АВТОМАТИЗИРОВАННАЯ ИДЕНТИФИКАЦИЯ ПОЛОЖЕНИЯ РЕГУРГИТАЦИОННОГО ОТВЕРСТИЯ МИТРАЛЬНОГО КЛАПАНА НА УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВОМ ИЗОБРАЖЕНИИ

Изобретение относится к медицинской технике, а именно к диагностическим ультразвуковым системам. Система для оценки потока регургитации включает ультразвуковой зонд, содержащий матрицу преобразователей, для передачи и приема из этого положения ультразвуковых сигналов, процессор обработки изображений для формирования ультразвукового изображения положения потока регургитации, допплеровский процессор для формирования результатов допплеровских ультразвуковых измерений скорости кровотока вблизи положения потока регургитации, процессор количественной оценки потока, причем результаты измерений скорости кровотока получаются из множества перекрывающихся зон, пространственно распределенных вдоль границы ткани в теле, и дисплей ультразвуковых изображений. Использование изобретения позволяет определить точное положение регургитационного отверстия. 14 з.п. ф-лы, 6 ил.

СИСТЕМА И СПОСОБ ЭЛАСТОГРАФИЧЕСКИХ ИЗМЕРЕНИЙ

Группа изобретений относится к медицинской технике, а именно к средствам для ультразвуковых эластографических измерений. Система для ультразвукового исследования анатомического участка содержит ультразвуковой зонд, сконфигурированный для передачи ультразвукового сигнала к анатомическому участку, и блок обработки для формирования ультразвукового изображения анатомического участка, при этом блок обработки дополнительно сконфигурирован для управления ультразвуковым зондом для передачи импульса давления для генерирования сдвиговых волн в анатомическом участке, идентификации, из опорного изображения в В-режиме, первой и второй неналоженных областей анатомического участка, причем первая область определяется блоком обработки как соответствующая области, подходящей для эластографии сдвиговых волн, а вторая область определяется блоком обработки как соответствующая области, не подходящей для эластографии сдвиговых волн, при этом первая и вторая области идентифицируются блоком обработки, по меньшей ...

СПОСОБ ОБНАРУЖЕНИЯ ДВИЖЕНИЯ ПЛОДА ИЗ ДОПЛЕРОВСКОГО УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВОГО СИГНАЛА

Группа изобретений относится к медицине. Способ обнаружения движений плода включает: извлечение пиков из доплеровского ультразвукового сигнала, полученного от субъекта, причем каждый пик из пиков связывают с огибающей сегмента сигнала доплеровского ультразвукового сигнала; вычисление плотности пиков как функции от ячеек сетки амплитуд, причем плотность указывает на количество пиков с амплитудой в каждой сетке амплитуд; выбор порогового значения движения плода на основе вычисленной плотности и определение того, содержит ли сегмент сигнала доплеровского ультразвукового сигнала движение плода, путем сравнения амплитуды пика, связывающего с огибающей сегмента сигнала, с пороговым значением движения плода. Устройство для обнаружения движений плода содержит: доплеровский ультразвуковой датчик для получения доплеровского ультразвукового сигнала от плода и по меньшей мере один электронный процессор, запрограммированный для выполнения приемов способа. Некратковременный компьютерочитаемый носитель ...

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 ...

УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВАЯ ДИАГНОСТИЧЕСКАЯ СИСТЕМА ВИЗУАЛИЗАЦИИ С ПРОСТРАНСТВЕННЫМ СОСТАВЛЕНИЕМ ТРАПЕЦЕИДАЛЬНОГО СЕКТОРА

Использование: для получения ультразвукового изображения объекта. Сущность изобретения заключается в том, что ультразвуковая диагностическая система визуализации создает пространственно составные изображения в трапецеидальном секторе посредством объединения составляющих кадров, собранных с разных направлений наблюдения. Формат сканирования в режиме виртуального апекса применяется так, что каждая линия сканирования составляющего кадра исходит из отличающейся точки (E1, En) на рабочей поверхности матричного преобразователя и направляется под отличающимся углом сканирования. Для разных составляющих кадров линии сканирования направляются под соответственно разными углами. В показанном примере линии сканирования каждого составляющего кадра дополнительно отклоняются на пять градусов относительно соответствующих линий сканирования в опорном составляющем кадре. Когда составляющие кадры объединяются для пространственного составления, максимальное число составляющих кадров объединяется по, фактически ...

УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВЫЕ СИСТЕМЫ ДЛЯ СБОРА ДАННЫХ ВО МНОГИХ ПЛОСКОСТЯХ С ОДНО- И ДВУХПЛОСКОСТНОЙ ВИЗУАЛИЗАЦИЕЙ В РЕАЛЬНОМ ВРЕМЕНИ И СПОСОБЫ ИХ РАБОТЫ

Группа изобретений относится к ультразвуковым средствам визуализации, более конкретно к ультразвуковым системам и способам визуализации, предназначенным для получения данных во многих плоскостях в режимах одно- и двухплоскостной визуализации в реальном времени. Ультразвуковая система визуализации содержит контроллер, выполненный с возможностью определения количества N из множества плоскостей изображения для сканирования на протяжении области интереса, получения эхоинформации, соответствующей каждой из плоскостей изображения в множестве плоскостей изображения, формирования изобразительной информации для каждой из плоскостей изображения на основании получаемой эхоинформации, сохранения изобразительной информации, соответствующей каждой из плоскостей изображения, в запоминающем устройстве системы, выбора плоскости изображения из множества плоскостей изображений, и отображения ультразвукового изображения, сформированного на основании изобразительной информации для выбранной плоскости изображения ...

УМЕНЬШЕНИЕ ПОМЕХ И УЛУЧШЕНИЕ ОТНОШЕНИЯ СИГНАЛ-ШУМ ДЛЯ УЛЬТРАЗВУКОВОГО МОНИТОРИНГА КАРДИАЛЬНОЙ АБЛЯЦИИ

... 1. Устройство уменьшения помех при применениях для радиочастотной (RF) абляции с использованием ультразвукового мониторинга, причем упомянутое устройство содержит:- устройство (20) абляции, выполненное с возможностью формирования сигналов (S(a)) радиочастотной абляции, подаваемых к абляционному электроду (22),- ультразвуковое устройство (30);- ультразвуковой преобразователь (32), соединенный с упомянутым ультразвуковым устройством (30);при этом упомянутое устройство выполнено с возможностью формирования по меньшей мере двух импульсов (S(c); S(с1), S(c2), S(c3)) ультразвукового возбуждения для возбуждения упомянутого ультразвукового преобразователя (32), причем упомянутый ультразвуковой преобразователь (32) выполнен с возможностью осуществления ультразвукового сканирования для каждого импульса ультразвукового возбуждения, при этом каждое ультразвуковое сканирование содержит ультразвуковые сигналы (S2), и приема ультразвуковых отраженных сигналов (S(d)) в ответ на упомянутые импульсы ультразвукового ...

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 ...

ULTRASCHALLBILDERFASSUNGSOPTIMIERUNG GEMÄSS VERSCHIEDENEN ATMUNGSMODI

Ausführungsformen der vorliegenden Erfindung stellen ein Verfahren, System und Computerprogrammprodukt zur Ultraschallbilderfassungsoptimierung gemäß verschiedenen Atmungsmodi bereit. Ein Verfahren zur Ultraschallbilderfassungsoptimierung gemäß verschiedenen Atmungsmodi umfasst das Erfassen eines Ultraschallbildes eines Zielorgans mittels einer Ultraschallbildgebungsvorrichtung. Das Verfahren umfasst ferner das Vergleichen von Attributen des erfassten Ultraschallbildes mit Zuordnungsdaten in einem Zuordnungsdatenspeicher, der Attribute von zuvor erfasstem Ultraschallbildmaterial verschiedener Bilder des Zielorgans mit verschiedenen Atmungsmodi assoziiert. Das Verfahren umfasst schließlich das Bestimmen eines aus dem erfassten Ultraschallbild hervorgehenden Atmungsmodus anhand des Vergleichs und das Darstellen des bestimmten Atmungsmodus in der Ultraschallbildgebungsvorrichtung.

Adaptive Bewegungsschätzung bei Schallstrahlungskraftbildgebung

Für eine Schallstrahlungskraft-Ultraschallbildgebung werden mehrere Verschiebungsprofile für einen gegebenen Ort erfasst (30). Eine physiologische Bewegung und/oder axiale und/oder seitliche Wandlerbewegung werden zum Verwenden der Verschiebungen anhand der verschiedenen Schallstrahlungskraftimpulse berücksichtigt (36). Für die axiale Bewegung stellt eine Differenz (38) zwischen den Verschiebungen der verschiedenen Profile Informationen über eine Bewegung während der Verschiebung an dem Ort, die gerade durch die unerwünschte Bewegung hervorgerufen wird, bereit. Es wird eine genauere Schätzung der unerwünschten Bewegung zum Entfernen von dem Verschiebungsprofil bereitgestellt. Für die seitliche Bewegung werden die Verschiebungsprofile unter Verwendung von Wellen, die sich aus unterschiedlichen Richtungen bezüglich des gegebenen Orts bewegen, erhalten. Ein Durchschnitt (46) von Geschwindigkeiten, die anhand der verschiedenen Profile geschätzt (42) werden, entfernt eine unerwünschte seitliche ...

System und Verfahren zur Phasenumkehr-Ultraschallabbildung

System zur Ultraschallabbildung mit: einer Signalgeneratoreinheit (110) zum Erzeugen von mindestens zwei phasenverschobenen Impulsen; einer Signalsendereinheit (120), die mit der Signalgeneratoreinheit (110) gekoppelt ist, zum Übertragen der mindestens zwei phasenverschobenen Impulse in interessierende Medien (130); einer Empfänger- und Rohdaten-Mittelungseinheit (140) zum: Empfangen der mindestens zwei phasenverschobenen Impulse, die von den interessierenden Medien modifiziert werden, und Erzeugen eines punktweisen arithmetischen Mittelwerts der empfangenen zumindest zwei phasenverschobenen Impulse, die von den interessierenden Medien modifiziert werden; wobei der punktweise arithmetische Mittelwert alsausgedrückt wird, mit k >= 2, wobei das empfangene Signal Ri für jedes Element des Sendezyklus als Funktion der Kanalzahl n und Zeit t zur Korrelation mit dem ursprünglichen übertragenen Impuls i aufsummiert wird; und einer Datenverarbeitungseinheit (150), die mit der Empfänger- und Rohdaten-Mittelungseinheit ...

Intra-needle ultrasound system and its method of use of analysis, tracking, and display of pleura in millimeter scale resolution

A method for analysing, identifying, tracking, ranging and displaying pleura (which may be either visceral or parietal pleura) breath signal in millimetre-scale resolution, comprises obtaining signals from an ultrasound probe comprising a puncture needle. Each signal comprises an amplitude and an emission-reception time difference. The time differences are transformed into axial distances between tissue interfaces, and the tip of the puncture needle of the ultrasound probe. The distances are used to produce a distance-signal amplitude image. A region of interest is set in the image and dynamic distances between the tip of the needle 301 and the pleura 302 are instantly displayed and tracked. The method may comprise producing a time-varying distance-signal amplitude image (this may be an M-mode ultrasound image) and displaying tip-pleura dynamic distances at least 20 times per second. The puncture needle may relate to the paravertebral region or intercostal region. A warning signal may be ...

Ultrasound apparatus having switches

Visualisation system for needling

Scan data representative of an interior portion of a body is received from a scanning portion S200-S202; a first set of positional and orientational data of at least one user is received and a second set in relation the scanning portion is received; rendered views are generated based on the scan, positional, and orientational data S204-S214; the rendered views are modified based on a user input and combined into a scene for display S216. The scan data may be three-dimensional ultrasound data and the system may further comprise a needle. The system may enable a surgeon to identify the position of a needle and the position of organs whilst performing a procedure. A support portion may support and move the scanning potion. The scene may be displayed on at least one headset; a rendered view may be generated for each of a plurality of headsets based on their respective positional data.

ULTRASONIC INVESTIGATION OF VENOUS STRUCTURES

Method for evaluating attenuated measurement signals

Es wird ein Verfahren zur Auswertung von gedämpften Messsignalen einer unter einer Probenoberfläche (1) angeordneten abzubildenden Struktur (4) mit einem die Probenoberfläche (1) aufnehmenden Detektor (2) und einer Auswerteeinheit (7) zum Auswerten der von der abzubildenden Struktur (4) aufgenommenen Messsignale (6) beschrieben. Um ein Verfahren der eingangs beschriebenen Art so auszugestalten, dass die Auswerteeinheit (7) das von dem Detektor (2) aufgenommene, zeitdiskrete Messsignal einliest und die Auswerteeinheit (7) zuerst den durch das Durchlaufen des zeitdiskreten Messsignal von der abzubildenden Struktur (4) bis zur Probenoberfläche (1) verursachten Informationsverlust über eine Dämpfungsmatrix durch einen iterativen Auswertealgorithmus rekonstruiert und das so rekonstruierte Messsignal als ideales Signal, das eine Lösung der Wellengleichung ist, anschließend einer bildgebenden Vorrichtung zugeführt wird.

Device including ultrasound, auscultation, and ambient noise sensors

Devices and methods in which auscultation signals, ultrasound signals, and ambient noise signals may be simultaneously acquired by a same handheld device are provided. Moreover, in some embodiments, electrocardiogram (EKG) may be acquired by the handheld device. One such device includes a housing having a sensor portion at a distal end of the housing, and a handle portion between a proximal end and the distal end of the housing. An ultrasound sensor is positioned at least partially within the sensor portion of the housing, and a first auscultation sensor is positioned at least partially within the sensor portion of the housing. An ambient noise sensor is positioned at least partially within the housing between the handle portion and the proximal end of the housing.

Systems, devices, and methods for wireless monitoring

Described here are wireless monitoring devices, systems, and methods for estimating one or more physiological parameters of a patient. These devices and systems may measure or receive a signal waveform transmitted through one or more of fluid and a physiological structure of a patient. This measured signal waveform may be processed to generate waveform parameter data used to estimate a physiological parameter such as blood velocity, heart wall thickness, and the like.

Transducer-mounted needle assembly with improved electrical connection to power source

A needle assembly for use with an ultrasound imaging system includes a needle having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to be inserted into a patient. The needle assembly also includes a transducer mounted to an exterior surface of the needle at the distal end. Further, the needle assembly includes a flexible printed circuit board mounted on the exterior surface of the needle from the proximal end to the distal end. As such, the flexible printed circuit board electrically connects the transducer to a power source ...

Miniscule transducer for a medical article

An active needle assembly for use with an ultrasound imaging system includes a needle having a proximal end and a distal end. The distal end is adapted to be inserted into a patient. The needle assembly also includes a needle transducer mounted to an exterior surface of the needle. Further, the needle transducer has an area that is less than about two (2) square millimeters (mm ...

Transmissive imaging and related apparatus and methods

Ultrasound imaging devices and heads up displays, as well and systems utilizing both are described. In some embodiments, ultrasound data or images may be displayed on a heads up display, which may be a head-mounted display. One or more users may manipulate the images. Image capture devices and sensors may also be implemented.

Infrasonic stethoscope for monitoring physiological processes

An infrasonic stethoscope for monitoring physiological processes of a patient includes a microphone capable of detecting acoustic signals in the audible frequency bandwidth and in the infrasonic bandwidth (0.03 to 1000 Hertz), a body coupler attached to the body at a first opening in the microphone, a flexible tube attached to the body at a second opening in the microphone, and an earpiece attached to the flexible tube. The body coupler is capable of engagement with a patient to transmit sounds from the person, to the microphone and then to the earpiece.

Ultrasound signal processing circuitry and related apparatus and methods

Ultrasound signal processing circuitry and related apparatus and methods are described. Signal samples received from an ultrasound transducer array in an ultrasound transducer based imaging system may be processed, or conditioned, by application of one or more weighting functions. In some embodiments, one or more weighting functions may be applied to the signal samples in the time domain. In other embodiments, the signal samples may be converted to the frequency domain and one or more weighting functions may be applied in the frequency domain. In further embodiments, one or more weighting functions may be applied in the time domain and one or more weighting functions may be applied in the frequency domain. The weighting functions may be channel dependent and/or channel independent. The processed data can be provided to an image formation processor.

Device and method for the geometric determination of electrical dipole densities on the cardiac wall

DISPERSIVE ULTRASOUND TECHNOLOGY AS A DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE FOR TRAUMATIC BRAIN INJURIES

Described herein is the use of ultrasound pulses at different frequencies to track the dispersion properties of intracranial tissues which may have been altered due to traumatic or other neurological brain injury. Dispersive ultrasound does not provide imaging, but it can provide data of significant diagnostic value by using decision support systems that can be trained as a medical diagnostic system for traumatic brain injuries applications to detect specific patterns of dispersion that are associated with specific intracranial injuries.

DEVICE INCLUDING ULTRASOUND, AUSCULTATION, AND AMBIENT NOISE SENSORS

Devices and methods in which auscultation signals, ultrasound signals, and ambient noise signals may be simultaneously acquired by a same handheld device are provided. Moreover, in some embodiments, electrocardiogram (EKG) may be acquired by the handheld device. One such device includes a housing having a sensor portion at a distal end of the housing, and a handle portion between a proximal end and the distal end of the housing. An ultrasound sensor is positioned at least partially within the sensor portion of the housing, and a first auscultation sensor is positioned at least partially within the sensor portion of the housing. An ambient noise sensor is positioned at least partially within the housing between the handle portion and the proximal end of the housing.

ESTIMATION AND DISPLAY FOR VECTOR DOPPLER IMAGING USING PLANE WAVE TRANSMISSIONS

MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING SYSTEMS AND METHODS THEREOF

The present invention provides improved medical imaging apparatuses, systems and methods, especially those using ultrasonography. For example, an imaging system can include a transducer, a scanner, a signal processing unit, and a display unit. The scanner, coupled to the transducer, can convert analog signals to a plurality of digital signals. The signal processing unit, coupled to the scanner, can be configured to: receive the plurality of digital signals; multiply a first magnitude estimate of the plurality of digital signals by a probability that an actual magnitude of the plurality of digital signals is greater than zero to determine a second magnitude; and form an image based on the second magnitude estimate. The display unit displays the image. The present invention also provides for products produced by the methods of the present invention and for apparatuses used to perform the methods of the present invention.

METHOD FOR OBTAINING A FUNCTIONAL PARAMETER OF A MUSCLE

The present invention concerns a method for obtaining a functional parameter of a muscle having a part, the method comprising the steps of: a) applying ultrasound waves to the muscle, b) collecting the ultrasound waves retrodiffused by the muscle at a plurality of times, to obtain collected ultrasound waves, c) determining a first plurality of values representative of stiffness values of one part at a first plurality of times by using the collected ultrasound waves, d) determining a second plurality of values representative of deformation values of said part at a second plurality of times by using the collected ultrasound waves, and e) deducing at least one functional parameter based on the first plurality of values and the second plurality of values. The invention also concerns a corresponding device.

AUTONOMOUS ULTRASOUND PROBE AND RELATED APPARATUS AND METHODS

An ultrasound apparatus comprising a plurality of ultrasonic transducers, a non-acoustic sensor, a memory circuitry to store control data for operating the ultrasound apparatus to perform an acquisition task, and a controller. The controller is configured to receive an indication to perform the acquisition task, receive non-acoustic data obtained by the non- acoustic sensor, and control, based on the control data and the non-acoustic data, the plurality of ultrasonic transducers to obtain acoustic data for the acquisition task.

INTERCONNECTABLE ULTRASOUND TRANSDUCER PROBES AND RELATED METHODS AND APPARATUS

Ultrasound devices and methods are described, including a repeatable ultrasound transducer probe having ultrasonic transducers and corresponding circuitry. The repeatable ultrasound transducer probe may be used individually or coupled with other instances of the repeatable ultrasound transducer probe to create a desired ultrasound device. The ultrasound devices may optionally be connected to various types of external devices to provide additional processing and image rendering functionality.

METHOD FOR DETERMINING A PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTIC ON A PUNCTUAL LOCATION INSIDE A MEDIUM, A METHOD FOR DETERMINING AN IMAGE OF A MEDIUM, AND AN APPARATUS IMPLEMENTING SAID METHODS

A method for determining a physical characteristic on a punctual location (P0) inside a medium (11), comprising the steps of: sending an emitted sequence comprising emitted pulses having different amplitudes, receiving a received sequence comprising received pulses corresponding to echoes of said emitted pulses, calculating a phase difference between the received pulses relative to the emitted pulses, and determining the physical characteristic on the bases of said phase difference.

AN IMAGING DEVICE WITH IMAGE ACQUISITION RATE OPTIMIZATION

The disclosure includes a method of acquiring high-resolution ultrasound images using an array of transducers using successive transmission matrices. Implementations include operations for determining inter-transducer correlation matrices of an area of interest and an unwanted area; determining a characteristic matrix of the area of interest from the product of the inverse of the inter-transducer correlation matrix of the unwanted area and the inter-transducer correlation matrix of the area of interest; calculating eigenvectors and values of the characteristic matrix to define a transmission matrix; adjusting the image acquisition rate and image quality in order to define eigenvectors for firing; multiplying a reception matrix comprising the acquired signals completed by data set to zero corresponding to the firings not effected by the inverse of the transmission matrix to obtain a complete data set; reconstructing a high-resolution image of the area of interest as in synthetic aperture ...

METHOD FOR VISUALIZING BLOOD AND BLOOD-LIKELIHOOD IN VASCULAR IMAGES

Computer-implemented methods for use in improving the diagnostic quality of images, including intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) images, are disclosed. The methods include using a non-linear, probabilistic classifier algorithm to analyze a plurality of spatiotemporal features of RF backscatter and to produce a blood likelihood map or blood probability map that corresponds to the original IVUS image. The methods disclosed herein allow for visualizing both static and dynamic characteristic of a vessel either by producing a transparency modulated color overlay of the blood likelihood map without altering the underlying IVUS image or by processing the IVUS image based upon the blood likelihood map to better distinguish between static and dynamic components of the vessel.

ULTRASOUND-DETECTABLE MARKERS, ULTRASOUND SYSTEM, AND METHODS FOR MONITORING VASCULAR FLOW AND PATENCY

An ultrasound-detectable marker, ultrasound system, and methods for monitoring vascular flow and patency are disclosed. The ultrasound-detectable marker comprises one or more resorbable polymers, one or more non-resorbable polymers, one or more non-polymeric materials, or any combinations thereof. The ultrasound-detectable marker is adapted for placement underneath, adjacent to, or above one or more vessels at a postoperative site, such as a vascular anastomosis site. Further, the ultrasound imaging system includes certain user guiding software and/or health analysis software for use with the ultrasound-detectable marker.

Ultrasound transducer array monitoring during transcranial ultrasound procedures

Methods, systems and computer program products for single track location shear wave elasticity imaging

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.

MICRO-MECHANICAL ADJUSTMENT SYSTEM FOR PIEZOELECTRIC TRANSDUCERS

Analog ultrasound beamformer

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

According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a data acquisition unit, an image generation unit, a calculation unit, a determination unit and a measurement unit. The data acquisition unit acquires a plurality of ultrasonic data. The image generation unit generates a plurality of ultrasonic images by using the plurality of ultrasonic data. The calculation unit calculates a feature amount for determining a shift between the two-dimensional section and a central axis of a target blood vessel. The determination unit determines an optimal image from the plurality of ultrasonic images based on the feature amount. The measurement unit measures an intima-media thickness of the target blood vessel by using the optimal image.

Ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and method of producing ultrasound image

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes: a transmission driver which transmits an ultrasonic beam from a transducer array toward a subject; reception signal processors which process reception signals output from the transducer array having received an ultrasonic echo; an image producer which produces image data based on the processed reception signals to produce an ultrasound image; a region detector which detects a region including a high rate change portion, which changes at a rate equal to or higher than a predetermined value, from the ultrasound image as a first measurement region; a controller which controls the transmission driver and the reception signal processors such that transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves are intermittently performed to decrease a frame rate in a second measurement region, where the high rate change portion is not included, less than in the first measurement region.

ULTRASONIC OBSERVATION APPARATUS, OPERATING METHOD OF ULTRASONIC OBSERVATION APPARATUS, AND OPERATING PROGRAM FOR ULTRASONIC OBSERVATION APPARATUS

Ultrasound observation device, operation method of ultrasound observation device, and operation program of ultrasound observation device

An ultrasound observation device comprises: a frequency analysis unit which computes a frequency spectrum by analyzing a frequency of a received ultrasound; a characteristic value extraction unit which extracts a characteristic value of the frequency spectrum by approximating the frequency spectrum; a storage unit which stores the extracted characteristic value of the frequency spectrum based on ultrasound reflected respectively by a plurality of known specimens and divides the plurality of known specimens into a plurality of groups on the basis of the characteristic value and stores same; a degree of correspondence computation unit which computes a degree of correspondence between the characteristic value which the characteristic value extraction unit extracts and each group by employing a population statistic including at least the characteristic value of each group; an image processing unit which generates ultrasound image data having a display state corresponding to the specimen characteristic ...

METHODS AND SYSTEMS FOR SPATIAL COLOR FLOW FOR DIAGNOSTIC MEDICAL IMAGING

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus, the Image processing device and Image processing method

The ultrasonic observation apparatus, ultrasonic observation system and operation method of the ultrasonic observation device

Ultrasonic diagnostic device and ultrasonic Image acquisition method

Image forming apparatus and Image forming method

PROBE IMAGING ULTRASONIC DEVICE AND OF THE JAW 3D

La présente invention concerne une sonde ultrasonore (1) d'imagerie dentaire, comprenant typiquement plusieurs transducteurs (4) agencés pour fonctionner en émission et en réception, et notamment agencés pour émettre des ondes ultrasonores de fréquence d'au moins 10 MHz, et éventuellement plusieurs transducteurs (4) agencés pour fonctionner en émission et en réception et agencés pour émettre des ondes ultrasonores de fréquence inférieure à 4 MHz. Les transducteurs sont montés sur un support souple (3), solidaire d'une armature rigide (2) typiquement en forme de « U ». L'invention concerne aussi un dispositif comprenant une telle sonde.

METHOD OF CHARACTERIZING A TO BONE USING ULTRASONIC WAVES

PROCESS Of ECHOGRAPHY AND PROBE FOR SUPPRESSION OF the ELECTROMAGNETIC NOISE

Système d'imagerie échographique (100) comprenant une sonde échographique (109) comprenant une pluralité d'éléments transducteurs (104), un écran d'affichage (118) et un processeur (116) connecté à la sonde échographique (109) et à l'écran (118). Le processeur (116) est conçu pour acquérir des données échographiques à l'aide de la pluralité d'éléments transducteurs (104), les données échographiques étant constituées par une pluralité de signaux. Le processeur (116) est conçu pour analyser les données échographiques afin de déterminer un signal de bruit électromagnétique estimé. Le processeur (116) est conçu pour modifier la pluralité de signaux d'après le signal de bruit électromagnétique estimé afin de générer une pluralité de signaux à bruit supprimé. Le processeur (116) est conçu pour générer une image d'après la pluralité de signaux à bruit supprimé et pour afficher l'image sur l'écran (118).

ESTIMATE FAT USING ULTRASOUND FROM A SHEAR WAVE PROPAGATION

Une fraction de matières grasses est estimée (40) à partir d'une propagation d'onde de cisaillement. Une force de radiation acoustique est utilisée pour générer une onde de cisaillement dans un tissu d'intérêt. L'atténuation, la fréquence centrale, la largeur de bande ou autre caractéristique non de vitesse de l'onde de cisaillement est calculée (34) et utilisée pour estimer (40) la fraction de matières grasses.

METHOD FOR PROCESSING SIGNALS FROM AN ACQUISITION BY A ULTRASONIC PROBE, COMPUTER PROGRAM AND DEVICE CORRESPONDING ULTRASOUND PROBE

Ce procédé (700) de traitement de signaux ultrasonores comporte la commande (702) de transducteurs d'émission pour M émissions successives d'ondes ultrasonores planes présentant M angles d'émission différents, la commande (702) de N transducteurs de réception pour recevoir simultanément N signaux temporels de mesure par émission, et l'obtention (704) d'une matrice [MR(t)] de signaux temporels ultrasonores, chaque coefficient MRi,j(t) de cette matrice représentant le signal de mesure reçu par le i-ième transducteur de réception dû à la j-ième émission. Il comporte en outre une décomposition en valeurs singulières (710) d'une matrice [FTMR(f)] de signaux fréquentiels obtenue (708) par transformation de la matrice [MR(t)], une élimination (712) d'une partie des valeurs singulières et une reconstitution (714) d'une matrice débruitée [MRU(t)] de signaux temporels à partir des valeurs singulières non éliminées.

METHOD OF CHARACTERIZING A TO BONE USING ULTRASONIC WAVES

Method for Zooming Image, Ultrasound Medical Apparatus Therefor

Method of Compounding a Ultrasound Image

지식-기반 초음파 이미지 개선

... 의료 진단 초음파를 위해 이미지 개선(20)이 제공된다. 아나토미 또는 인공물의 지식-기반 검출(14)은 개선되는 위치들을 식별한다. 위치들의 지식-기반 검출(14)은 다른 아나토미 또는 인공물들의 식별을 회피할 수 있다. 이미지 개선(20)은 다른 위치들이 아니라, 식별된 위치들에 적용된다.

의료 영상 장치 및 의료 영상 생성 방법

... 초음파 영상과 도플러 효과를 이용한 도플러 화상을 생성하는 의료 영상 장치 및 그 의료 영상의 생성 방법이 제공된다. 의료 영상을 생성하는 방법은, 수신 신호를 획득하는 단계와, 초음파 영상을 획득하고, 획득된 초음파 영상을 디스플레이하는 단계와, 수신 신호에 기초하여 초음파 영상에 대해 설정된 샘플 볼륨에 대응하는 도플러 신호를 획득하는 단계와, 도플러 신호에 기초하여 도플러 영상을 생성하고, 생성된 도플러 영상을 디스플레이하는 단계와, 샘플 볼륨의 위치를 이동시키기 위한 사용자 입력을 수신하는 단계 및 사용자 입력이 수신된 경우, 도플러 영상을 디스플레이하는 단계를 중지하고, 초음파 영상을 갱신하는 단계를 포함한다.

Ultrasound imaging apparatus, method for controlling the same, and computer program product

SHADOW SUPPRESSION IN ULTRASOUND IMAGING

Provided is a shadow suppression (52) in a so-called steered spatial compounding (60) in ultrasound imaging. Data of a data frame is projected (54) along a steering direction by conversion or another approach. The projection is used for determination (56) of weighted values. The frame is weighted (58) by the projection-based weighted values, and shadows are reduced (52) or improved based on a single frame rather than registration with respect to other frames. In the example of the steered spatial compounding (60), independently shadow-suppressed component frames and a compounded frame can have few or no fork-shaped image artifacts attributable to shadowing. COPYRIGHT KIPO 2016 (50) Capture steered component frames (52) Reduce shadow for each component frame (54) Project along steering angle (56) Form kernel (58) Weight by using kernel (60) Combine steered component frames (62) Generate image ...

METHOD FOR PROVIDING INFORMATION ABOUT PROSTATE CANCER DIAGNOSIS

The present invention relates to a method for providing information about prostate cancer, which can diagnose the prostate cancer using an image obtained using transrectal ultrasonography, and can provide information related to the malignancy of the prostate cancer, thereby being accessorily applied to various fields related to the diagnosis of the prostate cancer. It is expected to very easily understand and apply an evaluation result because of quantitative calculation. COPYRIGHT KIPO 2018 ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR FORMING ULTRASONIC WAVE IMAGE

Disclosed are a method and an apparatus for forming an ultrasonic wave image, which can compensate for attenuation caused by an acoustic lens of an ultrasonic wave probe to enhance quality of the ultrasonic wave image when the ultrasonic wave image is formed using code compression. The apparatus for forming the ultrasonic wave image comprises: the ultrasonic wave probe including a plurality of transducers and the acoustic lens; and a processor. The ultrasonic wave probe transmits an impulse ultrasonic wave signal to a first target body, receives an ultrasonic echo signal reflected at least from the first target body and the acoustic lens, transmits a coded ultrasonic wave signal to a second target object and receives a coded ultrasonic wave echo signal from the second target body. The processor extracts the ultrasonic wave echo signal, reflected from the acoustic lens, from the ultrasonic echo signal and forms an ultrasonic wave image of the second target object based on the extracted ultrasonic ...

método e sistema para realizar formação de imagem acústica, e, dispositivo de armazenagem legível por máquina

aparelho para redução da interferência nas aplicações de ablação de radiofrequência (rf) usando monitoramento com base de ultrassom em tempo real e método de redução da interferência nas aplicações de ablação de radiofrequência (rf) usando monitoramento com base de ultrassom em tempo real

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.

High frequency ultrasound probe

A high frequency ultrasound probe includes a substrate having a number of transducer elements on it and a ground plane that is electrically coupled by one or more vias to a conductive frame that supports the substrate. The conductive frame is electrically coupled to a ground plane of a printed circuit having conductors that are coupled to the transducer elements.

ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS

An ultrasound imaging apparatus including a processing unit configured to produce an ultrasound image of the target region by applying position/orientation data representative of the position and/or orientation of an ultrasound transducer on the first side of a surface during each collection cycle to echo data representative of reflected ultrasound energy received by the ultrasound transducer during each collection cycle so as to coherently focus the echo data at a plurality of points distributed within the target region.

POINT SOURCE TRANSMISSION AND SPEED-OF-SOUND CORRECTION USING MULT-APERTURE ULTRASOUND IMAGING

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging system and methods of use are provided with any number of features. In some embodiments, a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit and receive ultrasound energy to and from separate physical ultrasound apertures. In some embodiments, a transmit aperture of a multi-aperture ultrasound imaging system is configured to transmit an omni-directional unfocused ultrasound waveform approximating a first point source through a target region. In some embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with a single receiving aperture. In other embodiments, the ultrasound energy is received with multiple receiving apertures. Algorithms are described that can combine echoes received by one or more receiving apertures to form high resolution ultrasound images. Additional algorithms can solve for variations in tissue speed of sound, thus allowing the ultrasound system to be used virtually anywhere in or on the body.

BIOMETRIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE-GENERATING METHOD

The biometric apparatus (10) is provided with a light-irradiating unit that emits light on a region (B) to be measured, a light-detecting unit that detects scattered light from the measured region, and a computing unit (14) that generates a reconstructed image of the interior of the measured region. The computing unit (14) calculates J number of coefficients wj (where J is the number of pixels in the reconstructed image) that are greater than 0 and equal to or less than 1 and that are set for each pixel in the reconstructed image, and generates a reconstructed image by performing an iterative approximation using the iterative formula xj(k+1) = xj(k) + wjdj(k) (wherein k is an integer of 1 to N, and N is the number of iterative operations. xj(k) is the pixel value during the kth iterative operation on the jth pixel, and dj(k) is the update during the kth iterative operation on the jth pixel). Differences in spatial resolution and noise characteristics due to position within the measured ...

ABLATION PROBE WITH ULTRASONIC IMAGING CAPABILITY

Devices and systems for ultrasonically imaging anatomical structures and performing ablation therapy within the body are disclosed. A combined ablation and ultrasound imaging probe includes an ablation electrode tip including an ablation electrode configured for delivering ablation energy, and a number of ultrasonic imaging sensors configured for imaging the tissue surrounding the probe. The ultrasonic imaging sensors are supported within the interior of the tip via a tip insert, and deliver ultrasonic waves through acoustic openings formed through the tip. The tip insert separates an interior lumen within the tip into a proximal fluid chamber and a distal fluid chamber. During an ablation procedure, the ultrasonic imaging sensors can be tasked to generate a number of ultrasonic images that can be displayed on a user interface.

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING DEVICE

The present invention is characterized in comprising: an ultrasonic probe having a plurality of vibrators; a transceiver unit for providing a drive signal to each of the vibrators and generating a reception signal on the basis of an echo signal; a signal extraction unit for extracting a harmonic signal and a fundamental wave signal from the reception signal; a calculation unit for calculating a feature amount on the basis of a value corresponding to the amplitude of the harmonic signal and a value corresponding to the amplitude of the fundamental wave signal; a region determination unit for determining a predetermined region within a scanned region on the basis of the feature amount and a predetermined threshold value; an alteration unit for altering the value corresponding to the amplitude of the harmonic signal in the predetermined region; and an image generation unit for generating a corrected harmonic image on the basis of the harmonic signal in the scanned region comprising the predetermined ...

DIAGNOSTIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD

This diagnostic imaging apparatus is provided with: an image pickup unit that images a region of the subject and generates image data; a biosignal-acquiring unit that acquires biosignal data that is a periodic movement of the region of the subject; a storage unit that stores the generated image data synchronized with the acquired biosignal data; a biosignal analysis unit that analyzes the biosignal data and detects a specific signal waveform; and a control unit. The control unit: calculates, based on a time difference or a time ratio between multiple consecutive periods obtained from the specific signal waveform detected, a score indicating the stability of the periodic movement among the various periods; causes the biosignal analysis unit to extract a detected period from among the multiple consecutive periods on the basis of the calculated score and a threshold range for the time difference or time ratio; retrieves from the storage unit the image data generated for the extracted period ...

MOTION DETECTION USING PING-BASED AND MULTIPLE APERTURE DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

A method of full-field or "ping-based" Doppler ultrasound imaging allows for detection of Doppler signals indicating moving reflectors at any point in an imaging field without the need to pre-define range gates. In various embodiments, such whole-field Doppler imaging methods may include transmitting a Doppler ping from a transmit aperture, receiving echoes of the Doppler ping with one or more separate receive apertures, detecting Doppler signals and determining the speed of moving reflectors. In some embodiments, the system also provides the ability to determine the direction of motion by solving a set of simultaneous equations based on echo data received by multiple receive apertures.

DEVICE, SYSTEM, AND METHOD FOR NON-INVASIVE STERILIZATION OF MAMMALS AND OTHER ANIMALS

An apparatus includes at least one transducer configured to (i) generate first ultrasonic signals and receive reflected first ultrasonic signals and (ii) generate second ultrasonic signals. The apparatus also includes a diagnostic ultrasound system configured to control generation of the first ultrasonic signals and to perform image processing using the reflected first ultrasonic signals in order to generate real-time images of tissue in an animal. The apparatus further includes a therapeutic ultrasound system configured to control generation of the second ultrasonic signals in order to ablate targeted tissue in the animal and sterilize the animal. The at least one transducer could include (i) a diagnostic transducer configured to generate the first ultrasonic signals and receive the reflected first ultrasonic signals and (ii) a therapeutic transducer configured to generate the second ultrasonic signals. A portable handheld housing could contain the at least one transducer.

ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR CONTROLLING ULTRASONIC IMAGING APPARATUS

An ultrasonic imaging apparatus includes: an ultrasound probe configured to transmit ultrasonic waves to a target region of an object in a plurality of directions, and to receive vibration waves generated from the object; and an image processor configured to generate image signals in the plurality of directions based on the vibration waves generated according to transmission of the ultrasonic waves in the plurality of directions, and to combine the image signals in the plurality of directions, wherein the ultrasound probe includes ultrasound elements configured to respectively generate ultrasonic waves of different frequencies, the ultrasonic waves intersecting each other in the target region of the object.

MEASUREMENT APPARATUS, MEASUREMENT METHOD, AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS

To measure the content percentage of fat in a liver without increasing hardware size, provided is a measurement method and a measurement apparatus including a touching unit that supplies an ultrasonic signal to a body part and receives a response signal that has passed through an inner portion of the body part; a measuring unit that is connected to the touching unit and measures a characteristic of the body part based on the response signal received by the touching unit; and a switching section that switches between connecting the touching unit to the measuring unit and connecting the touching unit to an image generation apparatus that generates an image of a region including the body part in response to the touching unit scanning the region.

Method and system for PDA-based ultrasound system

A method and system are disclosed for a compact, inexpensive ultrasound system using an off-the-shelf personal digital assistant (PDA) device interfacing to a hand-held probe assembly through a standard digital interface. The hand-held probe assembly comprises a detachable transducer head attached to a beamforming module that performs digital beamforming. The PDA runs Windows applications and displays menus and images to a user. The PDA also runs ultrasound data processing software to support a plurality of imaging modes. An internal battery is provided in the PDA to power the system. The transducer head is detachable from the beamforming module.

Ultrasound diagnostic device, sound velocity derivation method and program

An estimated value of sound velocity of a subject interior is derived more stably and with higher accuracy. A phasing processing section provides, to each of received signals that were generated by piezoelectric elements respectively, respective delay times that were computed on the basis of each of plural set sound velocities, and phases the received signals per set sound velocity. A degree of similarity deriving section derives, for each of the set sound velocities, a degree of mutual similarity among received signals that were phased by the phasing processing section. An optimal set sound velocity deriving section derives, as an optimal set sound velocity, an estimated value of sound velocity of the subject interior on the basis of the degree of mutual similarity among the received signals of each of the set sound velocities.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND IMAGE PRODUCING METHOD

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes reception signal processors having an A/D conversion executable range narrower than an amplitude range of reception signals obtained from an entire depth of a measurement region; and a controller for dividing the measurement region into a plurality of measurement depth zones each allowing reception signals within an amplitude range narrower than the A/D conversion executable range of the reception signal processors, controlling a transmission driver so that transmission of an ultrasonic beam from the array transducer may be performed plural times corresponding to the measurement depth zones, and controlling the reception signal processors so that reception data associated with each measurement depth zone may be acquired based on the ultrasonic beam as transmitted corresponding to the relevant measurement depth zone.

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.

Ultrasound diagnosis apparatus

The present invention relates to an ultrasound diagnosis apparatus (10), in particular for analyzing a fetus (62). An ultrasound data interface (66) is configured to receive 3D (three dimensional) ultrasound data from an object (12). The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus further comprises a measurement unit (70) for measuring anatomical structures of the object based on the segmentation data and a calculation unit (72) configured to calculate at least one biometric parameter based on the 3D ultrasound data.

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).

ULTRASONIC PROBE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS

An ultrasonic probe according to a present embodiment includes: at least one first transducer functioning as a transducer for excitation for executing excitation by an acoustic radiation pressure in an elastography mode; and second transducers functioning as transducers for detection for detecting a shear wave generated by the excitation in the elastography mode.

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 DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR DISPLAYING AN ULTRASOUND IMAGE

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus is provided. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a physical quantity calculating unit configured to set correlation windows to two echo signals different in time from each other on the same sound ray, and perform a correlation computation to calculate a physical quantity related to elasticity. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further includes a computing unit configured to compute a computed value from a computational equation, the computed value emphasizing parameter characteristics of a cyst in a biological tissue, the computational equation using at least two of the following three parameters: an absolute value of the physical quantity, a correlation coefficient related to the correlation computation, and an intensity of each echo signal of ultrasound obtained from the biological tissue. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus further includes a display unit configured to display an image having a display form corresponding to the computed value ...

SYSTEM FOR TRANSCRANIAL ULTRASOUND IMAGING

Apparatus for transcranial imaging comprises an ultrasound source, placed in conjunction with a cranium, producing ultrasound at one or more ultrasound wavelengths that are focused on a location of interest within the cranium. The ultrasound generates RF radiation using the acousto-electric effect and a radio receiver detects the resulting radio frequency radiation emanating from the location of interest. Different types of brain tissue, as well as healthy and diseased tissue, produce different amplitudes of RF radiation, which can be detected as the location of interest is scanned over the volume of the brain, and used to produce an image of the brain.

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.

Ultrasonic diagnostic device

An ultrasonic diagnostic device wherein: a Doppler processing unit acquires Doppler information in a living body on the basis of an ultrasonic reception signal; a velocity vector calculating unit acquires the velocity vector distribution of a blood stream in the living body on the basis of the Doppler information in the living body; and, to form a flow line showing the flow of the blood stream on the basis of the velocity vector distribution, a flow line forming unit searches for a proper start point by inversely tracing the flow of the blood stream from an initial start point along the reverse direction of the velocity vector and then forms a flow line extended from the proper start point.

SENSOR GUIDED CATHETER NAVIGATION SYSTEM

A method and a system for producing images of a subject, such as the heart of a human being. The method may comprise acquiring ultrasound images of the subject with a catheter comprising a position sensor. The method may also comprise capturing a plurality of 4D surface registration points in the acquired ultrasound images corresponding to points on the subject. The method may also comprise registering, in space and time, a high-resolution 4D model of the subject with the plurality of 4D surface registration points. The method may also comprise displaying high resolution, real-time images of the subject during a medical procedure based on the registration of the high resolution 4D model to the 4D surface registration points. Embodiments of the present invention are especially useful in left atrium ablation procedures.

Sparse tracking in acoustic radiation force impulse imaging

Sparse tracking is used in acoustic radiation force impulse imaging. The tracking is performed sparsely. The displacements are measured only one or a few times for each receive line. While this may result in insufficient information to determine the displacement phase shift and/or maximum displacement over time, the resulting displacement samples for different receive lines as a function of time may be used together to estimate the velocity, such as with a Radon transform. The estimation may be less susceptible to noise from the scarcity of displacement samples by using compressive sensing.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS, MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND STORAGE MEDIUM

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to sequentially obtain eigenvalues of a correlation matrix of a scan range, the correlation matrix being obtained from a data sequence of reflected-wave data in mutually the same position acquired by performing an ultrasound scan on the scan range formed with a plurality of scanning lines. The processing circuitry is configured to determine a filter coefficient to be applied to a Moving Target Indicator (MTI) filter, on a basis of the plurality of eigenvalues obtained at mutually-different points in time.

Ultrasound Browser

The invention relates to a method for processing image data, comprising the steps of: receiving a first set of ultrasound image data representing a given volume, said set being organized into first planes sharing a common segment; and, on the basis of the first data set, reconstructing a second set of image data representing at least partially the given volume, said second set being organized into second planes parallel to each other.

Coupled Axial and Lateral Displacement Estimation for Elasticity Imaging

The determination of axial and lateral displacement in a material subject to compression is determined by fitting a multi-dimensional model function to the match between corresponding portions of the material in two states of compression. In one embodiment, iso-contour lines in a correlation between a reference kernel and a target kernel are fit to an ellipse whose center defines the maximum correlation and hence the displacement.

Concave Ultrasound Transducers and 3D Arrays

A Multiple Aperture Ultrasound Imaging (MAUI) probe or transducer is uniquely capable of simultaneous imaging of a region of interest from separate apertures of ultrasound arrays. Some embodiments provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound probes having continuous arrays of ultrasound transducers which may have a substantially continuous concave curved shape in two or three dimensions (i.e. concave relative to an object to be imaged). Other embodiments herein provide systems and methods for designing, building and using ultrasound imaging probes having other unique configurations, such as adjustable probes and probes with variable configurations.

Ultrasound detecting device having function of confirming irradiation position, and method thereof

Provided is an ultrasound fracture detection device capable of accurately irradiating an ultrasound pulse to a target object, the device being characterized by being provided with an ultrasound wave irradiating transducer, a signal receiving transducer which receives a reflected wave of an ultrasound wave irradiated from the ultrasound wave irradiating transducer, a signal, storage unit which stores a received signal, and a display unit which displays an analysis program that analyzes a stored signal, a determination program that performs determination from the result of the analysis and/or performs determination from the stored signal, and the result of the analysis and/or the result of the determination, wherein the determination program performs the determination using that information relating to the received signal varies depending on the reflector within a living organism.

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.

Color flow gain adjustment method and device

A color flow gain adjustment method and device, and a color ultrasound imaging system using the device are disclosed.

Method for Ultrasound Color Doppler Imaging

Methods for color Doppler imaging in an ultrasound imaging system are disclosed herein. Ultrasound radio frequency RF data is demodulated using a nested processing loop including an inner loop and an outer loop. A plurality of Wall filter coefficients are fetched from ultrasound imaging system memory in a single memory access cycle. The plurality Wall filter coefficients are applied to a plurality of complex ultrasound data values in a single execution cycle. The Wall filtered ultrasound data are provided to a flow estimator.

System and method for imaging a volume of tissue

The system of one embodiment for imaging tissue includes ultrasound emitters configured to surround and emit acoustic waveforms toward the tissue, ultrasound receivers configured to surround and receive acoustic waveforms scattered by the tissue, and a processor configured for determining an observed differential time-of-flight (ToF) dataset and generating an acoustic speed rendering of the tissue based on the observed differential ToF dataset. The method of one embodiment for imaging tissue includes receiving data representative of acoustic waveforms scattered by the tissue, determining an observed differential ToF dataset, performing forward modeling to generate a calculated differential ToF dataset based on an acoustic speed model, performing inverse modeling to generate an acoustic speed model based on the observed and calculated differential ToF datasets, iteratively repeating forward modeling and inverse modeling until convergence is met with a final acoustic speed model, and generating an acoustic speed rendering from the final acoustic speed model.

Needle detection in medical image data

A system for processing an image data volume acquired with a medical imaging acquisition device 100 from a body comprising a needle is provided. It has been realized it is advantageous to display 150 a plane intersecting the image data volume showing the needle to a user of the system. This allows better positioning of the needle. The system comprises a needle-plane determination 110 module for determining a plane being parallel to and intersecting a representation in the image data volume of the needle and being parallel to a viewing direction. The needle plane determination module may make use of pixel processing and/or spectral transformation, in particular the Gabor transform.

Systems And Methods For Detecting Airway Occlusion

In one embodiment, airway occlusion detection is performed by applying ultrasonic pulses into the neck of a patient, receiving the ultrasonic pulses after they have passed through the neck, and analyzing the pulses to determine whether or not an airway of the patient is partially or fully occluded.

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND MEDICAL IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS

According to one embodiment, a transmission/reception unit generates a reception signal. A signal extraction unit extracts a harmonic signal and fundamental wave signal from the reception signal. A calculation unit calculates a feature amount based on values corresponding to the amplitudes of the harmonic signal and fundamental wave signal. An area determination unit determines an area in a scanned area based on the feature amount and a predetermined threshold. A change unit changes the value corresponding to the amplitude of the harmonic signal in the determined area. An image generation unit generates a corrected harmonic image based on the harmonic signal in the scanned area including the determined area having the changed value. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:an ultrasonic probe comprising a plurality of transducers;a transmission/reception unit configured to supply a driving signal to each of the transducers and generate a reception signal based on an echo signal;a signal extraction unit configured to extract a harmonic signal and a fundamental wave signal from the reception signal;a calculation unit configured to calculate a feature amount based on a value corresponding to amplitude of the harmonic signal and a value corresponding to amplitude of the fundamental wave signal;an area determination unit configured to determine an area in a scanned area based on the feature amount and a predetermined threshold;a change unit configured to change the value corresponding to the amplitude of the harmonic signal in the determined area; andan image generation unit configured to generate a corrected harmonic image based on the harmonic signal in the scanned area including the determined area having the changed value corresponding to the amplitude of the harmonic signal.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the feature amount comprises a difference between the value corresponding to the amplitude of the harmonic signal and the value corresponding to the ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC TRANSMISSION/RECEPTION METHOD

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic transmission/reception method that can acquire high-definition 3D elastic images and are very easy to use. A transmission/reception unit can switch between first transmission/reception condition, under which elasticity frame data is acquired at a first definition, and second transmission/reception condition, under which elasticity frame data is acquired at a second definition which is higher than the first definition. A switching unit detects variations in the elasticity values in the elasticity frame data and switches the aforementioned transmission/reception conditions from the first to the second on the basis of the stability of said variations. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:a transmission/reception processing unit configured to transmit/receive ultrasonic signals to/from an object to be examined via a probe;a 2-dimensional elastic image constructing unit configured to acquire the elastic frame data showing the distribution of elasticity values on the basis of the received ultrasonic signals and generate a 2-dimensional elastic image;a 3-dimensional elastic image constructing unit configured to generate a 3-dimensional elastic image based on plural sets of the elastic frame data; anda display unit configured to display at least one of the 2-dimensional elastic image and the 3-dimensional elastic image,further comprising a switching unit configured to detect variation of the elasticity value in the plural sets of elastic frame data and switches the transmitting/receiving condition of the transmission/reception processing unit based on the stability of variation in the elasticity value.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein:the transmitting/receiving condition of the transmission/reception processing unit is a first transmitting/receiving condition which acquires the elastic frame data with a set first definition and a second transmitting/receiving condition which ...

Apparatuses and methods for user interactions during ultrasound imaging

An ultrasound imaging apparatus configured with a touch screen display that includes an image area displaying at least a portion of an ultrasound image. The image area of the touch screen is configured to receive touch input. In response to the touch input, the ultrasound image can be adjusted, manipulated, edited, processed and/or measured. For example, certain properties of the ultrasound image can be quantified or determined, and used to intelligently identify a context-sensitive function to be invoked as a response to the touch input in the image area Thus, the control buttons in the control area can be simplified; and the user interface is more user friendly than a conventional user interface for ultrasound imaging.

3D ULTRASOUND APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE SAME

A 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound apparatus and a method for operating the same are provided. A 3D ultrasound apparatus includes a first processor, a second processor and a controller. The first processor determines a start point from an image data obtained by scanning an object in a human body. The second processor extracts a top image of the object from the image data based on the start point. The controller controls a sagittal view of the object by rotating the image data, using the top image. 1. A method for operating a 3-dimensional (3D) ultrasound apparatus , the method comprising:determining a start point from image data obtained by scanning an object in a human body; anddetecting a mid sagittal plane with respect to the object from the image data by using similarity between two symmetry window regions parallel to a reference side image where the start point is located.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising changing the reference side image by rotating and moving the image data based on the start point.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the mid sagittal plane comprises detecting a reference side image where the similarity is highest as the mid sagittal plane.4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising:matching a template with respect to the object indicated on an initial top image where the start point is located; andobtaining the two symmetry window regions by using at least one of a length and a size of the template.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the two symmetry window regions are located in the same distance from the reference side image claim 4 , and the distance and the sizes of the two symmetry window regions are determined based on at least one of the length and the size of the template.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the similarity is determined according to a similarity function based on a simulated annealing algorithm.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the detecting of the mid sagittal plane comprises detecting the ...

SETTING AN OPTIMAL IMAGE PARAMETER IN AN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

Embodiments of setting an optimal image parameter for obtaining an optimal ultrasound image are disclosed. In one embodiment, by way of non-limiting example, a processing unit is configured perform an image process upon an ultrasound image to thereby detect a center of a blood vessel from the ultrasound image. The processing unit is configured to set the center of the blood vessel as an optimal focal point position. The processing unit is configured to calculate a plurality of steering angles, a plurality of transmit (Tx) frequencies and a plurality of sound speeds. The processing unit is further configured to form a plurality of ultrasound images corresponding to each of the steering angles, the Tx frequencies and the sound speeds based on the ultrasound data, detect a signal to noise ratio (SNR), a number of edge points of the blood vessel and a contrast difference between pixels for each of the second ultrasound images to thereby detect an optimal steering angle, an optimal Tx frequency and an optimal sound speed. 1. An ultrasound system , comprising:an ultrasound data acquisition unit configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from a target object including a blood vessel to thereby output ultrasound data; anda processing unit in communication with the ultrasound data acquisition unit and being configured to form an ultrasound image based on the ultrasound data, perform an image process upon the ultrasound image to thereby detect a center of the blood vessel from the ultrasound image, set the center of the blood vessel as an optimal focal point position, and calculate a plurality of steering angles, a plurality of transmit (Tx) frequencies and a plurality of sound speeds,wherein the ultrasound data acquisition unit is further configured to transmit and receive ultrasound signals to and from the target object in consideration of each of the steering angles, the Tx frequencies and the sound speeds to thereby output a plurality of ultrasound data, ...

Radial Reflection Diffraction Tomography

A wave-based tomographic imaging method and apparatus based upon one or more rotating radially outward oriented transmitting and receiving elements have been developed for non-destructive evaluation. At successive angular locations at a fixed radius, a predetermined transmitting element can launch a primary field and one or more predetermined receiving elements can collect the backscattered field in a “pitch/catch” operation. A Hilbert space inverse wave (HSIW) algorithm can construct images of the received scattered energy waves using operating modes chosen for a particular application. Applications include, improved intravascular imaging, bore hole tomography, and non-destructive evaluation (NDE) of parts having existing access holes. 1. A wave-based imaging method of characterizing a plaque , comprising:inserting a catheter into an artery;directing one or more predetermined energy waves radially outward and receiving one or more radial scattered energy waves from a distal end of said catheter;collecting a radial scattered tomographic data baseline of said artery's tissue;measuring an applied external pressure to said artery;obtaining a deformation radial scattered tomographic data set of said artery's tissue after application of said external pressure; andprocessing said radial scattered tomographic data baseline and said deformation radial reflected tomographic data set to produce a final image indicating elasticity of said artery to characterize said plaque, wherein said processing includes application of a wave-based algorithm that can map an angular location and a plurality of frequency parameters of said received scattered energy waves, wherein said wave-based algorithm comprises a Hilbert space inverse wave (HSIW) algorithm.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein said catheter further comprises a single rotating radially outward oriented transducer capable of rotating up to 360 degrees about a predetermined axis.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein said catheter ...

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.

ULTRASOUND IMAGE RECONSTRUCTION METHOD, DEVICE THEREFOR, AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE

In order to acquire high resolution ultrasound images while maintaining an appropriate frame rate in ultrasound diagnostic devices, the disclosed method generates high resolution ultrasound images by performing image reconstruction on the basis of multiple ultrasound frame images captured along a time series and the magnitudes of positional shifts, or forms high resolution ultrasound images by performing image reconstruction on the basis of multiple ultrasound frame images acquired by controlling the ultrasound probe and varying scan orientation or scan focal length frame by frame. 1. An ultrasound image reconstruction method for reconstructing an ultrasound image of a sample by processing ultrasound images acquired from a signal generated by scanning the sample with an ultrasound signal by use of an ultrasound probe and receiving a reflected wave from the sample , comprising the steps of:extracting an ultrasound frame image at a certain time point and an ultrasound frame image at a time point before the certain time point from a series of ultrasound frame images constituting the ultrasound images acquired by the imaging;calculating magnitudes of positional shifts between the extracted ultrasound frame image at the certain time point and the extracted ultrasound frame image at the time point before the certain time point; andreconstructing a composite ultrasound image for one frame by compensating for the positional shifts between the extracted ultrasound frame image at the certain time point and the extracted ultrasound frame image at the time point before the certain time point by use of information on the calculated magnitudes of positional shifts and merging the extracted ultrasound frame image at the certain time point and the extracted ultrasound frame image at the time point before the certain time point after undergoing the positional shift compensation together.2. The ultrasound image reconstruction method according to claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound frame ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS, OPERATION METHOD OF THE SAME, AND COMPUTER READABLE RECORDING MEDIUM

An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes: a frequency analyzing unit that calculates a frequency spectrum of a received ultrasonic wave; a frequency band setting unit that sets at least an upper limit frequency for use in approximating the calculated frequency spectrum to a predetermined frequency according to a receiving depth of an ultrasonic wave; a feature data extracting unit that extracts feature data of the frequency spectrum by approximating a frequency spectrum of the frequency band; a storage unit that stores feature data of a frequency spectrum extracted based on ultrasonic waves reflected off known specimens in association with tissue characteristics of the known specimens; and a tissue characteristic determining unit that determines a tissue characteristic in a predetermined area in the specimen using feature data stored in the storage unit in association with tissue characteristics of the known specimens and the feature data extracted at the feature data extracting unit. 1. An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus that transmits an ultrasonic wave to a specimen and receives an ultrasonic wave reflected off the specimen for determining a tissue characteristic of the specimen based on a received ultrasonic wave , the ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus comprising:a frequency analyzing unit configured to calculate a frequency spectrum by analyzing a frequency of a received ultrasonic wave;a frequency band setting unit configured to set at least an upper limit frequency of a frequency band for use in approximating the frequency spectrum calculated at the frequency analyzing unit to a predetermined frequency according to a receiving depth of an ultrasonic wave;a feature data extracting unit configured to extract feature data of the frequency spectrum by approximating a frequency spectrum of the frequency band set at the frequency band setting unit;a storage unit configured to store feature data of a frequency spectrum extracted based on ultrasonic waves reflected off ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC SCANNING METHOD

According to one embodiment, a detector detects a position at a leading end of a puncture needle. A determination unit determines a first scanning region in a subject and a second scanning region based on the position at the detected leading end, the second scanning region being narrower than the first scanning region. A transmission/reception controller controls a transmitter and a receiver to switches between first ultrasonic scanning for the first scanning region and second ultrasonic scanning for the second scanning region according to an instruction from an operator. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:a transducer configured to generate an ultrasonic wave and converts the ultrasonic wave from a subject into an echo signal;a transmitter configured to supply a driving signal to the transducer;a receiver configured to perform signal processing to the echo signal from the transducer;a detector configured to detect a position at a leading end of a puncture needle;a determination unit configured to determine a first scanning region in the subject and a second scanning region based on the position at the detected leading end, the second scanning region being narrower than the first scanning region; anda transmission/reception controller configured to control the transmitter and the receiver to switches between first ultrasonic scanning for the first scanning region and second ultrasonic scanning for the second scanning region according to an instruction from an operator.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , further comprising:a generator configured to generate a first ultrasonic image related to the first scanning region based on an output signal from the receiver when the first ultrasonic scanning is performed, and the generator generating a second ultrasonic image related to the second scanning region based on the output signal from the receiver when the second ultrasonic scanning is performed; anda display unit configured to ...

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- ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND PROGRAM

An ultrasound diagnostic device has a control unit () which sequentially selects transducers () for supplying drive signals while shifting a predetermined number of the transducers in a disposing direction for each output of transmitted ultrasound waves. Then, an image generation unit () generates image data for within a subject body for each frame on the basis of received signals which have been sequentially received by a receiving unit (). Next, the control unit () performs switching between selection of m units of transducers () to be consecutively positioned, and selection of m+1 units of the transducers () to be consecutively positioned, for each frame. In addition, the control unit () generates synthesized image data acquired by synthesizing image data of at least two consecutive frames each time that image data is generated for each frame. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic device comprising:an ultrasound probe which includes n pieces of transducers being arranged in parallel, n satisfying n>1, the transducers outputting transmitted ultrasound waves toward a test body by a drive signal, and outputting received signals by receiving reflected ultrasound waves from the test body;a transmitter unit which supplies the drive signal to selected transducers from among the n pieces of transducers;a receiver unit which receives received signals to be outputted from the selected transducers;a control unit which sequentially selects the transducers, the transducers being supplied with the drive signal, while shifting the transducers by a predetermined number in an array direction every time when each of the transmitted ultrasound waves is outputted; andan image processing unit which creates image data of an inside of the test body for each frame based on the received signals sequentially received by the receiver unit,wherein, while making a switch for each frame, the control unit executes selection of m pieces of the transducers arranged consecutively and selection of m+1 ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS, ULTRASONIC IMAGE DISPLAY APPARATUS, AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD

According to one embodiment, an internal storage unit stores auxiliary diagnostic indication concerning each of examination items in association with a display position of the auxiliary diagnostic indication in a display area where an ultrasonic image is displayed. An image generation unit generates an ultrasonic image concerning an examination item of a scan target based on an echo signal from an ultrasonic probe. A monitor has a display area. A display control unit controls the monitor so as to display specific auxiliary diagnostic indication, of auxiliary diagnostic indication stored in the storage unit, which is associated with an examination item of the scan target, at a specific display position associated with the specific auxiliary diagnostic indication. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:a storage unit configured to store auxiliary diagnostic indication concerning each of examination items in association with a display position of the auxiliary diagnostic indication in a display area where an ultrasonic image is displayed;a generation unit configured to generate an ultrasonic image concerning a scan target based on an echo signal from an ultrasonic probe;a display unit configured to have a display area for an ultrasonic image; anda control unit configured to control the display unit so as to display specific auxiliary diagnostic indication, of auxiliary diagnostic indication stored in the storage unit, which is associated with an examination item of the scan target at a specific display position associated with the specific auxiliary diagnostic indication.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the control unit displays the specific auxiliary diagnostic indication at the specific display position before display of the generated ultrasonic image.3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays the generated ultrasonic image in the display area in real time claim 1 , andthe control unit ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR PROSTATE BIOPSY

The invention presents tools to improve a 3-D image aided biopsy or treatment procedure for prostate gland by providing additional functionality and additional visual cues on an output image of the prostate, which may be generated substantially in real-time. The tools include i) the identification of various parts of prostate to classify as per regular classification in pathological reports, ii) Computing and displaying the insertion depth of needle with respect to a selected target point during the procedure, iii) Computing and displaying the distance from needle tip to prostate surface following a procedure and, iv) Calibration for misalignment of a 2-D imaging transducer when used under tracked motion for a procedure. 1. A method for use in transrectal ultrasound guided biopsy , comprising:receiving a 3D image of a prostate gland at a processor;processing said 3D image to delineate a urethra in the 3D image of said prostate gland, wherein the urethra is delineated using a series of at least three non-collinear control points identified in at least a first image of the prostate gland;using the delineated urethra, processing the 3-D image to define a mid-plane dividing the prostate gland into first and second lateral portions;based on said mid-plane, generating at least one plane transverse to the mid-plane dividing the prostate gland into at least one upper portion and at least one lower portion, wherein said mid-plane and said at least one plane define a plurality of zones in said 3-D image of said prostate gland;generating a prostate zone image wherein said plurality of zones are displayed on the 3-D image of the prostate gland; andgenerating at least one biopsy target point in at least one of said plurality of zones, wherein said biopsy target point is displayed on said prostate zone image.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein each said biopsy target point comprises a centroid of an area corresponding to one of said plurality of zones.3. The method of claim 1 , ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE AND ULTRASONIC IMAGE DISPLAY METHOD

Provided are an ultrasonic diagnostic device and an ultrasonic image display method having a function of displaying an inflow time map representing relative differences in blood flow dynamics such as inflow time of a contrast agent in difference colors, including a function of selectively extracting a focused vessel and constructing a noise-less inflow time map, and in the comparison of differences in color between the constructed inflow time map and the past inflow time map to examine a change in blood flow dynamics by therapy or the like, an interpolation function of unifying the color of regions as a base. A TIC analysis unit calculates a parameter (t) indicating an inflow starting time of a contrast agent and a difference of brightness ΔI due to the contrast agent using image data in a range designated by a image detection unit A first pixel selection unit selectively extracts a pixel meeting certain conditions and concurrently removes a non contrast-enhanced region. An image construction unit constructs an inflow time map colored in accordance with the values of t, and a second pixel selection unit selectively extracts a vessel focused by an operator using a histogram based on the difference of brightness. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic device , comprising:a probe that transmits and receives ultrasonic signals to and from a test object;a receiving beamformer unit that performs phasing and adding processing with respect to ultrasonic signals received by the probe;an image detection unit that accepts designation of information containing a starting time when a contrast agent is administered to the test object;a first pixel selection unit that extracts, on a basis of the information on the starting time, a contrast-enhanced part with the contrast agent from image data based on a signal subjected to phasing and adding;a second pixel selection unit that further extracts image data on a basis of pixel information of image data extracted by the first pixel selection unit ...

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 ...

SPREAD SPECTRUM CODED WAVEFORMS IN ULTRASOUND IMAGING

Techniques, systems, and devices are disclosed for ultrasound imaging using spread spectrum, coherent, frequency- and/or phase-coded waveforms. In one aspect, a method of creating an image from an acoustic waveform in an acoustic imaging device includes setting the device into a transmit mode to transmit an acoustic waveform toward a target, in transmitting the acoustic waveform, synthesizing, in one or more waveform synthesizers, a plurality of substantially orthogonal coded waveforms that form a composite waveform as the transmitted acoustic waveform toward the target, in which each waveform corresponds to a distinct frequency band, setting the device into a receive mode to receive a returned acoustic waveform that returns from at least part of the target, converting the received returned acoustic waveform from analog format to digital format as a received composite waveform comprising information of the target, and processing the received composite waveform to produce an image of the target. 1. A method of creating an image from an acoustic waveform in an acoustic imaging device , comprising:setting a transmit/receive switch in the acoustic imaging device into a transmit mode to transmit an acoustic waveform toward a target;in transmitting the acoustic waveform, synthesizing, in one or more waveform synthesizers, a plurality of substantially orthogonal coded waveforms that form a composite waveform as the transmitted acoustic waveform toward the target, wherein each waveform corresponds to a distinct frequency band, the coded waveforms including at least one of frequency-coded waveforms or phase-coded waveforms;setting the transmit/receive switch in the acoustic imaging device into a receive mode to receive a returned acoustic waveform that returns from at least part of the target;converting the received returned acoustic waveform from analog format to digital format as a received composite waveform comprising information of the target; andprocessing the received ...

BEAMFORMING METHOD, BEAMFORMING APPARATUS, AND MEDICAL IMAGING SYSTEM PERFORMING THE BEAMFORMING METHOD

A beamforming apparatus includes a storage for storing a plurality of basis vectors obtained from a beamforming coefficient of a previously-measured echo signal; a weight calculator for calculating a weight to be applied to an echo signal reflected from a target; and a synthesizer for applying the weight to the echo signal reflected from the target and synthesizing signals to which the weight is applied. 1. A beamforming apparatus comprising:a storage which stores a plurality of basis vectors obtained from beamforming coefficients of previously-measured echo signals;a weight calculator which calculates weights to be applied to echo signals reflected from a target, by using the plurality of basis vectors; anda synthesizer which applies the weights to corresponding echo signals reflected from the target, and synthesizes the echo signals to which the weights are applied.2. The beamforming apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a projector which projects the echo signals reflected from the target on at least one of the plurality of basis vectors claim 1 ,wherein the weight calculator calculates the weights by using the projected echo signals, andthe synthesizer applies the weights to the projected echo signals, and synthesizes the projected echo signals to which the weights are applied.3. The beamforming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein the projector projects a steering vector on the at least one of the plurality of basis vectors claim 2 ,the weight calculator calculates the weights by using the projected echo signals and the projected steering vector, andthe synthesizer applies the weights to the projected echo signals, and synthesizes the echo signals to which the weights are applied.4. The beamforming apparatus of claim 2 , wherein a number of the basis vectors on which the projector projects the echo signal is determined by a user.5. The beamforming apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the storage stores the plurality of basis vectors obtained by performing a principal ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC METHOD

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising: an image forming unit which forms an ultrasound image that corresponds to an echo signal received from a subject to which a contrast medium has been administered; a region of interest setting unit which sets, in a target region corresponding to target tissue on the ultrasound image formed by the image forming unit, a first region of interest and a second region of interest which are two regions different from each other; a feature value extraction unit which extracts, as a feature value, a difference in brightness between the first region of interest and the second region of interest set by the region of interest setting unit; and a type determination unit which determines, based on the feature value extracted by the feature value extraction unit, a type of the target tissue. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which determines a type of target tissue inside a body of a subject , the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:an image forming unit configured to form an ultrasound image which corresponds to an echo signal received from the subject to which a contrast medium has been administered;a region of interest setting unit configured to set, in a target region corresponding to the target tissue on the ultrasound image formed by the image forming unit, a first region of interest and a second region of interest which are two regions different from each other;a feature value extraction unit configured to extract, as a feature value, a difference in brightness between the first region of interest and the second region of interest set by the region of interest setting unit; anda type determination unit configured to determine, based on the feature value extracted by the feature value extraction unit, the type of the target tissue.2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the region of interest setting unit is further configured to set a third region of interest outside the target region on ...

Ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus

Disclosed is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus including an ultrasound probe which outputs a transmission ultrasound wave toward a subject due to a driving signal and which outputs a received signal by receiving a reflection ultrasound wave from the subject, a transmitting unit which makes the ultrasound probe generate the transmission ultrasound wave by outputting each of a first transmission signal, a second transmission signal, a third transmission signal and a fourth transmission signal as the driving signal, and a signal component extraction unit which extracts a higher harmonic component and a difference frequency component by compounding a first received signal, a second received signal, a third received signal and a fourth received signal.

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a detector, a determination unit, a retention controller, and a display controller. The detector is configured to detect a peak flow velocity of blood flow velocities acquired from Doppler waveforms collected in a time-serial manner or a peak value of average flow velocities of the blood flow velocities as a representative flow velocity for each predefined period. The determination unit is configured to determine a maximum value in a predefined polarity of a plurality of representative flow velocities. The retention controller is configured to control a memory unit to retain maximum waveform information that is Doppler waveform information of Doppler waveforms collected for a period in which the maximum value was detected. The display controller is configured to control a display unit to display the maximum waveform information with Doppler waveform information having been collected by a present time point. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:a detector configured to detect a peak flow velocity of blood flow velocities acquired from Doppler waveforms collected in a time-serial manner or a peak value of average flow velocities of the blood flow velocities as a representative flow velocity for each predefined period;a determination unit configured to determine a maximum value in a predefined polarity of a plurality of representative flow velocities by comparing values of representative flow velocities sequentially output from the detector;a retention controller configured to control a predefined memory unit to retain maximum waveform information that is Doppler waveform information that is information on Doppler waveforms, the maximum waveform information being Doppler waveform information of Doppler waveforms collected for a period in which the maximum value was detected; anda display controller configured to control a predefined display unit to display the maximum waveform ...

MOTION DETECTION USING PING-BASED AND MULTIPLE APERTURE DOPPLER ULTRASOUND

A method of full-field or “ping-based” Doppler ultrasound imaging allows for detection of Doppler signals indicating moving reflectors at any point in an imaging field without the need to pre-define range gates. In various embodiments, such whole-field Doppler imaging methods may include transmitting a Doppler ping from a transmit aperture, receiving echoes of the Doppler ping with one or more separate receive apertures, detecting Doppler signals and determining the speed of moving reflectors. In some embodiments, the system also provides the ability to determine the direction of motion by solving a set of simultaneous equations based on echo data received by multiple receive apertures. 1. A method of conducting Doppler ultrasound , the method comprising:selecting a transmit aperture from a plurality of transducer elements of a transducer array;transmitting an unfocused ultrasound signal from the transmit aperture into a region of interest;receiving echoes of only the unfocused ultrasound signal on a first receive aperture;storing the received echoes in a memory device;beamforming the received echoes to determine a display position for each of a plurality of reflectors within the region of interest;selecting a first test segment from the received echo data of the region of interest ;detecting a Doppler frequency shift within the echoes of the receiving step of at least one of the plurality of reflectors;determining a speed of the at least one reflector within the first test segment; anddisplaying motion information of the at least one reflector in an image wherein the motion information is based in part on the detecting step and the determining step.2. The method of the determining step further comprising: determining a direction of motion of the at least one reflector within the first test segment.3. The method of further comprising:selecting a second test segment and thereafter repeating the steps of selecting, detecting, determining and displaying for at least ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS, IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS, AND IMAGE PROCESSING METHOD

An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to an embodiment includes a processor, an image generator, a detector, and a controller. The processor is configured to acquire two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in a scan range formed of a plurality of scan lines, from two-dimensional or three-dimensional echo data collected through ultrasound transmission/reception performed in the scan range. The image processor is configured to generate blood flow images in time sequence from the two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in the scan range. The detector is configured to detect movement information in time sequence of speckles in a preset two-dimensional or three-dimensional region of interest, among the blood flow images in time sequence. The controller is configured to control a predetermined display to display movement information data that is data based on the movement information in time sequence. 1. An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus comprising:a processor configured to acquire two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in a scan range formed of a plurality of scan lines, from two-dimensional or three-dimensional echo data collected through ultrasound transmission/reception performed in the scan range;an image generator configured to generate blood flow images in time sequence from the two-dimensional or three-dimensional blood flow information in time sequence in the scan range;a detector configured to detect movement information in time sequence of speckles in a preset two-dimensional or three-dimensional region of interest, among the blood flow images in time sequence; anda controller configured to control a predetermined display to display movement information data that is data based on the movement information in time sequence.2. The ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to acquire the two- ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS CONTROL METHOD

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to the present invention is an apparatus to which a probe with transducers is connectible. The apparatus includes a controller which performs transmission processing for sending out an ultrasonic wave toward a subject by driving the probe and reception processing for generating a received signal based on the ultrasonic wave that has been reflected from the subject and received at the probe and which performs, if a predetermined condition based on the received signal is satisfied, automatic freeze processing for stopping at least one of the transmission processing and the reception processing. The controller restricts the automatic freeze processing for a predetermined period of time after having accepted a predetermined operating event. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to which a probe with transducers is connectible ,the apparatus comprising a controller which performs transmission processing for sending out an ultrasonic wave toward a subject by driving the probe and reception processing for generating a received signal based on the ultrasonic wave that has been reflected from the subject and received at the probe and which performs automatic freeze processing for stopping, if a predetermined condition based on the received signal is satisfied, at least one of the transmission processing and the reception processing,wherein the controller restricts the automatic freeze processing for a predetermined period of time after having accepted a predetermined operating event.2. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus to which a probe with transducers is connectible ,the apparatus comprising a controller which performs transmission processing for sending out an ultrasonic wave toward a subject by driving the probe and reception processing for generating a received signal based on the ultrasonic wave that has been reflected from the subject and received at the probe, which performs predetermined signal processing on the received ...

ULTRASONIC NEEDLE GUIDING APPARATUS, METHOD AND SYSTEM

An apparatus is provided. The apparatus comprises a vibrator configured to vibrate a needle, an ultrasonic scanhead configured to transmit ultrasonic pulses and to receive return signals, and an ultrasonic system coupled to the ultrasonic scanhead. The ultrasonic system comprises a transmitter and receiver module coupled to the ultrasonic scanhead, a displacement estimation module coupled to the transmitter and receiver module, and a display coupled to the displacement estimation module. The transmitter and receiver module is configured to supply energizing pulses to the ultrasonic scanhead to transmit the ultrasonic pulses and to receive electrical signals produced by the ultrasonic scanhead according to the return signals. The displacement estimation module is configured to calculate motion displacements based on phase differences of the electrical signals. The display is configured to display an image according to the motion displacements. 1. An apparatus comprising:a vibrator configured to vibrate a needle;an ultrasonic scanhead configured to transmit ultrasonic pulses and receive return signals; and a transmitter and receiver module coupled to the ultrasonic scanhead and configured to supply energizing pulses to the ultrasonic scanhead to transmit the ultrasonic pulses, and to receive electrical signals produced by the ultrasonic scanhead according to the return signals;', 'a displacement estimation module coupled to the transmitter and receiver module configured to calculate motion displacements based on phase differences of the electrical signals; and', 'a display coupled to the displacement estimation module configured to display an image according to the motion displacements., 'an ultrasonic system coupled to the ultrasonic scanhead, the ultrasonic system comprising2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasonic system further comprises a band-pass filter coupled between the displacement estimation module and the display claim 1 , wherein the vibrator ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF DISPLAYING ULTRASONIC IMAGE

To provide an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus capable of producing a three-dimensional image of an object for an organ region within a range of elasticity values desired by an operator and allowing the operator to recognize the region easily, elasticity value data included in a desired elasticity value range among elasticity value data constituting a volume data are selected and rendered. Whereby, a three-dimensional elasticity image in the set elasticity value range is produced. An area corresponding to the elasticity value range is displayed on at least one of a two-dimensional elasticity image and a section image. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:a section image constituting unit which transmits ultrasonic into an object and produces a section image of the object based on a received signal and a two-dimensional elasticity image constituting unit which processes the signal to produce a two-dimensional elasticity image of an elasticity value representing elasticity;a rendering unit which produces volume data formed of a plurality of the two-dimensional elasticity images and selects and renders elasticity value data of the volume data included in a desired elasticity value range to produce a three-dimensional elasticity image of the elasticity value data in the elasticity value range; anda display unit which displays the three-dimensional elasticity image and at least one of the two-dimensional elasticity image and the section image showing an area corresponding to the elasticity value range.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the display unit displays an area of the two-dimensional elasticity image outside the elasticity value range with a mask placed thereon.3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the display unit displays a combined image provided by adding the two-dimensional elasticity image and the section image at a ratio claim 2 , the ratio in an area within the elasticity value ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE

An ultrasonic diagnostic device is provided. The ultrasonic diagnostic device includes an ultrasonic probe configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves to and from a test subject, a sensor provided in the ultrasonic probe and configured to detect a dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe, a dynamic analysis section configured to analyze the dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe based on a detection signal of the sensor, and a control section configured to perform a control operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device corresponding to the dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe as identified from the analysis by the dynamic analysis section. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic device comprising:an ultrasonic probe configured to send and receive ultrasonic waves to and from a test subject;a sensor provided in the ultrasonic probe and configured to detect a dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe;a dynamic analysis section configured to analyze the dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe based on a detection signal of the sensor; anda control section configured to perform a control operation of the ultrasonic diagnostic device corresponding to the dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe as identified from the analysis by the dynamic analysis section.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is a sensor configured to detect at least one of vibration and movement.3. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1 , wherein the sensor is an acceleration sensor.4. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 2 , wherein the sensor is an acceleration sensor.5. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 1 , further comprising a storage section configured to store the control operation corresponding to the dynamic state of the ultrasonic probe.6. The ultrasonic diagnostic device according to claim 2 , further comprising a storage section configured to store the control operation corresponding to the dynamic state of the ultrasonic ...

INTEGRATED DISPLAY OF ULTRASOUND IMAGES AND ECG DATA

A display system for ultrasound images and ECG data produces a common display of a cardiac ultrasound image of a given view and ECG traces relevant to that ultrasound view. The ECG traces relate to the heart anatomy seen in the ultrasound image. The user is given the ability to select certain ECG lead signals for display in conjunction with specific views of the heart. ST elevation values for the ECG leads may also be shown to enable the clinician to correlate electrical abnormalities with anatomical abnormalities of the ultrasound image such as abnormal wall motion or thickening. The ST elevation values are displayed on a bullseye chart in association with heart regions related to the leads for which the ST values were detected. 1. A diagnostic system for ultrasound image and ECG lead signal data comprising:a source of ultrasound images of a heart acquired from one or more viewing perspectives;a source of ECG lead signal data;a display processor, responsive to the ultrasound images and the ECG lead signal data which is adapted to produce a common display of an ultrasound image and ECG lead signal data corresponding to the viewing perspective of the ultrasound image; anda display device, coupled to the display processor, for displaying the common ultrasound and ECG display.2. The diagnostic system of claim 1 , further comprising a data storage device claim 1 , responsive to ultrasound image data and ECG lead signal data claim 1 , and coupled to the display processor.3. The diagnostic system of wherein the ECG lead signal data further comprises traces of ECG waveforms.4. The diagnostic system of claim 3 , wherein the source of ECG lead signal data further comprises signals of at least twelve ECG leads claim 3 , and wherein the display processor processes signals of fewer than twelve leads for display on the common display.5. The diagnostic system of claim 4 , wherein the display processor is further adapted to process signals of up to four leads for display on the ...

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; ...

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

According to one embodiment, a first calculation unit calculates a first feature amount concerning an edge direction in a specific region. A second calculation unit calculates a second feature amount concerning an edge intensity or a brightness value in the specific region. A storage unit stores filter characteristics. The each filter characteristic is associated with a first feature amounts range and a second feature amounts range which ultrasonic images suitable for the each filter characteristic may have. A selection unit selects a filter characteristic corresponding to both the calculated first feature amount and the calculated second feature amount. An image filter unit applies an image filter having the selected filter characteristic. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:an ultrasonic probe configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to a subject, receive the ultrasonic wave reflected by the subject, and generate an echo signal corresponding to the received ultrasonic wave;an image generation unit configured to generate an ultrasonic image concerning the subject based on the echo signal;a first calculation unit configured to calculate a first feature amount concerning an edge direction in a specific region in the generated ultrasonic image, the specific region being larger than a kernel size of an image filter applied to the generated ultrasonic image;a second calculation unit configured to calculate a second feature amount concerning one of an edge intensity distribution and a brightness value distribution in the specific region in the generated ultrasonic image;a storage unit configured to store filter characteristics, the each filter characteristic associated with a range of first feature amounts and a range of second feature amounts which ultrasonic images suitable for the each filter characteristic are configured to have;a selection unit configured to select a filter characteristic corresponding to both the calculated first feature amount and ...

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

According to one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprises a data acquisition unit, an image generation unit, a calculation unit, a determination unit and a measurement unit. The data acquisition unit acquires a plurality of ultrasonic data. The image generation unit generates a plurality of ultrasonic images by using the plurality of ultrasonic data. The calculation unit calculates a feature amount for determining a shift between the two-dimensional section and a central axis of a target blood vessel. The determination unit determines an optimal image from the plurality of ultrasonic images based on the feature amount. The measurement unit measures an intima-media thickness of the target blood vessel by using the optimal image. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:a data acquisition unit configured to acquire a plurality of ultrasonic data by repeatedly scanning a two-dimensional section including a target blood vessel with an ultrasonic wave;an image generation unit configured to generate a plurality of ultrasonic images by using the plurality of ultrasonic data;a calculation unit configured to calculate a feature amount for determining a shift between the two-dimensional section and a central axis of the target blood vessel in a running direction on the each ultrasonic image;a determination unit configured to determine an optimal image from the plurality of ultrasonic images based on the feature amount; anda measurement unit configured to measure an intima-media thickness of the target blood vessel by using the optimal image.2. The apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the data acquisition unit acquires the plurality of ultrasonic data in correspondence with a phase of a biological signal which periodically changes by performing the scan in synchronism with the biological signal claim 1 ,the image generation unit generates the plurality of ultrasonic images associated with the phase of the biological signal,the calculation unit selects a ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD OF CONTROLLING THE SAME

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus and a method of controlling the same are provided herein. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a probe having a connector, provided with a shaft, and a probing part, the probing part being connected to the connector through a cable so as to irradiate ultrasound waves to an object to be examined and receive the ultrasound waves reflected from the object, a main body connected with the probe so as to create an image of the object, which corresponds to the ultrasound waves received to the probing part of the probe, a coupling assembly to detect contact between the main body and the connector and to fix the connector to the main body by automatically driving the shaft of the probe, and a controller to control driving of the coupling assembly when the contact between the main body and the connector is detected. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:a probe having a connector with a shaft and a probing part connected to the connector through a cable, wherein the probing part is used to irradiate ultrasound waves into an object to be examined and to receive the ultrasound waves reflected from the object;a main body electrically and mechanically connected to the probe and configured to generate an image of the object based on the reflected ultrasound waves received by the probing part of the probe;a coupling assembly to detect contact between the main body and the connector and to fix the connector to the main body by automatically driving the shaft of the probe's connector; anda controller to control driving of the coupling assembly when the contact between the main body and the connector is detected by the coupling assembly.2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the coupling assembly comprises:a coupling member coupled to the shaft;a motor to rotate the coupling member;a locking groove to seat a locking member of the shaft during rotation of the shaft; anda detection part to detect the contact ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC EQUIPMENT

An ultrasound diagnostic equipment has at least one rechargeable ultrasound probe with a built-in battery, and a diagnostic equipment body connected to the at least one ultrasound probe in a wireless manner, wherein the diagnostic equipment body includes a power supply unit which supplies power to the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe, and a power supply controller which causes the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe to selectively perform refresh charging and top-up charging using the power supply unit on the basis of power supply information to the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe and the examination situation in the diagnostic equipment body. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic equipment comprising:at least one rechargeable ultrasound probe with a built-in battery; anda diagnostic equipment body connected to the at least one ultrasound probe in a wireless manner,wherein the diagnostic equipment body includesa power supply unit which supplies power to the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe, anda power supply controller which causes the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe to selectively perform refresh charging and top-up charging using the power supply unit on the basis of power supply information to the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe and the examination situation in the diagnostic equipment body.2. The ultrasound diagnostic equipment according to claim 1 ,wherein the at least one ultrasound probe has a storage unit which stores the power supply information.3. The ultrasound diagnostic equipment according to claim 1 ,wherein the diagnostic equipment body includes a probe holder which holds the at least one ultrasound probe, andthe power supply unit supplies power to the battery of the at least one ultrasound probe held in the probe holder.4. The ultrasound diagnostic equipment according to claim 1 ,wherein the diagnostic equipment body includes a plurality of probe holders which holds a plurality of ...

Program, medium, and device for determining vascular disease

Disclosed is a non-invasive technique for determining with high precision vascular disease, in particular arteriosclerosis, vascular stenosis, and aneurisms. This technique is achieved by a program that determines vascular disease in a subject by comparing normal distribution graphs obtained from a subject to normal distribution graphs obtained from a normal individual, which are based on reflective echo waveforms obtained by sending ultrasonic waves to the subject's pulsating blood vessels, detecting correlation or difference between the normal distribution graphs, and, if a difference in the normal distribution graphs is detected, implementing on the computer a step for determining that the subject has a vascular disease.

ABLATION PROBE WITH ULTRASONIC IMAGING CAPABILITY

Devices and systems for ultrasonically imaging anatomical structures and performing ablation therapy within the body are disclosed. A combined ablation and ultrasound imaging probe includes an ablation electrode tip including an ablation electrode configured for delivering ablation energy, and a number of ultrasonic imaging sensors configured for imaging the tissue surrounding the probe. The ultrasonic imaging sensors are supported within the interior of the tip via a tip insert, and deliver ultrasonic waves through acoustic openings formed through the tip. The tip insert separates an interior lumen within the tip into a proximal fluid chamber and a distal fluid chamber. During an ablation procedure, the ultrasonic imaging sensors can be tasked to generate a number of ultrasonic images that can be displayed on a user interface. 1. An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue , the ablation probe comprising:an ablation electrode tip including an ablation electrode configured for delivering ablation energy to body tissue;a plurality of acoustic openings disposed through the ablation electrode tip;a distal tip insert disposed within an interior lumen of the ablation electrode tip, the distal tip insert including a plurality of fluid channels; anda plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors coupled to the distal tip insert, the ultrasonic imaging sensors configured to transmit ultrasonic waves through the acoustic openings.2. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the ablation electrode tip comprises a tubular-shaped metal shell.3. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the distal tip insert includes a plurality of recesses each configured for receiving an ultrasonic imaging sensor.4. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the interior lumen of the ablation electrode tip includes a proximal fluid chamber and a distal fluid chamber claim 1 , and wherein the proximal and distal fluid chambers are separated by the distal tip insert and are fluidly coupled to each other via the fluid ...

M-MODE ULTRASOUND IMAGING OF ARBITRARY PATHS

Systems and methods of M-mode ultrasound imaging allows for M-mode imaging along user-defined paths. In various embodiments, the user-defined path can be a non-linear path or a curved path. In some embodiments, a system for M-mode ultrasound imaging can comprise a multi-aperture probe with at least a first transmitting aperture and a second receiving aperture. The receiving aperture can be separate from the transmitting aperture. In some embodiments, the transmitting aperture can be configured to transmit an unfocused, spherical, ultrasound ping signal into a region of interest. The user-defined path can define a structure of interest within the region of interest. 1. A method of defining and displaying an m-mode path for display in an ultrasound imaging system , the method comprising:transmitting an ultrasound signal from a transmitting transducer element into a region of interest including a structure of interest;receiving echoes with at least one receiving transducer element;producing an image of the region of interest from the received echoes;displaying the image of the region of interest including the structure of interest to a user;defining a one-pixel-wide path through the structure of interest, where the path does not lie along a line that intersects the transmitting transducer element or the receiving transducer element; anddisplaying a graph of a magnitude of pixels along the path over time.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the path is non-linear.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the path has at least one curved segment.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the path has at least one linear segment and at least one curved segment.5. The method of claim 2 , wherein the path has at least two linear segments that intersect at an angle other than 180 degrees.6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the path has at least two dis-continuous segments.7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmitting transducer element lies on a separate physical transducer array from ...

PROVIDING PARTICLE FLOW IMAGE IN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM

There are provided embodiments for providing a particle flow age for representing flow of at least one region of interest (more particularly, particle) 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 at least one region of interest on the Doppler mode image based on input information of a user, the processing unit being further configured to form a flow image for representing flow of the at least one region of interest based on the vector information. 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 at least one region of interest on the Doppler mode image based on input information of a user, the processing unit being further configured to form a flow image for representing flow of the at least one region of interest based on the vector information.2. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein the region of interest includes a particle.3. 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.4. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , further comprising:a user input unit configured to receive the input information for setting the at least one region of interest on the Doppler mode image and setting a weighting value corresponding to the at least one region of interest.5. The ultrasound system of claim 4 , wherein the processing unit is configured to:determine a ...

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 ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR ULTRASOUND VOLUME IMAGE DATA PROCESSING

A method for ultrasound volume image data processing comprising acquiring ultrasound volume image data in a scan volume in which a line-like object is located, locating a position of the line-like object based on the ultrasound volume image data, defining a slab boundary box surrounding the line-like object based on the position of the line-like object, and rendering a region surrounded by the slab boundary box. 1. A method for ultrasound volume image data processing , comprising:acquiring ultrasound volume image data in a scan volume in which a line-like object is located;locating a position of the line-like object based on the ultrasound volume image data;defining a slab boundary box surrounding the line-like object based on the position of the line-like object; andrendering a region surrounded by the slab boundary box.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein acquiring the ultrasound volume image data comprises:acquiring B mode volume image data in a B mode; andacquiring CF mode image data in a CF mode.3. The method according to claim 2 , wherein the CF mode image data is the CF mode image data of two boundary scan planes of the scan volume.4. The method according to claim 2 , wherein locating the position of the line-like object comprises:determining whether a region that satisfies a predetermined structure feature exists in the scan plane image data of the ultrasound volume image data; anddetermining that the region belongs to the line-like object if a region that satisfies the predetermined structure feature exists in the scan plane image data of the ultrasound volume image data.5. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the predetermined structure feature is a dark circle.6. The method according to claim 4 , wherein the scan plane image data of the ultrasound volume image data is boundary scan plane image data of two boundary scan planes of the scan volume.8. A method according to claim 7 , further comprising:determining a center point of the region of ...

Method for producing an electrophysiological map of the heart

Methods and systems for producing an electrophysiological map of a heart of a patient are disclosed. An example method may include determining a target location and an orientation of a catheter tip, confirming that the tip is located at the target location, measuring the heart parameter value at each of the target locations, and superimposing a plurality of representations of the heart parameter value. Confirmation that the tip of the catheter is located at a target location can be accomplished by comparing the current location of the tip with the target location, a corresponding heart parameter value being measured at each of the target locations by a heart parameter sensor, and the representations of the heart parameter value being superimposed on an image of the heart at the target location to produce the electrophysiological map. 1. A method for producing an electrophysiological map of a heart , the method comprising:reconstructing a three-dimensional model of the heart from a plurality of two-dimensional images, wherein a coordinate system of the three-dimensional model is registered with a medical positioning system coordinate system;for each of a plurality of target points within the heart, determining a target point location associated with the three-dimensional model and a respective target probe orientation at which a heart parameter value is to be measured;for each target point, confirming that a probe of a catheter is located at the target point location by comparing a currently detected location of the probe with the respective target point location;for each target point, confirming that the probe is oriented at the probe orientation by comparing the currently detected orientation of the probe with the respective target probe orientation;for each target point, measuring the heart parameter value with a heart parameter sensor; andproducing the electrophysiological map.2. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the coordinate system of the three- ...

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 ...

ULTRASOUND AND SYSTEM FOR FORMING AN ULTRASOUND IMAGE

An ultrasound system and a method of forming an ultrasound image by selectively extracting ultrasound data necessary for forming the ultrasound image from stored ultrasound data are disclosed. In one embodiment, an ultrasound system includes a storage unit configured to store ultrasound data acquired from an object; and a processor configured to selectively extract ultrasound data necessary for forming a target ultrasound image from the ultrasound data stored in the storage unit, and to form the target ultrasound image by using the extracted ultrasound data. 1. An ultrasound image , comprising:a storage unit configured to store ultrasound data acquired from an object; anda processor configured to selectively extract ultrasound data necessary for forming a target ultrasound image from the ultrasound data stored in the storage unit, and to form the target ultrasound image by using the extracted ultrasound data.2. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein the target ultrasound image includes at least one of a spectral Doppler image claim 1 , a color Doppler image and a vector Doppler image.3. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein the processor is configured to:set a processing pulse repetition frequency to extract the ultrasound data necessary for forming the target ultrasound image based on a preset repetition pulse frequency, andextract the ultrasound data from the storage unit based on the processing pulse repetition frequency.4. The ultrasound system of claim 3 , wherein the processing pulse repetition frequency is asynchronous with the preset pulse repetition frequency.5. The ultrasound system of claim 4 , wherein the processor is configured to set the processing pulse frequency to extract ultrasound data to be used to form the target ultrasound image by skipping ultrasound data claim 4 , which are not participated in forming the target ultrasound image claim 4 , in the ultrasound data storage unit.6. The ultrasound system of claim 2 , wherein the processor ...

Ultrasound imaging system with pixel oriented processing

An ultrasound imaging system with pixel oriented processing is provided in which an acoustic signal is generated, echoes from the acoustic signal are received at a plurality of receiving elements to obtain echo signals that are then stored, a given pixel is mapped into a region of the stored signals, the mapped region of the stored echo signals is organized into array for the given pixel after which the array is processed to generate a signal response for the given pixel to obtain acoustic information for the given pixel. The system can be implemented entirely on plug-in cards for a commercial PC motherboard. The system and method can be implemented for pixel-oriented or voxel-oriented image processing and display, eliminating intermediate data computations and enabling extensive use of software processing methods. Advantages include improved acquisition of signal dynamic range, flexible acquisition modes for high frame rate 2D, 3D, and Doppler blood flow imaging.

DETERMINING LOCATION OF, AND IMAGING, A SUBSURFACE BOUNDARY

A method of determining a location (x,z) of a subsurface boundary () of a body (), comprising providing a wave source () and a receiver () on a surface () of body (); measuring a travel time of a wave from source () reflected to receiver () via the boundary (); and determining horizontal slowness of the wave at the receiver () and/or the source (), as well as the curvature of the wave at the receiver or the source. The location (x,z) is determined on the basis of the measured travel time and the determined horizontal slowness(es) and/or curvature of the wave. The wave may be a seismic wave for geophysical surveying purposes, or an ultrasound wave for medical diagnostic purposes. 1. A method of determining a location of a subsurface boundary in a body of material comprising:providing a first domain device and second domain device on a surface of the body where the first domain device is an elastic wave source or an elastic wave receiver, and the second domain device is the other of the elastic wave source or an elastic wave receiver;measuring travel time of a wave propagating via a subsurface boundary between the first and second domain devices;determining: slowness of the wave at the first domain device in a plane tangent to the surface at the first domain device; and, curvature of the wave at the first domain device; and,calculating the location of the subsurface boundary on the basis of the measured travel time, and the determined slowness of the wave and curvature of the wave.2. The method according to wherein determining slowness in the tangent plane comprises determining a first derivate of travel time at the first domain device.3. e method according to wherein determining curvature comprises determining a second derivate of travel time at the first domain device.5. The method according to wherein providing the first and second domain devices comprises providing the first and second domain device as an ultrasound source and an ultrasound receiver respectively.6 ...

ABLATION PROBE WITH FLUID-BASED ACOUSTIC COUPLING FOR ULTRASONIC TISSUE IMAGING

Devices and systems for ultrasonically imaging tissue and performing ablation therapy are disclosed. An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue includes an ablation electrode tip with a number of acoustic openings and a plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors disposed within an interior lumen of the tip. The ultrasonic imaging sensors are supported within the interior lumen via an insert equipped with a number of recesses that receive the ultrasonic imaging sensors. An acoustically transparent shell disposed between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the acoustic openings forms a fluid channel in the acoustic pathway of the sensors. During an ablation procedure, cooling fluid from an external fluid source is delivered through the fluid channel, providing an acoustic coupling effect between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the surrounding body tissue. 1. An ablation probe for treating and imaging body tissue , the ablation probe comprising:an elongate probe body having a proximal section and a distal section;an ablation electrode tip coupled to the distal section of the elongate probe body, the ablation electrode tip configured for delivering ablation energy to body tissue;a plurality of acoustic openings disposed through the ablation electrode tip;a plurality of ultrasonic imaging sensors disposed within an interior lumen of the ablation electrode tip;an acoustically transparent member disposed between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the acoustic openings; anda fluid channel interposed between the ultrasonic imaging sensors and the acoustically transparent member.2. The probe of claim 1 , wherein each ultrasonic imaging sensor is configured to transmit ultrasonic waves through the fluid channel claim 1 , the acoustically transparent member claim 1 , and a corresponding one of the acoustic openings.3. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the ablation electrode tip comprises a tubular-shaped metal shell.4. The probe of claim 1 , wherein the acoustic ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS HAVING PLURALITY OF DISPLAY UNITS

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes a main body supporting ultrasound equipment that generates ultrasound image signals. First and second display units are electrically coupled to the ultrasound equipment, and display ultrasound images corresponding to the ultrasound image signals. A first coupling unit couples the second display unit and the main body and enables movement of the second display unit relative to the main body. As the position of the second display unit is adjustable, a patient may easily view ultrasound images displayed on the second display unit. 1. An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus comprising:a main body supporting ultrasound equipment that generates ultrasound image signals;a first display unit, electrically coupled to the ultrasound equipment, for displaying ultrasound images corresponding to the ultrasound image signals;a second display unit, electrically coupled to the ultrasound equipment, for displaying a control status of the main body and for displaying ultrasound images corresponding to the ultrasound image signals; anda first coupling unit coupling the second display unit and the main body and enabling movement of the second display unit relative to the main body.2. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of claim 1 , wherein the second display unit is a touchscreen panel for displaying an image and receiving user commands via touch input.3. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a control panel located at a front side of the main body and comprises at least one control key.4. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of claim 3 , wherein the first coupling unit couples the second display unit and the control panel so as to allow the second display unit to be movable relative to the control panel.5. The ultrasound diagnosis apparatus of claim 4 , whereinthe first coupling unit is configured to allow a display direction of the second display unit to be varied relative to a position of the control panel.6. The ...

Ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus control method

In one embodiment, an ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus continuously generates driving signals by frequency-modulating waveforms having a plurality of center frequencies respectively assigned to orientation directions and multiplexing the waveforms and transmits continuous waves, and generates beam signals corresponding to the respective orientation directions by adding the respective echo signals and demultiplexing the signals for the respective center frequencies, demodulates beam signals corresponding to the respective orientation directions, frequency-analyzes the demodulated beam signals, calculates two-dimensional (beam direction and range direction) mapping of beam signals.

QUANTITATIVE ASSESSMENT OF NEOVASCULARIZATION

Systems and methods using contrast enhanced ultrasound imaging for quantitative assessment of neovascularization, such as within a tumor or a plaque. The contrast agent moves in small blotches rather than in continuous flow, but image processing methods enable the detection and quantification of the blood flow, even in the tiny blood vessels of the vasculature tree. The image processing includes compensation for motion of the tissue arising from body movement. The position and extent of the discrete positions of contrast material may be accumulating during a complete heart cycle onto a single 2D image, to enable an indication of a vascular tree based on this local accumulated image. Dynamic processing (DP) of the discrete positions of contrast material enables a complete vascular tree to be obtained. The neovascularization is quantified by the ratio of its total area to that of the plaque in which the neovascularization has grown. 1. A method of analyzing ultrasound images to provide information regarding neovascularization in a tissue of a subject , said method comprising:obtaining a series of contrast enhanced ultrasound images of said tissue;compensating for motion of tissue features between different ones of said contrast enhanced ultrasound images, to generate a series of compensated images;detecting in at least one of said compensated images discrete segments of imaged contrast material;constructing a representation of an arterial tree from said detected segments; andquantifying the level of the neovascularization from the extent of the detected segments in said representation of said arterial tree.2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein said representation of said arterial tree is constructed by superimposing the positions of said discrete segments of said imaged contrast material from at least two sequential ones of said compensated images claim 1 , to generate an accumulated image claim 1 , and detecting segments on said accumulated image.3. A method ...

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR IMAGING A VOLUME OF TISSUE

A system and method for imaging a volume of tissue comprising: a modular transducer array, configured to substantially surround the volume of tissue, emit acoustic waveforms toward the volume of tissue, and receive acoustic waveforms scattered by the volume of tissue, comprising a first and a second modular transducer subarray configured to couple to one another; a controller configured to control acoustic signals emitted by the first and the second modular transducer subarrays; an electronic subsystem, coupled to the modular transducer array, comprising a multiplexor and beam-forming elements and configured to receive a set of acoustic data from the first and the second modular transducer subarrays; and a processor configured to analyze the set of acoustic data, determine the distribution of at least one acoustomechanical parameter within the volume of tissue, and render an image of the volume of tissue based on the acoustomechanical parameter. 1. A system for imaging a volume of tissue comprising: wherein the first modular transducer subarray is configured to couple to the second modular transducer subarray, and', 'wherein the first and second modular transducer subarrays each comprise a series of ultrasound emitters configured to emit acoustic waveforms toward the volume of tissue, and a series of ultrasound receivers configured to receive acoustic waveforms scattered by the volume of tissue;, 'a transducer array, configured to substantially surround the volume of tissue, comprising a first modular transducer subarray and a second modular transducer subarray,'}a controller configured to control acoustic signals emitted by the first and second modular transducer subarrays;an electronic subsystem, coupled to the transducer array, comprising a multiplexor configured to receive a set of acoustic data from the first and second modular transducer subarrays; anda processor configured to analyze the set of acoustic data and render an image of the volume of tissue based ...

STEERABLE CATHETER NAVIGATION WITH THE USE OF INTERFERENCE ULTRASONOGRAPHY

An acoustically-active catheter (AAC) for use with an ultrasound imaging system and a method for tracking the AAC with respect to anatomic target chosen within a body using the interference ultrasonography. A tip of the AAC is equipped with a crystal transmitting an acoustic wave with parameters similar to those of an acoustic wave generated by a transducer of the imaging system so as to produce acoustic interference the strength of which depends on a position of the AAC tip with respect to at least one Doppler scan plane, formed by the imaging transducer, and a distance from a pulsed-wave Doppler sample that is overlapped with the anatomic target. The ultrasound imaging system detects the interference signal and produces a visual and/or audible interference output that indicates the strength of the acoustic interference. Based on the intensity of the interference output, the user can navigate the AAC tip towards the anatomic target. An anatomic target can be chosen within a cardiovascular system. 1. An apparatus for imaging a cardiovascular system using ultrasound pulses , the apparatus comprising:a Doppler ultrasound machine having an ultrasound transducer; and a distal portion having a steerable tip and a crystalline element affixed thereto, wherein the ultrasound transducer and the crystalline element are electrically equipped to generate corresponding first and second acoustic waves adapted to interfere with one another such as to cause an acoustic interference signal that is detectable by the Doppler ultrasound machine; and', 'a proximal portion having a control mechanism movably attached to said distal portion and configured to adjust a location of the tip in response to said acoustic interference signal detected by the Doppler ultrasound machine., 'a catheter including'}2. An apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the adjustment of a location of the tip causes a change of intensity of the acoustic interference signal.3. An apparatus according to claim 1 , ...

Method of generating elasticity data, elasticity data generating apparatus, and elasticity image generating system based thereon

A method of generating elasticity data, an elasticity generating apparatus, and an elasticity image generating system based thereon is provided. The method of generating elasticity data includes receiving first elasticity data of a region of interest (ROI) in a subject, the first elasticity data indicating elasticity corresponding to a predetermined degree of deformation, receiving second elasticity data of a local region of the ROI in the subject, the second elasticity data indicating elasticity corresponding to a local degree of deformation that is greater than the predetermined degree of deformation, and generating third elasticity data of the ROI in the subject based on the received first elasticity data and second elasticity data, the third elasticity data indicating elasticity corresponding to a global degree of deformation that is greater than the predetermined degree of deformation.

AUTOMATED THREE DIMENSIONAL AORTIC ROOT MEASUREMENT AND MODELING

An ultrasound system for planning a surgical implantation of a prosthetic aortic valve produces three dimensional images of the aortic root region of a patient. An electronic model of an aortic root is accessed and fitted to the aortic root in a three dimensional ultrasound image. Preferably the aortic root model exhibits closed contour cross-sections which are fitted to the endothelial lining of the aortic root in the ultrasound image. A medial axis of the fitted model is identified and radii measured from the medical axis to the border of the fitted model. The radii are joined to identify a surface forming a mesh model fitted to the aortic root anatomy of the patient. The shape and dimensions of the fitted model may be used to fabricate a custom prosthetic valve for aortic valve replacement. 1. An ultrasound system which is used to plan a surgical procedure with an implantable device in the aortic root , comprising:an ultrasound probe adapted to scan a volumetric region including an aortic root;an image generator coupled to the ultrasound probe and adapted to produce a three dimensional ultrasonic image of the aortic root;a three dimensional anatomical model of an aortic root stored electronically on the ultrasound system which is selectable by a user;a 3D shape processor, responsive to the three dimensional ultrasonic image of the aortic root and the anatomical model which is adapted to adjust the shape of the anatomical model to fit the aortic root in the three dimensional image, the processor further producing measurements of closed contour cross-sections at a plurality of locations along the length dimension of the aortic root;a display responsive to the image generator and the 3D shape processor for producing the three dimensional ultrasonic image of the aortic root; andan output at which size data of the plurality of closed contour cross-section measurements is provided.2. The ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein the closed contour cross-sections are ...

Multi-modality image acquisition

One or more techniques and/or systems described herein provide for generating a radiographic image and ultrasound image depicting parallel planes of an object under examination and may be used in conjunction with radiographic or ultrasound techniques known to those in the field (e.g., x-ray tomosynthesis, computed tomography ultrasound imaging, etc.). An ultrasound frontend component is configured to transmit ultrasound waves in a direction substantially parallel to a trajectory of radiation. In one example, one or more radiographic images of an object are spatially coincident to one or more ultrasound images of the object in the same position and/or geometric shape/volume, and the images may be combined to generate a combined image depicting features of the ultrasound image (e.g., the sensitivity of the ultrasound image) and features of the radiographic image (e.g., the morphological details of the radiographic image).

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS ASSISTING METHOD

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes an image generating unit, an acquiring unit, an extracting unit, a flap identifying unit, a first synthesizing unit, an alignment processing unit and a second synthesizing unit. The image generating unit generates an echocardiographic image including an aorta. The acquiring unit acquires a heart area image including the aorta. The extracting unit extracts an artery region based on the heart area image. The flap identifying unit identifies a flap region based on the artery region. The first synthesizing unit synthesizes information on the flap region onto the artery region to generate a first synthesized image. The alignment processing unit performs processing to align an imaging region in the echocardiography on the heart area image based on a positional data signal. The second synthesizing unit synthesizes information that indicates the imaging region processed for alignment onto the first synthesized image to generate a second synthesized image. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus , comprising:an image generating unit configured to control an ultrasonic probe to execute echocardiography and to generate an echocardiographic image including an aorta;a position sensor configured to generate a positional data signal pertaining to a spatial coordinate position and a scanning direction/orientation;an acquiring unit configured to acquire a heart area image including the aorta;an extracting unit configured to extract an artery region based on the heart area image;a flap identifying unit configured to identify a flap region based on the artery region;a first synthesizing unit configured to synthesize information on the flap region onto the artery region to generate a first synthesized image;an alignment processing unit configured to perform processing to align an imaging region in the echocardiography on the heart area image based on the positional data signal; anda second synthesizing unit configured to synthesize information ...

Plaque Characterization Using Multiple Intravascular Ultrasound Datasets Having Distinct Filter Bands

A system and method are disclosed that facilitate generating visual representations of characterized tissue based upon ultrasound echo information obtained from a portion of an imaged body. The system includes a first filter having a first filter band that is applied to a near range portion of the ultrasound echo information to render near range filtered echo information. A second filter, having a second filter band that covers a frequency range of the first filter band, is applied to a far range portion of the ultrasound echo information to render far range filtered echo information. The system furthermore includes a set of characterization criteria that are applied to the near and far range filtered echo information. The characterized near and far range image data are thereafter combined into a single tissue-characterization image.

HIGH-RESOLUTION WAVE-THEORY-BASED ULTRASOUND REFLECTION IMAGING USING THE SPLIT-STEP FOURIER AND GLOBALLY OPTIMIZED FOURIER FINITE-DIFFERENCE METHODS

Methods for enhancing ultrasonic reflection imaging are taught utilizing a split-step Fourier propagator in which the reconstruction is based on recursive inward continuation of ultrasonic wavefields in the frequency-space and frequency-wave number domains. The inward continuation within each extrapolation interval consists of two steps. In the first step, a phase-shift term is applied to the data in the frequency-wave number domain for propagation in a reference medium. The second step consists of applying another phase-shift term to data in the frequency-space domain to approximately compensate for ultrasonic scattering effects of heterogeneities within the tissue being imaged (e.g., breast tissue). Results from various data input to the method indicate significant improvements are provided in both image quality and resolution. 1. A method of ultrasound reflective image reconstruction for waveforms generated within a medical ultrasound imaging device , comprising:receiving a heterogeneous sound-speed model of a tissue region being imaged;receiving ultrasonic waveform information in response to reflection data for the tissue region being imaged;reconstructing a reflection image using a split-step Fourier transform propagator configured for recursive inward continuation of ultrasonic wavefields in the frequency-space and frequency-wave number domains;applying a first phase-shift term to said ultrasonic waveform information in the frequency-wave number domain for propagation in a reference medium; andapplying a second phase-shift term to said ultrasonic waveform information in the frequency-space domain to approximately compensate for ultrasonic scattering effects of heterogeneities within said tissue region.2. A method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising computing a sound-speed contrast as the reciprocal of the refraction index for the ultrasonic waveform information.3. A method as recited in claim 1 , wherein in response to a detailed sound-speed ...

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR OBTAINING TISSUE DOPPLER IMAGES

A method of obtaining a Doppler image of tissue, which is captured using an ultrasonic wave, the method including: transmitting an ultrasonic signal to a target object such that a plurality of ensembles are formed; receiving a ultrasonic response signal from the target object; filtering the received ultrasonic response signal by using a variable filter; estimating a frequency of the received ultrasonic response signal based on the filtered data; and generating the Doppler image of the tissue based on the estimated frequency. 1. A method of obtaining a Doppler image of tissue , which is captured using an ultrasonic wave , the method comprising:transmitting an ultrasonic signal to a target object such that a plurality of ensembles are formed;receiving an ultrasonic response signal from the target object;filtering the received ultrasonic response signal by using a variable filter;estimating a frequency of the received ultrasonic response signal based on the filtered data; andgenerating the Doppler image of the tissue based on the estimated frequency.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of ensembles comprise at least two ensembles.3. The method of claim 2 , wherein the variable filter includes a filter for removing a portion of a direct current (DC) component from the received ultrasonic response signal.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the filtering of the received ultrasonic response signal comprises obtaining at least one of data about a filtered amplitude of the received ultrasonic response signal and data about a filtered phase of the received ultrasonic response signal.5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the estimating of the frequency of the received ultrasonic response signal further comprises:obtaining a frequency phase response curve of a variable filter; andcorrecting data about a filtered phase by using a value on the frequency phase response curve of the variable filter corresponding to the data about a filtered phase.6. The method of claim 4 , ...

Breast measurement apparatus

A breast measurement apparatus comprises a receptacle for surrounding a breast; a plurality of optical fibers for irradiating the breast with examination light and detecting transmitted scattered light from the breast; an inner image generation unit for generating an optical CT image concerning the breast according to a detection signal of the transmitted scattered light; an ultrasonic probe, arranged so as to face the inside of the receptacle, for scanning the breast with an ultrasonic wave and receiving a reflected wave from the breast; an image generation unit for generating an ultrasonic image concerning the breast according to the reflected wave; and a mechanism for injecting and discharging a liquid interface agent into and from the inside of the receptacle.

Ultrasonic transducer element chip, probe, electronic instrument, and ultrasonic diagnostic device

An ultrasonic transducer element chip includes a substrate, a plurality of ultrasonic transducer elements, a reinforcing member and a ventilation passage. The substrate defines a plurality of openings arranged in an array pattern. The ultrasonic transducer elements are respectively disposed at the openings on a first surface of the substrate. The reinforcing member is fixed on a second surface of the substrate opposite to the first surface of the substrate to reinforce the substrate. Through the ventilation passage, internal spaces of the openings and an external space of the substrate are in communication with each other.

METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR INDICATING MEDICAL EQUIPMENT ON ULTRASOUND IMAGE

A method and apparatus for indicating medical equipment on an ultrasound image, the method including transmitting ultrasound signals toward a target object, receiving ultrasound echo signals at a plurality of angles from the target object and equipment inserted in the target object, obtaining location information of the equipment based on the ultrasound echo signals received at the plurality of angles, generating an image of the equipment based on the obtained location information, generating a basic image based on the ultrasound echo signals received at a predetermined angle, synthesizing the image of the equipment and the basic image, and displaying the synthesized image. 1. A method of indicating medical equipment on an ultrasound image , the method comprising:transmitting ultrasound signals toward a target object;receiving ultrasound echo signals at a plurality of angles from the target object and equipment inserted in the target object;obtaining location information of the equipment based on the ultrasound echo signals received at the plurality of angles;generating an image of the equipment based on the obtained location information;generating a basic image based on the ultrasound echo signals received at a predetermined angle; andsynthesizing the image of the equipment and the basic image.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound signals transmitted toward the target object comprise focused waves or plane waves.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the receiving of the ultrasound echo signals at the plurality of angles further comprises storing each of the ultrasound echo signals according to each of the plurality of angles at which the ultrasound echo signals are received.4. The method of claim 3 , wherein the obtaining of the location information of the equipment based on the received ultrasound echo signals at the plurality of angles comprises determining an inserting angle of the equipment based on a receiving angle at which a received ultrasound echo ...

ULTRASONIC MEDICAL DIAGNOSTIC DEVICE FOR IMAGING CHANGES WITH TIME

A diagnostic imaging apparatus for imaging information changing with time and displaying it in real time, composed of an ultrasonic probe (), having piezoelectric elements arranged in an array form that transmit ultrasonic waves to a target object () and acquires a reflection signal from the target object; a body movement measuring unit () that constitutes a two-dimensional ultrasonic image using the reflection signal acquired by the ultrasonic probe, sets, in the image plane, a plurality of measuring areas used for measuring the body movement of the target object, and measures the body movement and deformation amounts in the measuring areas; and an image accumulating (subtracting) unit for accumulating or subtracting images using body movement measured by the body movement measurement unit. 1a measuring area setting unit, which sets, in the image plane, a plurality of measuring areas used for measuring body movement of a target object;a body movement measuring unit, which detects movement and deformation amounts in the measuring areas set by said measuring area setting unit;an image accumulating subtracting unit, which carries out accumulating or subtracting processing of a plurality of images, based on body movement measured by said body movement measuring unit; andan image display unit, which displays images processed by said image accumulating subtracting unit.. A diagnostic imaging apparatus characterized by comprising: The present application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/914,962, now U.S. Pat. No. 8,460,191 that claims priority from Japanese application JP 2005-147485 filed on May 20, 2005, the content of which are hereby incorporated by reference into this application. application Ser. No. 11/914,962 is a 371 of International Application No. PCT/JP2006/309939, filed on May 18, 2006, now expired.The present invention relates to a diagnostic imaging apparatus for imaging and displaying information changing with time, by measuring ...

AUTOMATED IDENTIFICATION OF THE LOCATION OF A REGURGITANT ORIFICE OF A MITRAL VALVE IN AN ULTRASOUND IMAGE

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which quantifies regurgitant flow through a mitral valve, including the automatic indication of the location of a regurgitant orifice in an ultrasound image. A clinician images the regurgitant valve and indicates in the image the presumed location of the regurgitant orifice (). A flow quantification processor is responsive to this initial location estimate by the clinician to calculate a refined estimation of the orifice location. The refined location is indicated on the ultrasound image by the imaging system, either by relocating an icon placed by the clinician, or displaying a second icon () on the image at the refined location. 1. A diagnostic ultrasound system for assessing regurgitant flow comprising:an ultrasound probe having a transducer array for transmitting ultrasonic energy to and receiving ultrasonic echoes from a location of regurgitant flow in a body;an image processor, responsive to received echoes, for producing an ultrasound image of the location of regurgitant flow;a Doppler processor responsive to received echoes for producing Doppler ultrasound measurements of blood flow velocity in the vicinity of the location of regurgitant flow;a flow quantification processor responsive to blood flow velocity measurements in the vicinity of a regurgitant orifice to produce calculated location coordinates of the orifice; andan ultrasound image display, responsive to the image processor and the flow quantification processor, which displays an indication of the location of the orifice in an ultrasound image at the calculated location coordinates.2. The diagnostic ultrasound system of claim 1 , wherein the Doppler processor produces measurements of blood flow velocity in a flow velocity field in the vicinity of the location of regurgitant flow.3. The diagnostic ultrasound system of claim 1 , further comprising a user control operable by a user to indicate a location of an orifice in the ultrasound image.4. The ...

ANALYSIS OF MITRAL REGURGITATION FROM SLIT ORIFICES BY ULTRASONIC IMAGING

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system is described which quantifies regurgitant flow through a plurality of pinhole leaks or a slit leak of a mitral valve. A plurality of orifice locations of a leaking valve are identified and Doppler values obtained from a flow velocity field proximal each orifice. The Doppler values of each flow velocity field vectorially relating to the orifice location are processed to produce a measure of flow through the orifice. The flow measurements for a plurality of such orifices are summed to produce a quantified measure of regurgitant flow through a plurality of pinhole leaks or along a slit leak. 1. A method for measuring regurgitant flow from multiple or slit orifices comprising:identifying a first orifice location;acquiring ultrasonic echo signals in the vicinity of the first orifice location;processing the echo signals to produce a quantification of flow rate or volume flow through the first orifice location;identifying a second orifice location;acquiring ultrasonic echo signals in the vicinity of the second orifice location;processing the echo signals to produce a quantification of flow rate or volume flow through the second orifice location; andcombining the quantifications of flow rate or volume flow through the two orifice locations.2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first processing step further comprises Doppler processing the echo signals to identify flow vectors toward the first orifice location; andwherein the second processing step further comprises Doppler processing the echo signals to identify flow vectors toward the second orifice location.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first acquiring step further comprises acquiring ultrasound echo signals from a two dimensional acceptance zone proximal the first orifice location; andwherein the second acquiring step further comprises acquiring ultrasound echo signals from a two dimensional acceptance zone proximal the second orifice location.4. The method of claim 3 , ...

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. 1. A method of obtaining an ultrasound image , the method comprising:obtaining a bio cycle of an examinee comprising at least one section;setting an ultrasound mode or a beam forming method corresponding to each of the at least one section of the bio cycle;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; andgenerating an ultrasound image of the object by using the obtained ultrasound data.2. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: analyzing the obtained bio cycle and setting the at least one section.3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the bio cycle comprises at least one of an electrocardiogram cycle and a respiration cycle.4. The method of claim 1 , wherein the setting comprises: setting a plane wave mode or a broad beam mode in a QRS section of an electrocardiogram cycle claim 1 , and set a scan line mode in other sections thereof.5. The method of claim 1 , further comprising: displaying the generated ultrasound image.6. An ultrasound system comprising:a bio cycle obtaining unit for obtaining a bio cycle of an examinee comprising at least one section;a control unit for setting an ultrasound mode or a beam forming method corresponding to each of the at least one section of the bio cycle;an ultrasound data obtaining unit for transmitting an ultrasound signal to an object of the examinee ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS DEVICE AND ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS SYSTEM

An ultrasonic diagnosis device includes a diagnostic image generation unit () that generates an ultrasonic image from ultrasonic data obtained by transmission and reception of ultrasonic waves; an input unit () for receiving an input of a reference image, and hardware configuration and control parameter information data that is associated with the reference image, which are to be used by the diagnostic image generation unit; a parameter setting unit () that sets parameter information necessary for generating the ultrasonic image based on the input data that has been input; and a storage unit () that stores the ultrasonic image in association with the parameter information, and supplies ultrasonic image data with which the parameter information is associated, as a reference image. This enables easy setting of the parameters to be used in new diagnostic image acquisition so as to be set the same as the parameters used in reference image acquisition. 113.-. (canceled)14. An ultrasonic diagnosis device comprising:an ultrasonic data acquisition unit that acquires ultrasonic data;a diagnostic image generation unit that generates an ultrasonic image from the ultrasonic data;an input unit for receiving an input of data to be used by the diagnostic image generation unit;a parameter setting unit that sets parameter information necessary for acquiring the ultrasonic data and generating the ultrasonic image based on the input data that has been input; anda storage unit that stores the ultrasonic image,wherein the parameter setting unit adds hardware configuration information pertaining to the ultrasonic diagnosis device to the parameter information, in which the hardware configuration information is defined as information for converting the parameter information into a format that is in accordance with a hardware configuration of the current ultrasonic diagnosis device, andthe storage unit stores the parameter information in association with the ultrasonic image, with the ...

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

According to one embodiment, a scanning unit scans the inside of an object administered with a contrast agent with ultrasonic waves. A signal generation unit outputs a packet signal based on the reception signal output from the scanning unit. A first wall filter has a passband corresponding to a blood flow component. A second wall filter has a passband corresponding to a tissue perfusion component and blood flow component. A maximum value holding computation processing unit applies maximum value holding computation processing to a first image corresponding to an output from the first wall filter. A display unit displays the first image having undergone maximum value holding computation processing and a second image corresponding to an output from the second wall filter. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:an ultrasonic probe;a scanning unit configured to scan inside of an object administered with a contrast agent with an ultrasonic wave via the ultrasonic probe;a signal generation unit configured to generate a quadrature detection signal based on a reception signal output from the scanning unit and output a packet signal constituted by the plurality of quadrature detection signals;a first wall filter having a passband corresponding to a blood flow component included in the packet signal;a second wall filter having a passband corresponding to a tissue perfusion component and blood flow component included in the packet signal;a maximum value holding computation processing unit configured to apply maximum value holding computation processing to a first image corresponding to an output from the first wall filter; anda display unit configured to display the first image having undergone the maximum value holding computation processing and a second image corresponding to an output from the second wall filter.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus of claim 1 , further comprising a control unit configured to switch between a first mode of causing the display ...

ULTRASONIC TRANSDUCER, ULTRASONIC PROBE, AND ULTRASOUND IMAGE DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS

An ultrasonic transducer, an ultrasonic probe, and an ultrasound image diagnosis apparatus include a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in at least one column; individual electrodes provided on at least one surface of top and bottom surfaces of each of the piezoelectric elements; side electrodes extending toward one side surfaces of the piezoelectric elements from the individual electrodes; and a side electrode substrate including wiring lines that are bonded to the one side surfaces of the piezoelectric elements and are electrically connected to the side electrodes, respectively. 1. An ultrasonic transducer comprising:a plurality of piezoelectric elements arranged in at least one column;individual electrodes provided on at least one surface of top and bottom surfaces of each of the piezoelectric elements;a plurality of side electrodes extending toward one side surface of each of the plurality of piezoelectric elements from the individual electrodes; anda side electrode substrate comprising a plurality of wiring lines bonded to the one side surfaces of the plurality of piezoelectric elements and electrically connected to the plurality of side electrodes, respectively.2. The ultrasonic transducer of claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of side electrodes of the plurality of piezoelectric elements located in one column have different heights.3. The ultrasonic transducer of claim 2 , wherein the heights of the plurality of side electrodes of the plurality of piezoelectric elements located in one column are gradually decreased or increased in a lengthwise direction of the column.4. The ultrasonic transducer of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of wiring lines of the side electrode substrate comprise first parts respectively facing the plurality of side electrodes claim 1 , second parts extending toward one side ends of the side electrode substrate claim 1 , and third parts exposed by the one side ends of the side electrode substrate.5. The ultrasonic ...

Ultrasonographic Systems For Examining And Treating Spinal Conditions

The present disclosure is directed to an ultrasonographic imaging system for examining and treating spinal conditions. In some examples, the system includes an ultrasound transducer probe configured to captured an ultrasound image, an ultrasound processor configured to receive data from the ultrasound transducer probe, a video capture card configured to receive the digital image from the ultrasound processor, an image processing system configured to process the digital image, the image processing system further including an image restoration module, an algorithm module, and a visualization module, a plurality of optical targets and a display device. 1. An ultrasonographic imaging system for examining and treating spinal conditions , comprising:an ultrasound transducer probe configured to capture an ultrasound image;an ultrasound processor configured to receive data from the ultrasound transducer probe and to generate a digital image from the captured ultrasound image;a video capture card configured to receive the digital image from the ultrasound processor; an image restoration module configured to correlate different digital images to a common reference frame;', 'a visualization module configured to generate display images for visual display;', 'an algorithm module, the algorithm module having a set of computer executable instructions for coordinating the flow of data through the image processing system; and'}, 'a plurality of optical targets configured to provide positional data;', 'an optical tracker configured to determine the position of the plurality of optical targets; and', 'a display device configured to show display images., 'an image processing system configured to process the digital image, the image processing system further comprising2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound processor is configured to generate three-dimensional digital images based on data received from the ultrasound transducer.3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the ultrasound ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus and a control method thereof include a probe to emit an ultrasonic signal to an object and receive the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object, a first mode image generator to generate an image of a first mode based on the ultrasonic signal received by the probe, a second mode image generator to generate an image of a second mode associated with the first mode image, a display unit to display the first mode image and the second mode image on one screen thereof, and a display controller to, when a part of a portion of the first mode image associated with the second mode image is not displayed on the display unit, move the first mode image displayed on the display unit to fully display the portion associated with the second mode image on the display unit. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:a probe to emit an ultrasonic signal to an object and receive the ultrasonic signal reflected from the object;a first mode image generator to generate an image of a first mode based on the reflected ultrasonic signal received by the probe;a second mode image generator to generate an image of a second mode associated with the first mode image;a display unit to display the first mode image and the second mode image on one screen thereof; anda display controller to, when a part of a portion of the first mode image associated with the second mode image is not displayed on the display unit, move the first mode image displayed on the display unit to fully display the portion associated with the second mode image on the display unit.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the first mode image is a B-mode image having at least one M line marked therein;wherein the second mode image is an M-mode image corresponding to the at least one M line marked in the B-mode image.3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the display controller to claim 2 , when a portion of the M line is not ...

Apparatus and Methods for Low-Cost Intravascular Ultrasound Imaging and for Crossing Severe Vascular Occlusions

An intravascular ultrasound catheter system is provided and enables a simplified, economical technique for ultrasound visualization of a blood vessel. The catheter may include a park ablation system for crossing chronic total occlusions and severe stenoses. The catheter is advanceable and is oriented entirely under manual control of the clinician and the application of radiofrequency energy for spark erosion of the stenosis also is controlled manually by the clinician. The system enables the clinician to observe an ultrasound image sufficiently to determine where to orient the ablation electrode so as to reduce the risk of dissection or perforation of the blood vessel. The ultrasound image is generated in response to manual rotation of the catheter and the ablation spark is generated only when the physician is satisfied as to the orientation of the electrode within the vessel. 1. An apparatus for advancing an intravascular device through a severe obstruction in a blood vessel comprising:a catheter having proximal and distal ends and a tip at the distal end;an ultrasound transducer mounted to the tip and adapted to transmit ultrasound pulses and receive echoes;a radiofrequency ablation electrode mounted to the tip;the catheter having sufficient torsional stiffness and longitudinal flexibility to enable it to be manually advanced through, and its distal end controllably rotated within, the artery by manual rotation of the proximal portion of the catheter;an angle encoder connected to the catheter and adapted to detect changes in the angular position of the catheter;circuitry, and software operatively associated with the angle encoder and transducer for generating and transmitting an electrical signal to the transducer in response to detection of changes in the angular position of the catheter;circuitry and software for receiving echo signals and for processing the echo signals to create and display an image of the vessel;the catheter being rotatable and movable solely ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF

The presently disclosed subject matter is intended to correctly determine an ambient sound velocity at each level of pixels or line images constituting an ultrasound image, and construct a high-precision ultrasound image. A region-of-interest setting unit sets a region of interest on an ultrasound image. A transmission focus control unit gives a transmission focus instruction, so that a transmitting circuit performs transmission focusing on the region of interest. A set sound velocity specification unit specifies a set sound velocity used to perform reception focusing on RF data. A focus index calculation unit performs reception focusing on the RF data for each of a plurality of set sound velocities to calculate the focus index of the RF data. An ambient sound velocity determination unit determines the ambient sound velocity of the region of interest on the basis of the focus index for each of the plurality of set sound velocities. 116-. (canceled)17. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:an ultrasound probe including a plurality of ultrasound transducers configured to transmit ultrasound waves to an object and receive ultrasound waves reflected by the object to output an ultrasound detection signal;a transmission focus device configured to perform transmission focusings of the ultrasound waves on at least two points in the object, from the ultrasound probe;an acquisition device configured to acquire pieces of received data acquired by the transmission focusings; anda determination device configured to determine ambient sound velocities for each of points from the pieces of received data.18. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 17 ,wherein the determination device includes:a set sound velocity specification device configured to specify a plurality of set sound velocities used to perform reception focusings on the pieces of received data acquired by the transmission focusings;a focus index calculation device configured to perform reception ...

ULTRASOUND SYSTEM AND SIGNAL PROCESSING UNIT CONFIGURED FOR TIME GAIN AND LATERAL GAIN COMPENSATION

The present invention provides an ultrasound system, which comprises: a signal acquiring unit to transmit an ultrasound signal to an object and acquire an echo signal reflected from the object; a signal processing unit to control TGC (Time Gain Compensation) and LGC (Lateral Gain Compensation) of the echo signal; a TGC/LGC setup unit adapted to set TGC and LGC values based on TGC and LGC curves inputted by a user; and an image producing unit adapted to produce an ultrasound image of the object based on the echo signal. The signal processing unit is further adapted to control the TGC and the LGC of the echo signal based on the TGC and LGC values set by the TGC/LGC setup unit. 113-. (canceled)14. An ultrasound system , comprising:a signal acquiring unit configured for transmitting an ultrasound signal to an object and acquiring echo signals reflected from the object;a touch panel configured for receiving a touch input which is dragged along a curved line; anda processing unit configured for determining a plurality of time gain compensation (TGC) values based on the curved line, for performing a compensation on the echo signals based on the determined TGC values, and for generating an ultrasound image of the object based on the compensated echo signals.15. The ultrasound system of claim 14 , wherein the touch input comprises a continuous touch input along the curved line claim 14 , andthe plurality of TGC values are selected via the continuous touch input along the curved line.16. The ultrasound system of claim 14 , wherein each of the TGC values is used for controlling a gain of echo signals reflected from a corresponding depth.17. The ultrasound system of claim 14 , wherein the touch panel displays the curved line of the touch input.18. The ultrasound system of claim 17 , wherein the touch panel displays the ultrasound image claim 17 , and the touch input for selecting the TGC values is received overlying the displayed ultrasound image.19. The ultrasound system of ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND SIGNAL PROCESSING METHOD THEREOF

The presently disclosed subject matter is intended to correctly determine an ambient sound velocity at each level of pixels or line images constituting an ultrasound image, and construct a high-precision ultrasound image. A region-of-interest setting unit sets a region of interest on an ultrasound image. A transmission focus control unit gives a transmission focus instruction, so that a transmitting circuit performs transmission focusing on the region of interest. A set sound velocity specification unit specifies a set sound velocity used to perform reception focusing on RF data. A focus index calculation unit performs reception focusing on the RF data for each of a plurality of set sound velocities to calculate the focus index of the RF data. An ambient sound velocity determination unit determines the ambient sound velocity of the region of interest on the basis of the focus index for each of the plurality of set sound velocities. 116-. (canceled)17. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:an ultrasound probe including a plurality of ultrasound transducers configured to transmit ultrasound waves to an object and receive ultrasound waves reflected by the object to output an ultrasound detection signal;a transmission focus device configured to perform transmission focusing of the ultrasound waves on a point in the object, from the ultrasound probe;an acquisition device configured to acquire a piece of received data acquired by the transmission focusing; anda determination device configured to perform reception focusings with a plurality of lines which are different from each other from the piece of received data and determine an ambient sound velocity based on ultrasound detection signals of the reception focusings.18. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 17 ,wherein the transmission focus device respectively performs transmission focusings on a plurality of points in the object,the acquisition device acquires pieces of received data by the ...

SHEAR WAVE VELOCITY ESTIMATION USING CENTER OF MASS

The weighted-average-based position () in the temporal domain is computed based on the sampling of shear wave displacement () along the propagation path. The weighting is, for example, by displacement observed at times () corresponding to sampling and represents the time of arrival of the shear wave at the shear-wave propagation path location being sampled. In some embodiments, the computed shear-wave times of arrival at respective locations are functionally related to known inter-location distances () to derive shear-wave group velocity. The derived velocity can serve as input into known algorithms for estimating shear elasticity of the medium, such as body tissue, for purposes of clinical diagnosis and therapy assessment. 1. A device comprising:an ultrasound transducer configured to (i) fire pushing beams into a medium wherein each pushing beam comprises a pushing beam focus and is configured to produce a respective shear wave along a propagation path through the medium, the ultrasound transducer further configured to (ii) issue tracking beams, receive respective echoes, and measure in response to issued tracking beams and respective received echoes, shear-wave induced displacement in the medium at different spatial locations along the propagation path of the respective shear wave; andan in-place displacement based weighter operatively connected with all the tracking beams, wherein the in-place displacement based weighter is configured (i) to use shear-waved-induced displacement measured at the different spatial locations along the propagation path for determining a center of mass (COM) time value for each of the different spatial locations, wherein time values are weighted, according to dispalcement of a time value of a corresponding displacement curve, that correspond to times associated with sampling that detects the displacement, and (ii) to compute, in response to a first sum divided by a second sum of displacements used in the weighting, a weighted average ...

Low Power Ultrasound System

A low power ultrasound system for use in sonography applications, including vascular imaging, is disclosed. In one embodiment, the low power ultrasound system comprises a base unit that includes an image processor and a display. An ultrasound probe is operably connected to the base unit. The probe includes a head portion including an array of crystal transducers. A plurality of pulser/receiver modules that cause the transducers to emit ultrasonic transmit pulses are also included in the probe. The pulser/receiver modules are further configured to receive analog signals relating to ultrasonic echo receive pulses detected by the transducers. The probe includes a singular low noise amplifier that amplifies the analog signals, and an analog-to-digital converter that converts the analog signals to a digital signal. A wireless interface is included for enabling the digital signal to be wirelessly transmitted from the probe to the image processor of the base unit. 1. A method for insonating an object to be imaged via ultrasound , the method comprising:by a plurality of transducers in a transducer array, simultaneously transmitting a plurality of ultrasonic transmit pulses;by at least one transducer of the plurality of transducers, detecting an ultrasonic echo receive pulse, the ultrasonic echo receive pulse being changed by the at least one transducer into an electrical analog signal;multiplexing the electrical analog signal with additional electrical analog signals into a multiplexed analog signal;by a singular amplifier, amplifying the multiplexed analog signal; andby a singular analog-to-digital converter, converting the multiplexed analog signal into a digital signal.2. The method for insonating as defined in claim 1 , further comprising processing the digital signal to produce an ultrasonic image.3. The method for insonating as defined in claim 2 , wherein the transducer array is a linear array disposed in a head portion of an ultrasound probe.4. The method for ...

ULTRASOUND IMAGING APPARATUS

Even when electroacoustic conversion elements with high nonlinearity are employed, a nonlinear imaging is carried out with extracting more nonlinear components. An ultrasonic wave beam is transmitted twice from the transmitter to an identical position on the imaging target, and the signal processor performs computation on the reception signals obtained in every transmission performed twice, thereby extracting a nonlinear component included in the reception signals. In one transmission out of the transmission performed twice, the transmitter delivers the transmission signal to all of multiple electroacoustic conversion elements for driving the electroacoustic conversion elements, and in the other transmission, the transmission signal is delivered selectively only to a part of the multiple electroacoustic conversion elements for driving the electroacoustic conversion elements. 1. An ultrasound imaging apparatus comprising ,a transmitter for delivering a transmission signal to multiple electroacoustic conversion elements for driving the electroacoustic conversion elements, and allowing an ultrasound beam to be transmitted to a predetermined position on an imaging target,a receiver for allowing the multiple electroacoustic conversion elements to receive an echo signal of the ultrasound beam from the imaging target, to obtain a reception signal,a signal processor for subjecting the reception signal to a computing process and generating an image, anda controller for controlling the transmitter and the signal processor, wherein,the controller allows the transmitter to transmit the ultrasound beam twice to an identical position of the imaging target, and allows the signal processor to perform computation on reception signals being obtained in every transmission performed twice, thereby extract a nonlinear component included in the reception signals,in one transmission out of the transmission performed twice, the transmitter delivers the transmission signal to ...

System and method for acquiring optoacoustic data and producing parametric maps thereof

A method is disclosed for generating sinograms by sampling a plurality of transducers acoustically coupled with the surface of a volume of tissue over a period of time after a light pulse at one wavelength, and after another light pulse at a different wavelength, and for processing those sinograms, reconstructing at least two optoacoustic images from the two sinograms, processing the two optoacoustic images to generate two envelope images and generating a parametric map from information in the two envelope images. In an embodiment, motion and tracking are determined to align the envelope images. In an embodiment, at least a second parametric map is produced from information in the same two envelope images. In an embodiment an ultrasound image is also acquired, and the parametric map is coregistered with and overlayed upon the ultrasound image, and then displayed.

Signal processing apparatus

Provided is a signal processing apparatus including: an transducer that performs scanning over the interior of an object and acquires received waveform data of a plurality of scanlines; an intensity screening unit that outputs a high intensity position at which signal intensity calculated from the received waveform data is higher than a first predetermined value; a correlation calculation unit that calculates a correlation value in a constant-width division for received waveform data of a first scanline and of a second scanline having a predetermined correlation with the first scanline; a position extraction unit that extracts, as a candidate position of a singular region, a position which corresponds to a high intensity position and for which the correlation value is lower than a second predetermined value; and an image processor that performs signal processing of generating image data of the object on the basis of the received waveform data.

ULTRASONIC EVALUATION OF VENOUS STRUCTURES

Provided are methods and systems for detecting a maturing arterio-venous fistula comprising a vein. An exemplary method comprises determining a wall thickness of the fistula and a lumen diameter of the fistula vein using a high frequency ultrasound imaging system. A blood pressure of the subject is determined. A circumferential vessel wall stress is determined from the measured blood pressure, the wall thickness of the fistula and a determined radius of the measured diameter of the fistula. The determined circumferential vessel stress is compared to a predetermined threshold stress to determine if the fistula is mature. 1. A system for detecting a maturation of an arterio-venous fistula in a subject , the fistula defining a lumen , the system comprising:a high frequency ultrasound transducer having a center frequency of at least 10 MHz, wherein the transducer is configured to receive ultrasound data from the subject;a memory configured to store instructions and ultrasound data from the transducer; producing an ultrasound image using the ultrasound data,', 'measuring a wall thickness of a fistula in the ultrasound image,', 'measuring a diameter of a lumen defined by the fistula,', 'determining a circumferential stress of the fistula based on at least one of the wall thickness, the diameter of the lumen, and a blood pressure of the subject, and', 'comparing the circumferential stress to a predetermined threshold; and, 'a processor configured to execute instructions stored on the memory including instructions for—'}a display configured to output a notification to an operator that the fistula is mature.2. The system of wherein the instructions include instructions for outputting a notification to an operator that the fistula is not mature if the circumferential stress is greater than the predetermined threshold.3. The system of wherein the predetermined threshold is between about 7.00E+04 to 2.80E+05 N/m.4. The system of wherein the predetermined threshold is between ...

IMAGING DEVICE WITH IMAGE ACQUISITION RATE OPTIMIZATION

The disclosure includes a method of acquiring high-resolution ultrasound images using an array of transducers using successive transmission matrices. Implementations include operations for determining inter-transducer correlation matrices of an area of interest and an unwanted area; determining a characteristic matrix of the area of interest from the product of the inverse of the inter-transducer correlation matrix of the unwanted area and the inter-transducer correlation matrix of the area of interest; calculating eigenvectors and values of the characteristic matrix to define a transmission matrix; adjusting the image acquisition rate and image quality in order to define eigenvectors for firing; multiplying a reception matrix comprising the acquired signals completed by data set to zero corresponding to the firings not effected by the inverse of the transmission matrix to obtain a complete data set; reconstructing a high-resolution image of the area of interest as in synthetic aperture echographic imaging methods. 11. A method of acquiring high-resolution ultrasound images of a medium (M) using an array of N transducers (T to TN) using successive transmission matrices , characterized in that it comprises the steps of:a) acquiring at least one preliminary image (ZI) of the medium (M);{'b': '1', 'b) defining an area of interest (D) in the preliminary image (ZI);'}{'b': '1', 'c) determining inter-transducer correlation matrices corresponding to the area of interest (D) and to the unwanted area;'}{'b': 1', '1, 'd) determining a characteristic matrix (MC) of the area of interest (D) resulting from the product of the inverse of the inter-transducer correlation matrix of the unwanted area by the inter-transducer correlation matrix of the area of interest (D);'}{'b': '1', 'e) calculating eigenvectors and eigenvalues of the characteristic matrix (MC) of the area of interest (D), these vectors, classified as a function of their corresponding eigenvalues, defining a ...

ULTRASOUND DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR IDENTIFYING BLOOD VESSEL

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which detects a target blood vessel of a subject based on reflected ultrasound waves obtained, using an ultrasound probe, from the subject, the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including: a B-mode image generation unit which generates a tomographic image of the subject, based on the reflected ultrasound waves; a blood flow image generation unit which generates blood flow information indicating a blood flow region of the subject in the tomographic image, based on the reflected ultrasound waves; and a blood flow region determination unit which determines whether or not the blood flow region corresponds to the target blood vessel, by analyzing the blood flow information generated by the blood flow image generation unit. 1. An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus which identifies a blood vessel of interest of a subject based on reflected ultrasound waves obtained , using an ultrasound probe , from the subject , the ultrasound diagnostic apparatus comprising:a tomographic image generation unit configured to generate a tomographic image of the subject, based on the reflected ultrasound waves;a blood flow information generation unit configured to generate blood flow information indicating a blood flow region of the subject in the tomographic image, based on the reflected ultrasound waves; anda blood flow region determination unit configured to (i) extract a blood flow point indicating a representative point of the blood flow region, (ii) extract, as a group of blood flow regions, a plurality of the blood flow points having a same feature, and (iii) determine, on a group of blood flow regions basis, whether or not the blood flow region corresponds to the blood vessel of interest, by analyzing the blood flow information generated by the blood flow information generation unit.2. The ultrasound diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 ,wherein the blood flow region determination unit is configured to perform the determination by analyzing, as the ...

Ultrasound diagnostic device

A diagnostic coordinate system has first through third axes based on a major axis and a minor axis of a follicle, the origin being the position of the center of gravity of the follicle. The diagnostic coordinate system is translated with respect to an XYZ display coordinate system, rotating the diagnostic coordinate system until the first axis corresponding to the major axis of the follicle overlaps the X-axis where the angle with the first axis is smallest, and rotating until the second axis corresponding to the minor axis of the follicle overlaps the Z-axis where the angle with the second axis is smallest. A tomographic image of the follicle is formed by an image in a plane that includes the Z and X axes, an image in a plane that includes the Y and Z axes, and an image in a plane that includes the X and Y axes.

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS AND CONTROL METHOD THEREOF

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus includes a probe including a transducer which transmits an ultrasound signal to a target, receives the ultrasound signal reflected from the target, and transduces the received ultrasound signal into an analog signal; an A/D converter which converts the analog signal output by the probe into a digital signal; a compression unit which compresses the digital signal output from the A/D converter; and a host computer which decompresses the digital signal compressed by the compression unit and performs beamforming. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:a probe comprising at least one transducer which transmits an ultrasound signal to a target, receives the ultrasound signal reflected from the target, and transduces the received ultrasound signal into an analog signal;an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter which converts the analog signal output by the probe into a digital signal;a compression unit which compresses the digital signal output from the A/D converter; anda host computer which decompresses the digital signal compressed by the compression unit and performs beamforming.2. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 1 , wherein the compression unit predicts a target pixel of the digital signal from an ambient pixel to generate a prediction error signal claim 1 , and codes the prediction error signal to perform compression.3. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 2 , wherein the compression unit generates the prediction error signal using horizontal data claim 2 , vertical data claim 2 , and vector-direction data of the digital signal.4. The ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the compression unit generates the prediction error signal using the horizontal data claim 3 , the vertical data claim 3 , and the vector-direction data of the digital signal by applying weight factors to the horizontal data claim 3 , the vertical data and the vector-direction data to generate a ...

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 diagnostic imaging apparatus and ultrasound diagnostic imaging method

Described is an ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus which includes an ultrasound probe and which generates ultrasound image data sets for displaying an ultrasound image. The ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus includes a transmitting unit which performs ultrasound scanning for a plurality of times so that a part of or all of scan regions overlap in a plurality of different directions, an image processing unit which generates a plurality of ultrasound image data sets according to the receive signals and an anisotropic aspect evaluation unit which evaluates an anisotropic aspect of ultrasound wave reflection in the subject according to at least either of the ultrasound image data sets and the receive signals. In the ultrasound diagnostic imaging apparatus, the image processing unit generates synthetic image data in which the plurality of ultrasound image data sets are synthesized according to an evaluation result of the anisotropic aspect evaluation unit.

System and Method for Focusing Ultrasound Image Data

Sold-state intravascular ultrasound (IVUS) imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. Some embodiments of the present disclosure are particularly directed to flexible and efficient systems for focusing IVUS echo data received from transducers including polymer piezoelectric micro-machined ultrasound transducers (PMUTs). In one embodiment, an ultrasound processing system includes first and second aperture engines coupled to an engine controller, which provides aperture assignments to the first and second aperture engines. The aperture engines receive the assignment and a portion of A-line data, perform one or more focusing process on the received A-line data, and produce focused data in accordance with the aperture assignment. In some embodiments, once an aperture engine has produced focused data, the engine controller clears the aperture engine and assigns another aperture. 1. An ultrasound processing system comprising:first and second aperture engines;an A-line data interface providing at least a portion of A-line data to the first and second aperture engines; andan engine controller communicatively coupled to the first and second aperture engines;wherein the engine controller provides at least first and second aperture assignments designating portions of the A-line data to the first and second aperture engines, respectively; receive the first and second aperture assignments, respectively;', 'receive the at least a portion of the A-line data;', 'perform one or more focusing processes on the received A-line data; and', 'produce focused data in accordance with the first and second aperture assignments, respectively., 'wherein the first and second aperture engines2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the engine controller further monitors to determine when one of the first and second aperture engines produces focused data claim 1 , and provides a third aperture assignment to the one of the first and second aperture engines when it is determined that the one of ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSTIC APPARATUS

An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus according to an embodiment includes a display unit, an image generator, an acquiring unit, a rendering processor, and a controller. The display unit displays a stereoscopic image by displaying a parallax image group. The image generator generates an ultrasound image based on reflection waves received by an ultrasound probe held against a subject. The acquiring unit acquires three-dimensional position information of the ultrasound probe of when an ultrasound image is captured. The rendering processor generates a probe image group for allowing the ultrasound probe to be virtually perceived as a stereoscopic image based on the three-dimensional position information. The controller controls to display a characterizing image depicting a characteristic of a condition under which the ultrasound image is captured and the probe image group onto the display unit in a positional relationship based on the three-dimensional position information. 1. An ultrasonic diagnostic apparatus comprising:a display unit configured to display a stereoscopic image that is stereoscopically perceived by an observer, by displaying a parallax image group that is parallax images having a given parallax number;an image generator configured to generate an ultrasound image based on reflection waves received by an ultrasound probe held against a subject;an acquiring unit configured to acquire three-dimensional position information of the ultrasound probe of when an ultrasound image is captured;a rendering processor configured to generate a probe image group that is a parallax image group for allowing the ultrasound probe to be virtually perceived as a stereoscopic image through a volume rendering process based on the three-dimensional position information acquired by the acquiring unit; anda controller configured to control to display at least one of the ultrasound image and an abutting surface image depicting an abutting surface of the subject against which the ...

Object information acquisition apparatus, display method, and computer-readable medium storing program

A display control unit included in an object information acquisition apparatus receives information about a depth range, subjected to display of a distribution related to acoustic characteristics, input by a user, and outputs, when the depth range is narrower than a predetermined range, image information for displaying an image of second distribution information subjected to adaptive signal processing in an area corresponding to the depth range or a combined image obtained by combining first distribution information subjected to addition processing with a predetermined weight and the second distribution information.

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 ...

ULTRASONIC DIAGNOSIS APPARATUS AND IMAGE PROCESSING APPARATUS

An ultrasound diagnostic apparatus includes a transmitting and receiving unit, an extracting unit, a generating unit, a brightness information controlling unit and a display unit. The transmitting and receiving unit transmits an ultrasonic wave to and receives an ultrasonic wave from a diagnosis part including a moving body in an object. The extracting unit extracts a Doppler signal based on a reception signal obtained by the transmitting and receiving unit. The generating unit executes a frequency analysis on the basis of the Doppler signal and generates a Doppler spectrum. The brightness information controlling unit controls brightness information on the Doppler spectrum on the basis of a brightness correction value appropriate for a frequency subjected to the frequency analysis. The display unit displays, on a display device, the Doppler spectrum on which the brightness information is controlled by the brightness information controlling unit. 1. An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus , comprising:a transmitting and receiving unit configured to transmit an ultrasonic wave to and receive an ultrasonic wave from a diagnosis part including a moving body in an object;an extracting unit configured to extract a Doppler signal based on a reception signal obtained by the transmitting and receiving unit;a generating unit configured to execute a frequency analysis on the basis of the Doppler signal and generate a Doppler spectrum;a brightness information controlling unit configured to control brightness information on the Doppler spectrum on the basis of a brightness correction value appropriate for a frequency subjected to the frequency analysis; anda display unit configured to display, on a display device, the Doppler spectrum on which the brightness information is controlled by the brightness information controlling unit.2. The ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus according to claim 1 , whereinthe brightness information controlling unit determines the brightness correction value ...