an eco-signal from the object; a contrast agent destructor configured to transmit acoustic energy for destructing the contrast agent introduced into the object; and a controller configured to acquire a first image including a contrast agent signal and a tissue signal on the basis of the received echo signal before the destruction of the contrast agent introduced into the object, acquire a second image including the tissue signal on the basis of the echo signal after the destruction of the contrast agent introduced into the object, and generate a third image on the basis of a subtraction between the first image and the second image.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS, METHOD FOR DISPLAYING ULTRASOUND IMAGE, AND COMPUTER PROGRAM PRODUCT

Provided is a method for displaying an ultrasonic image, the method comprising: acquiring data by transmitting ultrasound pulses to a subject and receiving echo signals reflected from the subject; detecting microcalcified tissues in the subject by analyzing the acquired data; and displaying an image representing the detected microcalcified tissues.

ULTRASOUND IMAGING DEVICE

An ultrasound imaging device, which can extract nonlinear components efficiently and improve the ultrasound penetration, is provided. The receiving means has a given reception band 74, and the lower limit frequency of the reception band 74 is the first frequency f1. The frequency band of the ultrasound wave transmitted by the transmitting means is set as the first frequency f1 or higher and 3 times of the first frequency f1 or lower (f13f1). When the ultrasound wave in such band is transmitted, the low-frequency harmonic component 72 of the nonlinear component may have higher frequency than the first frequency f1 and therefore can be received by the receiving means. Also, as most of the high-frequency harmonic components 73 can be generated in the reception band 74, most of the high-frequency harmonic components 73 can be received.

ULTRASONIC IMAGE PICKUP DEVICE AND METHOD

Provided is an ultrasound imaging apparatus that is cable of estimating a three-dimensional effect of a blood flow, by using blood-flow velocity information obtained by a color Doppler method, and presenting diagnostic information into which the three-dimensional effect is reflected. The ultrasound imaging apparatus of the present invention is provided with an ultrasound probe configured to transmit ultrasound waves to a test object and to receive echo signals reflected from the test object, and a signal processor configured to process the echo signals received by the ultrasound probe, and the signal processor estimates the three-dimensional effect of the blood flow velocity, from a difference between a first blood flow velocity estimated from the echo signals by a first method, and a second blood flow velocity estimated by a second method which is different from the first method, and generates diagnostic information into which the three-dimensional effect is reflected.

Ultrasound imaging system using an array of transducer elements and an imaging method

An ultrasound (US) system is discloses and includes a plurality of transducer elements forming a one-dimensional array and a plurality of bias voltage circuits. Each bias voltage circuit is in communication with a respective first set of the transducer elements and configured to apply a bias voltage to its respective first set of the transducer elements. The US system also included a second plurality of transmit and receive circuits. Each transmit and receive circuit is in communication with a respective second set of transducer elements and configured to stimulate signal transmission or reception of the respective second set of transducer elements.

Information processing apparatus, information processing method, and storage medium

An information processing apparatus includes an image data acquisition unit and a template data acquisition unit. The image data acquisition unit acquires a plurality of pieces of image data generated by performing a plurality of ultrasonic wave transmission and reception operations on a subject while changing an ultrasonic wave transmission and reception mode. The template data acquisition unit acquires a plurality of pieces of template data corresponding to the plurality of ultrasonic wave transmission and reception operations, respectively. The similarity information acquisition unit acquires information indicating a similarity between an image value sequence of the plurality of pieces of image data at a target position and a template data sequence of the plurality of pieces of template data at the target position.

Medical image displaying apparatus and method of displaying medical image using the same

Provided are a medical image displaying apparatus and a medical image displaying method for registering an ultrasound image with a previously obtained medical image and outputting a result of the registration, the medical image displaying method including: transmitting ultrasound signals to an object and receiving ultrasound echo signals from the object via an ultrasound probe of the medical image displaying apparatus; obtaining a first ultrasound image based on the ultrasound echo signals; performing image registration between the first ultrasound image and a first medical image that is previously obtained; obtaining a second ultrasound image of the object via the ultrasound probe; obtaining a second medical image by transforming the first medical image to correspond to the second ultrasound image; and displaying the second medical image together with the second ultrasound image.

Method and apparatus for detecting flow instability

A method of detecting flow instability includes insonating an area of interest with ultrasound wave pulses, acquiring radio frequency (RF) data from echo pulses of the ultrasound wave pulses, processing the RF data, and deriving a Doppler band-width from the processed RF data by AR modeling. Also described herein is a device for detecting flow instability. The device includes an emitter configured to insonate ultrasound wave pulses on an area of interest, a receiver configured to acquiring radio frequency (RF) data from echo pulses of the ultrasound wave pulses, and a processor configured to process the RF data, and derive a Doppler band-width from the processed RF data by AR modeling.

System and method for generating three dimensional geometric models of anatomical regions

A three-dimensional geometric model of a heart can be generated from a plurality of two-dimensional image slices of the heart collected using an intracardiac echocardiography (“ICE”) catheter. Each image slice can be associated with localization information for the ICE catheter. The image slices can be output in a plurality of voxels according to their associated localization information, thereby creating a three-dimensional geometric model of the heart. Data sufficiency of the three-dimensional model can also be graphically represented. For example, data sufficiency can be represented using voxel opacity, a one-dimensional illustration, a two-dimensional illustration, and/or a data collection cue.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD

For generating ultrasonic projection images in which various kind of ultrasonic projection images have been appropriately combined, the invention is provided with: a storage unit that stores tomographic image volume data and elastic image volume data; a volume rendering unit that generates tomographic projection images by volume rendering on the basis of the tomographic image volume data; a display device that displays the ultrasonic projection images generated by the volume rendering unit; and an operation unit for inputting commands to control the volume rendering unit. For one of the rendering spaces partitioned by a cutting plane set in the rendering space by a command input from the operation unit, the volume rendering unit renders voxels of tomographic image volume data corresponding to the voxels of elastic image volume data that have elasticity values satisfying a set threshold value, and generates and displays the tomographic projection image on the display device.

УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВАЯ СИСТЕМА И СПОСОБ ОБНАРУЖЕНИЯ СКОЛЬЖЕНИЯ ЛЕГКОГО

Группа изобретений относится к медицине и представляет собой ультразвуковую систему и способ обнаружения скольжения легкого на основе временной последовательности кадров ультразвуковых данных первой представляющей интерес области. Первая представляющая интерес область включает в себя плевральную границу легкого. Идентификатор (410) подобласти выполнен с возможностью идентификации для каждого из кадров ультразвуковых данных подобласти сканируемой области кадра ультразвуковых данных, подобласть содержит по меньшей мере часть плевральной границы; детектор (420) скольжения легкого выполнен с возможностью получения параметрической карты для подобласти на основе по меньшей мере двух кадров ультразвуковых данных временной последовательности, параметрические значения параметрической карты указывают степень движения ткани по меньшей мере между двумя ультразвуковыми кадрами; при этом детектор скольжения легкого дополнительно выполнен с возможностью извлечения данных подобластей из этих по меньшей ...

PORTABLE ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC INSTRUMENT

Ultrasonic array transducer transceiver for a hand held ultrasonic diagnostic instrument

Method for 3D imaging of mechanical assemblies transplanted into mammalian subjects

A medical imaging method is described for establishing implant configuration by measuring the positions and orientations of its components constrained by a defined kinematic relationship between them using stereo radiography images. The method allows the determination of a patient-specific implant configuration and enables accurate measurements of the pose of implant despite significant occlusions. The measurements obtained with this method can be used to determine the relative movement of an implant component relative to other components, bone or other landmark.

Noise suppression in an optoacoustic system

An optoacoustic imaging system includes an ultrasound transducer array, first and second light sources and a switching power supply that generates power for the light sources. The switching power supply includes an input for impeding its switching operation. A data acquisition unit samples the ultrasound transducer array for a first predetermined period of time after a pulse of light from the first light source and for a second predetermined period of time after a pulse of light from the second light source and stores the sampled data. A master processor utilizes the input to impede operation of the switching operation of the switching power supply during the first predetermined period of time after a pulse of light from the first light source, and during the second predetermined period of time after a pulse of light from the second light source.

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR VASCULAR MAPPING

Systems, apparatuses, methods, and non-transitory computer-readable media for mapping a section of a vasculature of a subject are described herein, including moving a probe to a first position at a body of the subject adjacent the section of the vasculature; ransmitting, by the probe, a first ultrasound beam into a first portion of the section of the vasculature through the body of the subject; receiving first ultrasound data including at least one imaging parameter of the first portion based on the first ultrasound beam; moving the probe to a second position at the body of the subject adjacent the section of the vasculature and different from the first position; transmitting, by the probe, a second ultrasound beam into a second portion of the section of the vasculature through the body of the subject; receiving second ultrasound data including the at least one imaging parameter of the second portion based on the second ultrasound beam; and constructing a map of the section of the vasculature ...

ULTRASONIC DEVICE AND OPERATION METHOD THEREFOR

ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ELASTIC IMAGE

NON-INVASIVE IMAGING APPARATUS FOR DIGESTIVE ORGAN

A non-invasive imaging apparatus for a digestive organ according to the present invention comprises: a probe including a transducer which detects ultrasound signals, which are outputted from first and second fiber bundles and a sample, to generate an ultrasound detection signal, wherein the first and second fiber bundles irradiate the sample with a laser beam; a fiber bundle laser which generates the laser beam, divides the laser beam, and provides the divided laser beam to the first and second fiber bundles; and a clinical ultrasound device which receives ultrasound detection information from the transducer and converts the ultrasound signal to image data. The probe is characterized in that the probe moves along a contrast medium flowing within a digestive organ of a sample, and the image data is a photoacoustic image. According to the present invention, potential side effects due to a contrast medium can be prevented since the contrast medium does not remain in a body but is discharged ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND OPERATING METHOD FOR THE SAME

ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING PANORAMIC IMAGE

Dual frequency plane wave ultrasound imaging system

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR ESTABLISHING PARAMETERS, PLAYBACK, AND ARTIFACT REMOVAL THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING

The invention relates to systems and methods for the operation of three-dimensional imaging systems. Systems and methods of the invention are operable to display an image of tissue, receive a selection of points from within the image, establish a boundary corresponding to the selected points, and capture a three-dimensional image of the tissue within the designated boundary.

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND CONTROL METHOD

An ultrasound diagnostic device according to one embodiment is provided with an ultrasonic probe (1) and a control unit (18). The ultrasonic probe (1) transmits and receives ultrasonic waves. The control unit (18) causes the ultrasonic probe (1) to implement a first ultrasonic scan for acquiring information pertaining to the movement of a moving body within a first scanning range, and causes the ultrasonic probe (1) to implement a second ultrasonic scan for acquiring information pertaining to the form of the tissue in a second scanning region, in which the second scanning region is divided into a plurality of divided regions and each of the sub-regions is subjected to an ultrasonic scan in the periods between the first ultrasonic scans. The first ultrasonic scan implemented by the control unit (18) is based on a method in which the reception signals acquired for each of the plurality of scanning lines that form the first scanning range are subjected to high-pass filtering in the frame direction ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

Provided is a technology capable of obtaining at high speed a three-dimensional image having good image quality, without increasing the load on an ultrasonic diagnostic device. A plurality of filter processing having different effects are performed, prior to rendering, on tomographic volume data that has completed coordinate transformation, and volume data is obtained for each. A prescribed weight is added to each voxel for each of the obtained volume data, and a three-dimensional image is generated from the volume data obtained thereby. The filter processing having different effects may be different types of filter processing such as smoothing and sharpening, the same filter processing but having different strengths, or a combination of filter processing and no filter processing.

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

Ultrasonic diagnostic equipment according to an embodiment of the invention comprises an acquisition unit (16a) and a detection unit (16b). The acquisition unit (16a) acquires fluid volume data indicating fluid information related to a fluid that flows in an area three-dimensionally scanned by ultrasonic waves. The detection unit (16b) uses the fluid information to detect an area, in which the fluid exists in the aforementioned area, and uses the detected area to detect the luminal area of a lumen in the volume data that is to be image-processed.

AN ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND A METHOD FOR IMAGING A SPECULAR OBJECT AND A TARGET ANATOMY IN A TISSUE USING ULTRASOUNC

The invention relates to a method and an ultrasonic imaging apparatus (20) for imaging a specular object (such as a biopsy needle) and a target anatomy in a tissue, whereby the specular object remains visible even when its location deviates from a target plane (21) including the target anatomy.

ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGE GUIDANCE PROCEDURE

The present invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system (10) comprising an ultrasound probe (20) having a transducer array (21) configured to provide an ultrasound receive signal. The system further comprises a B-mode volume processing unit (30) configured to generate a B-mode volume (31) based on the ultrasound receive signal, and a B-mode image processing unit (40) configured to provide a current B-mode image (41) based on the B-mode volume (31). The system further comprises a memory (50) configured to store a previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51). Also, the system comprises a registration unit (60) configured to register the previously acquired 3D-vessel map (51) to the B-mode volume (31) and to select a portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map corresponding to the current B-mode image (41). Further, the system comprises a display configured to display an ultrasound image (71) based on the current B-mode image (41) and the selected portion (61) of the 3D-vessel map (51). The present ...

Multiple Sclerosis Therapeutic Methods and Associated Devices and Systems

Methods and devices are disclosed that, in various embodiments and permutations and combinations of inventions, diagnose and treat Multiple Sclerosis or associated symptoms. In one series of embodiments, the invention consists of methods and devices for identifying patients whose Multiple Sclerosis or associated symptoms are caused or exacerbated, at least in part, by blockages of one or more of the patient's internal jugular veins (IJV) or azygous veins (AZV). In some instances, stenoses or other flow limiting structures or lesions in the patient's affected veins are identified. Further, in some instances the nature of such lesions and whether there is a significant disruption of blood pressure, or both, is ascertained. In some embodiments, methods and devices for applying one or more therapies to the blockages in the patient's IJV or AZV veins are provided.

ULTRASOUND BASED THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGING LESION VERIFICATION WITHIN A VASCULATURE

A catheter-based ultrasound imaging system configured to provide a full circumferential 360-degree view around an intra-vascular/intra-cardiac imaging-catheter-head by generating a three-dimensional view of the tissue surrounding the imaging-head over time. The ultrasound imaging system can also provide tissue-state mapping capability. The evaluation of the vasculature and tissue characteristics include path and depth of lesions during cardiac-interventions such as ablation. The ultrasound imaging system comprises a catheter with a static or rotating sensor array tip supporting continuous circumferential rotation around its axis, connected to an ultrasound module and respective processing machinery allowing ultrafast imaging and a rotary motor that translates radial movements around a longitudinal catheter axis through a rotary torque transmitting part to rotate the sensor array-tip. This allows the capture and reconstruction of information of the vasculature including tissue structure ...

Ultrasound imaging instrument visualization

A method includes transitioning, via a micro-processor, an ultrasound imaging system (100) running in a first mode (128), in which a first location and a first orientation of an elongate needle (106) of an instrument (102) at a surface (111) of an object (110) is determined based on a first signal from a tracking device (112) at least on the instrument, to a second different mode, in which a second location and a second orientation of the needle within the object is determined based on an ultrasound image representing the object, in response to determining the needle penetrated the surface of the object, wherein a beam steering angle with which the ultrasound image is acquired is determined based on the first location and the first orientation of the needle, and displaying the ultrasound image.

Multiple Sclerosis Therapeutic Methods Using Therapeutic Inflatable Occlusive Devices and Systems

Methods and devices are disclosed that, in various embodiments and permutations and combinations of inventions, diagnose and treat Multiple Sclerosis or associated symptoms. In one series of embodiments, the invention consists of methods and devices for identifying patients whose Multiple Sclerosis or associated symptoms are caused or exacerbated, at least in part, by blockages of one or more of the patient's internal jugular veins (IJV) or azygous veins (AZV). In some instances, stenoses or other flow limiting structures or lesions in the patient's affected veins are identified. Further, in some instances the nature of such lesions and whether there is a significant disruption of blood pressure, or both, is ascertained. In some embodiments, methods and devices for applying one or more therapies to the blockages in the patient's IJV or AZV veins are provided.

Method and system for ultrasound based automated detection, quantification and tracking of pathologies

An automated method for detecting a disease state is presented. The method includes identifying a bone surface in one or more image data sets, wherein the one or more data sets correspond to a region of interest in an object of interest. Furthermore, the method includes segmenting a joint capsule region corresponding to the one or more image data sets based on a corresponding identified bone surface. In addition, the method includes analyzing the segmented joint capsule region to identify the disease state. Systems and non-transitory computer readable medium configured to perform the automated method for detecting a disease state are also presented.

Methods and devices for registration of image data sets of a target region of a patient

A method for registering image data sets of a target region of a patient includes selecting a first anatomical structure only or at least partially only visible in the first image data set, and a second anatomical structure only or at least partially only visible in the second image data set, such that there is a known geometrical relationship between extended segments of the anatomical structures; automatically determining a first geometry information describing the geometry of at least a part of the first anatomical structure and a second geometry information describing the geometry of at least a part of the second anatomical structure, neither information being sufficient to enable registration of the image data sets on its own; automatically optimizing transformation parameters describing a rigid transformation of one of the anatomical structures with respect to the other and geometrical correspondences; and determining registration information from the optimized transformation parameters ...

MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS

The present invention relates to a medical imaging apparatus. The apparatus comprises an ultrasound acquisition unit including an ultrasound probe for acquiring ultrasound image data of a patient. An image data interface is provided for receiving 3D medical image data of the patient and a position determining unit for determining a position of the ultrasound probe. A calibration unit determines a transfer function between the ultrasound image data and the 3D medical image data at a plurality of positions (C) of the ultrasound probe and provides a corresponding plurality of calibrated transfer functions and calibration positions. A computation unit synchronizes the ultrasound image data and the 3D medical image data on the basis of a position of the ultrasound probe and the plurality of calibrated transfer functions, said computation unit is further adapted to weight the calibrated transfer functions on the basis of a position of the ultrasound probe. 111-. (canceled)12. A medical imaging apparatus comprising:an ultrasound probe configured to acquire ultrasound data;an electromagnetic tracker configured to determine a position of the ultrasound probe;a data base including three dimensional (3D) medical image data; and [{'sub': cal0', 'cal1, 'determine a transfer function between the ultrasound image data and the 3D medical image data at a plurality of positions (C) of the ultrasound probe and provide a corresponding plurality of calibrated transfer functions (T, T); and'}, 'synchronize the ultrasound image data and the 3D medical image data on based, at least in part, on the position of the ultrasound probe and the plurality of calibrated transfer functions., 'an image processing unit configured to13. The medical imaging apparatus of claim 12 , wherein the image processing unit is further configured to determine a plurality of calibration positions and synchronize the ultrasound image data and the 3D medical image data further based on the plurality of calibration ...

Diagnosis aiding apparatus and method to provide diagnosis information and diagnosis system thereof

A diagnosis aiding apparatus and method to provide diagnosis information is provided. The diagnosis aiding apparatus includes an information display unit configured to display a reference cross-section of an image, display diagnosis information belonging to the reference cross-section, and display diagnosis information corresponding to a different cross-section within the reference cross-section displayed.

TISSUE LESION DETECTION AND DETERMINATION USING QUANTITATIVE TRANSMISSION ULTRASOUND

The speed of sound data corresponding to transmission of ultrasound through a cancerous lesion is different than the speed of sound data corresponding to transmission of ultrasound through a benign lesion. The system can assign a coloration to a speed of sound image according to the speed of sound through the tissue as obtained from quantitative transmission ultrasound. The shape indicative of a lesion can be identified through the reflection data with the type of lesion identifiable by the coloration from the speed of sound data.

METHOD AND SYSTEMS FOR MAINTAINING POLARIZATION OF AN ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER

Various methods and systems are provided for maintaining polarization of an ultrasound probe and increasing image quality of an image generated during an imaging procedure. As one example, a method for an ultrasound imaging system may include executing one or more imaging sequences with an ultrasound transducer; and applying a repolarization sequence to the ultrasound transducer one or more of before, after, and interleaved between the one or more imaging sequences, where the repolarization sequence is separate from the one or more imaging sequences. 1. A method , comprising:executing one or more imaging sequences with an ultrasound transducer; andapplying a repolarization sequence to the ultrasound transducer one or more of before, after, and interleaved between the one or more imaging sequences, where the repolarization sequence is separate from the one or more imaging sequences.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein executing the one or more imaging sequences includes sending a sequence of imaging transmit signals adapted for imaging to transducer elements of the ultrasound transducer.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein applying the repolarization sequence includes sending one or more repolarization transmit signals adapted for repolarization of the ultrasound transducer to transducer elements of the ultrasound transducer claim 2 , where the repolarization transmit signals are different than and separate from the imaging transmit signals.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the repolarization sequence includes applying one of a unipolar or multipolar repolarization sequence where an average polarity of the repolarization sequence is in a same direction as a polarity of dipoles of a ferroelectric material of transducer elements of the ultrasound transducer.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein applying the repolarization sequence is responsive to a received user input and occurs one of prior to executing the one or more imaging sequences claim 1 , after executing ...

Systems and methods for ultrasound imaging

Techniques for processing ultrasound data. The techniques include using at least one computer hardware processor to perform obtaining ultrasound data generated based, at least in part, on one or more ultrasound signals from an imaged region of a subject; calculating shadow intensity data corresponding to the ultrasound data; generating, based at least in part on the shadow intensity data and at least one bone separation parameter, an indication of bone presence in the imaged region, generating, based at least in part on the shadow intensity data and at least one tissue separation parameter different from the at least one bone separation parameter, an indication of tissue presence in the imaged region; and generating an ultrasound image of the subject at least in part by combining the indication of bone presence and the indication of tissue presence.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR MEDICAL IMAGING AND INFORMATION DISPLAY

The present invention provides a method and a system for medical imaging and information display. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is proposed a method (10) of medical imaging and information display, comprising: acquiring (11) imaging data of each point of a plurality of points in an imaging plane or imaging volume of a subject in each mode of a plurality of different imaging modes of a medical imaging apparatus; deriving (12), for said each point, a value by applying the imaging data of the point in said each mode and the imaging data of at least one other point of said plurality of points adjacent to the point in said each mode to a predetermined model, wherein the predetermined model is selected in accordance with a clinical medical application related to the subject; constructing (13) an image based on all the derived values; and displaying (14) the constructed image to a user. Accordingly, the novel method of medical imaging and information display may reduce ...

LEARNING APPARATUS, LEARNING METHOD, AND RECORDING MEDIUM

A non-transitory computer-readable recording medium stores therein a learning program that causes a computer to execute a process including: generating a shadow image including a shadow according to a state of ultrasound reflection in an ultrasound image; generating a combined image by combining the ultrasound image and the shadow image; inputting, into a first decoder and a second decoder, an output acquired from an encoder in response to inputting the combined image into the encoder; and executing training of the encoder, the first decoder, and the second decoder, based on: reconfigured error between an output image of a coupling function and the combined image, the coupling function being configured to combine a first image output from the first decoder with a second image output from the second decoder, and an error function between an area in the first image and the shadow in the shadow image.

AUTOMATED NEEDLE ENTRY DETECTION

In one embodiment, an ultrasound imaging system is configured to receive a set of ultrasound images of a target anatomical region. The set of ultrasound images is combined to create a composite tissue frame. The ultrasound imaging system determines whether an interventional instrument is present within the ultrasound images based on a set of trained classification algorithms based on the set of ultrasound images and the composite tissue frame. If an interventional instrument is detected, the ultrasound imaging system further determines whether an additional ultrasound frame should be captured to image the interventional instrument, and the steer angle to be used for the additional ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging system determines a linear structure corresponding to the interventional instrument, and creates a blended image showing the interventional instrument and the composite tissue frame.

Ultrasonic observation apparatus, operation method of the same, and computer readable recording medium

An ultrasonic observation apparatus includes: a region of interest setting unit capable of setting information on a region of interest; a focus point calculation unit that divides the region of interest into a plurality of partial regions of interest according to the number of focus points in the region of interest, calculates a focus point in each of the partial regions of interest, and determines a transmission timing according to calculation results; a transmitting and receiving unit that performs a transmission-and-reception of an ultrasonic wave which is focused on the focus point; a frequency analysis unit that calculates a plurality of frequency spectra by analyzing the received ultrasonic wave with reference to the focus point; a feature data extracting unit that approximates the frequency spectra to extract feature data thereof; and an image processing unit that generates display image data based on the feature data. The focus point calculation unit does not set a focus point according ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a method for controlling the ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a processor for executing by a program: a first calculating function of, based on a first echo signal of first ultrasound transmitted to biological tissue in a subject to be examined, calculating a value relating to elasticity of said biological tissue; and a second calculating function of calculating a value of attenuation of ultrasound in said biological tissue; and a display device on which a first image produced based on a first two-dimensional (2D) color map CM is displayed, wherein said color map CM defines a display mode according to the value relating to elasticity of said biological tissue and the value of attenuation in said biological tissue. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising: a first calculating function for, based on a first echo signal of first ultrasound transmitted to biological tissue in a subject to be examined, calculating a value relating to elasticity of said biological tissue; and', 'a second calculating function for calculating a value of attenuation of ultrasound in said biological tissue; and, 'a processor for executing by a programa display device on which is displayed a first image having a display mode according to the value relating to elasticity of said biological tissue and the value of attenuation in said biological tissue, and representing said biological tissue.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein: said value of attenuation is one value representative of attenuation of ultrasound in a region in said biological tissue corresponding to said first image or is comprised of a plurality of values each calculated for each of a plurality of portions of the region in said biological tissue corresponding to said first image.3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus as recited in claim 1 , wherein: said processor executes by a program a data creating ...

INTRALUMINAL IMAGING DEVICES WITH MULTIPLE CENTER FREQUENCIES

Intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging devices, systems, and method are provided. In one embodiment, an IVUS imaging device includes a flexible elongate member configured to be positioned within a lumen of a patient, the flexible elongate member comprising a proximal portion and a distal portion; and an imaging assembly disposed at the distal portion of the flexible elongate member. The imaging assembly includes a first ultrasound transducer operating at a first center frequency; and a second ultrasound transducer operating at a second center frequency different from the first center frequency.

ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT OF VESSEL STENOSIS

An ultrasound system is used to measure the percent stenosis of a vessel in terms of residual lumen area. A measurement of volume blood flow is made at an unobstructed point of the vessel near the site of the stenosis. A measurement of the time averaged mean blood flow velocity is made at the stenosis. The quotient of these two values is computed to produce an estimate of the residual lumen area and the percent stenosis at site of the obstruction.

APPARATUS, METHOD, AND PROGRAM FOR OBTAINING INFORMATION DERIVED FROM ULTRASONIC WAVES AND PHOTOACOUSTIC WAVES

An apparatus according to an aspect of the present invention includes a first obtaining unit configured to obtain an ultrasound image generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an object, a display control unit configured to control a display unit to display the ultrasound image, a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a photoacoustic signal generated by receiving photoacoustic waves generated from light irradiated to the object, and a saving control unit configured to obtain information representing a save instruction given when the ultrasound image is being displayed, and configured to save in a storage unit the ultrasound image corresponding to a time point of the save instruction and information derived from the photoacoustic signal based on the information representing the save instruction. 1. An apparatus comprising:a first obtaining unit configured to obtain an ultrasound image generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an object;a display control unit configured to control a display unit to display the ultrasound image;a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a photoacoustic signal generated by receiving photoacoustic waves generated from light irradiated to the object; anda saving control unit configured to obtain information representing a save instruction given when the ultrasound image is being displayed, and configured to save in a storage unit the ultrasound image corresponding to a time point of the save instruction and information derived from the photoacoustic signal based on the information representing the save instruction.2. An apparatus comprising:a first obtaining unit configured to obtain an ultrasound image generated by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves to and from an object;a second obtaining unit configured to obtain a photoacoustic signal generated by receiving photoacoustic waves generated from light irradiated to the object;a display control unit configured to execute ...

System and Method for Visualization of Tissue Microvasculature Using Ultrasound

Methods and systems for producing a visually-perceived representation of a sub-millimeter-sized blood vessel located at a depth of many centimeters in the biological tissue, in which the background clutter is suppressed (by at least 30 dB using SVT and additional 23 dB using a combination of morphology filtering and vessel enhancement filtering) as compared to an image obtained with the use of a B-mode ultrasound imaging, while at the same time maintaining the morphology of the blood vessel.

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

Provided is a technology capable of obtaining at high speed a three-dimensional image having good image quality, without increasing the load on an ultrasonic diagnostic device. A plurality of filter processing having different effects are performed, prior to rendering, on tomographic volume data that has completed coordinate transformation, and volume data is obtained for each. A prescribed weight is added to each voxel for each of the obtained volume data, and a three-dimensional image is generated from the volume data obtained thereby. The filter processing having different effects may be different types of filter processing such as smoothing and sharpening, the same filter processing but having different strengths, or a combination of filter processing and no filter processing.

ФИЛЬТР ПУЛЬСАЦИИ СТЕНОК СОСУДОВ ДЛЯ УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВОГО АНАЛИЗА МИТРАЛЬНОЙ РЕГУРГИТАЦИИ

Изобретение относится к медицинской технике, а именно к ультразвуковым диагностическим системам. Диагностическая ультразвуковая система для измерения регургитирующего потока содержит ультразвуковой зонд, процессор изображений, фильтр пульсаций стенок сосудов, чувствительный к принятым отраженным сигналам, имеющий характеристику отклика, простирающуюся от нуля до пределов Найквиста, составляющих ±1, при этом характеристика отклика имеет только один максимум в диапазоне от 1/2 до 2/3 Найквиста, причем характеристика отклика постепенно увеличивается от нуля до максимума, система также содержит допплеровский процессор, процессор количественной оценки потока и устройство отображения. Изобретение позволяет повысить точность измерения. 9 з.п. ф-лы, 6 ил.

УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВАЯ СИСТЕМА ВИЗУАЛИЗАЦИИ И СПОСОБ ДЛЯ ПРОЦЕДУРЫ НАВЕДЕНИЯ ПО ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЮ

Группа изобретений относится к медицинской технике, а именно к ультразвуковым системам визуализации. Система ультразвуковой визуализации включает ультразвуковой датчик, имеющий матрицу измерительных преобразователей, который обеспечивает ультразвуковой сигнал приема, блок обработки объема B-режима, который генерирует объем B-режима на основе ультразвукового сигнала приема, блок обработки изображений B-режима, обеспечивающий текущее изображение B-режима на основе объема B-режима, блок сегментации сосуда, создающий трехмерную карту сосудов путем выполнения методики сегментации сосуда до вставки инвазивного медицинского устройства во время процедуры наведения по ультразвуковому изображению, память, которая хранит предварительно полученные трехмерные карты сосудов, блок совмещения, совмещающий ранее полученные трехмерные карты сосудов с объемом B-режима и выбирающий части трехмерной карты сосудов, которые соответствуют текущему изображению B-режима, причем блок совмещения выполнен с возможностью ...

СИСТЕМА И СПОСОБ УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВОЙ ВИЗУАЛИЗАЦИИ

СПОСОБ ОБРАБОТКИ МОРФОЛОГИЧЕСКОЙ ИНФОРМАЦИИ И ИНФОРМАЦИИ ОБ ЭЛАСТИЧНОСТИ ТКАНЕЙ И УСТРОЙСТВО ОПРЕДЕЛЕНИЯ ЭЛАСТИЧНОСТИ

АППАРАТ МЕДИЦИНСКОЙ ВИЗУАЛИЗАЦИИ

ДИСТАНЦИОННАЯ УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВАЯ ДИАГНОСТИКА С УПРАВЛЯЕМЫМ КАЧЕСТВОМ ОТОБРАЖЕНИЯ ИЗОБРАЖЕНИЙ

СИСТЕМА ОБСЛЕДОВАНИЯ С МНОЖЕСТВОМ УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВЫХ ПРЕОБРАЗОВАТЕЛЕЙ

... 1. Система (1301) обследования для обследования ассоциированного образца (1302) ткани, причем система обследования содержит- интервенционное устройство (1320), содержащее:- множество ультразвуковых преобразователей (306a-c), причем разные ультразвуковые преобразователи во множестве ультразвуковых преобразователей выполнены с возможностью получения пакетов ультразвуковой информации из пространственно разных соседних областей (1386b-c) образца ткани, когда ассоциированный образец ткани размещен рядом с множеством ультразвуковых преобразователей,- устройство (1351) отображения, выполненное с возможностью приема и визуализации пакетов ультразвуковой информации в пространственно разных областях (1141a-c) ультразвукового отображения на устройстве (1351) отображения,при этом относительные пространственные положения разных областей ультразвукового отображения совпадают с соответствующими относительными пространственными положениями разных соседних областей (1386b-c) образца ткани, исистема обследования ...

Tracking in ultrasound imaging

Method of quantifying the characteristics of an object treated with a contrast agent

Ultrasonic imaging

Apparatus and method for automatic ultrasound segmentation for visualization and measurement

A system and method for performing ultrasound scans is provided. One embodiment of the ultrasonagraphic system acquires sonogram information from a series of ultrasonic scans of a human subject. The series of ultrasound scans are taken over a portion of interest on the human subject which has their underlying bone structure or other ultrasound discernable organ that is under examination. The data from the series of scans are synthesized into a single data file that corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or 3D model of the underlying bone structure or organ of the examined human subject.

ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER ARRANGEMENT FOR A DIAGNOSTICS INSTRUMENT HANDHELD

Ultrasonic array transducer transceiver for a hand held ultrasonic diagnostic instrument

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DETERMINING MOTION OF AN ULTRASOUND PROBE INCLUDING A FORWARD-BACKWARD DIRECTEDNESS

A method and an apparatus for determining a three-dimensional directedness-determined motion are provided, including a forward-backward directedness, characterizing the motion of a movable ultrasound probe (10) during acquisition of an ultrasound image of a volume portion (2) by the ultrasound probe. The method comprises determining, by a machine-learning module (50), a motion indicator (60) indicating a three-dimensional motion between the ultrasound image frames (22); and determining, by a directedness-determining system (56), a directedness indicator (66) of the three-dimensional motion between the ultrasound image frames (22). The method further comprises determining a directedness-determined motion indicator (96) indicating the three-dimensional directedness-determined motion, including a determined the forward-backward directedness of the motion, between the ultrasound image frames (22) from the motion indicator (60) and the directedness indicator (66).

Ultrasonic device and ultrasonic imaging method

METHOD AND DEVICE FOR FUNCTIONAL BRAIN IMAGING

ULTRASONIC IMAGE APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

The objective of the present invention is to provide an ultrasonic image apparatus which displays high resolution medical images and ultrasonic images; extracts the degree of elasticity of the point of interests by using ultrasonic waves; and displays ultrasonic elasticity images. The ultrasonic image apparatus comprises: an image producing unit for producing ultrasonic elasticity images representing the elasticity of the point of interests; and a display unit for displaying the ultrasonic elasticity images with ultrasonic images and high resolution medical images combined with the ultrasonic images. COPYRIGHT KIPO 2016 (110) Transducer module (120) Position detecting unit (210) Connecting unit (220) Display unit (230) Input unit (240) Image producing unit (250) Storing unit (260) Control unit (261) Processor (262) Ram (263) Rom (270) Power supply (ob) Object ...

ACQUISITION CONTROL FOR ELASTICITY ULTRASOUND IMAGING

An acquisition setting for elasticity imaging is controlled (28) based on a detected motion (26). Rather than rely solely on a user setting, one or more acquisition parameters are automatically set (28) based on the detected motion (26). For example, the setting provides for a more rapid frame rate with less resolution in elasticity imaging for times associated with greater motion, and for less rapid frame rate with greater resolution for times associated with lesser motion. COPYRIGHT KIPO 2016 ...

초음파 치료 시스템 및 방법

... 확대된 시계 치료를 위한 방법의 다양한 실시예들이 제공된다. 방법은, 치료 영역을 영상화하는 단계, 지향성 초음파 에너지로 치료 영역을 타게팅하는 단계, 상기 치료 영역을 모니터링하는 단계, 확대된 시계의 영상화, 치료 및 모니터링 영역을 생성하기 위해 영상화 또는 위치 감지를 통해 하나 이상의 이전 치료 영역들과 공간적으로 상관시키면서 상기 치료 영역을 이동시키는 단계, 상기 확대된 시계 치료를 계속하는 단계, 및 상기 확대된 시계 치료 영역에서 적어도 하나의 초음파 유발 생물학적 효과를 달성하는 단계를 포함한다 ...

LESION DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND LESION DIAGNOSIS METHOD

ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING GUIDE LINE OF NEEDLE

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR GENERATING VOLUME IMAGE

A method of generating a volume image. The method includes: acquiring a sound generated by a cyclically moving object; classifying the acquired sound into periods corresponding to cyclic motions of the cyclically moving object; generating sub-volume images corresponding to predetermined regions of a plurality of regions that a cyclically moving object has been divided into by transmitting ultrasound signals towards the cyclically moving object and receiving response signals reflected from the cyclically moving object, at every period; and generating a volume image of the object by connecting the generated sub-volume images to one other.

Ultrasound imaging system and method for ultrasound imaging a three dimensional volume

A method of ultrasound imaging includes acquiring plural groups of ultrasound data sets in an imaged volume that at least partially encompasses an object. The groups of ultrasound data sets include ultrasound image data obtained by transmitting one or more ultrasound pulses from one or more transducer elements into different zones of the imaged volume. The method also includes arranging the ultrasound data sets into one or more temporal groups based on when the ultrasound data sets are acquired. The ultrasound data sets in each temporal group are acquired during a common time period. The method further includes constructing a three-dimensional image of the object based on the ultrasound data sets in at least one of the temporal groups.

Ultrasound probe and ultrasound diagnostic apparatus

An ultrasound probe includes a first transducer array for a B-mode image which transmits an ultrasonic beam for a B-mode image, a second transducer array for sound speed measurement which is tiltably provided and transmits an ultrasonic beam for sound speed measurement, and a tilting unit which tilts the second transducer array for sound speed measurement in accordance with the angle of an abdominal wall of the subject.

Therapeutic Inflatable Occlusive Devices, Systems, and Methods for Multiple Sclerosis, Deep Vein Thrombosis, and Pulmonary Embolism

Methods and devices are disclosed that, in various embodiments and permutations and combinations of inventions, diagnose and treat Multiple Sclerosis, Deep Vein Thrombosis, and/or Pulmonary Embolism or symptoms associated with these maladies. In one series of embodiments, the invention consists of methods and devices for identifying patients whose Multiple Sclerosis, Deep Vein Thrombosis, and/or Pulmonary Embolism or associated symptoms are caused or exacerbated, at least in part, by blockages of one or more of the patient's veins. In some instances, stenoses or other flow limiting structures or lesions in the patient's affected veins are identified. Further, in some instances the nature of such lesions and whether there is a significant disruption of blood pressure, or both, is ascertained. In some embodiments, methods and devices for applying one or more therapies to the blockages in the patient's veins are provided.

Information processing apparatus, information processing system, information processing method, and computer-readable recording medium

An information processing apparatus includes a display control unit configured to control display of a cross-sectional image along a first cross section passing through a subject and a cross-sectional image along a second cross section passing through a specified position of the subject; an acquisition unit configured to acquire an inclination of the first cross section with respect to the subject; and a setting unit configured to set the second cross section as a cross section that is parallel to the first cross section and that passes through the specified position on the basis of the acquired inclination.

Deep Vein Thrombosis Therapeutic Methods and Associated Devices and Systems

Methods and devices are disclosed that, in various embodiments and permutations and combinations of inventions, diagnose and treat Deep Vein Thrombosis or associated symptoms. In one series of embodiments, the invention consists of methods and devices for identifying patients whose Deep Vein Thrombosis or associated symptoms are caused or exacerbated, at least in part, by blockages of one or more of the patient's internal peripheral veins. In some instances, stenoses or other flow limiting structures or lesions in the patient's affected veins are identified. Further, in some instances the nature of such lesions and whether there is a significant disruption of blood pressure, or both, is ascertained. In some embodiments, methods and devices for applying one or more therapies to the blockages in the patient's peripheral veins are provided.

Therapeutic Cutting Devices, Systems, and Methods for Multiple Sclerosis, Deep Vein Thrombosis, and Pulmonary Embolism

Methods and devices are disclosed that, in various embodiments and permutations and combinations of inventions, diagnose and treat Multiple Sclerosis, Deep Vein Thrombosis, and/or Pulmonary Embolism or symptoms associated with these maladies. In one series of embodiments, the invention consists of methods and devices for identifying patients whose Multiple Sclerosis, Deep Vein Thrombosis, and/or Pulmonary Embolism or associated symptoms are caused or exacerbated, at least in part, by blockages of one or more of the patient's veins. In some instances, stenoses or other flow limiting structures or lesions in the patient's affected veins are identified. Further, in some instances the nature of such lesions and whether there is a significant disruption of blood pressure, or both, is ascertained. In some embodiments, methods and devices for applying one or more therapies to the blockages in the patient's veins are provided.

Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method for outputting ultrasound diagnostic image

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which includes: an imaging unit which forms images of a subject; a motion detection region setting unit which selects a first image from among the images which include images of the ultrasound contrast agent, selects a second image from among the images which do not include images of the ultrasound contrast agent, and sets, as a motion detection region, a region in which an amount of image change between the first image and the second image is smaller than a predetermined amount; and an output unit which outputs, as the ultrasound diagnostic image, the second image on which a position adjustment has been performed to match a position of the motion detection region set by the motion detection region setting unit and a position of a region included in the second image and similar in an image feature to the motion detection region.

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARTUS, AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

According to one embodiment, a position detection unit detects position information of an ultrasonic probe including ultrasonic transducers, with reference to a reference position. A transmission/reception unit supplies a driving signal to each transducer and generates a reception signal based on a reception echo signal generated by the transducer. Based on the reception signal, a three-dimensional data generation unit generates first three-dimensional data, in which a region corresponding to a living body tissue is specified by a specifying unit. A setting unit sets a first viewpoint based on the position information and specified region. An image generation unit generates a rendering image by rendering processing using the first viewpoint and first three-dimensional data. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:an ultrasonic probe including a plurality of ultrasonic transducers;a position detection unit configured to detect position information of the ultrasonic probe with reference to a predetermined reference position;a transmission/reception unit configured to supply a driving signal to each of the ultrasonic transducers and generate a reception signal based on each reception echo signal generated by each of the ultrasonic transducers;a three-dimensional data generation unit configured to generate first three-dimensional data based on the reception signal;a specifying unit configured to specify a region corresponding to a living body tissue in the first three-dimensional data;a setting unit configured to set a first viewpoint based on the position information and the specified region; andan image generation unit configured to generate a rendering image by rendering processing using the set first viewpoint and the first three-dimensional data.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the position detection unit is configured to update the position information in accordance with movement of the ultrasonic probe claim 1 ,the three- ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: a probe that transmits and receives ultrasound; a signal analysis unit that, when the probe scans a cross section of elevation direction of a blood vessel using ultrasound, detects a center scan line echo signal having passed through a center of the blood vessel among a plurality of scan line echo signals in the cross section of elevation direction of the blood vessel received by the probe, based on a part of each of the plurality of scan line echo signals that has a relatively small amplitude that corresponds to a reflected wave from a part of the blood vessel where blood flows; and an IMT measurement unit that computes an IMT from the center scan line echo signal. With this configuration, it is possible to provide an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of performing wide-range IMT measurements with few errors even when a blood vessel seen from a body surface is not linear. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus , comprising:a probe that transmits and receives ultrasound;a signal analysis unit that, when the probe scans a cross section of elevation direction of a blood vessel using the ultrasound, detects a center scan line echo signal having passed through a center of the blood vessel among a plurality of scan line echo signals in the cross section of elevation direction of the blood vessel received by the probe, based on a part of each of the plurality of scan line echo signals that has a relatively small amplitude that corresponds to a reflected wave from a part of the blood vessel where blood flows; andan IMT measurement unit that computes an IMT from the center scan line echo signal.2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the signal analysis unit judges claim 1 , as the center scan line echo signal claim 1 , a scan line echo signal whose part having a relatively small amplitude that corresponds to a reflected wave from the part of the blood vessel where blood flows is longest among a ...

PROVIDING MOTION PROFILE INFORMATION OF TARGET OBJECT IN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

There are provided embodiments for providing motion profile information corresponding to a motion of a target object by using vector Doppler. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: a processing unit configured to form vector information of a target object based on ultrasound data corresponding to the target object, form a Doppler mode image based on the vector information, and set a first region of interest on the Doppler mode image based on input information of a user, the processing unit being further configured to form motion profile information corresponding to the motion of the target object based on vector information corresponding to the first region of interest. 1. An ultrasound system , comprising:a processing unit configured to form vector information of a target object based on ultrasound data corresponding to the target object, form a Doppler mode image based on the vector information, and set a first region of interest on the Doppler mode image based on input information of a user, the processing unit being further configured to form motion profile information corresponding to a motion of the target object based on vector information corresponding to the first region of interest.2. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to form the vector information corresponding to a velocity and a direction of the target object in consideration of at least one transmission direction and at least one reception direction corresponding to the at least one transmission direction based on the ultrasound data.3. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , further comprising:a user input unit configured to receive the input information for setting the first region of interest on the Doppler mode image from the user.4. The ultrasound system of claim 3 , wherein the processing unit is configured to:extract vector information corresponding to the first region of interest from the vector information; ...

PROVIDING VECTOR DOPPLER IMAGE BASED ON DECISION DATA IN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

There are provided embodiments for providing a vector Doppler image based on decision data. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, an ultrasound system comprises: a processing unit configured to form vector information and additional information of a target object based on ultrasound data corresponding to the target object, wherein set decision data corresponding to the target object based on the additional information, the processing unit being further configured to form a vector Doppler mode image based on the decision data and the vector information. 1. An ultrasound system , comprising:a processing unit configured to form vector information and additional information of a target objet based on ultrasound data corresponding to the target object, wherein set decision data corresponding to the target object based on the additional information, the processing unit being further configured to form a vector Doppler mode image based on the decision data and the vector information.2. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to form the vector information corresponding to a velocity and a direction of the target object in consideration of at least one transmission direction and at least one reception direction corresponding to the at least one transmission direction based on the ultrasound data.3. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein the additional information includes at least one of power information claim 1 , variance information claim 1 , intensity value information and Doppler information of the target object.4. The ultrasound system of claim 3 , wherein the processing unit is configured to:detect the intensity value information corresponding to the target object based on the ultrasound data; andset the decision data based on the intensity value information.5. The ultrasound system of claim 4 , wherein the processing unit is configured to:perform a filtering process for filtering vector information corresponding ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

According to one embodiment, a ultrasonic transmission/reception unit transmits/receives ultrasonic waves to/from a subject through the ultrasonic probe and generates an echo signal relating to a scan surface. An image generation unit generates an ultrasonic image relating to the scan surface based on the echo signal. A filter executes filter processing with respect to the ultrasonic image and extracts image constituent elements. A feature information generation unit generates feature information indicative of an amount of change in number of the extracted image constituent elements with respect to a change in characteristics of the filter. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:an ultrasonic probe;an ultrasonic transmission/reception unit which transmits or receives ultrasonic waves to or from a subject through the ultrasonic probe and generates an echo signal relating to a scan surface;an image generation unit which generates an ultrasonic image relating to the scan surface based on the echo signal;a filter which executes filter processing with respect to the ultrasonic image and extracts image constituent elements; andfeature information generation unit which generates feature information indicative of an amount of change in number of the extracted image constituent elements with respect to a change in characteristics of the filter.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the filter executes noise reduction processing with respect to the ultrasonic image as the filter processing.3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:a database which previously stores feature information that serves as a reference with respect to the generated feature information; anda determination unit which compares the generated feature information with the feature information that is stored in the data base and serves as the reference, and determines whether the generated feature information is normal or abnormal based on a result of the comparison.4. The ...

Image processing apparatus, imaging system, and image processing method

An image processing apparatus comprises a selection unit configured to select at least a first region of interest from regions of interest set in an imaging target, an image obtainment unit configured to obtain a first image representing the imaging target, and a second image from an imaging apparatus that images at least part of the imaging target, an information obtainment unit configured to obtain information of an existence range, and a display control unit configured to add, to the first image, displays representing positions of set regions of interest, and when the second image contains the existence range of the selected region of interest, display the existence range of the selected region of interest on the second image, and when the second image contains the existence range of an unselected region of interest, hide the existence range information.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD THEREFOR

In an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment, a scan switching unit switches between scanning methods so as to perform a first scanning method by which an ultrasound wave is transmitted and received to and from each of a plurality of observation sites alternately once each if the depth on the scanning line in at least one of the observation sites is smaller than a threshold value and so as to perform a second scanning method by which an ultrasound wave is transmitted and received to and from each of the plurality of observation sites alternately in such a manner that an ultrasound wave is transmitted and received to and from at least one of the plurality of observation sites multiple times if the depth on the scanning line in the at least one of the observation sites is equal to or larger than the threshold value. 1. An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus comprising:a setting unit configured to set a plurality of observation sites;a distance judging unit configured to compare a depth on a scanning line in at least one of the plurality of observation sites with a predetermined threshold value;a scan switching unit configured to switch between scanning methods so as to perform a first scanning method by which an ultrasound wave is transmitted and received to and from each of the plurality of observation sites alternately once each if the depth on the scanning line in said at least one of the observation sites is smaller than the threshold value and so as to perform a second scanning method by which an ultrasound wave is transmitted and received to and from each of the plurality of observation sites alternately in such a manner that an ultrasound wave is transmitted and received to and from at least one of the plurality of observation sites multiple times if the depth on the scanning line in said at least one of the observation sites is equal to or larger than the threshold value;an image generating unit configured to generate a Doppler spectrum image ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD

According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus is configured to execute an imaging mode of alternately executing a continuous wave Doppler mode of acquiring time-series Doppler data by performing continuous wave transmission/reception with respect to an object and a B mode of acquiring tomogram data represented by luminance by transmitting and receiving a pulse wave to and from the object, the apparatus includes a data acquisition unit configured to acquire continuous wave Doppler data and the tomogram data by alternately executing the continuous wave Doppler mode and the B mode while switching the modes, and a display unit configured to simultaneously display Doppler spectrum information generated based on the continuous wave Doppler data and a tomogram generated based on the tomogram data. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is configured to execute an imaging mode of alternately executing a continuous wave Doppler mode of acquiring time-series Doppler data by performing continuous wave transmission/reception with respect to an object and a B mode of acquiring tomogram data represented by luminance by transmitting and receiving a pulse wave to and from the object , the apparatus comprising:a data acquisition unit configured to acquire continuous wave Doppler data and the tomogram data by alternately executing the continuous wave Doppler mode and the B mode while switching the modes; anda display unit configured to simultaneously display Doppler spectrum information generated based on the continuous wave Doppler data and a tomogram generated based on the tomogram data.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:a calculation unit configured to calculate a transient response component generated due to switching between the continuous wave Doppler mode and the B mode;a subtraction unit configured to subtract the calculated transient response component from the continuous wave Doppler data; anda generation unit configured to ...

3D TRANSURETHRAL ULTRASOUND SYSTEM FOR MULTI-MODAL FUSION

A three-dimensional transurethral ultrasound system includes a transurethral ultrasound probe, an ultrasound data processor configured to communicate with the transurethral ultrasound probe to receive ultrasound signals from the transurethral ultrasound probe and to output ultrasound imaging signals for three-dimensional ultrasound images of at least a portion of a patient's prostate, and a display system configured to communicate with the ultrasound data processor to receive the ultrasound imaging signals and to render three-dimensional ultrasound images of the at least the portion of the patient's prostate from the ultrasound imaging signals. 1. A three-dimensional transurethral ultrasound system , comprising:a transurethral ultrasound probe;an ultrasound data processor configured to communicate with said transurethral ultrasound probe to receive ultrasound signals from said transurethral ultrasound probe and to output ultrasound imaging signals for three-dimensional ultrasound images of at least a portion of a patient's prostate; anda display system configured to communicate with said ultrasound data processor to receive said ultrasound imaging signals and to render three-dimensional ultrasound images of said at least said portion of said patient's prostate from said ultrasound imaging signals.2. A three-dimensional transurethral ultrasound system according to claim 1 , further comprising an image registration unit configured to receive preoperative image data and register said preoperative image data with said three-dimensional ultrasound images.3. A three-dimensional transurethral ultrasound system according to claim 1 , wherein said preoperative image data is at least one of magnetic resonance imaging data claim 1 , x-ray computed tomography data claim 1 , positron emission tomography data claim 1 , single-photon emission computed tomography data claim 1 , or ultrasound data.4. A three-dimensional transurethral ultrasound system according to claim 1 , wherein ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR DISPLAYING THREE-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONIC IMAGE AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASONIC IMAGE

A method of displaying a 3D image and a 2D image includes the operations of acquiring the 3D image of a target object, selecting at least one cross-section of the target object based on an external input for the acquired 3D image, acquiring the 2D image by scanning the target object such as to obtain the selected at least one cross-section, and displaying the 2D image and the 3D image. 1. An apparatus for displaying a three-dimensional (3D) ultrasonic image and a two-dimensional (2D) ultrasonic image , the apparatus comprising:a 3D image acquiring unit which acquires a 3D image of a target object;a cross-section selection unit which selects at least one cross-section of the target object based on an external input for the acquired 3D image;a 2D image acquiring unit which acquires a 2D image by scanning the target object such as to obtain the selected at least one cross-section; anda display unit which displays the 2D image and the 3D image.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the 3D image acquiring unit acquires the 3D image of the target object by combining a plurality of pieces of image data that are acquired for each cycle of an ultrasound having a predetermined period.3. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein a window producing unit which produces at least one window which is to be located on the acquired 3D image; and', 'a window control unit which moves the at least one window produced on the 3D image, and, 'the cross-section selection unit comprisesthe at least one cross-section is selected from the 3D image of the target object by the cross-section selection unit so as to correspond to the location of the at least one window moved on the 3D image.4. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the 2D image acquiring unit acquires at least one 2D image by scanning the target object in the scan direction of the selected at least one cross-section.5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein the display unit displays the 2D image and the 3D image.6. The apparatus of claim 1 , ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND MEASUREMENT METHOD USING SAME

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present disclosure is configured so that a probe including transducers is connectible thereto and performs predetermined measuring processing on a subject's region of interest. The apparatus includes a controller, which performs transmission processing, in which an ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the subject including the region of interest by driving the probe, and received signal processing, in which frames are generated based on the probe's received signals representing the ultrasonic wave reflected from the subject including the region of interest, a number of times at mutually different times, thereby generating multiple frames, which selects at least two frames under measurement to be subjected to measurement from the multiple frames, which extracts measurable ranges, where the measuring processing can be carried out, based on respective received signals obtained from the region of interest represented in the at least two frames under measurement, and which combines those measurable ranges together to perform predetermined measuring processing on the region of interest. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is configured so that a probe including transducers is connectible to the apparatus and which performs predetermined measuring processing on a subject's region of interest , the apparatus comprising:a controller configured to perform transmission processing, in which an ultrasonic wave is transmitted toward the subject including the region of interest by driving the probe, and received signal processing, in which frames are generated based on the probe's received signals representing the ultrasonic wave that has been reflected from the subject including the region of interest, a number of times at mutually different points in time, thereby generating multiple frames, andto select at least two frames under measurement to be subjected to measurement from the multiple frames, andto extract ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS

According to one embodiment, a transmission processing unit transmits, to a subject via the ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic waves corresponding to a Doppler mode and remaining modes. A reception processing unit receives the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject via the ultrasonic probe as an echo signal. An ultrasonic image generation unit generates images in the Doppler mode and the remaining modes based on the echo signal. A control unit changes a ratio of transmission of the ultrasonic wave corresponding to the Doppler mode to transmission of the ultrasonic waves corresponding to the remaining modes in accordance with a degree of a pulsatory of the subject. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:an ultrasonic probe;a transmission processing unit configured to transmit, to a subject via the ultrasonic probe, ultrasonic waves corresponding to a Doppler mode to display a Doppler waveform representing a time-rate change in a flow velocity value of a blood flow of the subject and remaining modes other than the Doppler mode;a reception processing unit configured to receive the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject via the ultrasonic probe as an echo signal concerning a scan plane;an ultrasonic image generation unit configured to generate images in the Doppler mode and the remaining modes based on the echo signal;a display unit configured to simultaneously display the images in the Doppler mode and the remaining modes;a detection unit configured to detect a pulsatory of the blood flow of the subject corresponding to the scan plane; anda control unit configured to change a ratio of transmission of the ultrasonic wave corresponding to the Doppler mode to transmission of the ultrasonic waves corresponding to the remaining modes in accordance with a degree of the detected pulsatory.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the detection unit determines in accordance with the degree of the detected pulsatory whether the blood flow of the subject ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND CONTROLLING METHOD

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe that transmits and receives ultrasound waves; and a controlling unit that causes the ultrasound probe to perform a first ultrasound scan to obtain information related to motion of a moving object within a first scanned region and that, as a second ultrasound scan to obtain information about a tissue form within a second scanned region, causes the ultrasound probe to perform an ultrasound scan in each of sectioned regions into which the second scanned region is divided, in a time-division manner between the first ultrasound scans. As the first ultrasound scan, the controlling unit causes the ultrasound scan to be performed according to a method for obtaining the information related to the motion of the moving object by which a high pass filtering process is performed along a frame direction on reception signals obtained from scanning lines structuring the first scanned region. 1. An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus comprising:an ultrasound probe configured to transmit and receive an ultrasound wave; anda controlling unit configured to cause the ultrasound probe to perform a first ultrasound scan to obtain information related to motion of a moving object within a first scanned region and causes the ultrasound probe to perform, as a second ultrasound scan to obtain information about a tissue form within a second scanned region, an ultrasound scan in each of a plurality of sectioned regions into which the second scanned region is divided, in a time-division manner between the first ultrasound scans, whereinas the first ultrasound scan, the controlling unit causes the ultrasound scan to be performed according to a method for obtaining the information related to the motion of the moving object by which a high pass filtering process is performed along a frame direction on reception signals obtained from a plurality of scanning lines structuring the first scanned region.2. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus ...

Ultrasound system and method for providing panoramic image

Provided are an ultrasound system and method that can provide improved storage efficiency of a storage unit by storing only some of a plurality of ultrasound images needed to produce a panoramic image in the storage unit. The ultrasound system includes: an ultrasound data acquisition unit for sequentially acquiring ultrasound data corresponding to a living body; a processor for producing a plurality of ultrasound images by using the ultrasound data, setting a region of interest (ROI) on each of the ultrasound images, performing motion estimation between the plurality of ultrasound images to estimate motion of the ROI, and extracting ultrasound images needed for forming a panoramic image from the ultrasound images based on the estimated motion; and a storage unit for storing the extracted ultrasound images.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE ACQUISITION METHOD USING ULTRASONIC WAVES

This ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes: a probe position information obtaining section which obtains information about the position of a probe that has gotten a received signal from each point; a feature extracting and computing section which generates, based on the received signal with which the positional information has been associated, information to compose a three-dimensional image including a object of measurement; a feature data comparing section which stores information to compose a three-dimensional image that was gotten in the past and information about the position of the object of measurement, of which the characteristic was measured in the past, compares the information to compose the three-dimensional image that was gotten in the past to information to compose a three-dimensional image being gotten currently, and gets the positional information of the object of measurement, of which the characteristic was measured in the past, incorporated into the information to compose the three-dimensional image being gotten currently; and an image display processing section which performs processing to display a three-dimensional image based on the information to compose the three-dimensional image being gotten currently, the positional information of the object of measurement, of which the characteristic was measured in the past and which has been incorporated by the feature data comparing section, and information about the current position of the probe. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus which is connectable to a probe that transmits and receives an ultrasonic wave and that converts its echo signal into an electrical signal and which measures a characteristic of a subject in a predetermined region of its object of measurement , the apparatus comprising:a probe driving section configured:to perform transmission processing to transmit the ultrasonic wave and reception processing to generate a received signal based on the electrical signal by driving the ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR MAKING AND USING ROTATIONAL TRANSDUCERS FOR CONCURRENTLY IMAGING BLOOD FLOW AND TISSUE

A method for generating a composite image using an intravascular imaging device includes receiving reflected echo signals from at least one transducer along a first of a plurality of radial scan lines. The received echo signals are passed through a plurality of signal processing channels to form a plurality of filtered signals. The filtered signals include a high-resolution tissue structure signal and at least one first pre-blood-flow-mask signal. High-resolution tissue structure signals are processed to form a high-resolution tissue structural image. First pre-blood-flow-mask signals are cross-correlated with second pre-blood-flow-mask signals from an adjacent radial scan line to form blood-flow-mask signals. Blood-flow-mask signals are processed to form a blood-flow mask. For each pixel of the composite image, it is determined whether to use a corresponding pixel of the high-resolution tissue structural image or a corresponding pixel of the cross-correlated blood flow mask to generate the composite image pixel. 1. A method of reducing motion artifacts generated during Doppler imaging using at least one rotating transducer , the method comprising:inserting an imaging device into a blood vessel of a patient, the imaging device coupled to a processor, the imaging device comprising at least one transducer disposed in a lumen defined in a sheath, the at least one transducer configured and arranged for transforming applied electrical signals to acoustic signals;transmitting the acoustic signals along a plurality of radial scan lines by the at least one transducer as the at least one transducer rotates about a longitudinal axis of the sheath;receiving reflected echo signals by the at least one transducer along a plurality of radial scan lines, the echo signals corresponding to the transmitted acoustic signals;passing at least some of the received echo signals through a first signal processing channel to generate a first resolution tissue structural image;passing at least ...

ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING A VOLUME-RENDERED IMAGE

An ultrasound imaging system and method includes acquiring volumetric Doppler data, identifying a first subset of the volumetric Doppler data with turbulent characteristics, identifying a second subset of the volumetric Doppler data with non-turbulent characteristics, and generating a volume-rendered image based at least in part on the volumetric Doppler data. Generating the volume-rendered image includes rendering a turbulent flow volume based on the first subset in a first color, rendering a non-turbulent flow volume based on the second subset in two or more colors that are different than the first color. Generating the volume-rendered image includes rendering an outer perimeter of the non-turbulent flow volume with a higher opacity than a central region of the non-turbulent flow volume. The ultrasound imaging system and method includes displaying the volume-rendered image. 1. A method of ultrasound imaging comprising:acquiring volumetric Doppler data with an ultrasound probe;identifying a first subset of the volumetric Doppler data with turbulent characteristics;identifying a second subset of the volumetric Doppler data with non-turbulent characteristics; rendering a turbulent flow volume based on the first subset of the volumetric Doppler data in a first color;', 'rendering a non-turbulent flow volume based on the second subset of the volumetric Doppler data in two or more colors that are different than the first color, wherein an outer perimeter of the non-turbulent flow volume is rendered with a higher opacity than a central region of the non-turbulent flow volume so that the turbulent flow volume is more visible when positioned behind the non-turbulent flow volume compared to if the central region were rendered with the same opacity as the outer perimeter; and, 'generating a volume-rendered image based at least in part on the volumetric Doppler data, wherein generating the volume-rendered image comprisesdisplaying the volume-rendered image on a display device ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND ULTRASOUND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD

An ultrasound diagnostic device including a transmitter, a first image processor, a second image processor, and an image synthesizer. The transmitter alternates between first transmission events that include transmission of first detection waves and second transmission events that include transmission of second detection waves. The first image processor generates frames of first images based on reception signals corresponding to a plurality of the first transmission events. The second image processor generates frames of second images based on reception signals corresponding to the second transmission events. The image synthesizer superimposes the second images on the first images to generate synthesized images. Frame rate of the second images is higher than that of the first images. The transmitter performs a third transmission event prior to the second transmission events that includes transmission of a plurality of the first detection waves to acquire reception signals corresponding to one frame of the first images. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic device that generates images by transmitting and receiving ultrasound to and from a subject via a probe , the ultrasound diagnostic device comprising:ultrasound signal processing circuitry, the ultrasound signal processing circuitry comprising:a transmitter that alternates between first transmission events that each include transmission of first detection waves and second transmission events that each include transmission of second detection waves;a receiver that receives signals based on reflected ultrasound and generates reception signals from the signals;a first image processor that repeatedly performs an operation of generating a frame of first images based on reception signals corresponding to a plurality of the first transmission events;a second image processor that repeatedly performs an operation of generating a frame of second images based on reception signals corresponding to the second transmission events; andan ...

PHYSIOLOGY MAPS FROM MULTI-PARAMETRIC RADIOLOGY DATA

The disclosed approach employs a generic methodology for transforming individual modality specific multi-parametric data into data, e.g., maps or images, which provides direct insight into the underlying physiology of the tissue. This may facilitate better clinical evaluation of the disease data as well as help non-imaging technologists and scientist to directly correlate imaging findings with basic biological phenomenon being studied with imaging. 1. A method for generating a physiology labeled image , comprising:acquiring two or more multi-parametric images of a subject, wherein the two or more multi-parametric images are acquired using different imaging protocols;performing a data reduction analysis on the two or more multi-parametric images, wherein the outputs of the data reduction analysis comprises computational products of the two or more images into one or more physiological components;generating the physiology labeled image based on the computational products; anddisplaying the physiology labeled image for review.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the multi-parametric images are acquired using one of a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system; a computed tomography (CT) imaging system claim 1 , an ultrasound imaging system claim 1 , a positron emission tomography (PET) imaging system claim 1 , or a single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging system.3. The method of wherein the multi-parametric images are acquired using a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) system and comprise one or more of T2 weighted (T2W) images claim 1 , T1 weighted (T1W) images claim 1 , diffusion weighted images (DWI) claim 1 , apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) images claim 1 , T1W post-contrast images claim 1 , and fluid attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) images.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the two or more multi-parametric images contain redundant or complementary information with respect to a physiological structure or function of interest.5. The method of ...

METHOD FOR GENERATING AN ELASTICITY IMAGE

An image processing method enables an elasticity image of a body including a cavity to be produced on the basis of the material(s) forming the body, wherein the method includes the steps of: 1. An imaging processing method which enables an elasticity image of a body including a cavity to be produced depending on material(s) forming the body , wherein the method comprises:receiving a deformation image illustrating a field of movement of points of the body depending on a pressure difference in the body;estimating a shape function of the body from the deformation image; andcalculating an elasticity image of the body depending on of the shape function, of the pressure difference, and of the deformation image.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of estimating the shape function comprises:detecting inside and outside contours of the body from the deformation image to obtain a contour image;assigning a homogeneous distribution of elasticity in the contour image to obtain a work image; anddetermining a shape function from the work image.3. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of estimating the shape function comprises implementing a finite element analysis.4. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of calculating an elasticity image consists in calculating an elasticity image projected on an inner wall of the body to obtain a projected elasticity image of the body.5. The method according to claim 4 , further comprising a step of superimposing the projected elasticity image of the body on an image of the body acquired by using an ultrasonic device.6. The method according to claim 1 , further comprising a step of receiving a palpography field corresponding to a selection by a user of an area of the body that the user wants to study claim 1 , the step of calculating an elasticity image of the body being implemented on the palpography field.8. A computer program product including a program code recorded on a computer-readable data ...

3D MULTI-PARAMETRIC ULTRASOUND IMAGING

Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate obtaining two dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, using two or more ultrasound imaging modes or modalities, to generate 2D multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) images and/or to generate a three-dimensional (3D) mpUS image. The different ultrasound imaging modes acquire images in a common frame of reference during a single procedure to facilitate their registration. The mpUS images (i.e., 2D or 3D) may be used for enhanced and/or automated detection of one or more suspicious regions. After identifying one or more suspicious regions, the mpUS images may be utilized with a real-time image to guide biopsy or therapy the region(s). All these processes may be performed in a single medical procedure. 1. A method for use with ultrasound imaging , comprising:positioning an ultrasound probe in a positioning device proximate to patient tissue, wherein said positioning device limits movement of an acquisition portion of said ultrasound probe to a single axis of rotation;sequentially acquiring first, second and third sets of ultrasound images acquired during a first rotation, a second rotation and a third rotation, respectively, of said ultrasound probe about at least a portion of said single axis of rotation, wherein said first second and third sets of ultrasound images are acquired using first, second and third different ultrasound imaging modalities, respectively;registering said first, second and third sets of ultrasound images acquired using said first, second and third ultrasound imaging modalities into a common frame of reference to generate a multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) image of the patient tissue;applying at least a first classifier to at least a portion of said mpUS image to identify one or more regions of interest in said mpUS image.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said first ultrasound imaging modality comprises a B-mode imaging modality claim 1 , said second ultrasound imaging modality comprises an ...

System for 3d multi-parametric ultrasound imaging

Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate obtaining two dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, using two or more ultrasound imaging modes or modalities, to generate 2D multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) images and/or to generate a three-dimensional (3D) mpUS image. The different ultrasound imaging modes acquire images in a common frame of reference during a single procedure to facilitate their registration. The mpUS images (i.e., 2D or 3D) may be used for enhanced and/or automated detection of one or more suspicious regions. After identifying one or more suspicious regions, the mpUS images may be utilized with a real-time image to guide biopsy or therapy the region(s). All these processes may be performed in a single medical procedure.

Photoacoustic measurement apparatus

A photoacoustic measurement apparatus includes: a main light source; a sub-light source; a light guide member that guides the light which has been emitted from the main light source and the sub-light source and has been incident on a base end to a leading end; an insert of which at least a leading end portion is inserted into a subject and which includes at least the leading end of the light guide member and a light absorption member that absorbs the pulsed laser light, and generates photoacoustic waves; and a photoacoustic wave detection unit that detects the photoacoustic waves. The photoacoustic measurement apparatus has, as an operation mode, a failure detection mode that drives the sub-light source and detects a failure of a photoacoustic wave generation unit including the light guide member and the light absorption member.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR IDENTIFYING ULTRASOUND IMAGES

The systems and methods described herein generally relate to identifying ultrasound images from multiple ultrasound exams. The systems and methods identify a first ultrasound image feature of a current ultrasound image of an anatomical structure during a current ultrasound exam based on ultrasound data received from an ultrasound probe, and accessing a plurality of prior ultrasound images that were acquired during a prior ultrasound exam. The systems and methods compare the first ultrasound image feature in the current ultrasound image with related ultrasound image features in the plurality of prior ultrasound images to identify candidate ultrasound images. The systems and methods identify a resultant ultrasound image from the candidate ultrasound images based on the related ultrasound image features, and display the current and resultant ultrasound images on a display. 1. A computer implemented method , comprising:identifying a first ultrasound image feature of a current ultrasound image during a current ultrasound exam based on ultrasound data received from an ultrasound probe;accessing a plurality of prior ultrasound images that were acquired during a prior ultrasound exam;comparing the first ultrasound image feature in the current ultrasound image with related ultrasound image features in the plurality of prior ultrasound images;identifying from the plurality of prior ultrasound images a first resultant ultrasound image that includes related ultrasound image features that have a common orientation with the first ultrasound image feature of the first ultrasound image; anddisplaying the current and first resultant ultrasound images on a display.2. The computer implemented method of claim 1 , wherein the comparing operation includes determining a first set of characteristic vectors for the current ultrasound image and sets of related characteristic vectors for the plurality of prior ultrasound images claim 1 , the first resultant ultrasound image being identified ...

Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, a transmission condition setting method, and program

First transmission information in which an optimum transmitting voltage and a transmitting waveform are associated with each other for each display mode, and second transmission information in which a plurality of transmitting voltage candidates and pulse-width modulation transmitting waveforms that are pulse-width-modulation controlled to respectively correspond to the plurality of transmitting voltage candidates are associated with each other for each display mode are used to extract a maximum transmitting voltage candidate that does not exceed an optimum transmitting voltage of a first display mode from a plurality of transmitting voltage candidates included in the second transmission information of a second display mode so as to determine a common transmitting voltage used in common for the first display mode and the second display mode based on the optimum transmitting voltage of the first display mode and/or the maximum transmitting voltage candidate.

Medical image diagnostic apparatus, medical image processing apparatus, and medical image processing method

According to one embodiment, a medical image diagnostic apparatus includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry configured to acquire first volume data and second volume data relating to a subject, set a first region of interest for the first volume data, set a second region of interest for the second volume data independently from setting of the first region of interest, perform a cropping process on the first volume data and the second volume data based on information representing the first region of interest and the second region of interest, and generate display image data based on the first volume data and the second volume data that have been subjected to the cropping process.

ACOUSTIC WAVE IMAGE DISPLAY DEVICE AND METHOD

A first acoustic wave image and a second acoustic wave image are displayed on top of each other in different display colors, and a first operation icon for selecting the first acoustic wave image and a second operation icon for selecting the second acoustic wave image are displayed on operation icon display unit. The first operation icon and the second operation icon are displayed on top of each other in a display order identical to a display order of the first acoustic wave image and the second acoustic wave image that are displayed on top of each other on image display unit. 1. An acoustic wave image display device in a system for displaying a first acoustic wave image and a second acoustic wave image on image display unit , the first acoustic wave image being generated on the basis of detected signals of photoacoustic waves generated , from within a subject , by the subject receiving light emitted to the subject , the second acoustic wave image being generated on the basis of detected signals of reflected acoustic waves , which are acoustic waves transmitted to the subject and reflected within the subject , the acoustic wave image display device comprising:an image display control unit that causes the first acoustic wave image and the second acoustic wave image to be displayed on top of each other on the image display unit in different display colors;operation icon display unit for displaying a first operation icon for selecting the first acoustic wave image and a second operation icon for selecting the second acoustic wave image; andan operation icon display control unit that causes the first operation icon and the second operation icon to be displayed on top of each other on the operation icon display unit in a display order identical to a display order of the first acoustic wave image and the second acoustic wave image that are displayed on top of each other on the image display unit.2. The acoustic wave image display device according to claim 1 , further ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS

Provided is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus capable of synchronizing emission of light from a light source device emitting light for generating a photoacoustic wave and reception in an ultrasound probe with high accuracy. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a sub-controller that has a synchronization signal generation unit and controls an ultrasound probe based on a first synchronization signal generated by the synchronization signal generation unit, an image generation unit that generates an ultrasound image based on a signal detected by the ultrasound probe, and a connector that has a synchronization signal line for transmitting a second synchronization signal generated in the synchronization signal generation unit and outputs the second synchronization signal to the outside through the synchronization signal line. The connector is configured such that a photoacoustic wave light source unit emitting light incident on a puncture needle having a photoacoustic wave generation unit is connectable. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:a controller that has a synchronization signal generation unit generating a first synchronization signal for controlling transmission and reception of an ultrasonic wave in an ultrasound probe, and controls the ultrasound probe based on the first synchronization signal;an ultrasound image generation unit that generates an ultrasound image based on a signal detected by the ultrasound probe; anda connector that has a synchronization signal line transmitting a second synchronization signal generated in the synchronization signal generation unit or a signal generated based on the second synchronization signal and outputs the second synchronization signal or the signal generated based on the second synchronization signal to the outside through the synchronization signal line,wherein the connector is configured such that a light source device emitting light incident on an insertion object having a photoacoustic wave ...

Fluid flow rate detection device

To provide a fluid flow rate detection device which can be evaluated as adequate from a medical point of view. The velocity of a fluid flowing through a luminal organ in vivo is to be obtained. V θ (r, θ)=w·V − θ +(1−w) V + θ is calculated to obtain a calculated value V θ (r, θ) of the flow rate regarding a component of the fluid in the direction perpendicular to the ultrasonic beam direction. Here, the weight w is a value proportional to the distance d from the wall on one side of the organ at least when the distance is smaller than a predetermined distance from the wall on the one side, and the weight is a value proportional to the distance d′ from the wall on the other side of the organ at least when the distance is smaller than a predetermined distance from the wall on the one other side.

Method and system for ultrasonic fluid spectral doppler imaging

A method and system for ultrasonic fluid spectral Doppler imaging are disclosed. The system comprises: a transmission circuit for transmitting an ultrasonic beam to a detection object; a receiving circuit and a beam synthesis module for receiving an echo of the ultrasonic beam and obtaining an ultrasonic echo signal; an image processing module for obtaining an ultrasonic fluid flow state image of a region of interest in the detection object according to the ultrasonic echo signal, identifying a sampling position in the region of interest, respectively obtaining a Doppler spectrogram corresponding to each sampling position according to the ultrasonic echo signal, and generating position displaying marks for characterizing the sampling positions; and a display for displaying the position displaying marks in the ultrasonic fluid flow state image, and displaying the obtained Doppler spectrogram. The system may simultaneously display spectra of multiple locations on a same time axis.

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ULTRASONIC FLUID SPECTRAL DOPPLER IMAGING

A method and system for ultrasonic fluid spectral Doppler imaging are disclosed. The system comprises: a transmission circuit for transmitting an ultrasonic beam to a detection object; a receiving circuit and a beam synthesis module for receiving an echo of the ultrasonic beam and obtaining an ultrasonic echo signal; an image processing module for obtaining an ultrasonic fluid flow state image of a region of interest in the detection object according to the ultrasonic echo signal, identifying a sampling position in the region of interest, respectively obtaining a Doppler spectrogram corresponding to each sampling position according to the ultrasonic echo signal, and generating position displaying marks for characterizing the sampling positions; and a display for displaying the position displaying marks in the ultrasonic fluid flow state image, and displaying the obtained Doppler spectrogram. The system may simultaneously display spectra of multiple locations on a same time axis. 1. An ultrasonic flow spectral Doppler imaging method , comprising:transmitting an ultrasonic beam to an examination object;receiving echoes of the ultrasonic beam to obtain an ultrasonic echo signal;obtaining an ultrasonic image of a region of interest in the examination object according to the ultrasonic echo signal;determining a first sampling position in the region of interest and obtaining a first Doppler spectrum corresponding to the first sampling position according to the ultrasonic echo signal;determining a second sampling position in the region of interest and obtaining a second Doppler spectrum corresponding to the second sampling position according to the ultrasonic echo signal;evaluating a difference between the first Doppler spectrum and the second Doppler spectrum; andoutputting the difference.2. The ultrasonic flow spectral Doppler imaging method of claim 1 , further comprising simultaneously displaying the first Doppler spectrum and the second Doppler spectrum.3. The ...

Systems and Methods for Ultrasound Imaging

Techniques for processing ultrasound data. The techniques include using at least one computer hardware processor to perform obtaining ultrasound data generated based, at least in part, on one or more ultrasound signals from an imaged region of a subject; calculating shadow intensity data corresponding to the ultrasound data; generating, based at least in part on the shadow intensity data and at least one bone separation parameter, an indication of bone presence in the imaged region, generating, based at least in part on the shadow intensity data and at least one tissue separation parameter different from the at least one bone separation parameter, an indication of tissue presence in the imaged region; and generating an ultrasound image of the subject at least in part by combining the indication of bone presence and the indication of tissue presence.

EVALUATION OF CARDIAC INFARCTION BY REAL TIME ULTRASONIC STRAIN IMAGING

Real time strain imaging is provided by acquiring a sequence of cardiac image frames and estimating tissue displacement in the myocardium over a heart cycle. The displacements may be estimated using speckle tracking and are used to calculate strain over the myocardium. A color map is formed of the strain values. During the next heart cycle the color map is warped to fit the myocardium in each image frame and the warped color map is displayed as a color overlay over the myocardium of each image of the new heart cycle as they are displayed in real time. A new color map is also produced over the new heart cycle for use with the following heart cycle. An ultrasound system which performs real time strain imaging is also described. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system for real time strain imaging comprising:an ultrasound imaging probe having an array transducer and being configured to acquire ultrasound echo signals;an image processor, coupled to the imaging probe, which is configured to produce a first sequence of image frames;a strain calculator coupled to the image processor and configured to process the image frames to estimate strain during the first image frame sequence;a color mapper configured to produce a color map based at least in-part on strain values generated by the strain calculator; anda color map warper that is responsive to the color map and a new sequence of image frames generated by the image processor, wherein the color map warper is configured to warp the color map to an image frame of the new sequence to generate a warped color map; anda display for displaying an image frame in combination with the warped color map.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the image frames further comprise cardiac image frames;wherein the first sequence of image frames is acquired during a first heart cycle; andwherein the new sequence of image frames is acquired during a subsequent heart cycle.3. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system ...

AUTOMATED ULTRASONIC MEASUREMENT OF NUCHAL FOLD TRANSLUCENCY

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is used to acquire a fetal image in a sagittal view for the performance of a nuchal translucency measurement. After a fetal image has been acquired, a zoom box is positioned over the image, encompassing a region of interest. The size of the zoom box is automatically set for the user in correspondence with gestational age or crown rump length. The system automatically tracks the region of interest within the zoom box in the presence of fetal motion in an effort to maintain the region of interest within the zoom box despite movement by the fetus. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system for performing a nuchal translucency measurement , the system comprising instructions thereon , which when executed , cause the system to:acquire, using an ultrasound probe, ultrasound image data;produce fetal ultrasound images from the ultrasound image data, the fetal ultrasound images comprising at least a portion of a fetus;display successive fetal ultrasound image frames;position a zoom box over a nuchal fold of the fetus, wherein the zoom box delineates an image for enlargement based on a magnification factor and wherein a size of the zoom box is automatically set by the system based on a gestational age of the fetus;track fetal image data within the zoom box from frame to frame in the successive frames; andanalyze the nuchal fold in one or more of the fetal ultrasound images to perform a nuchal translucency measurement.2. (canceled)3. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the size of the zoom box is further based on a crown rump length of the fetus.4. (canceled)5. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein gestational age is based on patient data manually input into the ultrasound system.6. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein gestational age is based on fetal anatomy characteristics.7. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the instructions further ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

Provided is an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and a method of operating the ultrasound diagnosis apparatus. The method includes: obtaining first Doppler data of a blood flow introduced into a cardiac ventricle of an object and second Doppler data of a blood flow discharged from the cardiac ventricle; setting a landmark corresponding to a predetermined motion of the cardiac ventricle in each of a first Doppler image generated based on the first Doppler data and a second Doppler image generated based on the second Doppler data; synchronizing the first Doppler image and the second Doppler image based on the set landmark; and displaying the first Doppler image and the second Doppler image that are synchronized. 1. A method of operating an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus , the method comprising:obtaining first Doppler data of a blood flow introduced into a cardiac ventricle of an object and second Doppler data of a blood flow discharged from the cardiac ventricle;setting a landmark corresponding to a predetermined motion of the cardiac ventricle in each of a first Doppler image generated based on the first Doppler data and a second Doppler image generated based on the second Doppler data;synchronizing the first Doppler image and the second Doppler image based on the set landmark; anddisplaying the first Doppler image and the second Doppler image that are synchronized.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the synchronizing of the first Doppler image and the second Doppler image comprises:determining a first cycle of a heartbeat of the object based on the first Doppler data and a second cycle of the heartbeat of the object based on the second Doppler data;when the first cycle and the second cycle are different from each other, correcting at least one of the first Doppler image and the second Doppler image to make the first cycle and the second cycle coincide with each other; andsynchronizing the first Doppler image and the second Doppler image having the coincided heartbeat ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC METHOD AND ULTRASOUND PROBE

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. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus that transmits ultrasound to a subject through an ultrasound probe in which a plurality of transducers are disposed in a single line in a scanning direction and receives a reflection wave reflected in the subject to generate and display an ultrasound image , the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising a hardware processor configured toacquire a first reception signal and a second reception signal from a reception signal obtained by the ultrasound probe;generate a first B mode image and a second B mode image on a basis of the first reception signal and the second reception signal;display a display image on a display section on a basis of the first B mode image and the second B mode image;determine whether an end of a puncture needle in the display image is an actual end of the puncture needle when the puncture needle is inserted into the subject; andpresent a determination result, whereina beam width in a slice direction of a second beam profile indicated by the second reception signal is narrower than that of a first beam profile indicated by the first reception signal, andthe hardware processor presents the determination result on a basis of a first puncture needle image included in the first B mode image and a second puncture needle image included in the ...

Method for generating an enhanced image of a volume of tissue

A method and system for generating an enhanced image of a volume of tissue, comprising: emitting acoustic waveforms toward the volume of tissue; detecting acoustic signals derived from acoustic waveforms interacting with the volume of tissue; generating a reflection rendering of a region of the volume of tissue; generating at least one of a sound speed map and an attenuation map of the region of the volume of tissue; generating a transfer map derived from a set of sound speed parameter values of the sound speed map and/or a set of acoustic attenuation parameter values of the acoustic attenuation map, the set of sound speed parameter values and the set of acoustic attenuation parameters associated with the set of elements of the region of the volume of tissue; and rendering an enhanced image of the volume of tissue, derived from processing of the reflection rendering with the transfer map.

SPECKLE REDUCTION AND COMPRESSION IMPROVEMENT OF ULTRASOUND IMAGES

An apparatus and method for generating high quality, high frame rate images in a handheld or hand-carried ultrasonic imaging machine. The apparatus includes an image enhancer to reduce speckle noise and improve the compressibility of the resulting image. This approach reduces the required hardware and power consumption to satisfy the physical space, power, and limited processing power of a handheld probe and enables high quality images to be transmitted efficiently over low-bandwidth connections. 1. A method for obtaining and displaying ultrasound images , the method comprising:transmitting ultrasound signals into a volume of interest and receiving echo signals from within the volume of interest;beamforming the echo signals to yield an original ultrasound image;performing speckle reduction on the original ultrasound image;compressing the speckle-reduced ultrasound image, wherein compression of the speckle-reduced ultrasound image produces a compressed speckle-reduced ultrasound image with: an improved image quality or a reduced size, over a comparable compression of the original ultrasound image;transmitting the compressed speckle-reduced ultrasound image over a data communication link to a display device;at the display device, decompressing and scan converting the compressed speckle-reduced ultrasound image; anddisplaying the decompressed and scan-converted speckle-reduced ultrasound image on a display of the display device.2. The method of wherein performing the speckle reduction on the original ultrasound image comprises applying an adaptive filter to the original ultrasound image.3. The method of wherein applying the adaptive filter comprises: applying a plurality of directional filters to the original ultrasound image to yield corresponding directional images claim 2 , and processing pixel values for the directional images to yield a control tensor and eigenvalues for the control tensor.4. The method of wherein performing speckle reduction on the original ...

METHODS FOR VAGINAL TACTILE AND ULTRASOUND IMAGE FUSION

A comprehensive evaluation of the female pelvic floor tissues and structures is facilitated by a method of image fusion of two different imaging modalities, a tactile response data or tactile image is described as fused with ultrasound image. Both tactile response and ultrasound images may be acquired at the same time using a vaginal probe equipped with adjacent arrays of tactile sensors and ultrasound transducer elements. 1. A method for vaginal tactile and ultrasound image fusion , said method comprising the steps of:a) inserting a vaginal probe into vagina, said vaginal probe equipped with a plurality of tactile sensors and a plurality of ultrasound transducer elements positioned adjacent to said plurality of tactile sensors,b) simultaneously generating tactile images and ultrasound images of a female pelvic floor while deforming vaginal walls by moving said vaginal probe, said tactile images generated using said plurality of tactile sensors, said ultrasound images generated using said plurality of ultrasound transducer elements,c) simultaneously generating dynamic tactile responses and generating ultrasound images of the female pelvic floor during pelvic muscle contractions, said dynamic tactile responses are generated using said plurality of tactile sensors,d) producing image fusion of said tactile images and said ultrasound images generated in step (b) for characterization of anatomical and biomechanical conditions of the female pelvic floor, ande) producing image fusion of said dynamic tactile responses and said ultrasound images generated in step (c) for characterization of anatomical and functional conditions of the female pelvic floor.2. The method as in claim 1 , wherein in said step (a) said vaginal probe comprising a vaginal probe housing equipped with two tactile sensor arrays located on opposite sides thereof claim 1 , said vaginal probe further comprising a first ultrasound transducer array located adjacent one of said two tactile sensor arrays.3. ...

ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

An ultrasound system includes an ultrasound probe and an image display device that are wirelessly connected to each other. The ultrasound probe includes a transducer array , a transmitting and receiving unit that generates a sound ray signal by directing the transducer array to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves, an image information data generation unit that generates image information data from the sound ray signal, a compression unit that compresses the image information data, and a compression ratio setting unit that sets a compression ratio of the image information data. The image display device includes a decompression unit , a display unit that displays an ultrasound image based on the decoded image information data, and an inspection mode setting unit that sets an inspection mode. The compression ratio setting unit sets the compression ratio corresponding to the inspection mode and the compression unit compresses the image information data at the set compression ratio. 1. An ultrasound system comprising:an ultrasound probe and an image display device that are wirelessly connected to each other,wherein the ultrasound probe includes:a transducer array; generate a sound ray signal by directing the transducer array to transmit and receive ultrasonic waves,', 'generate image information data on the basis of the sound ray signal,', 'compress the image information data, and', 'set a compression ratio of the image information data; and, 'a processor configured toa wireless communication unit that wirelessly transmits the image information data compressed by the processor in the ultrasound probe to the image display device,wherein the image display device includes: decode the image information data wirelessly transmitted from the ultrasound probe, and', 'set an inspection mode to be performed among a plurality of predetermined inspection modes;, 'a processor configured toa display unit that displays an ultrasound image on the basis of the image information data ...

Ultrasound system and method for controlling ultrasound system

An ultrasound system 1 includes an ultrasound probe 2 and an image display device 3 . The ultrasound probe 2 includes a transducer array 11 , a transmitting and receiving unit 14 that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves using the transducer array 11 to generate a sound ray signal; a frame image information data generation unit 20 that generates frame image information data from the sound ray signal; and a wireless communication unit 19 that transmits a plurality of frame image information data items to the image display device. The image display device 3 includes a frame type determination unit 33 that determines frame types of the plurality of frame image information data items, a combination determination unit 34 that determines whether or not to combine the frame image information data items on the basis of the frame types, a compound image data generation unit 35 that combines the plurality of frame image information data items, and a display unit 37 that displays a compound image.

APPARATUS

An apparatus according to the embodiment includes a first delay circuit, a second delay circuit, and processing circuitry. The first delay circuit delays an ultrasound signal in a first channel using a plurality of capacitors. The second delay circuit delays an ultrasound signal in a second channel using a plurality of capacitors. The processing circuitry make a first write start position in which writing the ultrasound signal in the capacitor in the first delay circuit is started and a second write start position in which writing the ultrasound signal in the capacitor in the second delay circuit is started different from each other. 1. An apparatus comprising:a first delay circuit that delays an ultrasound signal in a first channel using a plurality of capacitors;a second delay circuit that delays an ultrasound signal in a second channel using a plurality of capacitors; andprocessing circuitry that makes a first write start position in which writing the ultrasound signal in the capacitor in the first delay circuit is started and a second write start position in which writing the ultrasound signal in the capacitor in the second delay circuit is started different from each other.2. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry makes the first write start position and the second write start position different from each other such that a phase difference between the ultrasound signal that is delayed by the first delay circuit and the ultrasound signal that is delayed by the second delay circuit is 180 degrees.3. The apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry makes the first write start position and the second write start position different from each other based on the number of capacitors contained in the first delay circuit or the second delay circuit.4. The apparatus according to claim 2 , further comprising:a third delay circuit that delays an ultrasound signal in a third channel using a plurality of capacitors; anda ...

Quantitative Imaging System and Uses Thereof

Provided herein are imaging systems such as a system for quantitative tomography and a laser optoacoustic ultrasonic imaging system assembly (LOUISA) for imaging a tissue region, for example, a breast, in a subject. Generally, the system components are a laser that emits instant pulses of laser light in a wavelength cycling mode, fiberoptic bundles or optical arc-shaped fiber bundles configured to deliver laser light, an imaging module with an imaging tank, an optoacoustic array(s) of ultrawide-band ultrasonic transducers and ultrasound array(s) of ultrasonic transducers and a coupling medium and an electronics subsystem. Also provided is a method for imaging quantitative functional parameters and/or molecular parameters and anatomical structures in a volumetric tissue region of interest, such as a breast, in a subject utilizing the system for quantitative tomography.

ULTRASONIC SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR EXAMINING AND TREATING SPINAL CONDITIONS

A method for correlating a 2D ultrasonagraphic image of a patient's spine with a relative location along the spine may include storing a generic 3D model of a spine in a database of an ultrasonagraphic system, recording a patient-specific spine contour line via an ultrasound probe, resizing the length of the generic 3D model according to the patient-specific contour line, distorting the shape of the generic 3D model according to the patient-specific spine contour line to create a patient-specific 3D model of the patient's spine, capturing a first ultrasound image of the patient's spine via the ultrasound probe and concurrently determining a 3D location of the ultrasound probe. The method may include correlating the 3D location of the ultrasound probe with a corresponding location on the patient-specific 3D model. A rendering of the patient-specific 3D model may be displayed, including an indication of the relative location of the ultrasound probe. 1. A method for correlating a 2D ultrasonagraphic image of a patient's spine with a relative location along the spine , the method comprising:(a) storing a generic 3D model of a spine in a database of an ultrasonagraphic system, the generic 3D model having a first generic landmark and a second generic landmark; ["(i) sliding an ultrasound probe of the ultrasonagraphic system along the patient's spine from a first patient landmark on the patient's spine to a second patient landmark on the patient's spine, the ultrasound probe having one or more optical targets affixed thereto;", '(ii) determining, throughout the sliding step, a sequence of 3D locations of a point on the ultrasound probe via an optical tracking unit of the ultrasonagraphic system;', '(iii) interpolating between each of the 3D locations of the sequence, thereby producing the patient-specific spine contour line;', '(iv) storing the patient-specific spine contour line in the database;, '(b) recording a patient-specific spine contour line, the recording ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC SYSTEM, ULTRASOUND IMAGE GENERATION APPARATUS, AND ULTRASOUND IMAGE GENERATION METHOD

The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus, ultrasound image generation apparatus and method transmit ultrasound waves to a subject into which a puncture tool is inserted, receive reflected waves reflected from the subject and the puncture tool, and generate echo signals of time-sequential frames based on the received reflected waves, and generate an ultrasound image of the subject based on the generated echo signals. These apparatus and method generate a differential echo signal between time-sequential frames from the echo signals, perform a tip detection process based on the differential echo signal to thereby detect at least one tip candidate including a tip end of the puncture tool, highlight a tip candidate of the puncture tool detected to thereby generate a tip image, and display the tip image of the highlighted puncture tool so as to be superimposed on the generated ultrasound image. 1. An ultrasound image generation apparatus in which ultrasound waves are irradiated from a probe toward a subject to be examined into which a puncture tool is inserted , echoes reflected from the subject and the puncture tool are received by the probe , and an ultrasound image is generated from the echo signals output from the probe , the apparatus comprising:a candidate point extraction unit that extracts plural candidate points of the puncture tool based on the ultrasound image;a puncture tool presence region specifying unit that specifies a puncture tool presence region in which the puncture tool is likely to be present in the ultrasound image from a distribution of the plural candidate points extracted by the candidate point extraction unit; anda puncture tool tip position specifying unit that specifies a tip position of the puncture tool based on an intensity distribution on a line that incudes the puncture tool in the puncture tool presence region specified by the puncture tool presence region specifying unit.2. The ultrasound image generation apparatus according to claim 1 , ...

METHOD FOR TISSUE CHARACTERIZATION BY ULTRASOUND WAVE ATTENUATION MEASUREMENTS AND ULTRASOUND SYSTEM FOR TISSUE CHARACTERIZATION

A Method for tissue characterization by ultrasounbd wave attenuation measurements comprising: 1. A Method for tissue characterization by ultrasound wave attenuation measurements , comprising:a) transmitting at least an ultrasound pulse in a target body;b) receiving the ultrasound waves reflected by the said target body and transforming the said reflected ultrasound pulses in RF reception signals;c) extracting the envelope of the received RF signals;d) carrying out a logarithmic compression of the said extracted envelope ande) computing the propagation depth dependent attenuation coefficient of the tissues crossed by the ultrasound pulse in the target body as the slope of the line fitting the said logarithmic compressed envelope data along the penetration depth of the ultrasound pulse in the said target body.2. Method according to claim 1 , wherein the transmitted ultrasound pulse is a wide-frequency band pulse or a multifrequency pulse comprising frequency components with frequencies within a predetermined frequency band claim 1 , the step of determining RF signal components with frequencies within a sub range of the predetermined frequency band by filter-bank filtering is carried out before step c) of extracting the envelope of the RF reception signal claim 1 ,the said envelope extraction being carried out separately for each frequency sub-band component of the RF reception signal,the said step d) of logarithmic extraction and the said step e) being carried out attenuation coefficient for each frequency sub-band component of the RF reception signal,f) for each propagation depth of the ultrasound pulse the attenuation coefficient being determined as the mean or median value of the attenuation coefficients calculated for each frequency sub-band component of the RF reception signal.3. Method according to claim 1 , wherein a sequence of several ultrasound pulses is transmitted into the target body and a sequence of reception signals is acquired from the sequence of the ...

ULTRASOUND IMAGING METHOD AND ULTRASOUND IMAGING DEVICE

Ultrasound imaging methods and ultrasound imaging devices are provided, in which an inter-frame processing may be performed on elasticity echo data or the elasticity images to obtain new elasticity images, thereby improving the display frame rate of the elasticity images. The elasticity echo data comprises an ultrasound echo of an ultrasound wave returned from an object, and the elasticity images comprises at least two frames and obtained according to the elasticity echo data. 1. An ultrasound imaging method , comprising:transmitting a first ultrasound wave to a target area of an object to be examined to track a shear wave propagating in the target area;receiving an ultrasound echo of the first ultrasound wave returned from the target area to obtain first echo data;obtaining a first elasticity image frame sequence of the target area according to the first echo data, wherein the first elasticity image frame sequence comprises at least two frames of elasticity images; andperforming an inter-frame processing, wherein the inter-frame processing comprises generating at least one frame of additional elasticity image according to the at least two frames of elasticity images so as to obtain a second elasticity image frame sequence and displaying the second elasticity image frame sequence, wherein a number of frames of the second elasticity image frame sequence is greater than a number of frames of the first elasticity image frame sequence.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:transmitting a second ultrasound wave to the target area of the object to be examined;receiving an ultrasound echo of the second ultrasound wave returned from the target area to obtain second echo data;obtaining a B-mode image frame sequence or a C-mode image frame sequence of the target area according to the second echo data; anddisplaying the B-mode image frame sequence or the C-mode image frame sequence.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein generating the at least one frame of additional ...

METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR SWITCHING BETWEEN A SPECTRAL DOPPLER MODE AND A TWO-DIMENSIONAL (2D) ULTRASOUND IMAGING MODE IN AN ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM

An ultrasound scanner in a spectral Doppler mode, in which a corresponding two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound imaging mode (e.g., B-mode) image is frozen, is switched temporarily to the 2D-mode in response to a continuous contact on a touchscreen. During the continuous contact, the spectral Doppler mode is interrupted, the 2D-mode image becomes live, and the gate for the spectral Doppler mode may be adjusted by a movement of the continuous contact on the touchscreen. Upon termination of the continuous contact, the system reverts back to the spectral Doppler mode, which now operates within the adjusted gate, and the 2D-mode image is frozen. A brief contact may be used to check the position of the gate against a live 2D-mode image without adjusting it. 1. A method for switching an ultrasound scanner between a spectral Doppler mode (“SD-mode”) and a two-dimensional (2D) ultrasound imaging mode (“2D-mode”) comprising: a frozen 2D-mode ultrasound image;', 'a gate that corresponds to the SD-mode, the gate superimposed on the frozen 2D-mode ultrasound image; and', 'a live SD-mode ultrasound spectrum that corresponds to the gate;, 'displaying, on a touchscreen that is communicatively connected to the ultrasound scanner, while the ultrasound scanner is operating in the SD-mode, a display comprisingreceiving an input to adjust the gate, the input comprising a continuous contact with the touchscreen;switching, by a processor, in response to detecting a beginning of the continuous contact, the ultrasound scanner from the SD-mode to the 2D-mode;adjusting, by the processor in response to the switching, the display to unfreeze the frozen 2D-mode ultrasound image;detecting, by the processor, during the continuous contact, a characteristic of the continuous contact; andadjusting, by the processor, the gate displayed on the unfrozen 2D-mode ultrasound image in accordance with the characteristic.2. The method of comprising:detecting, by the processor, a termination of the continuous ...

Ultrasound Computed Tomography

Ultrasound Computed Tomography is a system of devices that reconstructs a series of 2 dimensional ultrasound images into a 3 dimensional computed tomographic model of an object by cataloguing ultrasound image frames according to the ultrasound probe's position in 3 dimensional space at the time of image capture. Capturing the position and orientation of an ultrasound probe at the time of image frame acquisition allows for appropriate placement of each 2 dimensional ultrasound image within a 3 dimensional computed tomographic workspace. Also subject of this patent is creation of a coherent 3 dimensional model of a body or body part through an algorithmic selection and weighting system to reconcile overlapping regions of ultrasound images captured from different positions. Additionally a system for acquisition of transmission based ultrasound images, made possible by positional cataloguing, is delineated. 1) System for cataloguing the relative orientation and position of an ultrasound probe with respect to a body part in 3 dimensional space.2) System for cataloguing the pressure applied by an ultrasound probe to a body part.3) System for creation of a 3 dimensional tomographic model of a body part from multiple 2 dimensional ultrasound image frames spatially assigned to positions in a digital 3 dimensional workspace based on the real world 3 dimensional position of the ultrasound probe capturing those images at the time of image capture.{'claim-ref': [{'@idref': 'CLM-00003', 'claim 3'}, {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, {'@idref': 'CLM-00002', 'claim 2'}, {'@idref': 'CLM-00001', 'claim 1'}, {'@idref': 'CLM-00002', 'claim 2'}], '(To calculate the position of each 2 dimensional ultrasound image frame within a 3 dimensional space for the purposes of 3 dimensional tomographic modeling, the physical position of the ultrasound probe relative to the body part must be known for every frame of 2 dimensional ultrasound image capture. is thus dependent on and , and is the ...

DEVICE AND METHOD FOR USING IVUS DATA TO CHARACTERIZE AND EVALUATE A VASCULAR GRAFT CONDITION

There are described systems and methods of collecting ultrasound information related to a vascular graft condition of a patient and evaluation of the information using a virtual histology tree and hemodynamic information. 1. A method for assessing a hemodynamic condition in a patient having an implanted vascular graft , comprising:Advancing an IVUS capable catheter through a lumen within or adjacent to the implanted vascular graft or a portion of the vascular graft;Collecting intraluminal ultrasound information related to one or more hemodynamic characteristics of a flow within the lumen or the portion of the vascular graft; andComparing the information from the collecting step to information related to a desired hemodynamic characteristic of a lumen portion within or adjacent to an implanted vascular graft or within a portion of an implanted vascular graft using an image comparison algorithm; andProviding a result of the comparing step.2. The method of wherein the collecting step is performed periodically after implantation of the vascular graft.3. The method of wherein the vascular graft is an arterial bypass graft.4. The method of wherein the vascular graft is an arteriovenous graft.5. The method of wherein the steps of advancing and collecting are performed in a blood vessel adjacent claim 3 , proximate to or joined to one or more portions of the arterial bypass graft.6. The method of wherein the steps of advancing and collecting are performed in a blood vessel adjacent claim 4 , proximate to or joined to one or more portions of the arteriovenous graft.7. The method of wherein the one or more hemodynamic characteristics include one or more of wall shear stress claim 1 , an indication of turbulent flow claim 1 , an indication of laminar flow claim 1 , an indication of blood velocity claim 1 , and an indication of one or more blood velocity patterns.8. The method of wherein when the advancing and the collecting step are performed a transducer or a catheter is ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND ULTRASONIC THREE-DIMENSIONAL IMAGE GENERATION METHOD

An ultrasonic diagnostic device and ultrasonic three-dimensional image generation method generate a three-dimensional image by expressing interaction by dispersion, absorption, or the like of light in tissue or between tissues. The ultrasonic diagnostic device displays a three-dimensional image of a target object based on at least one piece of volume data among luminance volume data, blood flow volume data, and elasticity volume data. The ultrasonic diagnostic device includes: a light source setting unit to set light source data indicating characteristics of a light source set in a three-dimensional space; an optical characteristic setting unit to set characteristics of the volume data related to the light source; an illumination calculation unit calculates illumination of coordinates of the volume data based on the light source data and optical characteristics and generate illumination volume data based on calculated illumination; and a projection processing unit generates the three-dimensional image from the illumination volume data. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic device that displays a three-dimensional image of a target object based on at least one piece of volume data among luminance volume data , blood flow volume data , and elasticity volume data , the ultrasonic diagnostic device comprising:a light source information setting unit configured to set light source data indicating characteristics of a light source set in a three-dimensional space;an optical characteristic setting unit configured to set optical characteristics of the volume data in regard to the light source;an illumination calculation unit configured to calculate illumination of a position according to coordinates of the volume data based on the light source data and the optical characteristics and generates illumination volume data based on the calculated illumination; anda projection processing unit configured to generate the three-dimensional image from the illumination volume data.2. The ...

THREE DIMENSIONAL MAPPING DISPLAY SYSTEM FOR DIAGNOSTIC ULTRASOUND

An automated three dimensional mapping and display system for a diagnostic ultrasound system is presented. According to the invention, ultrasound probe position registration is automated, the position of each pixel in the ultrasound image in reference to selected anatomical references is calculated, and specified information is stored on command. The system, during real time ultrasound scanning, enables the ultrasound probe position and orientation to be continuously displayed over a body or body part diagram, thereby facilitating scanning and images interpretation of stored information. The system can then record single or multiple ultrasound free hand two-dimensional (also “2D”) frames in a video sequence (clip) or cine loop wherein multiple 2D frames of one or more video sequences corresponding to a scanned volume can be reconstructed in three-dimensional (also “3D”) volume images corresponding to the scanned region, using known 3D reconstruction algorithms. In later examinations, the exact location and position of the transducer can be recreated along three dimensional or two dimensional axis points enabling known targets to be viewed from an exact, known position. 1. A method for facilitating the relocation of target sites in subsequent examinations using ultrasound images in reference to at least one anatomical reference , the method comprising the steps of:selecting at least one anatomical reference;retrieving stored ultrasound image data from a previously performed examination, the stored ultrasound image data comprising a first image containing a target site and positional coordinates of the target site referenced to the at least one anatomical reference;receiving current ultrasound probe position data from a position sensor and receiving a current ultrasound image during a current examination, the current ultrasound probe position data and the current ultrasound image dynamically referenced to the at least one anatomical reference via positional data ...

CLUTTER FILTERS FOR STRAIN AND OTHER ULTRASONIC DEFORMATION IMAGING

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system and method filter the data of successive ultrasonic images of moving tissue. At least two successive images are clutter filtered to remove clutter in the image data from stationary objects. The successive images and the filtered successive images are both used to produce displacement images of frame to frame tissue motion, and a quality metric is produced of the quality of the estimated displacement. The displacement image with the best quality metric is selected for further processing such as the production of strain images. The selected displacement image may further be spatially filtered to reduce boundary artifacts. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system comprising:a source of successive frames of ultrasonic image data of moving tissue;a clutter filter configured to filter the successive frames to produce successive frames of filtered data of the moving tissue; and estimate first displacements between pixels of the successive frames of ultrasonic image data of the moving tissue to produce a first displacement image and respective first quality metrics for the first displacements;', 'estimate second displacements between corresponding pixels of the successive frames of the filtered data to produce a second displacement image and respective second quality metrics for the second displacements;', 'generate a third displacement image comprising estimated displacements selected from the first and second displacements based on a comparison between the respective first and second quality metrics., 'a tissue displacement estimates selector configured to2. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system of claim 1 , further comprising a spatio-temporal filter configured to receive the third displacement image and to spatially filter the third displacement image.3. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the clutter filter comprises a high pass filter.4. The ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system of claim 3 , wherein ...

OPERATION METHOD OF ULTRASOUND OBSERVATION APPARATUS, AND ULTRASOUND OBSERVATION APPARATUS

An ultrasound observation apparatus is configured to be able to exchange plural models of ultrasound probes and configured to receive an ultrasound signal from an ultrasound probe connected to the ultrasound observation apparatus. The ultrasound observation apparatus includes: a corrector configured to correct ultrasound data based on the ultrasound signal using first reference data and second reference data, the first reference data being determined by different models of the ultrasound probes to be connected to the ultrasound observation apparatus, the second reference data being determined by individual probes of the same models of the ultrasound probes to be connected to the ultrasound observation apparatus. The corrector is configured to correct the ultrasound signal by performing a calculation on the ultrasound signal using each of the first reference data and the second reference data for each frequency or each distance. 1. An operation method of an ultrasound observation apparatus configured to be able to exchange plural models of ultrasound probes and configured to receive an ultrasound signal from an ultrasound probe connected to the ultrasound observation apparatus , the method comprising:correcting ultrasound data based on the ultrasound signal using first reference data and second reference data, the first reference data being determined by different models of the ultrasound probes to be connected to the ultrasound observation apparatus, the second reference data being determined by individual probes of the same models of the ultrasound probes to be connected to the ultrasound observation apparatus,wherein the correcting includes correcting the ultrasound signal by performing a calculation on the ultrasound signal using each of the first reference data and the second reference data for each frequency or each distance.2. An ultrasound observation apparatus configured to be able to exchange plural models of ultrasound probes and configured to receive an ...

ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING ULTRASOUND IMAGE

Provided are an ultrasound imaging apparatus and method for displaying an ultrasound image. The ultrasound imaging apparatus includes: a display; and a processor configured to set, from among a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of scan line groups respectively corresponding to a plurality of subframes constituting a first frame, control the display to display the first frame, set, from among the plurality of scan lines, a plurality of scan line groups respectively corresponding to a plurality of subframes constituting a second frame, and control the display to display the second frame subsequently to the first frame. The processor may set the plurality of scan line groups such that a position of a boundary line between adjacent ones of the plurality of subframes in the first frame does not overlap a position of a boundary line between adjacent ones of the plurality of subframes in the second frame. 1. An ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising:a display; anda processor configured to set, from among a plurality of scan lines, a plurality of scan line groups respectively corresponding to a plurality of subframes constituting a first frame, control the display to display the first frame, set, from among the plurality of scan lines, a plurality of scan line groups respectively corresponding to a plurality of subframes constituting a second frame, and control the display to display the second frame subsequently to the first frame,wherein the processor is further configured to set the plurality of scan line groups such that a position of a boundary line between adjacent ones of the plurality of subframes in the first frame does not overlap a position of a boundary line between adjacent ones of the plurality of subframes in the second frame.2. The ultrasound imaging apparatus of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of scan line groups comprises the same number of scan lines.3. The ultrasound imaging apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the processor is further configured ...

Method and system for providing real-time end of ultrasound examination analysis and reporting

A system and method for performing an ultrasound examination, analyzing the acquired images, and reporting image inadequacies and missing views at the end of the ultrasound examination is provided. The method includes acquiring ultrasound images during an examination, each of the images having an image view. The method includes receiving a user input to end the examination. The method includes automatically determining, with artificial intelligence, whether one or more images include an inadequacy. The method includes automatically determining, with the artificial intelligence, whether desired image views are not present in the images. The method includes presenting a report identifying any inadequate images and missing views. The method includes providing a selectable reopen exam option to reopen the examination.

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE

The purpose of the present invention is to use multiresolution decomposition to reduce image sections, such as fogging and stationary artifacts, which appear in an ultrasound image. An image processing unit () performs resolution conversion processing on an ultrasound image obtained on the basis of a reception signal, to form a plurality of resolution images having mutually different resolutions, determines, on the basis of the plurality of resolution images, a reduction degree for each section in the image, and forms an ultrasound image in which reduction processing has been performed on each section in the image in accordance with the reduction degrees. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic device comprising:a probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic waves;a transmitting and receiving section that obtains a received signal from the probe by controlling the probe;a resolution processing section that forms a plurality of resolution images, each having different resolution, by resolution conversion processing of an ultrasonic image obtained based on the received signal;a reduction processing section that determines the degree of reduction in each portion of the image based on the plurality of resolution images; andan image forming section that forms an ultrasonic image subjected to reduction processing according to the degree of reduction in each portion of the image.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein the reduction processing section estimates the degree of structure for each portion in the image based on a difference image between the plurality of resolution images claim 1 , and determines the degree of reduction for each portion in the image based on the estimation result.3. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein the reduction processing section estimates the degree of motion for each portion in the image based on images obtained over a plurality of time phases from at least one of the plurality of resolution ...

Photoacoustic measurement device and probe for photoacoustic measurement device

An object of the invention is to reduce the size of a probe for a photoacoustic measurement device. A light guide 71 is arranged such that one of a two side surfaces 71 a is closer to a probe axis C which faces a subject than the other side surface and a light emission end surface 71 c is closer to the probe axis C than a light incident end surface 71 b when the probe is used. When a refractive index of the light guide 71 with respect to the light is n1 and a refractive index of a medium around the light guide with respect to the light during photoacoustic measurement is n2 (n2<n1), the light emission end surface 71 c is obliquely formed such that an angle α[°] (where 90°−arcsin(n2/n1)<α<90°) is formed between the light emission end surface 71 c and the side surface 71 a.

Ultrasonic Image Processing Apparatus and Program

A guidance image generation unit generates a guidance image in which setting position information and setting order information of each manually set representative point are marked on a schematic diagram schematically representing an organ image included in an ultrasonic image. A schema diagram schematically shows a tomographic image of the heart. A position marker is a specific example of the setting position information and a number label is a specific example of the setting order information. A plurality of position markers indicate positions corresponding to a plurality of feature points in the schema diagram schematically showing an apical three-chamber (A3C) view. A plurality of number labels indicate setting orders of the plurality of feature points. 1. An ultrasonic image processing apparatus comprising:a representative point setting unit which manually sets at least one of a plurality of representative points in an ultrasonic image based on data obtained by transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves according to an operation by a user; andan image generation unit which generates a guidance image in which setting position information and setting order information of each manually set representative point are marked on a schematic diagram schematically representing an organ image included in the ultrasonic image.2. The ultrasonic image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe image generation unit generates the guidance image in which a position marker as the setting position information and a number label as the setting order information are marked on the schematic diagram.3. The ultrasonic image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe image generation unit generates the guidance image corresponding to a type of organ image included in the ultrasonic image by marking setting position information and setting order information corresponding to the type of organ image on the schematic diagram selected according to the type of organ ...

Systems and Methods for Processing Ultrasound Color Flow Mapping

In one aspect, the invention relates to an ultrasound imaging system that includes an ultrasound receiver configured to receive ultrasound signals scattered from a sample in real time; an acoustic beam former; and an ultrasound data demodulation system. In one embodiment, the ultrasound imaging system further includes a processing system configured to process demodulated scan data and perform ultrasound image generation and flow processing and a display configured to show ultrasound image data and blood flow velocity data relative to such image data. Signals that include positive flow information and negative flow information are separated from received signals using phase-filters and analytic signal transforms such that a first and a second autocorrelation signal processing stage is used to generate mean positive flow, mean negative flow, and variance data for such flows. 1. A method of ultrasound color flow mapping comprising:separating a positive flow signal and a negative flow signal from ultrasound data using a first pair of Hilbert transforms;converting the separated positive flow signal and the separated negative flow signal into a positive flow analytic signal and a negative flow analytic signal using a second pair of Hilbert transforms;autocorrelating the positive flow analytic signal to obtain a mean positive flow velocity;autocorrelating the negative flow analytic signal to obtain a mean negative flow velocity; andperforming color flow mapping using the mean positive flow velocity and the mean negative flow velocity.2. The method of further comprising determining a flow velocity variance using an autocorrelation process.3. The method of wherein performing color flow mapping further comprises using the flow velocity variance.4. The method of further comprising collecting the ultrasound data using a probe.5. The method of further comprising selecting a data acquisition period during which the ultrasound data is collected by the probe that ranges from about ...

High accuracy image matching apparatus and high accuracy image matching method using a skin marker and a feature point in a body

A high accuracy image matching apparatus and a high accuracy image matching method using a skin marker and a feature point in a body, which uses ultrasonic probe or a radiation probe as a portion of the marker for image matching, are disclosed. As an embodiment, the high accuracy image matching apparatus and the high accuracy image matching method using a skin marker and a feature point in a body, use the ultrasonic probe or the radiation probe as a portion of marker for image matching indicating an anatomical feature point to reduce an error in operation point, and more precise operation can be possible and better operation result can be obtained by using the ultrasonic probe or a radiation probe.

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR DETECTING PLEURAL IRREGULARITIES IN MEDICAL IMAGES

Various methods and systems are provided for a medical imaging system. In one embodiment, a method includes acquiring a series of medical images of a lung, identifying a pleural line in each medical image of the series, evaluating the pleural line for irregularities in each medical image of the series, and outputting an annotated version of each medical image of the series, the annotated version including visual markers for healthy pleura and irregular pleura. In this way, an operator of the medical imaging system may be alerted to pleural irregularities during a scan.

ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM USING AN ARRAY OF TRANSDUCER ELEMENTS AND AN IMAGING METHOD

The present invention relates to systems and methods that enable high frequency intraluminal imaging, such as IVUS or intra-cardiac echography (ICE), by reducing an amount of circuitry and wiring required to control the functions of one or more transducer array elements of an intraluminal device (e.g. catheter, guidewire, probe, etc.). In particular, aspects of the invention provide for selectively grouping transducers of an array that receive bias voltages from bias voltage circuitry and that are controlled by transmit and receive circuitry (also referred to as pulser/receiver circuitry). The selective grouping of the invention allows the same transmit and receive circuitry to stimulate one or more transducer elements to transmit signals while stimulating one or more other transducer elements to receive signals. Since a single transmit/receive circuit can, in accordance with the invention, drive transmit/receive functions of multiple transducer elements, less wiring is required to interconnect the transducer and the overall the size of imaging core can be reduced. As a result, systems and methods of the invention enable higher frequency imaging while maintaining a smaller device footprint capable of, e.g., traversing the lumens of the vasculature. 1. An ultrasound system , comprising:a plurality of transducer elements forming a one-dimensional array;a first plurality of bias voltage circuits, each bias voltage circuit being in communication with a respective first set of the transducer elements and configured to apply a bias voltage to its respective first set of the transducer elements;a second plurality of transmit and receive circuits, each transmit and receive circuit being in communication with a respective second set of transducer elements and configured to stimulate signal transmission or reception of the transducer elements of its respective second set;wherein the transducer elements of at least one first set differ from the transducer elements of at least ...

ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM WITH TISSUE SPECIFIC PRESETS FOR DIAGNOSTIC EXAMS

An ultrasound system has user selectable tissue specific presets by which a user can condition the ultrasound system to be optimized for specific types of diagnostic exams. After an exam type has been selected and the exam commenced, a user manipulates imaging and workflow controls to better visualize the target anatomy. The user has the choice of setting up the system so that imaging and workflow settings are maintained when the tissue specific presets are changed, or to reset the imaging and workflow settings to default values upon a change of the tissue specific presets. t,? 115.-. (canceled)16. An ultrasound system , the system comprisingat least one processor and at least one memory in communication with the processor, the memory storing instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the processor to:receive beamformed ultrasound signals;generate B-mode and doppler images from the beamformed ultrasound signals;receive at least one user input, via a user interface, for control of a plurality of tissue-specific preset (TSP) settings, each being specific to a tissue of an person being imaged, and for control of one or more non-TSP settings;adjust, in response to the user input, the TSP from a first mode to a second mode while maintaining the non-TSP settings.17. The ultrasound system of claim 16 , wherein the non-TSP settings comprise display and workflow settings.18. The ultrasound system of claim 16 , wherein the display and workflow settings comprise one or more of image size claim 16 , depth claim 16 , focal point claim 16 , and image zoom.19. The ultrasound system of claim 16 , wherein the TSP settings further comprise one or more of settings for flow velocity range claim 16 , color persistence claim 16 , color write priority claim 16 , color gain claim 16 , transmit power claim 16 , colorflow claim 16 , dynamic range claim 16 , and grayscale mapping.20. An ultrasound imaging system operable in different tissue specific modes of operation comprising:a ...

ULTRASOUND BEAMFORMING SYSTEM AND METHOD

A method for ultrasound imaging acquires an initial set of one or more images of a region of interest in a predetermined clinical ultrasound mode using a generated signal of a first beamforming type. Suitability of the first beamforming type signal for imaging the region of interest in the predetermined mode is evaluated according to a metric calculated from the initial set of one or more images. The generated signal is automatically changed to a second beamforming type according to the suitability evaluation. 1. A method for ultrasound imaging , comprising:acquiring an initial set of one or more images of a region of interest in a predetermined clinical ultrasound mode using a first generated signal of a first beamforming type;evaluating the suitability of the first generated signal for imaging the region of interest in the predetermined mode according to a image metric determined from the initial set of one or more images; andautomatically changing the first generated signal to a second generated signal of a second beamforming type according to the suitability evaluation.2. The method of wherein the first beamforming type employs a diverging beam/plane wave signal.3. The method of wherein the image metric includes one or more of the following: contrast resolution claim 1 , spatial resolution claim 1 , penetration claim 1 , power in harmonic frequency band or ratio of power between harmonic and fundamental frequency bands claim 1 , and frame rate.4. The method of wherein the image metric is determined to be suitable or unsuitable by comparison with a stored threshold metric.5. The method of wherein the step of evaluating is performed automatically claim 1 , without operator intervention.6. The method of wherein the step of automatically changing the generated signal can be overridden by a user instruction.7. The method of wherein the predetermined clinical ultrasound mode is a harmonic imaging mode.8. An ultrasound method claim 1 , comprising:initiating an ...

Ultrasound system with improved noise performance by persistence processing

An ultrasound system produces persisted images in response to both persistence coefficients and noise bias coefficients. The persistence coefficients control the degree of persistence, which reduces noise variance by persistence processing. The noise bias coefficients are produced in correspondence with the likelihood that an image pixel is noise, and operate to reduce the noise floor of the persisted images. A single user control enables a user to control both the noise variance and the noise level of images in tandem or, alternatively, dedicated controls can become available to adjust noise variance and noise level separately.

MEDICAL IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATING SAME

Provided is a method of operating a medical imaging apparatus, comprising: acquiring a first image of a first type corresponding to a first respiratory state of an object; determining motion information of the object with respect to a respiratory state, based on first and second images of a second type respectively corresponding to the first respiratory state and a second respiratory state of the object; and generating a second image of the first type corresponding to the second respiratory state by applying the motion information to the first image of the first type. 1. A method of operating a medical imaging apparatus , the method comprising:acquiring a first image of a first type corresponding to a first respiratory state of an object;acquiring a first ultrasound image corresponding to the first respiratory state of the object and a second ultrasound image corresponding to a second respiratory state of the object;generating a second image of the first type in which the second respiratory state of the object is predicted, based on anatomical information extracted from the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image; andregistering the second image of the first type and the second ultrasound image.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the generating the second image of the first type comprisespredicting a second anatomical information corresponding to the second respiratory state of the object from a first anatomical information corresponding to the first respiratory state of the object in the first image of a first type, based on the anatomical information extracted from the first ultrasound image and the second ultrasound image; andgenerating the second image of the first type based on the second anatomical information.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the predicting the second anatomical information comprisesdetermining motion information of the object with respect to a respiratory state, based on the anatomical information extracted from the first ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR CONTRAST ENHANCED IMAGING

Systems and methods for visualizing microbubbles for contrast-enhanced imaging are described herein. Microbubbles may be visualized by multi-pixel spots by identifying and localizing individual microbubbles. Motion compensation may be provided for localized microbubbles or for contrast images prior to microbubble identification and localization. Users may determine the size of the multi-pixel spot by adjusting a filter, for example, adjusting a threshold value of the filter. Altering the size of the multi-pixel spot may alter the resolution. As the number of pixels increases, the resolution decreases, but the acquisition time may also decrease. As the number of pixels decreases, the resolution increases, but the acquisition time may increase. 1. An ultrasound imaging system comprising:an ultrasound probe for receiving ultrasound signals for a plurality of transmit/receive events; and{'claim-text': ['identify microbubbles in the ultrasound signals for the plurality of transmit/receive events;', 'represent individual ones of the identified microbubbles as a multi-pixel spot comprising a plurality of pixels, wherein the plurality of pixels for individual ones of the identified microbubbles is less than a number of pixels representative of the entire extent of the identified microbubble according to a point spread function of the ultrasound imaging system and greater than a single pixel; and', 'combine the ultrasound signals including the represented microbubbles for the plurality of transmit/receive events to form an enhanced contrast accumulation image, and wherein:', 'the number of the plurality of pixels within the multi-pixel spot representing an identified microbubble is proportional to an intensity value of the ultrasound signals associated with said identified microbubble.'], '#text': 'at least one processor in communication with the ultrasound probe, the at least one processor configured to:'}2. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein a number of the ...

SYSTEMS AND METHODS FOR IMPROVING ULTRASOUND IMAGE QUALITY BY APPLYING WEIGHTING FACTORS

Systems and methods for improving the quality of ultrasound images made up of a combination of multiple sub-images include giving more weight to sub-image information that is more likely to improve a combined image quality. Weighting factor information may be determined from the geometry (e.g., angle or path length) of a location of one or more specific transducer elements relative to a specific point within a region of interest or a region of an image. In some embodiments, any given pixel (or other discrete region of an image) may be formed by combining received echo data in a manner that gives more weight to data that is likely to improve image quality, and/or discounting or ignoring data that is likely to detract from image quality (e.g., by introducing noise or by increasing point spread). 1. A method of identifying transmit elements not blocked by an obstacle , the method comprising:transmitting an unfocused first circular wave front ultrasound signal from a first transmit aperture and receiving echoes of the first circular wave front ultrasound signal at a first receive aperture;determining if deep echo returns from within the region of interest are received by identifying if a time delay associated with the received echoes exceeds a threshold value; andidentifying the first transmit aperture as being clear of an obstacle if deep echo returns are received.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising applying a weighting factor of substantially near 1 to the first transmit aperture.3. The method of claim 1 , further comprising transmitting an unfocused second circular wave front ultrasound signal from a second transmit aperture and receiving echoes of the first circular wave front ultrasound signal at the first receive aperture or a second receive aperture.4. The method of claim 3 , further comprising identifying the second transmit aperture as being obscured by an obstacle if deep echo returns are not received.5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND METHOD OF OPERATING THE SAME

Provided are an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus and method of operating the same. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a data acquisition unit configured to acquire flow data in real-time from a region of interest (ROI) of an object; a parameter setting unit configured to analyze a change in blood flow based on the flow data acquired in real-time and set a parameter according to the analyzed change in blood flow; an image generator configured to generate a color flow image of the ROI by applying the set parameter to the flow data; and a display configured to display the color flow image. 1. An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus comprising:a data acquisition unit configured to acquire flow data in real-time from a region of interest (ROI) of an object;a parameter setting unit configured to analyze a change in blood flow based on the flow data acquired in real-time and set a parameter according to the analyzed change in blood flow;an image generator configured to generate a color flow image of the ROI by applying the set parameter to the flow data; anda display configured to display the color flow image.2. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the flow data comprises at least one of power data claim 1 , velocity data claim 1 , and variance data of the blood flow through the ROI.3. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the parameter comprises at least one of a power threshold claim 1 , a power ceiling claim 1 , a velocity threshold claim 1 , a velocity ceiling claim 1 , a scale claim 1 , and a baseline.4. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the parameter setting unit generates a histogram based on the flow data and analyzes the histogram claim 1 , thereby setting the parameter.5. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the parameter setting unit sets the parameter by analyzing spatial distribution of the flow data.6. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the parameter setting ...

Non-invasive blood pressure measurement devices, systems and methods

The disclosed non-invasive blood pressure measurement systems and methods using the conservation of mass, conservation of momentum, and/or constitutive equation(s), which may also include the water hammer equation use pulse wave velocity and blood velocity. There are multiple manners by which pulse wave velocity and blood velocity may be assessed by transmitting energy, such as light or ultrasound, through tissues of the patient and measuring values and times of reflectivity of the energy from the interrogated tissues. Blood pressure can be determined from the one or more manners of assessing the PWV, blood velocity, and blood flow profile. 1. A non-invasive blood pressure (NIBP) device , comprising: receive at least a portion of the energy reflected from the at least one of the blood vessel of the patient or blood flowing through the blood vessel of the patient, and', 'generate a reflected energy signal based on the received energy;, 'an energy module having one or more transducers configured to emit energy towards at least one of a blood vessel of a patient or blood flowing through the blood vessel of a patient, the one or more transducers configured to calculate at least one of a pulse wave velocity (PWV) or a blood velocity from the reflected energy signal; and', a PWV or the blood velocity, or', 'one or more blood vessel geometries., 'determine a blood pressure of the patient based, at least in part, on the at least one of], 'a signal processing module configured to2. The NIBP device of claim 1 , wherein the signal processing module configured to calculate the PWV includes configuring the one or more transducers to emit ultrasound energy to perform a shear wave imaging technique.3. The NIBP device of claim 1 , wherein the signal processing module configured to calculate the PWV includes calculating the Young's modulus of the blood vessel.4. The NIBP device of claim 3 , wherein the signal processing module configured to calculate the Young's modulus of the blood ...

Method and ultrasound apparatus for providing annotation related information

Provided is a method of providing annotation-related information, the method including displaying, on a display of a ultrasound apparatus, an ultrasound image obtained by using a probe; receiving an input user requesting an annotation setup interface; identifying a diagnostic field corresponding to the ultrasound image; determining text items, based on the identified diagnostic field; and displaying, on a touchscreen of the ultrasound apparatus, the annotation setup interface including the text items.

COLOR CODING AN IMAGE FOR IDENTIFYING ANATOMY USING QUANTITATIVE TRANSMISSION ULTRASOUND TOMOGRAPHY

The speed of sound, attenuation, and reflection data obtained through quantitative Transmission ultrasound (QTUS) differs by body tissue type. Skin, fat, gland, duct and connective tissues can be classified based on the sound, attenuation, and reflection data. The system can assign coloration to breast images to provide a color-coded breast tissue volume based on the output of the classifier. 1. A method of tissue type identification comprising:evaluating image data comprising at least a speed of sound image and a reflection image, wherein each pixel of at least the speed of sound image and the reflection image are co-registered, to assign a color to each pixel registration;distinguishing connective tissue and fat from each other, and from ducts and glands, using both speed of sound data and reflection data, wherein the connective tissue and the fat have speed of sound data greater than the ducts and the glands, and wherein the connective tissue have reflection data greater than the fat;storing for each pixel registration a color parameter indicating the assigned color for at least one of the connective tissue, the fat, the ducts, and the glands;in response to receiving a request to display a particular tissue type, identifying each pixel registration storing a corresponding color parameter for the particular tissue type; anddisplaying the assigned color for each pixel registration identified as storing the corresponding color parameter for the particular tissue type in a view screen.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: displaying an isolated tissue or tissues as based on a selected tissue type or color.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein storing the color parameter comprises replacing at least the speed of sound data and reflection data of the pixel registration with the color parameter.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein storing the color parameter comprises adding the color parameter to at least the speed of sound data and the reflection data of the pixel ...

HANDHELD ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER ARRAY FOR 3D TRANSCRANIAL AND TRANSTHORACIC ULTRASOUND AND ACOUSTOELECTRIC IMAGING AND RELATED MODALITIES

A two-dimensional wideband ultrasound transducer array for three or four-dimensional (volume+time) non-invasively imaging/mapping of electrical current in, for example, the brain through the skull, or the heart. The probe also has unique capabilities for three-dimensional transcranial or transthoracic pulse echo ultrasound (tissue structure, motion, bone thickness) and doppler blood flow imaging. The handheld device interfaces with an ultrasound delivery system for applications to human brain or heart imaging, ultrasound neuromodulation, and therapy. The handheld ultrasound array enables three-dimensional steering of an ultrasound beam through the human skull or chest for ultrasound, doppler, and acoustoelectric imaging and related modalities to aid in the diagnosis and treatment of brain or heart disorders. 1. A method for 3D or 4D non-invasive imaging , the method comprising:providing a 2D wideband ultrasound transducer array;delivering an ultrasound beam non-invasively to a body part using the transducer array, the ultrasound beam being in the form of plane waves with no focus, spherically focused waves, or cylindrically focused waves; andmapping electrical current in the body part using the providing and delivering steps.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of mapping is performed with electrical beam steering without the need of physically moving the transducer array.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of mapping uses an imaging technique selected from the group consisting of acoustoelectric imaging claim 1 , 3D pulse echo ultrasound claim 1 , doppler blood flow imaging claim 1 , and a combination thereof.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the step of mapping uses acoustoelectric imaging.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transducer array comprises a rectangular aperture.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transducer array allows for excitation pulses with linear or nonlinear coding schemes.7. The method of claim 1 , further comprising ...

RETROSPECTIVE MULTIMODAL HIGH FRAME RATE IMAGING

Systems and methods for performing ultrasound imaging. Ultrasound information of a subject region in response to ultrasound pulses transmitted toward the subject region can be collected. One or more ultrasound images of at least a portion of the subject region can be formed using the ultrasound information. The ultrasound information can be stored in a memory. In turn, the ultrasound information can be accessed from the memory. Subsequently, the ultrasound information accessed from the memory can be reprocessed to retrospectively generate one or more additional ultrasound images of at least a portion of the subject region. 1. A method for performing ultrasound imaging comprising:collecting ultrasound information of a subject region in response to ultrasound pulses transmitted toward the subject region;forming one or more ultrasound images of at least a portion of the subject region using the ultrasound information;storing the ultrasound information in a memory;accessing the ultrasound information from the memory; andreprocessing the ultrasound information accessed from the memory to retrospectively generate one or more additional ultrasound images of at least a portion of the subject region.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the one or more ultrasound images are generated as the ultrasound information is collected by processing the ultrasound information in real-time as the ultrasound information is collected.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound information is gathered during a session of transmitting the ultrasound pulses toward the subject region and the ultrasound information is reprocessed to retrospectively generate the one or more additional ultrasound images after the session.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound information includes either or both channel domain data and image data of the subject region.5. The method of claim 4 , further comprising storing the ultrasound information in the memory in either or both a radio frequency ( ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes image processing circuitry. The image processing circuitry acquires, based on a result of ultrasound scanning performed on a subject, blood flow information including a value that indicates a blood flow at each position within the subject and tissue property information including a value that indicates tissue properties at each position within the subject. The image processing circuitry generates a first image in which a difference in value in the blood flow information is represented by at least a difference in hue and a second image in which a difference in value in the tissue property information is represented by a difference other than the difference in hue. The image processing circuitry generates a combined image by combining the first image and the second image. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus , comprising image processing circuitry configured to:acquire, based on a result of ultrasound scanning performed on a subject, blood flow information including a value that represents a blood flow at each position within the subject, and tissue property information including a value that represents a tissue property at each position within the subject;generate a first image in which a difference in value in the blood flow information is represented by at least a difference in hue, and a second image in which a difference in value in the tissue property information is represented by a difference other than the difference in hue; andgenerate a combined image by combining the first image and the second image.2. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus , comprising image processing circuitry configured to:acquire, based on a result of ultrasound scanning performed on a subject, blood flow information including a value that represents a blood flow at each position within the subject, and tissue property information including a value that represents a tissue property at each position within the subject; ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR VALVE REGURGITATION ASSESSMENT

The invention provides a method for assessing cardiac valve regurgitation. The method includes obtaining 4D ultrasound data of a region of interest, wherein the region of interest comprises a cardiac valve. The 4D ultrasound data comprises a time sequence of 3D ultrasound images comprising B-mode ultrasound data and color Doppler ultrasound data. Image stabilization is performed on the images of the time sequence of 3D ultrasound images and a dynamic jet is then segmented from the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images. A dynamic surface model is fit to the valve in the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images based on the segmented jet. The method further includes identifying a dynamic regurgitant orifice based on the applied surface model and the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images and fitting a flow convergence model to the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images based on the identified dynamic regurgitant orifice. A regurgitant flow is then estimated based on the identified regurgitant orifice. 1. A method for calculating cardiac valve regurgitation , the method comprising:obtaining 4D ultrasound data of a region of interest, wherein the region of interest comprises a cardiac valve and wherein the 4D ultrasound data comprises a time sequence of 3D ultrasound images comprising B-mode ultrasound data and color Doppler ultrasound data;performing image stabilization on the images of the time sequence of 3D ultrasound images;segmenting a dynamic jet from the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images;fitting a dynamic surface model to the valve in the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images based on the segmented dynamic jet;identifying a dynamic regurgitant orifice based on the dynamic surface model and the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images;fitting a flow convergence model to the time sequence of stabilized 3D ultrasound images based on the identified dynamic regurgitant orifice; andestimating a ...

Cardiac flow detection based on morphological modeling in medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging

For cardiac flow detection in echocardiography, by detecting one or more valves, sampling planes or flow regions spaced from the valve and/or based on multiple valves are identified. A confidence of the detection may be used to indicate confidence of calculated quantities and/or to place the sampling planes.

THREE-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASOUND IMAGE GENERATION APPARATUS, THREE-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASOUND IMAGE GENERATION METHOD, AND THREE-DIMENSIONAL ULTRASOUND IMAGE GENERATION PROGRAM

A three-dimensional ultrasound image generation apparatus includes: an image acquisition unit that acquires a plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound images from each of a first viewpoint and a second viewpoint; a probe position information acquisition unit that acquires, for each imaging, position information of an ultrasound probe; a three-dimensional ultrasound image generation unit that generates three-dimensional ultrasound images; an organ extraction unit that extracts an organ included in the three-dimensional ultrasound images; an image processing unit that extracts an unclear image region from the three-dimensional ultrasound image from which at least the organ is extracted based on position information of the organ and the position information of the ultrasound probe and that performs suppression processing of suppressing unclearness; and an image combination unit that generates a combined three-dimensional ultrasound image by combining the three-dimensional ultrasound images from two viewpoints including the three-dimensional ultrasound image on which the suppression processing is performed. 1. A three-dimensional ultrasound image generation apparatus comprising a processor ,the processor configured to:acquire a plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound images from each of a first viewpoint and a second viewpoint by imaging a target organ in a subject at a plurality of imaging positions while moving an ultrasound probe in one direction along a body surface of the subject, the plurality of two-dimensional ultrasound images being acquired by performing imaging at the plurality of imaging positions from each of at least two viewpoints of the first viewpoint and the second viewpoint;acquire, for each imaging, position information including an imaging direction indicating a direction of the viewpoint of the ultrasound probe and the imaging position for each viewpoint;generate three-dimensional ultrasound images from each of the first viewpoint and the second ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a candidate-position extracting circuitry and a position setting circuitry. The candidate-position extracting circuitry extracts a first position through comparison of a fundamental wave component between a plurality pieces of image data collected by performing ultrasonic scanning on a subject injected with a contrast agent. The candidate-position extracting circuitry also extracts a second position through comparison of a harmonic component between the pieces of image data. The position setting circuitry sets the first position or the second position as a position of a region of interest where predetermined analysis is performed in at least one image data of the pieces of image data. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:processing circuitry configured toextract a first position through comparison of a fundamental wave component between a plurality pieces of image data collected by performing ultrasonic scanning on a subject injected with a contrast agent,extract a second position through comparison of a harmonic component between the pieces of image data, andset either one of the first position and the second position as a position of a region of interest where predetermined analysis is performed in at least one image data of the pieces of image data.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processing circuitry is configured tocompare a fundamental wave component in a region set in a predetermined position in predetermined image data included in the pieces of image data and fundamental wave components in a plurality of regions set in a plurality of positions corresponding to the predetermined position in another image data different from the predetermined image data included in the pieces of image data, and extract a position, as the first position, corresponding to a region, of the regions, having a fundamental wave component most similar to the ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND OPERATING METHOD THEREOF

Provided is a method of processing shear wave elastography data, including: inducing a shear wave in a region of interest of an object by emitting a focused ultrasound beam onto the region of interest of the object; obtaining ultrasound images of the object in which the shear wave is induced, respectively at a plurality of time points; measuring, by using the ultrasound images, shear wave arrival times respectively at a plurality of measurement points that are separated by preset distances from a focal point where the focused ultrasound beam is focused; detecting a reverberation in the region of interest based on the measured shear wave arrival times; and displaying information about the detected reverberation. 1. A method of processing shear wave elastography data with respect to an object by using an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus , the method comprising:inducing a shear wave in a region of interest of the object by emitting a focused ultrasound beam onto the region of interest of the object;obtaining ultrasound images of the object in which the shear wave is induced, respectively at a plurality of time points;measuring, by using the ultrasound images, shear wave arrival times respectively at a plurality of measurement points that are separated by preset distances from a focal point where the focused ultrasound beam is focused;detecting a reverberation in the region of interest based on the measured shear wave arrival times; anddisplaying information about the detected reverberation.2. The method of claim 1 ,before the emitting of the focused ultrasound beam, further comprising transmitting a first ultrasound signal to the object and generating a reference ultrasound image by using an ultrasound echo signal reflected from the object,wherein the obtaining of the ultrasound images comprises transmitting a second ultrasound signal to the object in which the shear wave is induced and respectively obtaining a plurality of shear wave images at the plurality of time ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR ULTRASOUND SHEAR WAVE ELASTOGRAPHY USING EXTERNAL MECHANICAL VIBRATIONS

Systems and methods for ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) are described. According to examples, an ultrasound SWE system includes an ultrasound probe (), an actuation assembly () coupled to the probe and configured to apply an external force against a subject for generating a shear wave within a target region, a controller () coupled to the actuation assembly to control the actuation assembly to apply the force responsive to a trigger signal, and ultrasound scanner () configured to generate the trigger signal, and further configured to generate an elastography image based at least in part on echo signals received from the target region. 1. An ultrasound shear wave elastography (SWE) system comprising:a probe configured to transmit ultrasound signals toward a target region of a subject and receive echo signals responsive to the ultrasound signals;an actuation assembly coupled to the probe and configured to apply an external force against the subject for generating a shear wave within the target region;a controller coupled to the actuation assembly and configured to control the actuation assembly to apply the force responsive to a trigger signal; andan ultrasound scanner coupled to the probe and the controller, wherein the ultrasound scanner is configured to generate the trigger signal, and wherein the ultrasound scanner comprises at least one processor configured to generate an elastography image based at least in part on the echo signals.2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the actuation assembly comprises at least one end effector configured to move relative to the probe to apply the external force against the subject.3. The system of claim 2 , wherein the actuation assembly further comprises:a frame movably joining the least one end effector to the probe; andan actuator coupled to the at least one end effector and configured to drive the end effector toward and away from the subject.4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the actuator comprises a voice coil ...

IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME, AND NON-TRANSITORY COMPUTER-READABLE STORAGE MEDIUM

An image processing apparatus obtains, in both a first image obtained by capturing an object and a predetermined space including the object, a corresponding feature part of the object, specifies a first point on the first image and a second point on the predetermined space, calculates a degree of matching between the first point and the second point, based on a positional relationship between the first point on the first image and the feature part of the object, and a positional relationship between the second point on the predetermined space and the feature part of the object on the predetermined space, and causes a display unit to display the calculated degree of matching. 1. An image processing apparatus , comprising:an obtainment unit configured to obtain, in both a first image obtained by capturing an object and a predetermined space including the object, a corresponding feature part of the object;a specification unit configured to specify a first point on the first image and a second point on the predetermined space;a calculation unit configured to, based on a positional relationship between the first point on the first image and the feature part of the object on the first image, and a positional relationship between the second point on the predetermined space and the feature part of the object on the predetermined space, calculate a degree of matching between the first point and the second point; anda display control unit configured to cause a display unit to display the calculated degree of matching.2. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the predetermined space is a second image claim 1 , and the first image and the second image is obtained by capturing the object under different conditions.3. The image processing apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the calculation unit calculates the degree of matching based on a first distance from the first point on the first image to a position of the feature part of the object on the first ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR TRACKING COMPLETENESS OF CO-REGISTERED MEDICAL IMAGE DATA

A system and method for tracking completeness of co-registered medical image data is disclosed herein. The system and method tracks the position of an anatomical reference marker positionable on a patient and an ultrasound probe during an imaging session and co-registers medical images based on positional data received from the anatomical reference marker and the ultrasound probe. Using the co-registered image data, the system and method generates a surface contour of a region of interest (ROI) of the patient, such as a breast. The surface contour is defined to represent an interface between a chest wall structure and tissue of the ROI in a plurality of co-registered medical images. A completeness map of the image data within the defined surface contour during the imaging session is generated and overlaid on a graphic representation of the ROI. 1. A system for analyzing image data acquired from an imaging modality , the system comprising:at least one anatomical reference marker positionable on a patient during an imaging session;a sensor coupleable to a handheld image data acquisition device of the imaging modality; and an image input module connected to a signal output of the imaging modality to receive image data acquired from a region of interest (ROI) of a patient during the imaging session, the ROI comprising a breast;', 'at least one tracking module connected to a signal output of the at least one anatomical reference marker and a signal output of the handheld image data acquisition device to receive positional data therefrom during the imaging session;', 'a registration module that co-registers a plurality of images generated from the image data based on the positional data received from the at least one anatomical reference marker and the handheld image data acquisition device;', 'a surface contour module that generates a surface contour of the breast and tracks movement of the surface contour between the plurality of images, the surface contour representing ...

Methods and systems for a medical imaging device

Various systems are provided for an ultrasound imaging device. In one example, a method comprises instructing a user a location to which to navigate an ultrasound probe in one or more of a horizontal plane and a vertical plane based on a previously acquired first image at a first anatomical location while acquiring a second image at a second, different anatomical location and automatically joining the first and second images together.

ULTRASONIC PROBE APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

An ultrasonic probe apparatus includes an ultrasound transceiver adapted to receive ultrasonic echo signals reflected after transmitting unfocused or defocused ultrasonic signals having a first frame rate; a converter adapted to convert ultrasonic echo signals received by the ultrasound transceiver into digital signals; an image processor adapted to generate a plurality of image data by processing the digital signals; a combiner adapted to combine the plurality of image data having a first frame rate into a plurality of composite image data having a second frame rate; and a transmitter adapted to transmit the plurality of composite image data having the second frame rate. 1. An ultrasonic probe apparatus comprising:an ultrasound transceiver adapted to transmit unfocused or defocused ultrasonic signals to an object and receive reflected ultrasonic echo signals having a first frame rate;a converter adapted to convert the ultrasonic echo signals into digital signals;an image processor adapted to generate a plurality of image data by processing the digital signals;a combiner adapted to combine the plurality of image data having a first frame rate into a plurality of composite image data having a second frame rate; anda transmitter adapted to transmit the plurality of composite image data having the second frame rate to an external display apparatus.2. The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the image processor comprises a Doppler image processor adapted to generate a plurality of Doppler images by performing Doppler processing on the digital signals.3. The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 2 , whereinthe Doppler processing comprises at least one of color Doppler processing, B-mode image processing, and spectral Doppler processing.4. The ultrasonic probe apparatus of claim 1 , whereinthe image data having different sizes are generated due to receiving the ultrasonic echo signals that are reflected in response to transmitting defocused ultrasonic signals or ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR AUTOMATIC SETTING OF COLOR FLOW STEERING ANGLE

Systems and methods for automatically controlling a color flow steering angle during ultrasonic color flow imaging are provided. In one embodiment, a method for ultrasound imaging comprises automatically adjusting a color flow steering angle responsive to an adjustment of a focal depth setting. In this way, a sensitivity to color flow data may be increased by maintaining a constant overlap between a color flow image and a B-mode image, thereby increasing the accuracy of color flow imaging. 1. A method for ultrasound imaging , comprising:automatically adjusting a color flow steering angle responsive to an adjustment of a focal depth.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the color flow steering angle is based on the focal depth and an overlap claim 1 , the overlap comprising a percentage of a color flow region of interest that overlaps a B-mode image.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the overlap is held constant as the focal depth and the color flow steering angle are adjusted.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein adjusting the color flow steering angle comprises adjusting time delays of ultrasonic waves emitted from a plurality of transducer elements.5. The method of claim 1 , wherein the adjustment of the focal depth is received from a user input in a handheld ultrasound imaging device.6. The method of claim 5 , wherein the handheld ultrasound imaging device does not include a user input for manually adjusting the color flow steering angle.7. A method for ultrasound imaging claim 5 , comprising:receiving a focal depth from a user input;adjusting a frequency of ultrasound waves emitted from a plurality of transducer elements based on the focal depth;generating a B-mode image from a first set of ultrasound echoes from the ultrasound waves emitted at the adjusted frequency;computing a color flow steering angle based on the focal depth and a specified overlap;adjusting time delays of the ultrasonic waves emitted from the plurality of transducer elements based on ...

Image Fusion-Based Tracking without a Tracking Sensor

An ultrasound imaging system include a console with transmit circuitry configured to generate an excitation electrical pulse that excites transducer elements of a probe to produce an ultrasound pressure field and configured to receive an echo signal generated in response to the ultrasound pressure field interacting with tissue. The console further includes receive circuitry configured to convert the echo signal into an electrical signal, and an echo processor configured to generate a live ultrasound image based on the electrical signal into. The console further includes a tracking processor configured to extract, in real-time, a feature common to both the live ultrasound image and previously generated volumetric image data from at least the live ultrasound image, and register, in real-time, the live ultrasound image with previously generated volumetric image data based on the common feature extracted in real-time to create the fused image. A display displays the fused image.