System and method for multidimensional ultrasound imaging

Abstract

A three-dimensional (3D) volume imaging method can generate a compound 3D volume image. A plurality of plane ultrasound waves can be transmitted from a plurality of transducers of the ultrasound imaging device at a region of interest simultaneously and at a given angle. A reflection of the plurality of ultrasound waves can be received at the plurality of transducers. A 3D volume image can be composed based on the reflection. This can be duplicated or repeated for one or more pluralities of plane ultrasound waves and corresponding equipment to generate more than one 3D volume image. Using this method, a compound 3D volume image can be generated based on the 3D volume image(s).

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR MULTIDIMENSIONAL ULTRASOUND IMAGINGTECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application claims the benefit of and priority to U. S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63 / 606,058, filed on December 4, 2023, the entirety of which is incorporated herein by reference.TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates to systems, devices, and methods for ultrasound imaging, more specifically, to systems and methods for performing multidimensional volume imaging.BACKGROUND

[0003] Ultrasound imaging is an imaging method that uses sound waves to produce images of structures within a patient’s body. Because ultrasound images are captured in realtime, they can also show movement of the body's internal organs as well as blood flowing through the blood vessels. The images can provide valuable information for diagnosing and directing treatment for a variety of diseases and conditions.

[0004] Focused ultrasound beam is a medical technology that uses ultrasound waves to target and focus on a region of interest of the body. While the focused ultrasound beam has many advantages in therapeutic applications, it has some limitations in forming ultrasound images. One of the main limitations is that the focused ultrasound beam can only form an image of the tissue that is located in the focal zone, which is the area where the ultrasound beam is focused. This means that if the tissue of interest is not located within the focal zone, the image quality may be reduced, or the tissue may not be imaged at all. Additionally, the size of the focal zone is typically relatively small, which limits the field of view that can be imaged at one time.

[0005] Another limitation of the focused ultrasound beam in forming ultrasound images is that it may produce artifacts or distortions in the image. These artifacts can be caused by the interaction of the ultrasound waves with tissues, such as the reflection or scattering of the waves by bone, gas, or other structures. These artifacts can reduce the clarity and accuracy of the ultrasound image, making it more difficult to diagnose certain conditions.

[0006] Improvement in ultrasound imaging may be needed to form high quality ultrasound images.SUMMARY

[0007] Imaging systems with three-dimensional (3D) or four-dimensional (4D) imaging capabilities with large steering angles are implemented and disclosed herein. A two- dimensional (2D) or 3D matrix array transducers with high element density may be included in the imaging system. The steering angles may be both in azimuth and elevation. The imaging system has high resolution and high sensitivity and also includes a very high transducer element count on the order of thousands to tens of thousands of transducer elements.

[0008] In some embodiments, the high transducer element count may utilize a multi-step beam formation on the receiving side where only the first step, the microbeamformer, is in close proximity to the ultrasound array or is integrated with it and the second step, the macrobeamformer, is on a remote processor. The microbeamformer generally performs the intra-subarray beamformation and is typically a single-beam beamformer often without dynamic focusing capability. The macrobeamformer performs the inter-subarray beamformation and is typically a beamformer with dynamic focusing and multibeam (parallel beam) capabilities.

[0009] In some embodiments, the beamforming may be processed all on a local processor that is integrated in the chip that is in close proximity to or integrated with the ultrasound transducer array. The remote processor may process other imaging formation other than the beamforming.

[0010] In some embodiments, a computing device or local processor that is in close proximity to or integrated with the transducers may be an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs) or other integrated circuit or general-purpose processors. The remote processor may be a general purpose-processor, a mobile device, a personal computer, a cloud-computing network or other computing devices.

[0011] In some embodiments, a matrix array transducer may be integrated with a transmit and receive beamformer packed in an application specific integrated circuit that has an acquisition channel per one or more transducer elements. This helps reduce the cost, size, weight, and power of an ultrasound imaging system, add functionality (e.g., real-time 3D) and improve performance.

[0012] In some embodiments, a method of generating a 3D or 4D volume image, includes receiving a first reflection of a first plurality of ultrasound waves at a plurality of transducers at a first angle from a region of interest; receiving a second reflection of a second plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers at a second angle from the region of interest; and composing a final volume image based on the first reflection and the second reflection.

[0013] Optionally, in some embodiments, the first and / or second angle can be adjusted by adjusting the time and / or phase delays between transmitting transducers. For example, in some embodiments, the first and / or second angle can be adjusted by adjusting the time delay between transmitting transducers. Further, in some embodiments, the first and / or second angle can be adjusted by adjusting the phase delay between transmitting transducers. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first angle can be adjusted by adjusting the time and phase delays between transmitting transducers.

[0014] In some embodiments, the ultrasound waves may be plane waves. The final volume image may be formed based on a number of reflections from a number of plane wave transmissions respectively. The number of reflections may include the first reflection and the second reflection. Each reflection may form a volume image with certain particular noise distribution. The final volume image based on the number of volume images may have more even noise distribution than the individual volume image from each of the transmissions and reflections. In some embodiments, the composing of the final volume image may include averaging the individual volume images from the number of transmissions and reflections.

[0015] In some embodiments, all the transducers or a subset of transducers of an ultrasound probe may be steered at different angles to generate different plane wave transmissions. Each volume image may be created by coherently compounding 2D image slices from the individual reflection from a region of interest. In some embodiments, a subset of the 2D image slices is used to generate the volume image. The noise from each individual volume image at the same location may be weight averaged to generate a final volume image. The noise from each individual volume image at the same location may be averaged or processed by other statistical or mathematic methods to generate a final volume image.

[0016] Additional features and advantages of the subject technology will be set forth in the description below, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the subject technology. The advantages of the subject technology willbe realized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in the written description and embodiments hereof as well as the appended drawings.

[0017] The systems, methods and devices of this disclosure each have several innovative aspects, no single one of which is solely responsible for the desirable attributes disclosed herein.

[0018] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the subject technology.

[0019] Note that the various embodiments described above can be combined with any other embodiments described herein. The features and advantages described in the specification are not all inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes and may not have been selected to delineate or circumscribe the inventive subject matter.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Various features of illustrative embodiments of the inventions are described below with reference to the drawings. The illustrated embodiments are intended to illustrate, but not to limit, the inventions. The drawings contain the following figures:

[0021] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary workflow for creating a three-dimensional (3D) volume image, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates an ultrasound system for imaging a patient, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0023] Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound device in accordance with some embodiments.

[0024] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a computing device in accordance with some embodiments.

[0025] Figure 5 A illustrates an exemplary focused ultrasound beam, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0026] Figure 5B illustrates an exemplary plane wave ultrasound beam, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0027] Figure 6A illustrates an exemplary object within a three-dimensional (3D) space, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0028] Figure 6B illustrates an exemplary 3D view of the 3D volume image for the object from the direction of the Y axis, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0029] Figure 6C illustrates an exemplary 3D view of the 3D volume image for the object from the direction of the X axis, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0030] Figure 6D illustrates an exemplary 3D view of the 3D volume image for the object from the direction of the Z axis, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0031] Figure 7A illustrates two exemplary objects to be captured by a 3D volume imaging process in a 3D space, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0032] Figure 7B illustrates exemplary 3D slices for forming a 3D volume image, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0033] Figure 7C illustrates exemplary 3D slices for forming a 3D volume image, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0034] Figure 8 illustrates exemplary ultrasound plane waves transmitted from an ultrasound array at different angles, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0035] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary combination of a slice of one volume image with a slice of another volume image to even noise distribution, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0036] Reference will now be made to implementations, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skills in the art that the present invention may be practiced without requiring some of these specific details.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0037] It is understood that various configurations of the subject technology will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the disclosure, wherein various configurations of the subject technology are shown and described by way of illustration. As will be realized, the subject technology is capable of other and different configurations and its several details are capable of modification in various other respects, all without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Accordingly, the summary, drawings and detailed description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

[0038] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a description of various configurations of the subject technology and is not intended to represent the only configurations in which the subject technology may be practiced. The appended drawings are incorporated herein and constitute a part of the detailed description. The detailed description includes specific details for the purpose of providing a thorough understanding of the subject technology. However, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the subject technology may be practiced without these specific details. In some instances, well-known structures and components are shown in block diagram form in order to avoid obscuring the concepts of the subject technology. Like components are labeled with identical element numbers for ease of understanding.

[0039] Figure 1 illustrates an exemplary workflow for creating a three-dimensional (3D) volume image, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0040] In some embodiments, the workflow of creating a 3D volume image 1000 may be performed at a computing device that includes one or more processors and memory associated with an ultrasound imaging device. For example, the workflow 1000 may be performed by one or more processors of a computing device that is communicatively connected to an ultrasound probe. For example, the computing device is a server or control console (e.g., a server, a standalone computer, a workstation, a smart phone, a tablet device, or a medical system) that is in communication with the ultrasound probe. In some embodiments, the computing device is a control unit integrated with the ultrasound probe in the same housing. In some embodiments, the ultrasound probe is a handheld ultrasound device, or a probe portion of an ultrasound scanning system.

[0041] Step 1002 includes transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from a first plurality of transducers of the ultrasound imaging device at a region of interest simultaneously and at a first angle. In some embodiments, the first plurality of ultrasound waves may be plane waves.

[0042] Step 1004 includes receiving a first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers.

[0043] Step 1006 includes composing a first 3D volume image based on the first reflection.

[0044] Step 1008 includes transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from a second plurality of transducers at the region of interest simultaneously andat a second angle. In some embodiments, the second plurality of ultrasound waves may be plane waves.

[0045] Step 1010 includes receiving a second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the second plurality of transducers.

[0046] Step 1012 includes composing a second 3D volume image based on the second reflection.

[0047] Step 1014 includes generating a compound 3D volume image based on the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0048] In some embodiments, the compound 3D volume image can be generated by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image. In some embodiments, the compound 3D volume image can be generated by coherent compounding, incoherent compounding, averaging, or nonlinear compounding (e.g., filtered multiply and sum (FMAS)) of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image. Optionally, the compound 3D volume image can be generated by using the max( ) or min( ) of the angles, for example, as an implementation of nonlinear compounding. These and other compounding techniques may be used to improve image quality by smoothing speckle variance, reducing clutter noise, or enhancing spatial resolution.

[0049] In some embodiments, the method can be implemented by adjusting the first and / or second angle by adjusting the time and / or phase delays between transmitting transducers. For example, in some embodiments, the first and / or second angle can be adjusted by adjusting the time delay between transmitting transducers. Further, in some embodiments, the first and / or second angle can be adjusted by adjusting the phase delay between transmitting transducers. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the first angle can be adjusted by adjusting the time and phase delays between transmitting transducers.

[0050] In some embodiments, the transducers may be piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUT). In some embodiments, the transducers may be ultrasound transducers that may handle both transmission and reception. In some embodiments, the transducers may be a matrix of transducer array that may be driven by amplifiers used to drive columns of imaging pixels or columns of the transducers independently. The amplifiers and transducers may be integrated on an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The amplifiers and transducers may be integrated on field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs). In some embodiments, beamforming may be done on integrated circuits such as ASIC and FPGA coupled to or integrated with the transducers. In some embodiments, a computing devicecoupled to the integrated circuit of the transducers may be utilized to further process the 3D volume image data and generate the final compound 3D image. The computing device may be a mobile phone, a personal computer, a server, or a cloud computing network, etc.

[0051] In some embodiments, one amplifier may drive a number of pixels or transducers (e.g., 64 pixels) to meet a power requirement which may lead to the construction of one amplifier driving a number of other amplifiers (e.g., 8) which in turn drive a number of pixels or transducers (e.g., 64 pixels) each.

[0052] In some embodiments, all the transducers in the transducer array on an ASIC may be driven together. In some embodiments, the number of transducers may be up to 4096, 8192, or 2K, wherein K may be non -negative integer. In some embodiments, the transducer array may be 2D or 3D transducer arrays. In some embodiments, parallel beams may be individually transmitted from the transducers.

[0053] In some embodiments, the number of channels for receiving the reflection of plurality of ultrasound waves through one or more beamformers may be up to 4096, 8192, or 2K, wherein K may be non-negative integer. In some embodiments, 64 channels may be collected at a time which may take 64 transmissions to get 4096 channels. Therefore, 64 transmission events may be needed for generating one 3D volume image. In some embodiments, all 4096 transducers may transmit simultaneously, and all 4096 channels may receive at the same time in one single transmission. In some embodiments, all the 2Ktransducers may transmit independently at the same time. In some embodiments, all the 2Kchannels may receive independently at the same time. In some embodiments, data rate for processing the 3D volume image may be up to the range of gigabytes (GB) per second, e.g., 10 GB / second to 1000 GB / second.

[0054] In accordance with some embodiments, a mechanism may be implemented to recognize and / or receive the ultrasound waves transmitted from the same transducer. Such a mechanism can include transmit and receive electronics, and channels can be physically the same, mixed, or multiplexed to different physical transmit and receive transducers. Thus, in some embodiments, ultrasound waves can be transmitted from transmitting transducers via channels that are the same as or different from (e.g., completely different and separate from, a superset of, or a subset of) channels used by receiving transducers to receive reflected ultrasound waves.

[0055] In some embodiments, the 3D volume image is a 3D image visualization. The 3D volume image may be generated at different time points or real time to create a four-dimensional (4D) volume image. In some embodiments, the volume imaging frame rate may be up to 10-100 kilohertz. In some embodiments, the volume image frame generating rate may be less than or equal to about 6 seconds per frame. In some embodiments, with the plane wave image compounding, volumetric flow image may be observed everywhere on the 4D volume image. A user may have access to the volumetric flow image by magnifying or fetching data in a particular location on the 4D volume image.

[0056] In some embodiments, only a region-of-interest may be processed within the 3D volume image without other unnecessary extraneous data.

[0057] In some embodiments, a full volume image may be generated in one single transmission even without changing the steering angle of the transducers. The single transmission may be controlled by a computing device of the ultrasound imaging device to excite a plurality of or all the transducers at the same time at a region of interest.

[0058] In some embodiments, the step 1014 of generating a compound 3D volume image based on the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image includes generating the compound 3D volume image based on a weighted average based on predetermined ratio of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image to improve the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the compound 3D volume image. In some embodiments, the step 1014 of generating a compound 3D volume image based on the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image includes generating the compound 3D volume image by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0059] In some embodiments, the full volume image may be generated from 2D image slices along one or more directions, for one example, azimuth, and / or elevation slices, for another example, X-Y, Y-Z, and / or Z-X slices. The image slices from individual plane slices may be coherently combined to form the volume image by gathering image information on each determined location of the 3D space from the 2D image slices. In some embodiments, only image slices within a region-of-interest may be processed. In some embodiments, the image slices may be compounded to create a volume image. In some embodiments, for a 90- degree sector pizza image, 90 plane wave beam transmissions may be done with 1 degree apart for each beam at a time. The image slices at each degree may be compounded to generate the volume image of the sector pizza image.

[0060] In some embodiments, only a portion (e.g., 20% to 90%, 30% to 80%, 40% to 70%, or 50% to 60%) of the transducers of all the transducers may be used in transmittingor receiving to create a 3D volume image with sufficient quality to improve efficiency and reduce power and delay time.

[0061] In some embodiments, only a portion (e.g., 20% to 90%, 30% to 80%, 40% to 70%, or 50% to 60%) of the imaging slices of all the imaging slices may be needed in transmitting or receiving to create a 3D volume image with sufficient quality to improve efficiency and reduce power and delay time. The imaging slices used for creating a 3D volume image may be a sparse set.

[0062] In some embodiments, the plane waves may be steered from a matrix of transducer array. The probe may include transmitting and receiving configurations in order to gather data for generating volume images.

[0063] In some embodiments, the compound 3D volume image may be generated based on two or more 3D volume images, each of which may be created from each individual plane wave transmissions. Although one individual plane wave transmission may be used to generate a 3D volume image, the 3D volume image created from one transmission may have noise concentrated in certain areas. If the angle of the subsequent plane wave transmission is slightly changed when creating another 3D volume image, the weighted average of the 3D volume images at different directions may reduce the noise concentrated in one area and even out the noise distribution.

[0064] In some embodiments, the angles between the transmissions may be changed within an azimuth plane rotating along a direction that is perpendicular to the azimuth plane as azimuth angles. The azimuth angles between the first transmission and the second transmission may be between +30 degrees and -30 degrees, or between +45 degrees and -45 degrees. The azimuth angles between the first transmission and the second transmission may be between 0 to 90 degrees. The angles between the transmission may be changed along the elevation as angles from 0 to 90 degrees.

[0065] In some embodiments, the method and system disclosed herein may be applied to different ultrasound modes including B mode, M mode, V mode, doppler mode, color doppler mode, 3D and / or 4D mode.

[0066] In some embodiments, the entire 3D volume image may be formed by a few transmission shots or even one shot. The volume images may be acquired at a high frame rate (e.g., equal to or less than 10 frames / second, 8 frames / second, or 6 frames / second).

[0067] In some embodiments, the penetration depth of the plane waves may be equal to or less than 10 cm, 8 cm or 6 cm. As the penetration depth increases, the noise may increase.

[0068] In some embodiments, the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image may be time delayed. In some embodiments, steering the transducers may be time delayed (linear delay or non-linear delay). Each of the transducers may correspond to one pixel of the 2D slice image. Each of the transducers may correspond to one pixel of the final 3D volume image. In some embodiments, the reflected ultrasound waves may be received on the same transducers (or pixels) that transmit the plurality of ultrasound waves. In some embodiments, the reflected ultrasound wave may be received on the same transducer (or pixel) that transmits the same ultrasound wave. Each of the transducers may be configured to be in a transmitting mode or a receiving mode.

[0069] In some embodiments, after the plurality of ultrasound waves are received, the ultrasound waves may be processed by a computing device as time domain waveforms. During the second transmission of the ultrasound waves, the plane wave beams may be steered by adding a linear delay profile in azimuth or elevation direction, or in both azimuth and elevation direction.

[0070] Figure 2 illustrates an ultrasound system for imaging a patient, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0071] In some embodiments, an ultrasound device 200 is a portable, handheld device. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 includes a probe portion that includes transducers (e.g., transducers 220, Figure 3). In some embodiments, the transducers are arranged in an array. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 includes an integrated control unit and user interface. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 includes a probe that communicates with a control unit and user interface that is external to the housing of the probe itself. During operation, the ultrasound device 200 (e.g., via the transducers) produces sound waves 120 that are transmitted toward an organ, such as a heart or a lung, of a patient 110. The internal organ, or other object(s) to be imaged, may reflect a portion of the sound waves toward the probe portion of the ultrasound device 200, which are received by the transducers 220. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 transmits the received signals to a computing device 130, which uses the received signals to create an image 150 that is also known as a sonogram. In some embodiments, the computing device 130 includes adisplay device 140 for displaying ultrasound images, and other input and output devices (e.g., keyboard, touch screenjoystick, touchpad, and / or speakers).

[0072] Figure 3 illustrates a block diagram of an exemplary ultrasound device 200 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0073] In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 includes one or more processors 202, one or more communication interfaces 204 (e.g., network interface(s)), memory 206, and one or more communication buses 208 for interconnecting these components (sometimes called a chipset).

[0074] In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 includes one or more input interfaces 210 that facilitate user input. For example, in some embodiments, the input interfaces 210 include port(s) 212 and button(s) 214. In some embodiments, the port(s) can be used for receiving a cable for powering or charging the ultrasound device 200, or for facilitating communication between the ultrasound device and other devices (e.g., computing device 130, computing device 300, display device 140, printing device, and / or other input output devices and accessories).

[0075] In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 includes a power supply 216. For example, in some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 is battery powered. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device is powered by a continuous AC power supply.

[0076] In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 includes a probe portion that includes transducers 220, which may also be referred to as transceivers or imagers. Examples of transducers 220 include, without limitation, piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducers (PMUT) and capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducers (CMUT). In some embodiments, the transducers 220 are based on photo-acoustic or ultrasonic effects. For ultrasound imaging, the transducers 220 transmit ultrasonic waves towards a target (e.g., a target organ, blood vessels, etc.) to be imaged. The transducers 220 receive reflected sound waves (e.g., echoes) that bounce off body tissues. The reflected waves are then converted to electrical signals and / or ultrasound images. In some embodiments, the probe portion of the ultrasound device 200 is separately housed from the computing and control portion of the ultrasound device. In some embodiments, the probe portion of the ultrasound device 200 is integrated in the same housing as the computing and control portion of the ultrasound device 200. In some embodiments, part of the computing and control portion of the ultrasound device is integrated in the same housing as the probe portion, and part of the computing and control portion of the ultrasound device is implemented in a separate housing that is coupledcommunicatively with the part integrated with the probe portion of the ultrasound device. In some embodiments, the probe portion of the ultrasound device has a respective transducer array that is tailored to a respective scanner type (e.g., linear, convex, endocavitary, phased array, transesophageal, 3D, and / or 4D). In the present disclosure, “ultrasound probe” may refer to the probe portion of an ultrasound device, or an ultrasound device that includes a probe portion.

[0077] In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 includes radios 230. The radios 230 enable one or more communication networks, and allow the ultrasound device 200 to communicate with other devices, such as the computing device 130 in Figure 2, the display device 140 in Figure 2, and / or the computing device 300 in Figure 4. In some embodiments, the radios 230 are capable of data communications using any of a variety of custom or standard wireless protocols (e.g., IEEE 802.15.4, Wi-Fi, ZigBee, 6L0WPAN, Thread, Z-Wave, Bluetooth Smart, ISA100.5A, WirelessHART, MiWi, Ultrawide Band (UWB), software defined radio (SDR) etc.) custom or standard wired protocols (e.g., Ethernet, HomePlug, etc.), and / or any other suitable communication protocol, including communication protocols not yet developed as of the filing date of this document.

[0078] The memory 206 includes high-speed random-access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random-access solid-state memory devices; and, optionally, includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical disk storage devices, one or more flash memory devices, or one or more other non-volatile solid state storage devices. The memory 206, optionally, includes one or more storage devices remotely located from one or more processor(s) 202. The memory 206, or alternatively the non-volatile memory within the memory 206, includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0079] In some embodiments, the memory 206 or the non-transitory computer- readable storage medium of the memory 206 (either or both of which may be referred to herein as “memory”) can store various programs, modules, and data structures.

[0080] For example, the memory can store programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof, such as operating logic 240, a communication module 242, an application 250, and / or a data device 280.

[0081] The operating logic 240 can include procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks.

[0082] The communication module 242 (e.g., a radio communication module) can be configured to connect to and communicate with other network devices (e.g., a local network,such as a router that provides Internet connectivity, networked storage devices, network routing devices, server systems, computer device 130, computer device 300, and / or other connected devices etc.) coupled to one or more communication networks via the communication interface(s) 204 (e.g., wired or wireless).

[0083] The application 250 can be configured to acquire ultrasound data (e.g., imaging data) of a patient, and / or to control one or more components of the ultrasound device 200 and / or other connected devices (e.g., in accordance with a determination that the ultrasound data meets, or does not meet, certain conditions).

[0084] In some embodiments, the application 250 can be configured to include an acquisition module 252, a receiving module 254, a transmitting module 256, an analysis module 258, and / or a transducer control module 260.

[0085] The acquisition module 252 can be configured to acquire ultrasound data. In some embodiments, the ultrasound data includes imaging data. In some embodiments, the acquisition module 252 activates the transducers 220 (e.g., less than all of the transducers 220, different subset(s) of the transducers 220, all the transducers 220, etc.) according to whether the ultrasound data meets one or more conditions associated with one or more quality requirements.

[0086] The receiving module 254 can be configured to receive ultrasound data.

[0087] The transmitting module 256 can be configured to transmit ultrasound data to other device(s) (e.g., a server system, computer device 130, computer device 300, display device 140, and / or other connected devices etc.).

[0088] The analysis module 258 can be configured to analyze whether the data (e.g., imaging data) acquired by the ultrasound device 200 meets one or more conditions associated with quality requirements for an ultrasound scan.

[0089] For example, in some embodiments, the one or more conditions include one or more of a condition that the imaging data includes one or more newly acquired images that meet one or more threshold quality scores, a condition that the imaging data includes one or more newly acquired images that correspond to one or more anatomical planes that match a desired anatomical plane of a target anatomical structure, a condition that the imaging data includes one or more newly acquired images that include one or more landmark / features (or a combination of landmarks / features), a condition that the imaging data includes one or more newly acquired images that include a feature having a particular dimension, a condition that the imaging data supports a prediction that an image meeting one or more requirements wouldbe acquired in the next one or more image frames, a condition that the imaging data supports a prediction that a first change (e.g., an increase by a percentage, or number) in the number of transducer used would support an improvement in the quality score of an image acquired in the next one or more image frames, and / or other analogous conditions.

[0090] The transducer control module 260 can be configured to activate (e.g., adjusting) a number of transducers 220 during portions of an ultrasound scan based on a determination that the ultrasound data meets (or does not meet) one or more quality requirements. For example, in some embodiments, the transducer control module 260 activates a first subset of the transducers 220 during the first portion of an ultrasound scan. In some embodiments, the transducer control module 260 activates a second subset of the transducers 220, different from the first subset of the transducers, during a second portion of the scan following the first portion of the scan, when the imaging data corresponding to the first portion of the scan meets (or does not meet) one or more quality requirements. In some embodiments, the transducer control module 260 controls one or more operating modes of the ultrasound device 200. For example, in some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 is configured to operate in one or more low-power modes. In a respective low-power mode, the transducer control module 260 activates only a subset (e.g., 10%, 15%, 20%, or other preset subsets) of all the available transducers 220 in the ultrasound device 200. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 is configured to operate in a full-power mode. In the full-power mode, the transducer control module 260 activates all the available transducers 220 to acquire a high- quality image.

[0091] The device data 280 for the ultrasound device 200 can include, but not be limited to, device settings 282, user settings 284, ultrasound scan data 286, image quality requirements data 288, and / or an atlas 290.

[0092] The device settings 282 for the ultrasound device 200 can include, but not be limited to, default options and preferred user settings. In some embodiments, the device settings 282 include imaging control parameters.

[0093] For example, in some embodiments, the imaging control parameters include one or more of: a number of transducers that are activated, a power consumption threshold of the probe, an imaging frame rate, a scan speed, a depth of penetration, and other scan parameters that control the power consumption, heat generation rate, and / or processing load of the probe.

[0094] The user settings 284 can include, but not be limited to, a preferred gain, depth, zoom, and / or focus settings.

[0095] The ultrasound scan data 286 (e.g., imaging data) can be acquired (e.g., detected, measured) by the ultrasound device 200 (e.g., via transducers 220).

[0096] In some embodiments, the image quality requirements data 288 include clinical requirements for determining the quality of an ultrasound image.

[0097] In some embodiments, the atlas 290 can include anatomical structures of interest. In some embodiments, the atlas 290 includes three-dimensional representations of the anatomical structure of interest (e.g., hip, heart, lung, and / or other anatomical structures).

[0098] Each of the above identified executable modules, applications, or sets of procedures may be stored in one or more of the previously mentioned memory devices, and corresponds to a set of instructions for performing a function described above. The above identified modules or programs (i.e., sets of instructions) need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, or modules, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various implementations. In some embodiments, the memory 206 stores a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, the memory 206 may store additional modules or data structures not described above. In some embodiments, a subset of the programs, modules, and / or data stored in the memory 206 are stored on and / or executed by a server system, and / or by an external device (e.g., computing device 130 or computing device 300).

[0099] Figure 4 illustrates a block diagram of a computing device 300 in accordance with some embodiments.

[0100] In some embodiments, the computing device 300 is a server or control console that is in communication with the ultrasound device 200 (e.g., ultrasound probe). In some embodiments, the computing device 300 is integrated into the same housing as the ultrasound device 200. In some embodiments, the computing device is a smartphone, tablet device, a gaming console, or other portable computing devices. In some embodiments, the computing device 300 may be provided by a combination of components integrated into the same housing as the ultrasound device 200, and a smartphone, tablet device, a gaming console, or other portable computing devices.

[0101] The computing device 300 includes one or more processors 302 (e.g., processing units of CPU(s)), one or more network interfaces 304, memory 306, and one ormore communication buses 308 for interconnecting these components (sometimes called a chipset), in accordance with some embodiments.

[0102] In some embodiments, the computing device 300 includes one or more input devices 310 that facilitate user input, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a voice-command input unit or microphone, a touch screen display, a touch-sensitive input pad, a gesture capturing camera, or other input buttons or controls. In some embodiments, the computing device 300 uses a microphone and voice recognition or a camera and gesture recognition to supplement or replace the keyboard. In some embodiments, the computing device 300 includes one or more output devices 312 that enable presentation of user interfaces and display content, such as one or more speakers and / or one or more visual displays (e.g., display device 140).

[0103] The memory 306 includes high-speed random-access memory, such as DRAM, SRAM, DDR RAM, or other random-access solid-state memory devices; and, optionally, includes non-volatile memory, such as one or more magnetic disk storage devices, one or more optical disk storage devices, one or more flash memory devices, or one or more other non-volatile solid state storage devices. The memory 306, optionally, includes one or more storage devices remotely located from the one or more processors 302. The memory 306, or alternatively the non-volatile memory within the memory 306, includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium.

[0104] In some embodiments, the memory 306 or the non-transitory computer- readable storage medium of the memory 306 (either or both of which may be referred to herein as “memory”) can store various programs, modules, and data structures.

[0105] For example, the memory can store programs, modules, and data structures, or a subset or superset thereof, such as an operating system 322, a communication module 323, a user interface module 324, an application 350, and / or a database 380.

[0106] The operating system 322 can include procedures for handling various basic system services and for performing hardware dependent tasks. The communication module 323 (e.g., a radio communication module) can be configured to connect to and communicate with other network devices (e.g., a local network, such as a router that provides Internet connectivity, networked storage devices, network routing devices, server systems, computer device 130, ultrasound device 200, and / or other connected devices etc.) coupled to one or more communication networks via the network interface 304 (e.g., wired or wireless).

[0107] In some embodiments, the user interface module 324 can be configured to enable presentation of information (e.g., a graphical user interface for presenting application(s),widgets, websites and web pages thereof, games, audio and / or video content, text, etc.) either at the computing device 300 or another device.

[0108] The application 350 can be configured to acquire ultrasound data (e.g., imaging data) from a patient. In some embodiments, the application 350 is used for receiving data (e.g., ultrasound data, imaging data, etc.) acquired via an ultrasound device 200. In some embodiments, the application 350 is used for controlling one or more components of an ultrasound device 200 (e.g., the probe portion, and / or the transducers) and / or other connected devices (e.g., in accordance with a determination that the data meets, or does not meet, certain conditions).

[0109] Further, in some embodiments, the application 350 can include an acquisition module 352, a receiving module 354, a transmitting module 354, an analysis module 358, and / or a transducer control module 360.

[0110] The acquisition module 352 can be configured to acquire ultrasound data. In some embodiments, the ultrasound data includes imaging data acquired by an ultrasound probe. In some embodiments, the acquisition module 352 activates the transducers 220 (e.g., less than all of the transducers 220, different subset(s) of the transducers 220, all the transducers 220, etc.) according to whether the ultrasound data meets one or more conditions associated with one or more quality requirements. In some embodiments, the acquisition module 352 causes the ultrasound device 200 to activate the transducers 220 (e.g., less than all of the transducers 220, different subset(s) of the transducers 220, all the transducers 220, etc.) according to whether the ultrasound data meets one or more conditions associated with one or more quality requirements.[OHl] The receiving module 354 can be configured to receive ultrasound data. In some embodiments, the ultrasound data includes imaging data acquired by an ultrasound probe.

[0112] The transmitting module 356 can be configured to transmit ultrasound data (e.g., imaging data) to other device(s) (e.g., a server system, computer device 130, display device 140, ultrasound device 200, and / or other connected devices etc.).

[0113] The analysis module 358 can be configured to analyze whether the data (e.g., imaging data, power consumption data, and other data related to the acquisition process) (e.g., received by the ultrasound probe) meets one or more conditions associated with quality requirements for an ultrasound scan.

[0114] For example, in some embodiments, the one or more conditions include one or more of: a condition that the imaging data includes one or more newly acquired images thatmeet one or more threshold quality scores, a condition that the imaging data includes one or more newly acquired images that correspond to one or more anatomical planes that match a desired anatomical plane of a target anatomical structure, a condition that the imaging data includes one or more newly acquired images that include one or more landmark / features (or a combination of landmarks / features), a condition that the imaging data includes one or more newly acquired images that include a feature having a particular dimension, a condition that the imaging data supports a prediction that an image meeting one or more requirements would be acquired in the next one or more image frames, a condition that the imaging data supports a prediction that a first change (e.g., an increase by a percentage, or number) in the number of transducer used would support an improvement in the quality score of an image acquired in the next one or more image frames, and / or other analogous conditions.

[0115] The transducer control module 360 can be configured to activate (e.g., adjusting, controlling, and / or otherwise modifying one or more operations of the transducers), or causing the ultrasound device 200 to activate (e.g., via the transducer control module 260), a number of transducers 220 during portions of an ultrasound scan based on a determination that the ultrasound data meets (or does not meet) one or more quality requirements.

[0116] For example, in some embodiments, the transducer control module 360 activates a first subset of the transducers 220 during the first portion of an ultrasound scan. In some embodiments, the transducer control module 360 activates a second subset of the transducers 220, different from the first subset of the transducers, during a second portion of the scan following the first portion of the scan, when the imaging data corresponding to the first portion of the scan meets (or does not meet) one or more quality requirements. In some embodiments, the transducer control module 360 controls one or more operating modes of the ultrasound device 200. For example, in some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 is configured to operate in a low-power mode. In the low-power mode, the transducer control module 360 activates only a subset (e.g., 10%, 15%, 20%, etc.) of all the available transducers 220 in the ultrasound device 200. In some embodiments, the ultrasound device 200 is configured to operate in a full-power mode. In the full-power mode, the transducer control module 360 activates all the available transducers 220 to acquire a high-quality image.

[0117] The database 380 can include ultrasound scan data 382, image quality requirements data 384, an atlas 386, imaging control parameters 388, ultrasound scan data processing models 390, and / or labeled images 392.

[0118] The ultrasound scan data 382 (e.g., imaging data) can be acquired (e.g., detected, measured) by one or more ultrasound probes 200.

[0119] The image quality requirements data 384 can include clinical requirements for determining the quality of an ultrasound image.

[0120] In some embodiments, the atlas 386 includes anatomical structures of interest. In some embodiments, the atlas 386 includes three-dimensional representations of the anatomical structure of interest (e.g., hip, heart, or lung).

[0121] In some embodiments, the imaging control parameters 388 can include one or more of: a number of transducers that are activated, a power consumption threshold of the probe, an imaging frame rate, a scan speed, a depth of penetration, and / or other scan parameters that control the power consumption, heat generation rate, and / or processing load of the probe.

[0122] The ultrasound scan data processing models 390 can be configured to process ultrasound data. For example, in some embodiments, the ultrasound scan data processing models 390 are trained neural network models that are trained to determine whether an ultrasound image meets quality requirements corresponding to a scan type, or trained to output an anatomic plane corresponding to an anatomical structure of an ultrasound image, or trained to predict, based on a sequence of ultrasound images and their quality scores, whether a subsequent frame to be acquired by an ultrasound probe will contain certain anatomical structures and / or landmarks of interest.

[0123] The labeled images 392 (e.g., a databank of images), can include images for training the models that are used for processing new ultrasound data, and / or new images that have been or need to be processed. In some embodiments, the labeled images 392 are images of anatomical structures that have been labeled with their respective identifiers and relative positions.

[0124] Each of the above identified elements may be stored in one or more of the memory devices described herein, and corresponds to a set of instructions for performing the functions described above. The above identified modules or programs need not be implemented as separate software programs, procedures, modules or data structures, and thus various subsets of these modules may be combined or otherwise re-arranged in various embodiments. In some embodiments, the memory 306, optionally, stores a subset of the modules and data structures identified above. Furthermore, the memory 306 optionally stores additional modules and data structures not described above. In some embodiments, a subsetof the programs, modules, and / or data stored in the memory 306 are stored on and / or executed by the ultrasound probe 200.

[0125] Figure 5A illustrates an exemplary focused ultrasound beam, in accordance with some embodiments. Figure 5B illustrates an exemplary plane wave ultrasound beam, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0126] Referring to Figure 5A and Figure 5B, the Z depth (in millimeters) may represent a distance from the surface of an ultrasound probe or transducer. The Y position (in millimeters) may represent a lateral position at a region of interest. In some embodiments, the focused beam in Figure 5 A has a focal point where the beam converges. In some embodiments, the imaging process may use focused transmit beam steered in the azimuth plane and has a number (e.g., 5) parallel path beamformers at each angle for receiving. The focal point may be a narrow point in the cross section of the ultrasound beam. At the focal point, the lateral resolution of the ultrasound beam may be the greatest. Far away from this focal point, the ultrasound beam may diverge. In some embodiments. The focal point of the ultrasound beam may be fixed or adjustable. For example, the focal point of the ultrasound transmission beam may move along an elevation direction which is perpendicular to the lateral direction along a surface area of the region of interest. The focal point may also move in the azimuth direction. Two or more focal points may exist. The focused beam may be focused at different depths.

[0127] In contrast to the focused beam, the plane wave beam illustrated in Figure 5B may be generated by a number of the transducer elements of a probe simultaneously to form a flat wavefront in one or more shots which may span the whole region of interest. In some embodiments, one or more transmissions may be needed to cover the whole region of interest. The plane wave beam may not have a focus along the Z depth direction. The Z depth of the plane wave beam in the elevation and / or azimuth direction may be adjusted. Plane wave volume imaging may use non-focused (or plane wave) transmit beams steered in both elevation and azimuth with beamforming in 3D space with one full 3D image formed with each transmission.

[0128] Figure 6A illustrates an exemplary object within a three-dimensional (3D) space, in accordance with some embodiments. The object 602 may have a rod-like or cylindrical shape. In some embodiments, a 3D volume image 604 may be formed from the process 1000 illustrated in Figure 1.

[0129] Figure 6B illustrates an exemplary 3D view of the 3D volume image 604 for the object 602 from the direction of the Y axis, in accordance with some embodiments. The3D volume image 604 viewed from the Y axis direction or viewed as an X-Z cross-section for the object 602 is shown as a small central circle.

[0130] Figure 6C illustrates an exemplary 3D view of the 3D volume image 604 for the object 602 from the direction of the X axis, in accordance with some embodiments. The 3D volume image 604 viewed from the X axis direction or viewed as a Y-Z cross-section for the object 602 is shown as a long rectangle strip along the Y direction.

[0131] Figure 6D illustrates an exemplary 3D view of the 3D volume image 604 for the object 602 from the direction of the Z axis, in accordance with some embodiments. The 3D volume image 604 viewed from the Z axis direction or viewed as an X-Y cross-section for the object 602 is shown as a long rectangle strip along the Y direction.

[0132] In some embodiments, the object 602 may be a wire shape target in water. The volume image generated may have artifacts present, but the structures are clear. In some embodiments, no steering may be needed in elevation for this data set.

[0133] Figure 7A illustrates two exemplary objects to be captured by a 3D volume imaging process in a 3D space, in accordance with some embodiments. The two objects 702 and 704 may have rod-like or cylindrical shape. The object 702 may have a bigger cross-section than that of the object 704 viewed from the Y direction.

[0134] In some embodiments, a 3D volume image may be created by exciting a number of transducers at the same time to transmit plane waves (e.g., as shown in Figure 5B) at a region of interest. The 3D volume image may be created by compounding a number of imaging slices formed from the reflected plane waves from the region of interest.

[0135] Figure 7B illustrates exemplary 3D slices for forming a 3D volume image, in accordance with some embodiments. For the two objects 702 and 704, different imaging slices are shown at different positions. The two rod like objects 702 and 704 are extended along the Y direction. Image slice 706 is positioned along the Z direction and is an X-Y cross-section image slice. Image slice 708 is positioned along the X direction and is a Z-Y cross-section image slice. Image slice 710 is positioned along the Y direction and is an X-Z cross-section image slice. A cross-section projection of object 702 is shown in the image slice 710 and in the image slice 706. A cross-section projection of object 704 is shown in the image slice 708, the image slice 706 and the image slice 710.

[0136] Figure 7C illustrates exemplary 3D slices for forming a 3D volume image, in accordance with some embodiments. For the two objects 702 and 704, different imaging slices are shown at different positions. The two rod like objects 702 and 704 are extended alongthe Y direction. Image slice 706 is positioned along the Z direction and is an X-Y cross-section image slice. Image slice 708 is positioned along the X direction and is a Z-Y cross-section image slice. Image slice 710 is positioned along the Y direction and is an X-Z cross-section image slice. Compared with Figure 7B, the image slice 706 is positioned in a different position along the Z direction, for example, downward on the Z direction. The image slice 708 and the image slice 710 remain in the same position compared with Figure 7B. A cross-section projection of object 702 is shown in the image slice 710. A cross-section projection of object 702 is not shown in the image slice 706 because the location of the image slice 706 does not have an intersection with the object 702. A cross-section projection of object 704 is shown in the image slice 708 and in the image slice 710.

[0137] In order to capture the full 3D volume image, a number of image slices at different positions along each of the X, Y and Z directions may be utilized in the image compounding process. In some embodiments, a number of image slices at different positions along one or more of the X, Y or Z directions may be utilized in the image compounding process. The smaller the distance between the slices of images, the better the 3D volume image resolution.

[0138] In some embodiments, only 120 plane wave transmissions are produced for forming a volume image. In some embodiments, the 120 plane wave transmissions may take about 1500 transmissions with a transducer probe platform and 5 parallel receiving beams. In an advanced approach, the 120 plane wave transmissions may take only about 120 transmissions or less with a transducer probe platform on ASIC without amplifier driving number limitations and 5 parallel receiving beams.

[0139] In some embodiments, the imaging processing disclosed herein (such as 1000 of Figure 1) may be used to capture a four-dimensional (4D) image which is the 3D image with a time dimension. For example, a flowing image may be captured as a 4D image. A flowing image may include a wire target starting in the center of a screen, moving off the screen to the left, and then moving back into the center of a screen. In some embodiments, the frame rate for the 4D volume image created may be about 6 second / frame. In some embodiments, the frame rate for the 4D volume image created may be less than 6 second / frame. In some embodiments, the frame rate for the 4D volume image created may be less than 10 second / frame or 8 second / frame.

[0140] Figure 8 illustrates exemplary ultrasound plane waves transmitted from an ultrasound array at different angles, in accordance with some embodiments. A matrix of 3Dtransducers may be included in the ultrasound array 802. In a first transmission, the transducers 802 may transmit a first plane wave 806 which may include a number of parallel plane waves at an object or a region of interest 810 in a first direction. In some embodiments, the first direction is a default direction for the transducers, for example, a straightforward direction without steering. A first volume image (e.g., a 3D volume image) may be formed from the reflected waves of the first plane wave 806 from the region of interest 810. In a second transmission, the transducers may be steered toward a second direction and may transmit a second plane wave 808 which may include a number of parallel plane waves at the object or the region of interest 810. The angle difference between the first direction and the second direction of the transducer array 802 may be shown as angle 804. The angle of the steering may be adjusted by changing the steering for each of the transducers or changing the direction of the transducer array. The steering direction may be any of the azimuth and / or elevation direction. The steering direction of the individual transducers may be controlled by the computing device, such as the ASIC of the ultrasound imaging device. A second volume image (e.g., a 3D volume image) may be formed from the reflected waves from the second plane wave 808.

[0141] In some embodiments, more volume images may be generated by transmitting plane waves from other angles. In some embodiments, one or more volume images are processed to generate a final volume image. In some embodiments, two or more volume images are weight averaged to generate the final compound volume image. In some embodiments, the weight average ratio may be dependent on timing, ultrasound mode, steering position, feature of the region of interests or other characteristics.

[0142] Figure 9 illustrates an exemplary combination of a slice of one volume image with a slice of another volume image to even noise distribution, in accordance with some embodiments. In some embodiments, one volume image may be combined with another volume image by combining each slice of the two volume images based on a predetermined weighted average of the slices of the two volume images (e.g., as described in Step 1014 of Figure 1). The noise distribution may be evened after the weighted average combination.

[0143] Referring to Figure 9, for a first volume image created by one transmission from the transducers at a first angle, one image slice 902 of the first volume image is illustrated. The two-dimensional (2D) image slice 902 is at a selected position of the volume image. For a second volume image created by another transmission from the transducers at a second angle, one image slice 904 of the second volume image is illustrated. The 2D image slice 904 is at thesame selected position of the second volume image. As shown in the image slice 902, the noise is mainly concentrated on the far left and far right side. In the image slice 904, the noise is mainly distributed on the upper portion and the bottom portion.

[0144] After generating a volume image by combining each slice of the first and the second volume images of the same size, the slice 906 at the same selected position of the combined volume image has noise distribution that is more even compared with each of the slice 902 of the first volume image and the slice 904 of the second volume image. In some embodiments, the combination may be achieved by averaging each slice of the first volume image and the second volume image. Advantageously then, the noise distribution can be evened out across the entire slice 906.

[0145] Further, in some embodiments, the weighted average ratio for each location of the slice of the volume image may be predetermined or configurable by a user or a computing device. The SNR and / or quality of the image slice 906 may be improved after the combination based on the image slice 902 and image slice 904.Illustration of Subject Technology as Clauses

[0146] Various examples of aspects of the disclosure are described as numbered clauses (1, 2, 3, etc.) for convenience. These are provided as examples, and do not limit the subject technology. Identifications of the figures and reference numbers are provided below merely as examples and for illustrative purposes, and the clauses are not limited by those identifications.

[0147] Clause 1. A method of performing a three-dimensional (3D) volume imaging, comprising: at a computing device that includes one or more processors and memory associated with an ultrasound imaging device: transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the ultrasound imaging device toward a region of interest simultaneously and at a first angle; receiving a first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the ultrasound imaging device; composing a first 3D volume image based on the first reflection; transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the ultrasound device toward the region of interest simultaneously and at a second angle; receiving a second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the ultrasound device; composing a second 3D volume image based on the second reflection; and generating a compound 3D volume image based on the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0148] Clause 2. The method of Clause 1, wherein the generating comprises generating the compound 3D volume image by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0149] Clause 3. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from a first plurality of transducers.

[0150] Clause 4. The method of Clause 3, wherein the receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers.

[0151] Clause 5. The method of Clause 3, wherein the receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at at least one of the first plurality of transducers.

[0152] Clause 6. The method of Clause 3, wherein the receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at a superset of the first plurality of transducers.

[0153] Clause 7. The method of Clause 3, wherein the receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at a subset of the first plurality of transducers.

[0154] Clause 8. The method of Clause 3, wherein the receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at transducers separate from the first plurality of transducers.

[0155] Clause 9. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from a second plurality of transducers.

[0156] Clause 10. The method of Clause 9, wherein the receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the second plurality of transducers.

[0157] Clause 11. The method of Clause 9, wherein the receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at at least one of the second plurality of transducers.

[0158] Clause 12. The method of Clause 9, wherein the receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at a superset of the second plurality of transducers.

[0159] Clause 13. The method of Clause 9, wherein the receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at a subset of the second plurality of transducers.

[0160] Clause 14. The method of Clause 9, wherein the receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at transducers separate from the second plurality of transducers.

[0161] Clause 15. The method of Clause 3, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from a second plurality of transducers.

[0162] Clause 16. The method of Clause 15, wherein the first plurality of transducers is different from the second plurality of transducers.

[0163] Clause 17. The method of Clause 15, wherein the first plurality of transducers is a subset of the second plurality of transducers.

[0164] Clause 18. The method of Clause 15, wherein the first plurality of transducers is a superset of the second plurality of transducers.

[0165] Clause 19. The method of Clause 15, wherein the first plurality of transducers is the same as the second plurality of transducers.

[0166] Clause 20. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting transducers are the same, a subset, a superset, or completely different from the receiving transducers.

[0167] Clause 21. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

[0168] Clause 22. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

[0169] Clause 23. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound plane waves, and the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

[0170] Clause 24. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

[0171] Clause 25. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

[0172] Clause 26. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves, and the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

[0173] Clause 27. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves in a perpendicular direction toward a surface of the region of interest.

[0174] Clause 28. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the first plurality of transducers simultaneously at the first angle of about 90 degrees relative to a surface of the region of interest.

[0175] Clause 29. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that deviates from 90 degrees relative to a surface of the region of interest.

[0176] Clause 30. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the first plurality of transducers is the same as the second plurality of transducers.

[0177] Clause 31. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the receiving the first reflection is time delayed from the receiving the second reflection.

[0178] Clause 32. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves is time delayed from the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves.

[0179] Clause 33. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the composing the first 3D volume image is time delayed from the composing the second 3D volume image.

[0180] Clause 34. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the method is performed at the computing device using an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

[0181] Clause 35. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein a number of the first plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the first 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0182] Clause 36. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein a number of the second plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the second 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0183] Clause 37. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein a number of the first plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the compound 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0184] Clause 38. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein a number of the second plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the compound 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0185] Clause 39. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the first plurality of transducers using an array of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT).

[0186] Clause 40. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from the second plurality of transducers using an array of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT).

[0187] Clause 41. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the first plurality of transducers independently.

[0188] Clause 42. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from the second plurality of transducers independently.

[0189] Clause 43. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at independent respective channels of each of the second plurality of transducers.

[0190] Clause 44. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at independent respective channels of each of the second plurality of transducers.

[0191] Clause 45. The method of Clause 43, wherein a number of channels is up to 4096.

[0192] Clause 46. The method of Clause 43, wherein a number of channels is up to 2K, wherein K is an integer.

[0193] Clause 47. The method of Clause 43, wherein a number of channels is from about 2048 to about 8192.

[0194] Clause 48. The method of Clause 43, wherein a number of channels is from about 1024 to about 8192.

[0195] Clause 49. The method of Clause 43, wherein a number of channels is from about 512 to about 8192.

[0196] Clause 50. The method of Clause 44, wherein a number of channels is up to 4096.

[0197] Clause 51. The method of Clause 44, wherein a number of channels is up to 2K, wherein K is an integer.

[0198] Clause 52. The method of Clause 44, wherein a number of channels is from about 2048 to about 8192.

[0199] Clause 53. The method of Clause 44, wherein a number of channels is from about 1024 to about 8192.

[0200] Clause 54. The method of Clause 44, wherein a number of channels is from about 512 to about 8192.

[0201] Clause 55. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth orientation relative to the first angle.

[0202] Clause 56. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducerssimultaneously at the second angle that has a different elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

[0203] Clause 57. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth and elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

[0204] Clause 58. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the generating comprises distributing noise via the averaging of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0205] Clause 59. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the generating comprises reducing noise unevenness of the compound 3D volume image via the averaging of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0206] Clause 60. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, further comprising capturing a sequence of the compound 3D volume images at different points of time to obtain four dimensional (4D) volumetric flow imaging data.

[0207] Clause 61. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from a subset of the first plurality of transducers.

[0208] Clause 62. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from a subset of the second plurality of transducers independently.

[0209] Clause 63. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers.

[0210] Clause 64. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving a subset of the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the second plurality of transducers.

[0211] Clause 65. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the composing the first 3D volume image comprising composing the first 3D volume image based on a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves.

[0212] Clause 66. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the composing the second 3D volume image comprising composing the second 3D volume image based on a subset of the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves.

[0213] Clause 67. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 6 cm and about 10 cm.

[0214] Clause 68. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth about 8 cm.

[0215] Clause 69. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

[0216] Clause 70. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 6 cm and about 10 cm.

[0217] Clause 71. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth about 8 cm.

[0218] Clause 72. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

[0219] Clause 73. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the composing the first 3D volume image comprises compounding a plurality of 2D images based on a time domain data from the first reflection.

[0220] Clause 74. The method of any of the preceding Clauses, wherein the composing the second 3D volume image comprises compounding a plurality of 2D images based on a time domain data from the second reflection.

[0221] Clause 75. A method of generating a volume image, comprising: receiving a first reflection of a first plurality of ultrasound waves at a plurality of transducers at a first angle from a region of interest; receiving a second reflection of a second plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers at a second angle from the region of interest; and composing a compound volume image based on the first reflection and the second reflection.

[0222] Clause 76. The method of Clause 75, further comprising before the receiving the first reflection, transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the plurality of transducers at the region of interest simultaneously and at the first angle.

[0223] Clause 77. The method of any of Clauses 75 or 76, further comprising before the receiving the second reflection, transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the plurality of transducers at the region of interest simultaneously and at the second angle.

[0224] Clause 78. The method of Clause 76, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

[0225] Clause 79. The method of Clause 77, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

[0226] Clause 80. The method of Clause 76, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

[0227] Clause 81. The method of Clause 77, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound nonfocused beam waves.

[0228] Clause 82. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 81, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves in a perpendicular direction toward a surface of the region of interest.

[0229] Clause 83. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 82, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the plurality of transducers simultaneously at the first angle of about 90 degrees relative to a surface of the region of interest.

[0230] Clause 84. The method of Clause 77, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that deviates from 90 degrees relative to a surface of the region of interest.

[0231] Clause 85. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 84, wherein the receiving the first reflection is time delayed from the receiving the second reflection.

[0232] Clause 86. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 85, further comprising before the composing the compound volume image, generating a first 3D volume image from the first reflection, and generating a second 3D volume image from the second reflection.

[0233] Clause 87. The method of Clause 86, wherein the generating the second 3D volume image is time delayed from the generating the first 3D volume image.

[0234] Clause 88. The method of Clause 86, wherein the composing the compound volume image comprises averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0235] Clause 89. The method of Clause 86, wherein the composing the compound volume image comprises based on a weighted average of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0236] Clause 90. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 89, wherein the method is performed at a computing device using an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) ASIC or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

[0237] Clause 91. The method of Clause 86, wherein a number of the plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the first 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0238] Clause 92. The method of Clause 86, wherein a number of the plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the second 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0239] Clause 93. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 92, wherein a number of the plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the compound volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0240] Clause 94. The method of Clause 76, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the plurality of transducers using an array of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT).

[0241] Clause 95. The method of Clause 77, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from the plurality of transducers using an array of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT).

[0242] Clause 96. The method of Clause 76, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the plurality of transducers independently.

[0243] Clause 97. The method of Clause 77, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from the plurality of transducers independently.

[0244] Clause 98. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 97, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at independent respective channels of each of the plurality of transducers.

[0245] Clause 99. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 98, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at independent respective channels of each of the plurality of transducers.

[0246] Clause 100. The method of Clause 98, wherein a number of channels is up to 4096.

[0247] Clause 101. The method of Clause 98, wherein a number of channels is up to 2K, wherein K is an integer.

[0248] Clause 102. The method of Clause 98, wherein a number of channels is from about 2048 to about 8192.

[0249] Clause 103. The method of Clause 98, wherein a number of channels is from about 1024 to about 8192.

[0250] Clause 104. The method of Clause 98, wherein a number of channels is from about 512 to about 8192.

[0251] Clause 105. The method of Clause 99, wherein a number of channels is up to 4096.

[0252] Clause 106. The method of Clause 99, wherein a number of channels is up to 2K, wherein K is an integer.

[0253] Clause 107. The method of Clause 99, wherein a number of channels is from about 2048 to about 8192.

[0254] Clause 108. The method of Clause 99, wherein a number of channels is from about 1024 to about 8192.

[0255] Clause 109. The method of Clause 99, wherein a number of channels is from about 512 to about 8192.

[0256] Clause 110. The method of any of Clauses 77 to 109, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth orientation relative to the first angle.

[0257] Clause 111. The method of Clause 77, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

[0258] Clause 112. The method of Clause 77, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth and elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

[0259] Clause 113. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 112, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers at the second angle that has a different azimuth orientation relative to the first angle.

[0260] Clause 114. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 112, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers at the second angle that has a different elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

[0261] Clause 115. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 112, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers at the second angle that has a different azimuth and elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

[0262] Clause 116. The method of Clause 86, wherein the composing the compound volume image comprises distributing noise based on the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0263] Clause 117. The method of Clause 86, wherein the composing the compound volume image comprises reducing noise unevenness of the compound volume image by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0264] Clause 118. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 117, further comprising capturing a sequence of the compound volume images at different points of time to obtain four dimensional (4D) volumetric flow imaging data.

[0265] Clause 119. The method of Clause 76, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from a subset of the plurality of transducers.

[0266] Clause 120. The method of Clause 77, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from a subset of the plurality of transducers independently.

[0267] Clause 121. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 120, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers.

[0268] Clause 122. The method of any of Clauses 75 to 121, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving a subset of the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers.

[0269] Clause 123. The method of Clause 86, wherein the generating the first 3D volume image comprises generating the first 3D volume image based on a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves.

[0270] Clause 124. The method of Clause 86, wherein the generating the second 3D volume image comprising generating the second 3D volume image based on a subset of the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves.

[0271] Clause 125. The method of Clause 76, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 6 cm and about 10 cm.

[0272] Clause 126. The method of Clause 76, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth about 8 cm.

[0273] Clause 127. The method of Clause 76, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

[0274] Clause 128. The method of Clause 77, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 6 cm and about 10 cm.

[0275] Clause 129. The method of Clause 77, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth about 8 cm.

[0276] Clause 130. The method of Clause 77, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

[0277] Clause 131. The method of Clause 86, wherein the generating the first 3D volume image comprises compounding a plurality of 2D images based on a time domain data from the first reflection.

[0278] Clause 132. The method of Clause 86, wherein the generating the second 3D volume image comprises compounding a plurality of 2D images based on a time domain data from the second reflection.

[0279] Clause 133. An ultrasound imaging device, comprising: a first plurality of transducers; a second plurality of transducers: one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs stored in the memory and configured for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs comprising instructions for: transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the first plurality of transducers of the ultrasound imaging device at a region of interest simultaneously and at a first angle; receiving a first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers; composing a first 3D volume image based on the first reflection; transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers at the region of interest simultaneously and at a second angle; receiving a second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the second plurality of transducers; composing a second 3D volume image based on the second reflection; and generating a compound 3D volume image by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0280] Clause 134. The device of Clause 133, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

[0281] Clause 135. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 134, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

[0282] Clause 136. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 135, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound plane waves, and the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

[0283] Clause 137. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 136, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

[0284] Clause 138. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 137, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

[0285] Clause 139. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 138, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves, and the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

[0286] Clause 140. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 139, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves in a perpendicular direction toward a surface of the region of interest.

[0287] Clause 141. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 140, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the first plurality of transducers simultaneously at the first angle of about 90 degrees relative to a surface of the region of interest.

[0288] Clause 142. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 141, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that deviates from 90 degrees relative to a surface of the region of interest.

[0289] Clause 143. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 142, wherein the first plurality of transducers is the same as the second plurality of transducers.

[0290] Clause 144. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 143, wherein the receiving the first reflection is time delayed from the receiving the second reflection.

[0291] Clause 145. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 144, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves is time delayed from the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves.

[0292] Clause 146. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 145, wherein the composing the first 3D volume image is time delayed from the composing the second 3D volume image.

[0293] Clause 147. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 146, wherein the one or more programs are performed at a computing device using an ASIC (Application-Specific Integrated Circuit) ASIC or a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA).

[0294] Clause 148. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 147, wherein a number of the first plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the first 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0295] Clause 149. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 148, wherein a number of the second plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the second 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0296] Clause 150. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 149, wherein a number of the first plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the compound 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0297] Clause 151. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 150, wherein a number of the second plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the compound 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

[0298] Clause 152. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 151, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the first plurality of transducers using an array of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT).

[0299] Clause 153. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 152, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from the second plurality of transducers using an array of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT).

[0300] Clause 154. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 153, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the first plurality of transducers independently.

[0301] Clause 155. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 154, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from the second plurality of transducers independently.

[0302] Clause 156. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 155, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at independent respective channels of each of the second plurality of transducers.

[0303] Clause 157. The device of Clause 156, wherein a number of channels is up to 4096.

[0304] Clause 158. The device of Clause 156, wherein a number of channels is up to 2K, wherein K is an integer.

[0305] Clause 159. The device of Clause 156, wherein a number of channels is from about 2048 to about 8192.

[0306] Clause 160. The device of Clause 156, wherein a number of channels is from about 1024 to about 8192.

[0307] Clause 161. The device of Clause 156, wherein a number of channels is from about 512 to about 8192.

[0308] Clause 162. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 161, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at independent respective channels of each of the second plurality of transducers.

[0309] Clause 163. The device of Clause 162, wherein a number of channels is up to 4096.

[0310] Clause 164. The device of Clause 162, wherein a number of channels is up to 2K, wherein K is an integer.

[0311] Clause 165. The device of Clause 162, wherein a number of channels is from about 2048 to about 8192.

[0312] Clause 166. The device of Clause 162, wherein a number of channels is from about 1024 to about 8192.

[0313] Clause 167. The device of Clause 162, wherein a number of channels is from about 512 to about 8192.

[0314] Clause 168. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 167, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth orientation relative to the first angle.

[0315] Clause 169. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 168, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

[0316] Clause 170. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 169, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth and elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

[0317] Clause 171. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 170, wherein the generating comprises distributing noise via the averaging of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0318] Clause 172. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 171, wherein the generating comprises reducing noise unevenness of the compound 3D volume image via the averaging of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0319] Clause 173. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 172, wherein the one or more programs further comprises instructions for comprising capturing a sequence of the compound 3D volume images at different points of time to obtain four dimensional (4D) volumetric flow imaging data.

[0320] Clause 174. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 173, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from a subset of the first plurality of transducers.

[0321] Clause 175. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 174, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves from a subset of the second plurality of transducers independently.

[0322] Clause 176. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 175, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers.

[0323] Clause 177. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 176, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving a subset of the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the second plurality of transducers.

[0324] Clause 178. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 177, wherein the composing the first 3D volume image comprising composing the first 3D volume image based on a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves.

[0325] Clause 179. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 178, wherein the composing the second 3D volume image comprising composing the second 3D volume image based on a subset of the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves.

[0326] Clause 180. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 179, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 6 cm and about 10 cm.

[0327] Clause 181. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 180, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth about 8 cm.

[0328] Clause 182. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 181, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

[0329] Clause 183. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 182, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 6 cm and about 10 cm.

[0330] Clause 184. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 183, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth about 8 cm.

[0331] Clause 185. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 184, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

[0332] Clause 186. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 185, wherein the composing the first 3D volume image comprises compounding a plurality of 2D images based on a time domain data from the first reflection.

[0333] Clause 187. The device of any of Clauses 133 to 186, wherein the composing the second 3D volume image comprises compounding a plurality of 2D images based on a time domain data from the second reflection.

[0334] Clause 188. Anon-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs that, when executed by a computing device having one or more processors and memory, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising: transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from a first plurality of transducers of an ultrasound imaging device at a region of interest simultaneously and at a first angle; receiving a first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers; composing a first 3D volume image based on the first reflection; transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from a second plurality of transducers at the region of interest simultaneously and at a second angle; receiving a second reflection of the second plurality ofultrasound waves at the second plurality of transducers; composing a second 3D volume image based on the second reflection; and generating a compound 3D volume image by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

[0335] Clause 189. The non-transitory computer readable storage comprising any of the steps disclosed in any of the preceding Clauses.

[0336] Clause 190. A method comprising any of the steps disclosed in any of the preceding Clauses.

[0337] Clause 191. A system comprising one or more devices configured to perform any of the methods disclosed in any of the preceding Clauses.

[0338] In some embodiments, any of the clauses herein may depend from any one of the independent clauses or any one of the dependent clauses. In one aspect, any of the clauses (e.g., dependent or independent clauses) may be combined with any other one or more clauses (e.g., dependent or independent clauses). In one aspect, a claim may include some or all of the words (e.g., steps, operations, means or components) recited in a clause, a sentence, a phrase or a paragraph. In one aspect, a claim may include some or all of the words recited in one or more clauses, sentences, phrases or paragraphs. In one aspect, some of the words in each of the clauses, sentences, phrases or paragraphs may be removed. In one aspect, additional words or elements may be added to a clause, a sentence, a phrase or a paragraph. In one aspect, the subject technology may be implemented without utilizing some of the components, elements, functions or operations described herein. In one aspect, the subject technology may be implemented utilizing additional components, elements, functions or operations.

[0339] As used herein, the word “component” refers to logic embodied in hardware or firmware, or to a collection of software instructions, possibly having entry and exit points, written in a programming language, such as, for example C++. A software component may be compiled and linked into an executable program, installed in a dynamic link library, or may be written in an interpretive language such as BASIC. It will be appreciated that software components may be callable from other components or from themselves, and / or may be invoked in response to detected events or interrupts. Software instructions may be embedded in firmware, such as an EPROM or EEPROM. It will be further appreciated that hardware components may be comprised of connected logic units, such as gates and flip-flops, and / or may be comprised of programmable units, such as programmable gate arrays or processors. The components described herein are preferably implemented as software components, but may be represented in hardware or firmware.

[0340] It is contemplated that the components may be integrated into a fewer number of components. One component may also be separated into multiple or components. The described components may be implemented as hardware, software, firmware or any combination thereof. Additionally, the described components may reside at different locations connected through a wired or wireless network, or the Internet.

[0341] In general, it will be appreciated that the processors can include, by way of example, computers, program logic, or other substrate configurations representing data and instructions, which operate as described herein. In other embodiments, the processors can include controller circuitry, processor circuitry, processors, general purpose single-chip or multi-chip microprocessors, digital signal processors, embedded microprocessors, microcontrollers and the like.

[0342] Furthermore, it will be appreciated that in one embodiment, the program logic may advantageously be implemented as one or more components. The components may advantageously be configured to execute on one or more processors. The components include, but are not limited to, software or hardware components, modules such as software modules, object-oriented software components, class components and task components, processes methods, functions, attributes, procedures, subroutines, segments of program code, drivers, firmware, microcode, circuitry, data, databases, data structures, tables, arrays, and variables.

[0343] The foregoing description is provided to enable a person skilled in the art to practice the various configurations described herein. While the subject technology has been particularly described with reference to the various figures and configurations, it should be understood that these are for illustration purposes only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the subject technology.

[0344] There may be many other ways to implement the subject technology. Various functions and elements described herein may be partitioned differently from those shown without departing from the scope of the subject technology. Various modifications to these configurations will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and generic principles defined herein may be applied to other configurations. Thus, many changes and modifications may be made to the subject technology, by one having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the scope of the subject technology.

[0345] It is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes disclosed is an illustration of exemplary approaches. Based upon design preferences, it is understood that the specific order or hierarchy of steps in the processes may be rearranged.Some of the steps may be performed simultaneously. The accompanying method claims present elements of the various steps in a sample order, and are not meant to be limited to the specific order or hierarchy presented.

[0346] Although some of various drawings illustrate a number of logical stages in a particular order, stages that are not order dependent may be reordered and other stages may be combined or broken out. While some reordering or other groupings are specifically mentioned, others will be obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art, so the ordering and groupings presented herein are not an exhaustive list of alternatives. Moreover, it should be recognized that the stages could be implemented in hardware, firmware, software or any combination thereof.

[0347] It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. are, in some instances, used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first transducer could be termed a second transducer, and, similarly, a second transducer could be termed a first transducer, without departing from the scope of the various described implementations. The first sensor and the second sensor are both sensors, but they are not the same type of sensor.

[0348] To the extent that the term “include,” “have,” or the like is used in the description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprise” as “comprise” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.

[0349] As used herein, the term “comprising” indicates the presence of the specified integer(s), but allows for the possibility of other integers, unspecified. This term does not imply any particular proportion of the specified integers. Variations of the word “comprising,” such as “comprise” and “comprises,” have correspondingly similar meanings.

[0350] The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any embodiment described herein as “exemplary” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments.

[0351] A reference to an element in the singular is not intended to mean “one and only one” unless specifically stated, but rather “one or more.” Pronouns in the masculine (e.g., his) include the feminine and neuter gender (e.g., her and its) and vice versa. The term “some” refers to one or more. Underlined and / or italicized headings and subheadings are used for convenience only, do not limit the subject technology, and are not referred to in connection with the interpretation of the description of the subject technology. All structural and functionalequivalents to the elements of the various configurations described throughout this disclosure that are known or later come to be known to those of ordinary skill in the art are expressly incorporated herein by reference and intended to be encompassed by the subject technology. Moreover, nothing disclosed herein is intended to be dedicated to the public regardless of whether such disclosure is explicitly recited in the above description.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:

1. A method of performing a three-dimensional (3D) volume imaging, comprising: at a computing device that includes one or more processors and memory associated with an ultrasound imaging device: transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the ultrasound imaging device toward a region of interest simultaneously and at a first angle; receiving a first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the ultrasound imaging device; composing a first 3D volume image based on the first reflection; transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the ultrasound device toward the region of interest simultaneously and at a second angle; receiving a second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the ultrasound device; composing a second 3D volume image based on the second reflection; and generating a compound 3D volume image based on the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

2. The method of Claim 1, wherein the generating comprises generating the compound 3D volume image by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

3. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting transducers are the same, a subset, a superset, or completely different from the receiving transducers.

4. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

5. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound plane waves, and the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

6. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound non-focusedbeam waves, and the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

7. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves in a perpendicular direction toward a surface of the region of interest.

8. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the first plurality of transducers is the same as the second plurality of transducers.

9. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves is time delayed from the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves.

10. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein a number of the first plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the first 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

11. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein a number of the first plurality of transducers are corresponding to a number of pixels of the compound 3D volume image along one dimension of 3D dimensions.

12. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the first plurality of transducers using an array of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT).

13. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the first plurality of transducers independently.

14. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at independent respective channels of each of the second plurality of transducers.

15. The method of Claim 14, wherein a number of channels is from about 2048 to about 8192.

16. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth orientation relative to the first angle.

17. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

18. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth and elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

19. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the generating comprises distributing noise via the averaging of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

20. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the generating comprises reducing noise unevenness of the compound 3D volume image via the averaging of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

21. The method of any of the preceding Claims, further comprising capturing a sequence of the compound 3D volume images at different points of time to obtain four dimensional (4D) volumetric flow imaging data.

22. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from a subset of the first plurality of transducers.

23. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers.

24. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

25. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

26. The method of any of the preceding Claims, wherein the composing the first 3D volume image comprises compounding a plurality of 2D images based on a time domain data from the first reflection.

27. A method of generating a volume image, comprising:receiving a first reflection of a first plurality of ultrasound waves at a plurality of transducers at a first angle from a region of interest; receiving a second reflection of a second plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers at a second angle from the region of interest; and composing a compound volume image based on the first reflection and the second reflection.

28. The method of Claim 27, further comprising before the receiving the first reflection, transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the plurality of transducers at the region of interest simultaneously and at the first angle.

29. The method of any of Claims 27-28, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from a subset of the plurality of transducers.

30. The method of any of Claims 27-29, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

31. The method of any of Claims 27-30, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

32. The method of any of Claims 27-31, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

33. The method of any of Claims 27-32, further comprising capturing a sequence of the compound volume images at different points of time to obtain four dimensional (4D) volumetric flow imaging data.

34. The method of any of Claims 27-33, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers.

35. The method of any of Claims 27-34, wherein the receiving the second reflection comprises receiving a subset of the second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the plurality of transducers.

36. The method of any of Claims 27-35, wherein the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

37. The method of any of Claims 27-36, wherein a number of channels is from about 2048 to about 8192.

38. The method of any of Claims 27-37, further comprising before the composing the compound volume image, generating a first 3D volume image from the first reflection, and generating a second 3D volume image from the second reflection.

39. The method of Claim 38, wherein the composing the compound volume image comprises based on a weighted average of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

40. The method of Claim 38, wherein the composing the compound volume image comprises reducing noise unevenness of the compound volume image by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

41. The method of Claim 38, wherein the generating the first 3D volume image comprises generating the first 3D volume image based on a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves.

42. The method of Claim 38, wherein the generating the first 3D volume image comprises compounding a plurality of 2D images based on a time domain data from the first reflection.

43. An ultrasound imaging device, comprising: a first plurality of transducers; a second plurality of transducers: one or more processors; memory; and one or more programs stored in the memory and configured for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs comprising instructions for: transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the first plurality of transducers of the ultrasound imaging device at a region of interest simultaneously and at a first angle; receiving a first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers; composing a first 3D volume image based on the first reflection; transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers at the region of interest simultaneously and at a second angle;receiving a second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the second plurality of transducers; composing a second 3D volume image based on the second reflection; and generating a compound 3D volume image by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

44. The device of Claim 43, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound plane waves, and the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound plane waves.

45. The device of Claim 43, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves, and the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound non-focused beam waves.

46. The device of Claim 43, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves is time delayed from the transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves.

47. The device of Claim 43, wherein the composing the first 3D volume image is time delayed from the composing the second 3D volume image.

48. The device of Claim 43, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the first plurality of transducers using an array of piezoelectric micromachined ultrasound transducers (PMUT).

49. The device of Claim 43, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from the first plurality of transducers independently.

50. The device of Claim 43, wherein a number of channels is from about 2048 to about 8192.

51. The device of Claim 43, wherein a number of channels is from about 512 to about 8192.

52. The device of Claim 43, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth orientation relative to the first angle.

53. The device of Claim 43, wherein transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from the second plurality of transducers simultaneously at the second angle that has a different azimuth and elevation orientation relative to the first angle.

54. The device of Claim 43, wherein the generating comprises distributing noise via the averaging of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

55. The device of Claim 43, wherein the generating comprises reducing noise unevenness of the compound 3D volume image via the averaging of the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

56. The device of Claim 43, wherein the one or more programs further comprises instructions for comprising capturing a sequence of the compound 3D volume images at different points of time to obtain four dimensional (4D) volumetric flow imaging data.

57. The device of Claim 43, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves from a subset of the first plurality of transducers.

58. The device of Claim 43, wherein the receiving the first reflection comprises receiving a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers.

59. The device of Claim 43, wherein the composing the first 3D volume image comprising composing the first 3D volume image based on a subset of the first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves.

60. The device of Claim 43, wherein the transmitting the first plurality of ultrasound waves comprises transmitting at a penetration depth between about 4 cm and about 12 cm.

61. A non-transitory computer readable storage medium storing one or more programs that, when executed by a computing device having one or more processors and memory, cause the computing device to perform operations comprising: transmitting a first plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from a first plurality of transducers of an ultrasound imaging device at a region of interest simultaneously and at a first angle; receiving a first reflection of the first plurality of ultrasound waves at the first plurality of transducers; composing a first 3D volume image based on the first reflection;transmitting a second plurality of ultrasound waves respectively from a second plurality of transducers at the region of interest simultaneously and at a second angle; receiving a second reflection of the second plurality of ultrasound waves at the second plurality of transducers; composing a second 3D volume image based on the second reflection; and generating a compound 3D volume image by averaging the first 3D volume image and the second 3D volume image.

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