Medical Diagnostic Ultrasound System Research Articles

Stereoscopic three or four dimensional ultrasound imaging

Medical diagnostic ultrasound stereo imaging is provided. A medical diagnostic ultrasound system operable to scan a body with ultrasound is also operable to generate a three dimensional stereoscopic view of the body. The video processing unit and/or display device create the stereoscopic display.

Tissue motion analysis medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

Accurate tissue motion systems and methods are provided. Motion of the ultrasound transducer is accounted for in estimates at tissue motion. Correcting for transducer motion better isolates localized tissue contractions or expansions, such as motion of the myocardial muscle or fibers. Accurate motion estimation is also provided by determining an angle of motion from the ultrasound data. The angle of motion is used to adjust velocity estimates, providing two-dimensional velocity vectors (i.e. motion estimates comprising motion in at least two dimensions). Movement of tissue is determined by correlating speckle or a feature represented by two different sets of ultrasound data obtained at different times. Additional aspects include tracking the location of a tissue of interest. A characteristic of strain, such as the strain rate or strain, is calculated for the tracked tissue of interest. Ultrasound data associated with different positions relative to the transducer are selected as a function of the tracking and used to determine the characteristic of strain. Motion estimates corrected for transducer motion may also be used to determine a strain or strain rate. In yet another aspect, motion estimates are generated with data from an intra-cardiac transducer array. The characteristic of strain is determined from the motion estimates. Other aspects discussed above may be used with an intra-cardiac transducer array, providing accurate motion analysis based on imaging from within the heart.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system with a patient support surface

The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system with a patient support surface. In one preferred embodiment, a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system is provided that is integrated with a base coupled with a patient support surface. In another preferred embodiment, a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system is carried by a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system cart that is detachably coupled with a base coupled with a patient support surface. In yet another preferred embodiment, a first medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system assembly is provided that is integrated with a base coupled with a patient support surface. A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system cart is also provided that carries a second medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system assembly and is detachably and electrically coupled with the base. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of these preferred embodiments can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system transmitter control in a modulator transducer system

The preferred embodiments described herein provide medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system transmitter control in a modular transducer system. With these preferred embodiments, transmitters in a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system are enabled only when contacts in a scan head are electrically coupled with contacts in a receptacle assembly of a modular transducer system. This prevents high voltages from developing in the receptacle assembly when the scan head is removed from or is not fully engaged with the receptacle assembly. In one preferred embodiment, a detector is used to detect movement of a member comprising the contacts in the receptacle assembly. Other preferred embodiments are provided, and each of the preferred embodiments described herein can be used alone or in combination with one another.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method for constructing a composite ultrasound image

The preferred embodiments described herein provide a medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method for constructing a composite ultrasound image. In one preferred embodiment, visual and audio components of an ultrasound image are separately stored so that a composite image including some or all of the components can later be constructed. The audio component can take the form of Doppler audio or voice data, for example. In another preferred embodiment, stored computer-readable program code is selected to perform an operation on a constructed composite ultrasound image.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for scanning plane orientation

A method and system for indicating the position and orientation of a scan plane relative to a patient is provided. The image as presented on a display is oriented in accordance with the orientation of a transducer. The orientation may provide for displaying an image where the transducer is not in a transducer up or transducer down position, but is rotated away from vertical of the display. Alternatively or additionally, a two or three-dimensional graphical generic representation is provided with a scan plane indicated as a polygon or image rendering within a generic representation to show relative positioning of the scan plane with respect to the patient.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for versatile processing

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for versatile processing

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for power control

Methods and systems for providing consistent power and reducing power consumption for an ultrasound system are provided. The ultrasound system is provided with an uninterruptable power supply. Power is provided from an outlet through the uninterruptable power supply to the ultrasound scanner. If the power from the outlet falls below a threshold is of an insufficient quality or is otherwise unavailable, the uninterruptable power supply provides power. For mobility, the uninterruptable power supply provides power, avoiding the need to plug the ultrasound system into an outlet. To reduce the drain on the uninterruptable power supply or other source of power, the ultrasound system includes power reduction systems and methods. One or more electrical components, subsystems or the entire ultrasound system is operated in a reduced power state while not in use. For example, some digital electrical components draw more power in response to clock signal triggers. The clock signal provided to one or more digital electrical components is decreased in frequency or set to steady state, decreasing the amount of power used.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging methods for extended field of view

A medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system aligns substantially co-planar two-dimensional images to form an extended field of view using improved compounding methods. Compounding with a finite impulse response is used for more versatile compositing. The compounding is adaptive, such as through adapting the image regions, weighting, or type of compounding as a function of correlation, location within the image, estimated motion or combinations thereof. A user warning is provided as a function of the correlation between images.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound imaging system and method for displaying a portion of an ultrasound image

In one embodiment, a region of interest indictor is positioned over a first portion of an ultrasound image, and the first portion and at least some other portion of the ultrasound image are saved in a post-scan-converted format. The stored ultrasound image is played, and a region of interest indicator is positioned over a second portion of the played ultrasound image. In another embodiment, an ultrasound image is stored in a post-scan-converted format. The ultrasound image is played, and a region of interest indicator is positioned over a portion of the ultrasound image. In yet another embodiment, a user requests storage of a multi-frame ultrasound image for a first length of time. The ultrasound system instead stores the multi-frame ultrasound image for a second length of time, which is longer than the first length of time.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for mapping surface data for three dimensional imaging

A method and system for mapping surface data onto a geometrical representation of a structure for 3D imaging is provided. A boundary of a structure is determined from one type of data, such as Doppler energy data. Another type of data, such as B-mode data, representing the boundary or an area adjacent the boundary is extracted or identified. The B-mode data is then rendered as a function of the boundary, such as by texture mapping the B-mode data onto or adjacent the boundary. As the user examines the structure representation, the texture mapped data may provide texture details based on an optimally determined representation. The boundary may alternatively be used to select data for volume rendering.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for flow analysis

Medical diagnostic ultrasound methods and systems for automated flow analysis are provided. Multiple cross-sectional areas along a vessel are determined automatically. A processor locates an abnormality as a function of the multiple cross-sectional areas, such as identifying a cross-sectional area that is a threshold amount less than an average cross-sectional area. The abnormal area is highlighted on the display to assist with medical diagnosis. For the carotid artery, the interior and exterior branches are labeled to assist medical diagnosis. The two branches are automatically identified. The branch associated with additional small branches is identified as the exterior carotid.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for versatile processing

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for versatile processing

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for vessel structure analysis

Medical diagnostic ultrasound methods and systems for automated structure analysis are provided. Where the vessel bifurcates, such as the carotid artery, the common portion (i.e. the bifurcation bulb) is divided between the branches. For example, the common portion is divided as a function of a ratio of (1) the integral of ultrasound flow data at a cross-section of a first branch to (2) the integral of ultrasound flow data at a cross-section of a second branch. As another example, the intersection of three-dimensional surfaces perpendicular to the center axis of each branch within the common area divides the common portion. The ultrasound data representing the common portion is associated with each branch as a function of the division. This association assists with flow and structural analysis. For use with the bifurcation division discussed above or for other vessels, a method and system for automatically assigning a center (i.e. medial) axis of the vessel is provided. A center of flow for the vessel is determined, such as by: (1) calculating gradient values from ultrasound data representing flow in the vessel, (2) determining a magnitude of the gradient values for each spatial location, and (3) reducing a boundary of the vessel by an amount that is a function of the magnitude until a center of flow (i.e. line) is identified. The center of flow is assigned as the center of the axis. The determined center axis is used to identify constrictions or analyze flow for medical diagnosis. A memory and processor is provided for automatically performing the acts discussed above. Minimal user input allows the ultrasound system to automatically provide information assisting medical diagnosis.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for harmonic imaging with an electrostatic transducer

A method and system for generating transmit pulses for use with an electrostatic transducer in harmonic imaging are provided. The excitation waveforms are pre-distorted to account for the non-linear output of the electrostatic transducer. Additionally, the force on a multiple element electrostatic transducer array is measured. A bias voltage is applied to the electrostatic transducer where the bias voltage is responsive to the measured force.

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method

Medical diagnostic ultrasound system and method for contrast agent image beamformation

A method and system for contrast agent image beamformation is provided. The acoustic energy of transmit beams is spread laterally to reduce contrast agent destruction. For example, a smaller aperture is provided for contrast agent imaging than for a default imaging mode. As another example, an apodization profile with a low amplitude for edge elements for contrast agent imaging is used as compared to the edge elements for a default imaging mode. As yet another example, the focal point used for contrast agent imaging is set to be outside of the region of interest (e.g. a shallow or deep focal point).