65 results about "Imaging ultrasound" patented technology

An endovascular access and guidance system has an elongate body with a proximal end and a distal end; a non-imaging ultrasound transducer on the elongate body configured to provide in vivo non-image based ultrasound information of the vasculature of the patient; an endovascular electrogram lead on the elongate body in a position that, when the elongate body is in the vasculature, the endovascular electrogram lead electrical sensing segment provides an in vivo electrogram signal of the patient; a processor configured to receive and process a signal from the non-imaging ultrasound transducer and a signal from the endovascular electrogram lead; and an output device configured to display a result of information processed by the processor. An endovascular device has an elongate body with a proximal end and a distal end; a non-imaging ultrasound transducer on the elongate body; and an endovascular electrogram lead on the elongate body in a position that, when the endovascular device is in the vasculature, the endovascular electrogram lead is in contact with blood. The method of positioning an endovascular device in the vasculature of a body is performed by advancing the endovascular device into the vasculature; transmitting a non-imaging ultrasound signal into the vasculature using a non-imaging ultrasound transducer on the endovascular device; receiving a reflected ultrasound signal with the non-imaging ultrasound transducer; detecting an endovascular electrogram signal with a sensor on the endovascular device; processing the reflected ultrasound signal received by the non-imaging ultrasound transducer and the endovascular electrogram signal detected by the sensor; and positioning the endovascular device based on the processing step.

A system and method for controlling the heat of an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. The presently preferred embodiments of the present invention control the temperature of the transducer face by changing the imaging modes of the system. In a preferred embodiment, feedback from temperature sensing elements placed in the transducer is used to determine when to switch from a higher power imaging mode to a lower power imaging mode. In another preferred embodiment, the system switches from a higher power imaging mode to a lower power imaging mode after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. In yet another preferred embodiment, the system switches to a "mixed" imaging mode, where the system cycles rapidly between a higher power imaging mode and a lower power imaging mode, and the resulting data is combined to form a single image.

A system and method for controlling the heat of an ultrasonic transducer is disclosed. In the presently preferred embodiments, the system and method controls the temperature of the transducer by changing operating system parameters based on feedback from temperature sensing elements placed in the transducer. The chosen mutable system parameters may be preset by the construction of the ultrasonic system, under the control of the ultrasonic system user, or a combination of the two. In several exemplary embodiments, the one or more mutable system parameters are altered by an amount proportionate to the difference between the current temperature and a preferred operating temperature. In another exemplary embodiment, the system switches to a lower power imaging mode when the temperature feedback indicates a threshold temperature has been reached.

A diagnostic ultrasound system is provided for automatically displaying multiple planes from a 3-D ultrasound data set. The system comprises a user interface for designating a reference plane, wherein the user interface provides a safe view position option and a restore reference plane option. A processor module maps the reference plane into a 3D ultrasound data set and automatically calculates image planes based on the reference plane for a current view position and a prior view position. A display is provided to selectively display the image planes associated with the current and prior reference planes. Memory stores the prior reference plane in response to selection of the save reference plane option, while the display switches from display of the current reference plane to restore the prior reference plane in response to selection of the restore reference plane option. Optionally, the memory may store coordinates in connection with the current and prior reference planes.

A method for ultrasound imaging of anatomical tissue. A first signal is received from a first imaging ultrasound wave which has been reflected from a location in the anatomical tissue during a first time period. A second signal is received from a second imaging ultrasound wave which has been reflected from the location in the anatomical tissue during a later second time period, following a discrete medical treatment. The second signal is subtracted from the first signal to form a difference signal. The difference signal may be scaled, spatially filtered, then used to generate an indication, the indication showing the effect of the medical treatment in the location in the anatomical tissue.

A method and apparatus for medical imaging is described. The apparatus applies specifically to accessing and targeting tissue in a small cavity or tightly enclosed space. The medical imaging apparatus or device uses ultrasound waves with elements that act as both a transmitter and receiver in order to image body tissues. The ultrasound is an array or plurality of arrays that may be arranged on the tip on a probe or catheter for insertion into a patient's body.

Ultrasonic treatment equipment is provided which repeats therapeutic ultrasound exposure while measuring a degree of vessel constriction on a therapeutic ultrasound exposure basis. This equipment includes: a therapeutic ultrasonic transducer 2 which exposes a blood vessel of an affected part to a focused therapeutic ultrasonic wave for a specified period of exposure time; an imaging ultrasonic probe 3 which images an ultrasound tomographic image of the affected part; a display unit 24 which displays the ultrasound tomographic image; means 21 for detecting a blood flow signal from a signal received by the imaging ultrasonic probe and determining the blood flow velocity of the blood vessels of the affected part; means 21 for calculating a rate of change in blood flow velocity during the exposure to the therapeutic ultrasonic wave or before and after the exposure to the therapeutic ultrasonic wave; and means 23 for controlling exposure conditions of the therapeutic ultrasonic wave on the basis of the rate of change in blood flow velocity, and thereby controlling the therapeutic ultrasonic transducer.

An ultrasound imaging system for imaging ultrasound scatterers, comprising a probe (208) for transmitting ultrasound waves and detecting ultrasound echoes reflected by said ultrasound scatterers, wherein said probe comprises a first group of transducer elements, labeled transmitting group (T), to transmit ultrasound waves, and a distinct second group of transducer elements, labeled receiving group (R), to detect ultrasound echoes reflected by said ultrasound scatterers. The system also comprises a processing system (202) comprising transmission and reception means, coupled to said probe (208), for providing coded signal to said transmitting group (T) and receiving signals from said receiving group (R) respectively; transmission beam-forming means (103) for focussing the ultrasound waves on a focus line, reception beam-forming means (105) for forming beam-summed received signals from signals received from the focus line and processing means for processing said beam-summed received signals to form decoded signals so as; and means for displaying an image (109) that is a function of said decoded signals.

The invention relates to a mobile defibrillator which has a housing. In order to improve the diagnostic reliability, particularly in the case of irregular heart rhythms and myocardial infarctions, provision is additionally made for an imaging ultrasound device to be provided in or on the housing.

A method for an imaging ultrasonic inspection of a three-dimensional workpiece, in which ultrasonic waves are coupled into the workpiece with at least one ultrasonic transducer and ultrasonic waves reflected within the workpiece are received by ultrasonic transducers and converted into ultrasonic signals forming the basis of the non-destructive imaging ultrasonic inspection.

The Ultrasonic Tomographical method and system is provided using measurements of time of flight low frequency acoustic waves. Differences in first signal arrival times from plurality of known transmitters' locations to plurality of known receivers' location are used, wherein the transmitters and receivers are at an angle to the surface of the observed object. 3D mapping of the acoustic propagation speed is reconstructed, revealing anatomical details and physiological properties.

The invention discloses a human eye lens 3D imaging ultrasonic scanning method and a special ultrasonic probe array. A data processing unit controls scanning to the ultrasonic probe array formed by a plurality of ultrasonic probes regularly arranged on a probe bracket, scans transmitting signal one by one and processes the echoed signals on the other ultrasonic probes in the ultrasonic scanning array to acquire a lens 3D image. The lens 3D imaging ultrasonic scanning method can not only acquire a 3D solid image and has the biggest advantage that as no anesthetization is needed on the eyeballs of a person to be detected when the ultrasonic probe array ultrasonically scans the human eyes, the invention can utilize a principle that the lens of the two eyes are carrying out the same regulation simultaneously when the human eyes watch an object normally to directly observe the diopter adjustment changes of the curves in front of and behind the lens and observe the function of how to adjust the lens with ciliary muscle in real time with full range; thereby providing an effective technical means for researching the adjusting mechanism of eyes.

A method for reducing electronic artifacts in ultrasound images of anatomical tissue. At least two calibration signals are received from imaging ultrasound waves that have been reflected from different regions in anatomical tissue. A correction signal is derived from the calibration signals. The correction signal is subtracted from a signal to derive a corrected signal. An image generated from the corrected signal is then displayed. The correction signal may be derived using weighted averaging and may be updated upon receipt of additional signals. The correction signal may be initialized to zero periodically, in response to a change in the system, or at the direction of the operator.

In an ultrasonic endoscope capable of being inserted into a body of a patient and imaging ultrasonic tomographic images, a frame rate in electronic radial scanning operation is improved. The ultrasonic endoscope includes: an ultrasonic transducer unit including plural ultrasonic transducers, each having a first electrode and a second electrode, for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic waves; a plurality of first interconnections each connected to the first electrodes of predetermined ultrasonic transducers; and a plurality of second interconnections each connected to the second electrodes of ultrasonic transducers having the first electrodes not connected to each other; wherein the ultrasonic transducer unit performs scanning operation by simultaneously transmitting the same number of ultrasonic beams in each of plural angle regions when selectively supplied with drive signals via the plurality of first interconnections and the plurality of second interconnections.

In an ultrasound imaging system, a wireless radio is included as part of a removable battery pack. The charge, signals used for locating the battery, and other information may be wirelessly communicated from the battery pack even when not connected with an ultrasound transducer probe. Queries, configuration data and other information may be communicated from the ultrasound system or locator device to the probe battery and its circuitry. The same radio may be used by the ultrasound transducer probe when connected. Alternatively, a different radio is used by the probe.

An ultrasound imaging and treatment system including: a diffraction grating transducer; and, a signal source electrically coupled to the diffraction grating transducer and operative: in a first mode to provide a wide-band excitation signal to the diffraction grating transducer to operate the diffraction grating transducer in an imaging manner; and in a second mode to provide a narrow-band excitation signal to the diffraction grating transducer to operate the diffraction grating transducer in a high intensity focused ultrasound insonifying manner.