A method of processing ultrasound images to select a seed point is disclosed. The method includes: receiving an image frame including an active area including a plurality of pixels, each pixel having a respective intensity value; adjusting the intensity value for each pixel depending on a classification of the respective intensity value to generate a coded image frame; generating a 2D scalar potential field model of the coded image frame based on distributions of the adjusted intensity values; and analysing the 2D scalar potential field model to locate one or more candidate seed points for selection.
An ultrasound transducer probe unit (106) is disclosed. In an embodiment, the probe unit (106) includes a body (108) portion, at least one transducer element (201) for transmitting and receiving ultrasonic signals and a lens element (1200) encapsulating a fluid medium to couple the ultrasonic signal from the at least one transducer element (201). The lens element (1200) includes at least one textured surface (1202) adapted to reduce reflections of the transmitted and/or received ultrasound signals.
An ultrasound imaging device with a transducer which is moved in a repetitive motion by an ultrasonic motor, including an array of transducers wherein the distance between adjacent transducers is greater than the minimum separation of adjacent scanlines required to produce an ultrasound image of a desired resolution, the movement of the array allowing the device to produce an ultrasound image of at least the desired resolution.
A method and apparatus for determining the volume of a bodily structure including the steps of acquiring at least two ultrasound images, estimating the location of the perimeter of a structure of interest as viewed in cross section in each said ultrasound image, calculating the cross sectional area of such structure as so viewed, and combining the perimeter and area information from the at least two images to calculate the volume of the structure.
A user interface for a hand held ultrasound scanner device including a control member intended for single handed use the control member producing at least one directional output in response to a first control movement and one selection output in response to a second control movement. The selection output, when activated during acquisition of an ultrasound scan, causes the activation of a dynamic control a user can use to set the value of an operational parameter which affects the acquisition of the ultrasound scan.
An ultrasound imaging device is disclosed including a transducer with two elements having different operating frequencies, which are arranged to be coaxial. The device has four modes of use, the first mode of use being use of one element for imaging at a first depth range, the second mode of use being use of the other element for imaging at a different depth range, the third mode of use being tissue harmonic imaging, and a fourth mode of use being demodulation imaging. A single image produced by the imaging device includes data contributed by two or more of the modes of use.
A method and apparatus for forming an image of a target from echo return data in an ultrasound system which incorporates a commercially available handheld data processing device of a type including a display, a processor and an I/O port. A probe unit containing an ultrasound transducer is moved over a body to be imaged, transmitting ultrasound energy into the body. The probe Includes a sensor adapted to provide Information about the position and/or orientation of the probe unit, which may be a gyroscope. Echo return data received by the ultrasound transducer Is combined with the sensor output to produce a plurality of scanlines each including echo intensity data and information defining the position and/or orientation of the scanline. There is then calculated a transform adapted to map the scanlines to a plane of best fit; which is applied to the scanlines. The transformed data is mapped to a raster image the resultant image Is displayed.
A docking system Including a clocking assembly which is able to surround and at least partially protect a handheld device such as a PDA or a smartphone, on In particular an IPhoπe, as made by Apple Inq, whilst providing means for connection of a probe unit to the handheld device. The probe unit has a data acquisition function.
A hand held medical diagnostic apparatus including a processing unit and a probe adapted to produce medical diagnostic data. The processing unit receives medical diagnostic data and processes It to produce display Information. There is a communications channel adapted to transmit data between the processing unit and a remote display unit located remotely from the probe and from the processing unit. The processing unit is adapted to send the display information via the communications channel to the remote display unit and the remote display unit is adapted to display the display information on a screen.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 10/00 - Instruments for taking body samples for diagnostic purposesOther methods or instruments for diagnosis, e.g. for vaccination diagnosis, sex determination or ovulation-period determinationThroat striking implements
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes Identification of persons
A61B 19/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories for surgery or diagnosis not covered by any of the groups A61B 1/00-A61B 18/00, e.g. for stereotaxis, sterile operation, luxation treatment, wound edge protectors(protective face masks A41D 13/11; surgeons' or patients' gowns or dresses A41D 13/12; devices for carrying-off, for treatment of, or for carrying-over, body liquids A61M 1/00)
A medical ultrasound scanning apparatus Including a control unit and a probe unit, the probe unit including at least one transducer unit housing an ultrasound transducer, wherein the transducer unit Is removably attached to the probe unit.
A hand held ultrasound scanning apparatus of a type having the capacity to be used to perform B-mode and M-mode ultrasound scanning including an operate control adapted to be operated by a user causing initiation and termination of ultrasound scanning, with a further operations of the control causing the scan mode of the device to change from M-mode scanning to B-mode scanning and from B-mode scanning to M-mode scanning.
A hand held ultrasound scanner and a method of operation of such a scanner giving tow power consumption having multiple power up modes Including a stand by mode In which only a first processor Is active providing the function of recognising a user command to initiate an ultrasound scan; a setup mode in which a second processor is also active to receive and process communications which direct the setting of values for set up parameters for an ultrasound scan; a low power pre-charge mode In which a third processor Is active to provide control for analogue circuitry which performs an ultrasound scan, and a high voltage power supply is also activated, to provide power to an ultrasound transducer under the control of the third processor; a high power pre-charge mode In which analogue circuitry for ultrasound scanning is supplied with power and echoes are received and analysed by the analogue circuitry; the stand by, setup, low power pre-charge, high power pre-charge and scanning modes being entered sequentially.
A system and method of ultrasound scanning to achieve apparent real-time display of a sector ultrasound scan Including a single scanllne ultrasound scanning apparatus with a sensor adapted to sense the position and/or orientation of the transducer and to output this as data and a screen to display a B-mode ultrasound scan image formed from a series of scanlines, each scanline being a dataset having a series of echo intensity values and a direction captured by reciprocating a transducer probe against a surface of a subject to be scanned such that a planar sector or series of planar sectors of the subject are swept by an ultrasound beam producing a series of scanlines and continuously processing and displaying said scanlines to produce an image that changes in real time In accordance with the features of the subject in the sector being scanned.
A user interface for a hand held medical diagnostic scanner system, including a display screen and a control member adapted to sense first user control movements in at least one direction and to communicate this movement to software adapted to translate this movement Into highlighting of an option indicator, or selection of an option Indicator, from a plurality of option indicators displayed on the display screen, the control member being further adapted to sense a second different user control movement and to communicate this movement to software adapted to translate this movement to cause the activation of an option associated with a highlighted option indicator.
A method for forming an image of a target from echo return data in an ultrasound system by receiving a set of scanlines from an ultrasound transducer and applying a transform to map the scanlines to a plane of best fit, then mapping and interpolating the transformed data to a raster image and displaying the resultant image.
A hand held ultrasound imaging system with a probe unit having a transducer being adapted to transmit and receive ultrasonic signals and an orientation sensor adapted to sense the rotation of the probe unit, the output of the transducer and of the sensor being combined to produce a set of scanlines having a series of intensity values and a rotation value, the scanlines then being processed to produce a raster image for display on a display unit.
