09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for medical imaging apparatus; computer programs and software for image processing; medical software for processing and displaying images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; medical software for processing and displaying images on medical resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; apparatus for recording, transmission and reproduction of images; software for processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment; software for medical and veterinary applications for controlling and managing patient medical information, for processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data and clinical information; computer software for archiving, retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data; software as a medical device Medical apparatus; medical imaging apparatus; medical and veterinary apparatus and instruments; diagnostic imaging apparatus for medical use; apparatus for clinical diagnosis; medical ultrasound apparatus; ultrasound apparatus for veterinary use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical purposes; probes for medical purposes; ultrasonic diagnostic instruments for medical use; ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for medical purposes; magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for veterinary use; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners; Xray apparatus for medical purposes; equipment for displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof Image processing software design; electronic storage services for archiving databases, images and other electronic data; biomedical research; design and development of computers and computer programs, in particular in the medical and veterinary field
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for medical imaging apparatus; computer programs and software for image processing; medical software for processing and displaying images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; medical software for processing and displaying images on medical resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; apparatus for recording, transmission and reproduction of images; software for processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment; software for medical and veterinary applications for controlling and managing patient medical information, for processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data and clinical information; computer software for archiving, retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data; software as a medical device Medical apparatus; medical imaging apparatus; medical and veterinary apparatus and instruments; diagnostic imaging apparatus for medical use; apparatus for clinical diagnosis; medical ultrasound apparatus; ultrasound apparatus for veterinary use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical purposes; probes for medical purposes; ultrasonic diagnostic instruments for medical use; ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for medical purposes; magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for veterinary use; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners; Xray apparatus for medical purposes; equipment for displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof Image processing software design; electronic storage services for archiving databases, images and other electronic data; biomedical research; design and development of computers and computer programs, in particular in the medical and veterinary field
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for medical imaging
apparatus; computer programs and software for image
processing; medical software for processing and displaying
images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; medical
software for processing and displaying images on medical
resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; apparatus for recording,
transmission and reproduction of images; software for
processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment;
software for medical and veterinary applications for
controlling and managing patient medical information, for
processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data
and clinical information; computer software for archiving,
retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data;
software as a medical device. Medical apparatus; medical imaging apparatus; medical and
veterinary apparatus and instruments; diagnostic imaging
apparatus for medical use; apparatus for clinical diagnosis;
medical ultrasound apparatus; ultrasound apparatus for
veterinary use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical
purposes; probes for medical purposes; ultrasonic diagnostic
instruments for medical use; ultrasonic medical diagnostic
apparatus; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for
medical purposes; magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for
veterinary use; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners;
X-ray apparatus for medical purposes; equipment for
displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear
magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof. Image processing software design; electronic storage
services for archiving databases, images and other
electronic data; biomedical research; design and development
of computers and computer programs, in particular in the
medical and veterinary field.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for medical imaging
apparatus; computer programs and software for image
processing; medical software for processing and displaying
images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; medical
software for processing and displaying images on medical
resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; apparatus for recording,
transmission and reproduction of images; software for
processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment;
software for medical and veterinary applications for
controlling and managing patient medical information, for
processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data
and clinical information; computer software for archiving,
retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data;
software as a medical device. Medical apparatus; medical imaging apparatus; medical and
veterinary apparatus and instruments; diagnostic imaging
apparatus for medical use; apparatus for clinical diagnosis;
medical ultrasound apparatus; ultrasound apparatus for
veterinary use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical
purposes; probes for medical purposes; ultrasonic diagnostic
instruments for medical use; ultrasonic medical diagnostic
apparatus; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for
medical purposes; magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for
veterinary use; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners;
X-ray apparatus for medical purposes; equipment for
displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear
magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof. Image processing software design; electronic storage
services for archiving databases, images and other
electronic data; biomedical research; design and development
of computers and computer programs, in particular in the
medical and veterinary field.
5.
SYSTEM FOR ACQUIRING IMAGES IN INTRAOPERATIVE MAGNETIC RESONANCE
System for acquiring images by means of intraoperative magnetic resonance, in particular for the acquisition of progress state control images during brain surgery. The system comprises a magnetic structure generating a static magnetic field and delimiting or surrounding on at least some sides a housing space for at least the patient's head and a bed that is movable in different relative positions with respect to the magnetic structure, and said positions being comprised between at least an end position in which said bed is at least partially inside the housing space and an outer end position in which said bed is outside said housing space and at a predetermined distance from the magnetic structure. The bed is supported cantilevered by means of a column and is at least rotatable with respect to the column with an angular movement, so that the bed can be continuously oscillated between two extreme positions, in one of which, defined as the imaging position, the end of the couch opposite to the external end is positioned inside the patient's housing space with the patient's head in the correct image acquisition position with respect to the magnetic structure, and in the other of those extreme positions, the end opposite to the external end of the patient is positioned at a certain predetermined distance from the magnetic structure and at a surgical operating position.
G01R 33/341 - Constructional details, e.g. resonators comprising surface coils
6.
Method for producing planar gradient coils for MRI systems, gradient coils produced by the said method and MRI system provided with the said gradient coils
A method for producing planar gradient coils for MRI systems includes defining a planar surface along which one continuous current wire extends along a path for generating a gradient field along a spatial direction; defining the path of the continuous current wire as a spiral path of a single continuous wire filament; describing the spiral path of the continuous current wire by a parametric curve according to a modified version of the Pascal Limançons curve combined with the Archimede's spiral; applying the Biot-Savard law to evaluate the magnetic field generated by the continuous current wire extending along the spiral path; optimizing the parameters of the parametric curve for shaping the spiral path of the continuous current wire to generate a linear magnetic gradient field along the spatial direction and which gradient magnetic field is linear inside a predetermined volume of space permeated by the linear magnetic gradient field.
Transducer assembly transmits ultrasonic energy towards a zone acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest, and comprises a piezoelectric subassembly matching a curved support layer disposed behind said subassembly. Piezoelectric subassembly comprises piezoelectric elements and metal connections. Piezoelectric elements are disposed along a first azimuth direction to form parallel curved segments of piezoelectric elements extending in a second elevation direction, each being in contact with a corresponding metal connection extending in the elevation direction for transmitting/receiving electric signals to/from each piezoelectric segment. The subassembly has a central part comprising piezoelectric material and a lateral part comprising resin material incorporating the metal connections so that each curved segment results in a sequence of resin/piezoelectric/resin materials disposed along the elevation direction with the extension and curvature of the piezoelectric material in the central part defining the elevation focusing of the transducer assembly. A corresponding manufacturing process is also disclosed.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G10K 11/32 - Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning characterised by shape of the source
An MRI apparatus with an enhanced thermal control system, the apparatus including:
a static magnetic field generation unit with at least two magnetic poles at a predetermined distance and forming a gantry for housing an object to be imaged;
one heater for heating the magnetic poles and/or the magnetic yoke;
one or more temperature sensors measuring the temperature of the at least one pole and/or of the yoke;
a thermal control unit, including:
a processing unit, with control software;
the processing unit having input ports for receiving temperature measurement signals from the one or more temperature sensors;
the processing unit having output ports for feeding driving signals to the one heater;
the control software including instructions to generate the driving signals of the one heater.
A system for acquiring ultrasound diagnostic images, comprises:
an ultrasound imaging device comprising:
a probe provided with one or more electroacoustic transducers;
a unit transmitting an ultrasonic beam through the transducers within a body under examination;
a unit receiving and processing ultrasound signals received from the transducers for generating real-time images;
a probe tracking system comprising probe detecting sensors and a processing unit for calculating the probe position and/or the probe orientation and/or the probe displacement from the data provided by the probe detecting sensors,
wherein at least the processing unit of the probe tracking unit is a physically separated unit from the ultrasound imaging device and said ultrasound imaging device and said probe tracking system communicate by means of a short-range wireless communication protocol being provided respectively with a corresponding transmitting and/or receiving communication unit.
A medical diagnostic device remote service and management system comprising:
at least one medical diagnostic apparatus configured to acquire and/or process and/or store medical image data and/or medical non-image data;
at least a remote service and/or management unit including a service and/or management device for carrying out service and/or management tasks on the at least one medical diagnostic apparatus, the service and/or management tasks being carried out automatically or upon request;
a communication link being provided for the at least one medical diagnostic apparatus and the at least one remote service and management unit for exchanging data for executing the said service tasks and/or management tasks on the said at least one medical diagnostic apparatus;
the said communication link comprising:
a communication device of the at least one medical diagnostic apparatus and the communication interface of a wearable or portable processing unit being configured to communicate by means of a so called short-range wireless communication protocol;
a communication unit of the wearable or portable processing unit and of the at least one service and/or management unit being configured to communicate according to a so-called network communication protocol.
G16H 40/67 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for remote operation
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
G16H 50/20 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for computer-aided diagnosis, e.g. based on medical expert systems
G16H 80/00 - ICT specially adapted for facilitating communication between medical practitioners or patients, e.g. for collaborative diagnosis, therapy or health monitoring
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Computer hardware and software for medical imaging apparatus; computer programs and software for image processing; medical software for processing and displaying images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; medical software for processing and displaying images on medical resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; apparatus for recording, transmission and reproduction of images; software for processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment; software for medical and veterinary applications for controlling and managing patient medical information, for processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data and clinical information; computer software for archiving, retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data; software as a medical device.
(2) Medical apparatus; medical imaging apparatus; medical and veterinary apparatus and instruments; diagnostic imaging apparatus for medical use; apparatus for clinical diagnosis; medical ultrasound apparatus; ultrasound apparatus for veterinary use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical purposes; probes for medical purposes; ultrasonic diagnostic instruments for medical use; ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for medical purposes; magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for veterinary use; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners; X-ray apparatus for medical purposes; equipment for displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof. (1) Image processing software design; electronic storage services for archiving databases, images and other electronic data; biomedical research; design and development of computers and computer programs, in particular in the medical and veterinary field.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
(1) Computer hardware and software for medical imaging apparatus; computer programs and software for image processing; medical software for processing and displaying images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; medical software for processing and displaying images on medical resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; apparatus for recording, transmission and reproduction of images; software for processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment; software for medical and veterinary applications for controlling and managing patient medical information, for processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data and clinical information; computer software for archiving, retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data; software as a medical device.
(2) Medical apparatus; medical imaging apparatus; medical and veterinary apparatus and instruments; diagnostic imaging apparatus for medical use; apparatus for clinical diagnosis; medical ultrasound apparatus; ultrasound apparatus for veterinary use; ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical purposes; probes for medical purposes; ultrasonic diagnostic instruments for medical use; ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for medical purposes; magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for veterinary use; magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners; X-ray apparatus for medical purposes; equipment for displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof. (1) Image processing software design; electronic storage services for archiving databases, images and other electronic data; biomedical research; design and development of computers and computer programs, in particular in the medical and veterinary field.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for medical imaging apparatus; Computer programs and software for image processing; Medical software for processing and displaying images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; Medical software for processing and displaying images on medical resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; Apparatus for recording, transmission and reproduction of images; Software for processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment; Software for medical and veterinary applications for controlling and managing patient medical information, for processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data and clinical information; computer software for archiving, retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data; Software as a medical device.. Medical apparatus; Medical imaging apparatus; Medical and veterinary apparatus and instruments; Diagnostic imaging apparatus for medical use; Apparatus for clinical diagnosis; Medical ultrasound apparatus; Ultrasound apparatus for veterinary use; Ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical purposes; Probes for medical purposes; Ultrasonic diagnostic instruments for medical use; Ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus; Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for medical purposes; Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for veterinary use; Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners; X-ray apparatus for medical purposes. Equipment for displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof.. Image processing software design; electronic storage services for archiving databases, images and other electronic data; biomedical research; design and development of computers and computer programs, in particular in the medical and veterinary field..
14.
ULTRASOUND IMAGING SYSTEM WITH IMPROVED LOCK DEVICE
An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system including a main body housing imaging electronics and a control panel coupled to the imaging electronics comprising:
a flat panel display electrically coupled to the imaging electronics;
an articulating arm assembly to which the flat panel display is connected for adjusting the viewing position of the flat panel display, the articulating arm assembly including a first lower arm movably mounted to the main body or to the control panel and a second upper arm movably connected to the first lower arm and to the flat panel display, wherein at least one of the arms includes a 4-bar linkage; and
a locking mechanism which acts to restrict motion of the articulating arm assembly, characterised in that the locking mechanism comprises a protrusion and a lever having a corresponding seat for engagement of the protrusion, the lever being hinged on one of the two arms to pivot from a rest position to a lock position, the protrusion being correspondingly located on the other arm or the control panel or a support thereof to engage the seat of the lever when the lever is in the lock position, the rest position being a non-interfering position whereby the lever is substantially contained in a recess.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for medical imaging apparatus; Computer programs and software for image processing; Medical software for processing and displaying images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; Medical software for processing and displaying images on medical resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; Apparatus for recording, transmission and reproduction of images; Software for processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment; Software for medical and veterinary applications for controlling and managing patient medical information, for processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data and clinical information; computer software for archiving, retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data; Software as a medical device.. Medical apparatus; Medical imaging apparatus; Medical and veterinary apparatus and instruments; Diagnostic imaging apparatus for medical use; Apparatus for clinical diagnosis; Medical ultrasound apparatus; Ultrasound apparatus for veterinary use; Ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical purposes; Probes for medical purposes; Ultrasonic diagnostic instruments for medical use; Ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus; Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for medical purposes; Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for veterinary use; Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners; X-ray apparatus for medical purposes. Equipment for displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof.. Image processing software design; electronic storage services for archiving databases, images and other electronic data; biomedical research; design and development of computers and computer programs, in particular in the medical and veterinary field..
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for medical imaging apparatus; Computer programs and software for image processing; Medical software for processing and displaying images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; Medical software for processing and displaying images on medical resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; Apparatus for recording, transmission and reproduction of images; Software for processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment; Software for medical and veterinary applications for controlling and managing patient medical information, for processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data and clinical information; computer software for archiving, retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data; Software as a medical device.. Medical apparatus; Medical imaging apparatus; Medical and veterinary apparatus and instruments; Diagnostic imaging apparatus for medical use; Apparatus for clinical diagnosis; Medical ultrasound apparatus; Ultrasound apparatus for veterinary use; Ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical purposes; Probes for medical purposes; Ultrasonic diagnostic instruments for medical use; Ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus; Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for medical purposes; Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for veterinary use; Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners; X-ray apparatus for medical purposes. Equipment for displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof.. Image processing software design; electronic storage services for archiving databases, images and other electronic data; biomedical research; design and development of computers and computer programs, in particular in the medical and veterinary field..
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for medical imaging apparatus; Computer programs and software for image processing; Medical software for processing and displaying images on ultrasound medical imaging apparatus; Medical software for processing and displaying images on medical resonance imaging (MRI) apparatus; Apparatus for recording, transmission and reproduction of images; Software for processing digital images for diagnosis and treatment; Software for medical and veterinary applications for controlling and managing patient medical information, for processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data and clinical information; computer software for archiving, retrieving and reviewing medical and veterinary data; Software as a medical device.. Medical apparatus; Medical imaging apparatus; Medical and veterinary apparatus and instruments; Diagnostic imaging apparatus for medical use; Apparatus for clinical diagnosis; Medical ultrasound apparatus; Ultrasound apparatus for veterinary use; Ultrasonic imaging apparatus for medical purposes; Probes for medical purposes; Ultrasonic diagnostic instruments for medical use; Ultrasonic medical diagnostic apparatus; Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] apparatus for medical purposes; Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for veterinary use; Magnetic resonance imaging [MRI] scanners; X-ray apparatus for medical purposes. Equipment for displaying diagnostic images, including ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance, X-ray units and parts thereof.. Image processing software design; electronic storage services for archiving databases, images and other electronic data; biomedical research; design and development of computers and computer programs, in particular in the medical and veterinary field..
Nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging apparatus for the veterinary field, in particular apparatus for acquiring images via nuclear magnetic resonance in the veterinary field; Nuclear medicine diagnostic imaging apparatus accessories for the veterinary field, namely, patient examination tables; Magnetic resonance imaging apparatus for medical purposes, namely, for veterinary purposes
19.
METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR REGISTERING IMAGES ACQUIRED WITH DIFFERENT MODALITIES FOR GENERATING FUSION IMAGES FROM REGISTERED IMAGES ACQUIRED WITH DIFFERENT MODALITIES
A tracker-less method is provided for registering images acquired with different modalities for generating fusion images from registered images acquired with different modalities. The method acquires a sequence of ultrasound images by interlacing wide, high depth ultrasound scans to zoomed ultrasound scans; and registers image data obtained from the high-depth ultrasound scans with image data of the same anatomical region acquired with a different modality and determining registration data. The image data obtained from the high-depth ultrasound scan and/or the image data acquired with the different modality is not displayed to the user. Image data acquired by the zoomed ultrasound scan is registered with the zoomed image data obtained with the different modality by applying the registration data to the image data acquired by the zoomed ultrasound scans. Registered image data is combined with the zoomed image data obtained with the different modality and the combined or image data is displayed.
A method for automatically detecting of the probe which is selected for the use by the user without manual commands by the user and comprising monitoring the operational status of the probe by discriminating between probe not in use and probe in use by sensing at least the motion of the probe and by setting automatically a probe in an active status if a motion of the probe is sensed and setting the probe in an inactive status if the probe is stationary.
Apparatus for acquiring diagnostic images in the veterinary field, in particular apparatus for acquiring images via nuclear magnetic resonance in the veterinary field; Accessories for diagnostic imaging in the veterinary field, in particular acquiring of diagnostic images via nuclear magnetic resonance in the veterinary field.
22.
ULTRASOUND PROBE AND ULTRASOUND SYSTEM PROVIDED WITH SAID ULTRASOUND PROBE
An ultrasound probe in combination with at least an operating unit such as a tracking sensor or receiver and/or a keypad and/or a surgical tool support, wherein the probe and the at least one operating unit are each one provided with one of two parts of a releasable joint, the said two parts of the joint being releasably engageable one with the other by magnetic force and by mechanical coupling.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
23.
Method for correcting inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field particularly of the static magnetic field generated by the magnetic structure of a machine for acquiring nuclear magnetic resonance images and MRI system for carrying out such method
Method for shimming a magnetic field which is generated by a magnetic structure, and which permeates a volume of space uses the following steps: measuring the magnetic field in a region of a volume of space permeated by the said magnetic field; determining a parameter which is a measure of the homogeneity of the magnetic field; defining a distribution of correction elements including a predetermined number of magnetic dipoles each having a predetermined magnetic charge and a predetermined position relatively to the magnetic structure generating the magnetic field; calculating the charges of each of the dipoles and the position of each of the dipoles of a distribution which minimizes the parameter being a measure of the homogeneity of the magnetic field; using the distribution of dipoles as the shimming distribution of dipoles to be positioned on the magnetic structure.
A multi-user system for acquiring, generating and processing ultrasound images comprises: a plurality of ultrasound probes with a communication unit for transmitting corresponding data to one or more processing units also with a communication unit; display and/or user interface terminals with a communication unit for transmitting to and receiving data from said processing units and/or said probes; a communication network connecting together the communication units of said probes, display and/or user interface terminals and said processing units. Processing units are configured to receive scanning signals detected by said probes and process said signals to generate ultrasound images and optionally process said ultrasound images and to transmit said images and/or outputs of said processing to said display and/or user interface terminals. Probes and/or processing units are loaded programs with encoded instructions to receive data from each of said probes and to generate the corresponding images and/or to perform the corresponding processing.
In a dematerialized ultrasound system, i.e. comprising a probe for transmitting and receiving ultrasound signals and a generic processing hardware made of one or more distributed processing units, the functions relating to the processing steps for the generation and processing of the images are in the form of software programs that encode instructions for the aforementioned generic hardware which make it capable of executing said processing steps. In order to make the computational and data interchange burden less heavy between the units of the distributed architecture of the system and to make the distribution of processing steps more flexible between one or more of the components of the distributed system, the programs are created under form of applications included in containers managed by a container management engine.
Scan planes in acquisition of ultrasound images and dimensional measurements of objects represented in the images are determined by:
defining a body to be examined and a predetermined orientation of the scan plane which intersects said body along which plane at least one ultrasound image is acquired;
providing machine learning algorithm for verifying orientation and position of the scan plane, said algorithm trained with database of known cases which correlate image data of an image of a body previously examined and similar to said body with the position and orientation of the scan plane;
reporting the scan plane does not correspond to the position and/or orientation of said predetermined scan plane;
repeating the scan by changing the position and/or the orientation of the scan plane and repeating the steps as long as the position and orientation of the scan plane do not correspond to those of the predetermined scan plane.
Transducer assembly transmits ultrasonic energy towards a zone acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest, and comprises a piezoelectric subassembly matching a curved support layer disposed behind said subassembly. Piezoelectric subassembly comprises piezoelectric elements and metal connections. Piezoelectric elements are disposed along a first azimuth direction to form parallel curved segments of piezoelectric elements extending in a second elevation direction, each being in contact with a corresponding metal connection extending in the elevation direction for transmitting/receiving electric signals to/from each piezoelectric segment. The subassembly has a a central part comprising piezoelectric material and a lateral part comprising resin material incorporating the metal connections so that each curved segment results in a sequence of resin/piezoelectric/resin materials disposed along the elevation direction with the extension and curvature of the piezoelectric material in the central part defining the elevation focussing of the transducer assembly. A corresponding manufacturing process is also disclosed.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G10K 11/32 - Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning characterised by shape of the source
Method for correcting inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field particularly of the static magnetic field generated by the magnetic structure of a machine for acquiring nuclear magnetic resonance images and mri system for carrying out such method
Shimming a magnetic field includes measuring the magnetic field and sampling it in a plurality of locations; defining a grid for positioning correction elements; calculating the position and magnitude parameters of one or more correction elements to obtain predetermined target values of the field characteristics, wherein an algorithm has been trained by a database of known cases in which each record links a certain initial magnetic field of a magnetic structure to the pattern of correction elements on a positioning grid for these correction elements in the magnet structure, thereby delivering as an output a pattern of correction elements on the positioning grid, which contributions to the magnetic field of the magnet structure generate a magnetic field which at least best approximates or meets the predetermined target values of the field characteristics.
A method for separately acquiring and outputting diagnostic nuclear magnetic resonance images based on water and fat derived signals, which method provides that the separation of the signal components corresponding to the intensity of the resulting pixels or voxels derived from the water of tissues in the body under examination from those signal components derived from the fat tissues in said body under examination of the step is performed by means of a machine learning algorithm, or with automatic learning and which algorithms are configured to classify the signal component as derived from water or fat tissues in the body under examination.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A method and system for two-dimensional shear wave elastography imaging (SWEI) that acquires B-mode ultrasound image of a region, selects an area of the B-mode image, automatically acquires two-dimensional shear wave elastography imaging data related to the selected area, and displays elasticity/velocity map on the selected area and optionally a reliability map. An algorithm takes as input one or combination of data sets selected from B-mode raw data or B-mode image data or elasticity/velocity map or reliability map or raw two-dimensional shear wave elastography imaging data inside selected area, or two-dimensional shear wave elastography imaging data at an intermediate stage of processing like displacement curves over time or their peak features, and outputs the 2D coordinate of measure ROI center. Measure ROI overlapped on the B-mode image and/or on the elasticity map and/or on the reliability map is displayed. An elasticity parameter inside the measure ROI is computed, optionally weighted, and displayed.
A method for postural independent location of targets in diagnostic images acquired by multimodal acquisitions, compensating for deformation of soft tissues due to changing posture, includes generating a transition of a digital image of the inside of a target region from a first to a second position by correlating the position of markers placed on the external surface of the target region in a digital image of the inside of the target region and in a digital representation of the external surface of the target region acquired by optically scanning the external surface; and at a later time registering the diagnostic image of the inside of the target region, transitioned into the second position, with a diagnostic image of the same target region acquired with the target region in the second position by matching a second representation of the external surface of the target region in the second position without markers with the diagnostic image of the inside of the target region transitioned into the second position.
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 6/00 - Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
A61B 6/04 - Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like
G16H 30/40 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for processing medical images, e.g. editing
G16H 40/63 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for local operation
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups , e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
A transducer assembly operable to transmit ultrasonic energy in a desired direction towards a zone adapted to be acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest is provided that has: a transducer layer; a backing layer disposed behind said transducer layer with respect to the desired direction; a back-matching layer disposed between the transducer layer and the backing layer to reflect towards said transducer layer part of the ultrasonic energy directed from the transducer layer to the backing layer; and a heat transfer layer disposed between the back-matching layer and the backing layer to drain heat from the transducer assembly. A process for manufacturing a transducer assembly is also disclosed.
A patient support device includes a patient support surface having a size to accommodate at least a part of the patient body, the device including at least one receptacle for housing a coil, which at least one receptacle is arranged in an area of the patient supporting surface corresponding to the position of the anatomic region to be imaged, the patient support surface being covered at least partially by one or more cushions covering in combination the entire patient supporting surface or at least a part of it. At least one of the receptacles for coupling to a receiving coil being provided on at least each of one or more than one of the said cushions, the coil once coupled to a corresponding receptacle is connected to a control and processing unit of the MRI apparatus by means of a cable which is external to the said patient support device.
A61B 17/225 - Surgical instruments, devices or methods, e.g. tourniquets for extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy [ESWL], e.g. by using ultrasonic waves
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
e) computing a propagation depth dependent attenuation coefficient of the tissues crossed by the ultrasound pulse in the target body as the slope of the line fitting the logarithmic compressed envelope data along the penetration depth of the ultrasound pulse in the target body.
The disclosure relates also to an ultrasound system for carrying out the method.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
36.
Ultrasound probe with optimized thermal management
An ultrasound probe comprising a housing, a transducer assembly operable to transmit ultrasonic energy towards a zone of the probe adapted to be acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest, a cooling system comprising a heat transfer device arranged to transfer heat generated by the transducer assembly to one or more regions or areas located outside such transducer assembly. The heat transfer device comprises graphene.
A method and a system for generating medical reports based on medical images are provided. The method and system are characterized by
carrying out an imaging examination on a target object;
visualizing the image or the sequence of images acquired during the execution of the imaging examination;
carrying out a report text generation step in parallel with the visualized image or sequence of images by using a speech recognition process; and
saving the report text by associating univocally the report text to the visualized image or to the sequence of images.
G16H 15/00 - ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
G16H 30/20 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
G16H 40/63 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for local operation
A method is provided for generating ultrasound transmission waves comprising: a) providing an array of electroacoustic transducer elements each one being connected to an electric excitation signal generator by a dedicated feeding channel; b) feeding at least a part of the electroacoustic transducer elements with a pulsed electric signal having a predetermined frequency, a predetermined amplitude, a predetermined length or duration and a predetermined phase or a predefined delay with respect to the pulsed electric signals fed to the adjacent transducer elements, the said pulsed electric excitation signals comprising a sequence of pulses; c) modulating each or at least part of the pulsed electric signals by feeding to the transducer elements only a predetermined portion of the pulses of the said pulsed electric signals. Modulating is carried out by cutting the duration of each pulse of the pulsed electric excitation signal according to a predetermined time period.
Performing retrospective dynamic transmit focusing beamforming for ultrasound signals by a) transmitting plural transmit beams, each transmit beam centered at a different position along array, having width or aperture encompassing plural laterally spaced line positions, each transmit beam width or aperture overlapping width or aperture of adjacent transmit beam or more laterally spaced transmit beams; b) receiving echo signals; c) processing echo signals to produce plural receive lines of echo signals at laterally spaced line positions within width or aperture of transmit beam; d) repeating steps b), (c) for additional transmit beams of plural transmitted transmit beams; e) equalizing phase shift variance among receive lines at common line position resulting from transmit beams of different transmit beam positions concurrently with steps c), d); f) combining echo signals of receive lines from different transmit beams spatially related to common line position to produce image data; g) produces an image using image data.
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
40.
Magnetic field sensor, method for operating the said magnetic field sensor and method and system for compensation magnetic noise caused by environmental noise
Magnetic field sensor, in particular for measuring magnetic noise fields caused by environmental magnetic noise in combination with MRI apparatus, the magnetic field sensor being further provided with field compensation coils assembly and with a compensation circuit driving the field compensation coils assembly to generate a magnetic field compensating the static magnetic field dissipating outside from the static magnetic field generator or from the gantry of the MRI apparatus at the position of the magnetic sensor. A method for operating the magnetic field sensor and a method and a system for compensation magnetic noise caused by environmental noise are also provided. An MRI apparatus is also disclosed comprising such a system and carrying out such a method for compensating magnetic noise fields.
An ultrasound imaging method includes providing a digital representation of the shape of a surface or boundary of an anatomic region or organ; acquiring an ultrasound image by ultrasound scanning the anatomic region or organ; and combining the digital representation of the shape of the surface or boundary of the anatomic region or organ by registering the digital representation of the shape of the surface or boundary and the ultrasound image as a function of the difference in position of selected reference points on the digital representation of the surface or boundary and on the ultrasound image, the position of the reference points on the ultrasound image being determined by tracking the probe position at the reference points at the anatomic region or organ of a real body and in a spatial reference system, in which the anatomic region or the organ of the real body is placed.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
B33Y 50/00 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
B29C 64/386 - Data acquisition or data processing for additive manufacturing
G16H 50/50 - ICT specially adapted for medical diagnosis, medical simulation or medical data mining; ICT specially adapted for detecting, monitoring or modelling epidemics or pandemics for simulation or modelling of medical disorders
G16H 15/00 - ICT specially adapted for medical reports, e.g. generation or transmission thereof
G16H 30/20 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for handling medical images, e.g. DICOM, HL7 or PACS
G16H 30/40 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for processing medical images, e.g. editing
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups , e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
MRI diagnostic imaging apparatus for medical use; MRI diagnostic apparatus for medical purposes; Magnetic resonance imaging instruments for medical purposes
43.
Method for controlling image appearance features in ultrasound system, image appearance feature control user interface operating according to the said method and ultrasound system comprising said user interface
Controlling an image appearance in ultrasound system comprises: providing a set of image appearance feature control parameters, each of which relates to an image appearance feature according to a pre-defined relation between a value scale of the said image appearance feature control parameter and an image appearance related to a certain condition of the corresponding image appearance feature; generating a function between the value of each image feature control parameter and the value of the standard workflow setting parameters of a combination of standard workflow setting parameters influencing the said image appearance feature; and varying automatically the value of the one or more of the standard workflow setting parameters of the combination of standard workflow setting parameters influencing an image appearance feature as a function of a variation of the value of the corresponding image appearance feature control parameters for obtaining the requested image appearance feature variation.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
44.
Method for designing gradient coils for MRI systems, gradient coils for MRI systems obtained by the said method and MRI system comprising such gradient coils
A method for designing gradient coils includes the following steps: a) defining an imaging volume as an ellipsoid; b) defining an elliptic-cylindrical surface enclosing the said ellipsoid; c) defining the current density at each point of the surface by a series of basis functions and corresponding coefficients expressed in elliptic cylindrical coordinates; d) describing the magnetic field generated at a generic point by the above defined current density integrated all over the said entire elliptic-cylindrical surface; e) determining the values of the coefficients of the basis functions by solving the inverse function for describing the magnetic field; f) generating a discrete winding patter of a gradient coil by using a stream function method from the continuous current density and by using a series of scattered contours of the stream function as the design of the winding patters according to a set total number of windings.
41 - Education, entertainment, sporting and cultural services
Goods & Services
Academies [education]; Training; Arrangement of conferences for educational purposes; Conducting of educational courses relating to business; Conducting of educational courses in engineering; Conducting of educational courses relating to business management; Conducting of educational courses relating to business; Conducting of courses relating to business management; Conducting courses, seminars and workshops; Workshops (Arranging and conducting of -) [training]; Lecture services relating to marketing skills; Instruction courses relating to health; Provision of training courses; Courses (Training -) relating to engineering; provision of training courses in preparation for careers; provision of training courses for people in preparation for careers; Postgraduate training courses; Postgraduate training courses relating to engineering technology; Provision of educational courses; Vocational skills training; Vocational skills training; Training relating to employment skills; Provision of training courses; Providing courses of instruction at post-graduate level; Organisation of training courses; Organisation of seminars relating to training; Arrangement of seminars for educational purposes; Workshops for training purposes; Engineering training services; Training services; Vocational training services.
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
48.
Ultrasound diagnostic system with multimedia information distribution system
a web server allowing access to the real-time stream of the multimedia data upon request by a remote client to access the said multimedia file.
A corresponding computer implemented method is also disclosed.
H04N 21/234 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs
H04N 21/2343 - Processing of video elementary streams, e.g. splicing of video streams or manipulating MPEG-4 scene graphs involving reformatting operations of video signals for distribution or compliance with end-user requests or end-user device requirements
H04N 21/238 - Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidth; Processing of multiplex streams
H04N 21/24 - Monitoring of processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of server load, available bandwidth or upstream requests
H04N 21/835 - Generation of protective data, e.g. certificates
49.
Method and ultrasound system for shear wave elasticity imaging
A method for two-dimensional sheare wave elastography imaging comprises: a) acquiring B-mode ultrasound images of a target region in a body; b) selecting a region of interest inside the B-mode image; c) transmitting a shear wave excitation pulse focalized on an excitation region; d) measuring displacements of tracking focal points at different depths positions along laterally staggered tracking lines within the region of interest; e) determining elasticity parameters of the regions between two of the tracking focal points at the same depth and on at least two adjacent tracking lines as a function of the displacements caused by the shear wave at the tracking focal points; f) modifying the appearance of pixel(s) of the B-mode image inside the regions relatively to the grey-scale B-mode image as a function of elasticity parameters determined for the regions; and g) displaying the pixel(s) having a modified appearance at the corresponding pixel of the B-mode image.
An ultrasound probe in combination with at least an operating unit such as a tracking sensor or receiver and/or a keypad and/or a surgical tool support, wherein the probe and the at least one operating unit are each one provided with one of two parts of a releasable joint, the said two parts of the joint being releasably engageable one with the other by magnetic force and by mechanical coupling.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
51.
MRI apparatus control system, a user interface for managing the said control system and an MRI system comprising the said control system and the said user interface
An MRI control system with a user interface which is windows inspired by including toolbars at the upper side of the window, providing active labels related to specific examinations or classes of tasks, each label opening specific windows related to the task again provided with toolbars, active buttons and menus. According to a further aspect the control system is configured for providing a dynamic interaction between the records in a database relating to single cases of the same patient or of different patient, which allows to address the record of a database to which a visualized image or data report belongs by simply clicking on the image or report or by visualizing the said image or report.
G06F 3/048 - Interaction techniques based on graphical user interfaces [GUI]
G01R 33/54 - Signal processing systems, e.g. using pulse sequences
G06F 3/0483 - Interaction with page-structured environments, e.g. book metaphor
G06F 3/0482 - Interaction with lists of selectable items, e.g. menus
G06F 16/16 - File or folder operations, e.g. details of user interfaces specifically adapted to file systems
G16H 40/63 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for local operation
G16H 10/60 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of patient-related medical or healthcare data for patient-specific data, e.g. for electronic patient records
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
52.
Ultrasound method and ultrasound system for real time automatic setting of parameters for doppler imaging modes
To lessen the examination time in an Ultrasound system in a vascular Exam routine, it is desirable to: automatically position in the best way Color Doppler ROI and/or Sample Gate; select the best Color Doppler/Beamline Steering angle; and set the Doppler Correction angle. An algorithm is provided that is able to process in real time the Doppler Signal to identify the Doppler Area where the most significant flow is present, and then it analyzes the ‘Shape’ of such Color Doppler Area identifying the Position and direction of the “main” Flow. The vascular Examination routine can therefore be made easier and faster.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
53.
Ultrasound method and system for extracting signal components relating to spatial locations in a target region in the spatial and temporal frequency domain
extracting information of the scatterers in the target region from signal components relating to spatial locations of the target region by applying a backpropagation algorithm to the radiofrequency signals generated by transformation of the reflected acoustic waves and which radiofrequency signals has been transformed in the frequency-wavenumber domain and transformed back to the time spatial domain after backpropagation processing, the system provides the further step of optimizing the extracted information by applying corrections to the radio frequency received signals in the frequency-wavenumber domain.
The invention relates also to an ultrasound system for carrying out said method.
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01N 29/07 - Analysing solids by measuring propagation velocity or propagation time of acoustic waves
A method for postural independent location of targets in diagnostic images acquired by multimodal acquisitions, compensating for deformation of soft tissues due to changing posture, includes generating a transition of a digital image of the inside of a target region from a first to a second position by correlating the position of markers placed on the external surface of the target region in a digital image of the inside of the target region and in a digital representation of the external surface of the target region acquired by optically scanning the external surface; and at a later time registering the diagnostic image of the inside of the target region, transitioned into the second position, with a diagnostic image of the same target region acquired with the target region in the second position by matching a second representation of the external surface of the target region in the second position without markers with the diagnostic image of the inside of the target region transitioned into the second position.
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 6/00 - Apparatus for radiation diagnosis, e.g. combined with radiation therapy equipment
A61B 6/04 - Positioning of patients; Tiltable beds or the like
G16H 30/40 - ICT specially adapted for the handling or processing of medical images for processing medical images, e.g. editing
G16H 40/63 - ICT specially adapted for the management or administration of healthcare resources or facilities; ICT specially adapted for the management or operation of medical equipment or devices for the operation of medical equipment or devices for local operation
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 90/00 - Instruments, implements or accessories specially adapted for surgery or diagnosis and not covered by any of the groups , e.g. for luxation treatment or for protecting wound edges
A transducer assembly operable to transmit ultrasonic energy in a desired direction towards a zone adapted to be acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest is disclosed which has a transducer layer, a backing material disposed behind the transducer layer with respect to the desired direction, and a back-matching layer disposed between the transducer layer and the backing material to reflect towards the transducer layer part of the ultrasonic energy directed from the transducer layer to the backing material.
The backing layer has an acoustic impedance higher than the acoustic impedance of the back-matching layer. The back-matching material has an impedance less than the impedance of the transducer layer and the transducer layer has a thickness greater than a ¼ of the wavelength of the ultrasound waves the assembly is configured to generate. A process for manufacturing a transducer assembly is also disclosed.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
G10K 11/02 - Mechanical acoustic impedances; Impedance matching, e.g. by horns; Acoustic resonators
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
56.
Method for the optimization of the process decoding coded ultrasound signals and ultrasound system obtained by said method
A method is provided for the optimization of the process decoding coded ultrasound signals that comprises: defining/selecting a coding function for ultrasound pulses transmitted to a body under examination by means of a predetermined probe; defining the coefficients of a filter decoding the received signal depending on the selected coding function; using said filter coefficients as the setting of the decoding filter corresponding to said predetermined probe for all the ultrasound systems provided in combination with said probe; and wherein the coefficients of the decoding filters are determined by the minimization, by a heuristic iterative process, of the difference between the characteristics of a receive signal, obtained in a real transmit/receive sequence and filtered with a decoding filter, and the characteristics of an ideal receive signal, that is a nominal one, by using as the coefficients of the decoding filter those obtained in the last iterative step.
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
57.
Method for controlling image appearance features in MRI systems, image appearance feature control user interface operating according to the said method and MRI system comprising said user interface
Method for controlling image appearance features in MRI systems, image appearance feature control user interface operating according to the method and MRI system including the user interface. There is provided an automatic scan planning module including a memory in which a look up table or a database of examination kind specific settings of the MRI system is stored univocally associating a specific kind of examination with a factory pre-defined experimentally and empirically determined optimum combination of settings of the MRI system, the automatic scan planning module controlling a user interface displaying a list of alternative specific kinds of examinations and providing a selection organ for the user, for selecting one of the specific kinds of examinations. Upon input of the selection of the kind of examination, the automatic scan planning module configures the MRI system automatically with the image acquisition settings corresponding to the selected specific kind of examination.
G06T 7/70 - Determining position or orientation of objects or cameras
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
The present disclosure relates to an ultrasound multi line dynamic receive focusing beam former that is part of an ultrasound system, where the beam former of the present invention resolves conceptually the, in the prior art dynamic receive focusing beam formers, by fundament, internally generated distortions, which (in the prior art), become internally generated by the beam former process itself. These distortions within prior art beam formers, typically compromises, to some degree, the ability of accurate detections after the dynamic receive focusing beamforming. The present invention advantage is an ultrasound system capable of very accurate focusing selectivity with a high dynamic range, and very low signal distortion, therefore capable of, for example, a clear detection of harmonics and super harmonics, due to the fundamentally absence of internal distortion-generation. The scope is to resolve several, in prior-art, mentioned issues above, to provide computational efficient systems and methods capable of detecting the applications-features, very accurate and at high speed, utilizing the distortion free ultrasound Retrospective Transmit focus capable, multi-line dynamic receive focusing beamforming, which can be realized in hardware or software, wherein instead of 1d time domain processing, also 1d frequency domain processing might be utilized, suitable for other modalities that need longer detection lengths (like coding in Tx sequences).
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G10K 11/34 - Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using electrical steering of transducer arrays, e.g. beam steering
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
59.
METHOD FOR CONTROLLING IMAGE APPEARANCE FEATURES IN ULTRASOUND SYSTEM, IMAGE APPEARANCE FEATURE CONTROL USER INTERFACE OPERATING ACCORDING TO THE SAID METHOD AND ULTRASOUND SYSTEM COMPRISING SAID USER INTERFACE
A method for controlling an image appearance in ultrasound system comprising the steps of: • providing a set of image appearance feature control parameters (401, 402, 403), each one of which is related to an image appearance feature according to a pre-defined relation between a value scale of the said image appearance feature control parameter (401, 402, 403) and an image appearance related to a certain condition of the corresponding image appearance feature; • generating a relation between the value of each image appearance feature control parameter (401, 402, 403) and the value of the standard workflow setting parameters (411, 412, 413) of a combination of standard workflow setting parameters (410) influencing the said image appearance feature; • varying automatically the value of the one or more of the said standard workflow setting parameters (411, 412, 413) of the combination of standard workflow setting parameters (410) influencing an image appearance feature as a function of a variation of the value of the corresponding image appearance feature control parameters (401, 402, 403) for obtaining the image appearance feature variation requested by the variation of the said image appearance feature control parameter (401, 402, 403); • visualizing of the image with the requested image appearance feature. The invention also relates to an image appearance feature control user interface operating according to the method and to an ultrasound system comprising an image appearance feature control interface.
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
A method for compensating magnetic noise in a spatial volume in which two concurrently operating compensation loops are provided comprising:
a closed compensation loop for magnetic noise fields outside the spatial volume and inside the electromagnetically environment;
an open compensation loop for magnetic noise fields in the spatial volume;
said two compensation loops generating each one a magnetic noise compensation field;
said two compensation fields concurrently provide for compensation of the magnetic noise field in the spatial volume.
Performing retrospective dynamic transmit focusing beamforming for ultrasound signals by a) transmitting plural transmit beams, each transmit beam centered at a different position along array, having width or aperture encompassing plural laterally spaced line positions, each transmit beam width or aperture overlapping width or aperture of adjacent transmit beam or more laterally spaced transmit beams; b) receiving echo signals; c) processing echo signals to produce plural receive lines of echo signals at laterally spaced line positions within width or aperture of transmit beam; d) repeating steps b), (c) for additional transmit beams of plural transmitted transmit beams; e) equalizing phase shift variance among receive lines at common line position resulting from transmit beams of different transmit beam positions concurrently with steps c), d); f) combining echo signals of receive lines from different transmit beams spatially related to common line position to produce image data; g) produces an image using image data.
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
63.
Method and system for estimating motion between images, particularly in ultrasound spatial compounding
G06T 7/33 - Determination of transform parameters for the alignment of images, i.e. image registration using feature-based methods
G06T 7/231 - Analysis of motion using block-matching using full search
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
64.
Method for quantifying the elasticity of a material by ultrasounds
A method for quantifying the elasticity of a material by ultrasounds, comprising the generation of one excitation point, for generating a shear wave, a measurement of the shear wave at a plurality of lines of sight placed in a region of interest at different predetermined distances from the first excitation point, the calculation of the speed of the measured shear wave and the assessment, by calculation, of a mean stiffness value of the material in the region of interest on the basis of the measured speed of the shear wave. In the acquired image, a second excitation point is defined, in such a position that the region of interest is interposed between the first excitation point and the second excitation point. The method for the second excitation point is carried out, for calculating the speed of the shear wave for the second excitation point, and the assessment by calculation of the mean stiffness value is carried out on the basis of the average between the speed of the shear wave measured for the first excitation point and the speed of the shear wave measured for the second excitation point.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
A61B 5/318 - Heart-related electrical modalities, e.g. electrocardiography [ECG]
Diagnostic apparatus for medical purposes, Diagnostic image detecting machines, magnetic resonance machines; Ultrasonic medical apparatus and instruments.
Methods are provided for generating a compound image with an ultrasound system, the method comprising: acquiring a main image frame and a secondary image frame of ultrasound data at an ultrasound probe having a transducer array, the main and secondary image frames at least partially overlapping one another; defining main frame boundaries for the main image frame along opposite lateral sides thereof; and defining receive lines of view within the secondary image frame that extend from the transducer array, wherein at least a portion of neighboring lines of view extend, into a region of interest, at different reception angles from one another relative to a surface of the transducer array; and combining the main and secondary image frames to form a compound image, wherein the lines of view within the primary and/or secondary image frame are oriented such that virtual extensions of the lines of view extend through the transducer array and converge at a virtual source behind the transducer array considering the direction of transmission of the ultrasound beams. A corresponding system is also disclosed.
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
67.
Method and system for performing baseband digital receiver beamforming on ultrasound signals
Methods and systems are provided that perform baseband beamforming of ultrasound signals. The methods and systems obtain receive signals from transducers of an ultrasound probe and demodulate the receive signals to obtain complex receive signals having in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components. The methods and systems apply time delay and phase correction to the complex receive signals to form delayed complex receive signals before summing the delayed complex receive signals to produce a coherent receive signal. The phase correction includes applying coarse and fine corrections where the coarse correction is calculated as a multiple of a sampling time and the fine correction is calculated as a fraction of the sampling time. The methods and systems apply the coarse and fine corrections contemporaneously by multiplying the complex receive signal by a complex carrier delayed by a multiple of the sampling time and delayed by the fraction of the sampling time.
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G10K 11/34 - Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using electrical steering of transducer arrays, e.g. beam steering
68.
Registering first image data of a first stream with second image data of a second stream
MedCom Gesellschaft für medizinische Bildverarbeitung mbH (Germany)
ESAOTE S.p.A. (Italy)
Inventor
Sakas, Georgios
Kolev, Velizar
De Beni, Stefano
Forzoni, Leonardo
Abstract
Provided is a method and arrangement for registering first image data of a first stream with second image data of a second stream. The image data include image information about at least one organ, wherein a shape and/or position of the organ is cyclically changing: Each of the streams include a series of images of the at least one organ at a plurality of different discrete stages of the cyclic change so that each image corresponds to one of the discrete stages. A phase variable defines the stage of the cyclic change and a phase value of the phase variable is assigned to each image within each stream, thereby defining the discrete stage represented by the image. A registration is determined for a pair of images selected by choosing or interpolating images from the first stream and second stream to which a same phase value is assigned.
An ultrasound probe comprising a housing, a transducer assembly operable to transmit ultrasonic energy towards a zone of the probe adapted to be acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest, a cooling system comprising a heat transfer device arranged to transfer heat generated by the transducer assembly to one or more regions or areas located outside such transducer assembly. The heat transfer device comprises graphene.
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
71.
METHOD FOR THE OPTIMIZATION OF THE PROCESS DECODING CODED ULTRASOUND SIGNALS AND ULTRASOUND SYSTEM OBTAINED BY SAID METHOD
The invention relates to a method for the optimization of the process decoding coded ultrasound signals. The method according to the invention provides the following steps: defining/selecting a coding function for ultrasound pulses transmitted to a body under examination by means of a predetermined probe; defining the coefficients of a filter decoding the received signal depending on the selected coding function; using said filter coefficients as the setting of the decoding filter corresponding to said predetermined probe for all the ultrasound systems provided in combination with said probe; and wherein the coefficients of the decoding filters are determined by the minimization, by a heuristic iterative process, of the difference between the characteristics of a receive signal, obtained in a real transmit/receive sequence and filtered with a decoding filter, and the characteristics of an ideal receive signal, that is a nominal one, by using as the coefficients of the decoding filter those obtained in the last iterative step.
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
72.
Method for determining an imaging specification and image-assisted navigation as well as device for image-assisted navigation
MedCom Gesellschaft für medizinische Bildverarbeitung mbH (Germany)
ESAOTE S.p.A. (Italy)
Inventor
Sakas, Georgios
Kolev, Velizar
De Beni, Stefano
Forzoni, Leonardo
Abstract
The present invention pertains to a method for image-assisted navigation, wherein an imaging specification for imaging a point in a three-dimensional system of coordinates in a point in a two-dimensional system of coordinates is determined, wherein a location of the imaging device is detected, and wherein the location of the imaging device is displayed in the two-dimensional reference image (RB).
Method for quantifying the elasticity of a material by ultrasounds, comprising the generation of one acoustic disturbance ultrasound beam (10) for the first excitation point (1), for generating a shear wave (11), a measurement of the shear wave (11) at a plurality of lines of sight placed in a region of interest (2) at different predetermined distances from the first excitation point (1), the calculation of the speed of the measured shear wave (11) and the assessment, by calculation, of a mean stiffness value of the material in the region of interest (2) on the basis of the measured speed of the shear wave (11). In the acquired image (3) a second excitation point (4) is defined, in such a position that the region of interest (2) is interposed between the first excitation point (1) and the second excitation point (4). The method for the second excitation point (4) is carried out, for calculating the speed of the shear wave (11) for the second excitation point (4), and the assessment by calculation of the mean stiffness value is carried out on the basis of the average between the speed of the shear wave measured for the first excitation point (1) and the speed of the shear wave measured for the second excitation point (4).
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
A method of fusing ultrasound images with pre-acquired images includes acquiring a first 3D ultrasound image in real-time; identifying at least one known reference pattern or object within a pre-acquired 3D image and the 3D ultrasound image; registering the real-time 3D ultrasound image with the pre-acquired 3D image by using the reference pattern or object; fusing the 3D ultrasound images of a sequence of real-time 3D ultrasound images; with the pre-acquired 3D image using data of the co-registration; and displaying fusion tomographic images, each including the corresponding real-time ultrasound image and the pre-acquired image. The registration between real-time 3D ultrasound images and the pre-acquired 3D image is performed continuously in the background by continuing to acquire the real-time 3D ultrasound images and to register them with the pre-acquired 3D images using the reference pattern or patterns or the object or objects.
An ultrasound probe (1) comprising a housing (6), a transducer assembly (301) operable to transmit ultrasonic energy towards a zone (801) of the probe adapted to be acoustically coupled to an object or area of interest, a cooling system comprising a heat transfer device (2, 5) arranged to transfer heat generated by the transducer assembly to one or more regions or areas (103, 7) located outside such transducer assembly. The heat transfer device comprises graphene.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G10K 11/02 - Mechanical acoustic impedances; Impedance matching, e.g. by horns; Acoustic resonators
B06B 1/06 - Processes or apparatus for generating mechanical vibrations of infrasonic, sonic or ultrasonic frequency making use of electrical energy operating with piezoelectric effect or with electrostriction
77.
Shimming method for correcting inhomogeinity of a static magnetic field generated by a magnet of a nuclear magnetic resonance machine
A shimming method for correcting inhomogeneity of a static magnetic field generated by a magnet of a nuclear magnetic resonance imaging machine includes: measuring the magnetic field at a plurality of points over a reference surface; generating a polynomial that solves Laplace's equation with boundary conditions given on the reference surface, the polynomial representing the magnetic field on the reference surface and having a plurality of harmonic terms, each associated with a coefficient; determining the coefficients from the field sampling values; defining a grid for positioning a plurality of correction elements and relating it to the field structure; and calculating the position and magnitude parameters of the correction elements, such that the correction elements affect the coefficients of the magnetic field to obtain the desired field characteristics, wherein the reference surface is a superquadric surface, such that the magnetic field is corrected in a volume delimited by the superquadric surface.
Method for ultrasound image acquisition includes defining a fixed frame of reference, with an origin of coordinates within a transmitter of a tracking system; detecting position and orientation of a probe relative to the frame of reference with a probe sensor of the tracking system coupled to the probe; detecting position and orientation of a body relative to the frame of reference with a reference sensor of the tracking system coupled to the body; calculating position and orientation of the probe with respect to the body; acquiring a set of 2D images constituting a 3D by transmitting an ultrasonic beam into the body and receiving echographic signals with the probe; iterating for a predetermined number of 3D image acquisitions; generating a panoramic 3D image by combining the 2D images based on information of position and orientation of the probe relative to the body for each 2D image acquisition.
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A portable ultrasonic diagnostic system includes a probe transmitting and receiving an ultrasonic signal to and from a region of interest, and a main unit having circuitry in communication with the probe to form an image based on the ultrasonic signal and a display displaying the formed image. The main unit has a weight which can be supported by one arm and is provided with a handle to be grasped by one hand. The main unit has a case in the form of a tablet computer, with a front side formed by a display and a rear side, and further has a handle.
Portable ultrasound machine, provided with means for the removable coupling to a supporting structure, comprising a main body and a monitor connected to said main body by means of a joint, which main body has an upper surface provided with a control user interface and a lower surface resting in a suitable housing seat of said supporting structure and one or more side walls connecting said upper surface to said lower surface, said monitor being provided with a front emitting side and a rear casing side opposite to said front emitting side, and there being provided a communication interface between said machine and said supporting structure, wherein said joint is articulatable such that said monitor is alternately movable in a first position wherein it is arranged parallel to said upper surface, with the front emitting side facing towards said upper surface, in a second position wherein it is arranged substantially vertical above said upper surface and in a third position wherein it is arranged parallel to said lower surface, with the front emitting side facing towards said lower surface.
Method for ultrasound image acquisition, comprising the following steps: • a) defining a fixed frame of reference, the origin of coordinates being set within a transmitter of a tracking system; • b) detecting position and orientation of a probe with respect to said frame of reference by means of a probe sensor of said tracking system coupled to said probe; • c) detecting position and orientation of a body to be imaged with respect to said frame of reference by means of a reference sensor of said tracking system coupled to said body; • d) calculating position and orientation of said probe with respect to said body; • e) acquiring a set of 2D images constituting a 3D image in Doppler mode by transmitting an ultrasonic beam into said body and receiving echographic signals from said body by said probe; • f) iterating points b) to e) for a predetermined number of 3D image acquisitions; • g) generating a panoramic 3D image by combining the 2D images of the acquired 3D images on the basis of the information of position and orientation of said probe with respect to said body calculated for each 2D image acquisition.
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
82.
Method of correcting inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field generated by the magnet of a MRI machine and device for carrying out such method
The present invention relates to a method of correcting inhomogeneity of the static magnetic field generated by the magnet of a Nuclear Magnetic Resonance imaging machine, wherein the magnet is flat and the magnetic field on one side of said magnet is corrected such that a volume is defined, which is bounded by a spherical cap surface, in which volume and along which surface the magnetic field is homogeneous, i.e. has field lines having equal parallel directions and equal intensities.
A method of reconstructing an MRI or ultrasound biomedical image, based on compressed sensing includes exciting a body under examination; acquiring image data from the generated signals, wherein the signals are acquired by pseudo-random undersampling; reconstructing the image using a nonlinear iterative algorithm for minimizing an optimization function containing one or more terms for image data sparsity in one or more predetermined domains with a data fidelity constraint term ensuring fidelity to the acquired image data; wherein two or more sets of image data are acquired from the generated signals, each data set being acquired in a different undersampling scheme and/or a different acquisition mode such as to make expected and unavoidable artifacts incoherent; each of the acquired image data set is multiplied by a correction matrix Δ.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
G01R 33/56 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques
G01R 33/565 - Correction of image distortions, e.g. due to magnetic field inhomogeneities
Magnetic resonance imaging method and device, preferably using T2-weighted Fast Spin Echo (FSE) sequences, wherein a first set of magnetic resonance signals corresponding to predetermined phase-encoding gradients and at least one second set of received magnetic resonance signals, corresponding to further predetermined phase-encoding gradients, are acquired from the body under examination, using multi-echo sequences, such that echoes with the same echo index are assigned to different phase-encoding gradients, said first set and said at least one second set being entered into at least two corresponding k-space matrices, and the at least two k-space matrices being combined into a single k-space matrix from which an image is generated, wherein each k-space matrix is incompletely filled such that, for the same phase encoding gradients, one matrix contains the higher-intensity received signals, and at least another matrix contains no signal.
G01R 33/561 - Image enhancement or correction, e.g. subtraction or averaging techniques by reduction of the scanning time, i.e. fast acquiring systems, e.g. using echo-planar pulse sequences
A Magnetic Resonance apparatus includes a 3D structure having a cavity for receiving a body under examination, a mechanism for generating a static magnetic field in the patient receiving cavity, a mechanism for generating variable magnetic fields in the cavity, an antenna for transmitting electromagnetic nuclear spin excitation pulses, an antenna for receiving the electromagnetic signals generated by nuclear spin relaxation, a plate for locating and fixing magnetic dipoles for fine correction of magnetic field homogeneity, and a compartment for the magnetic correction dipole locating and fixing plate, the compartment being adapted to be opened for direct access to the magnetic correction dipole locating and fixing plate from the outside. The compartment may be opened either by removal of an end plate of the magnetic field generating mechanism, or via a lateral slot for insertion and removal of the magnetic correction dipole locating and fixing plate.
A magnetic resonance imaging apparatus including a magnetic structure having two opposite and spaced apart poles and a column or wall transverse to the poles and connecting the poles; the poles defining two opposite walls delimiting a patient-imaging space, the two opposite walls extending along substantially parallel planes which are substantially parallel to a vertical plane; and a patient positioning table which is slidably connected to a supporting frame between the two poles; the table being positioned with its longitudinal axis substantially parallel to the two opposite parallel walls of the poles and the table being oriented with its transverse axis perpendicular to at least one of the two opposite walls.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
G01R 33/38 - Systems for generation, homogenisation or stabilisation of the main or gradient magnetic field
G01R 33/50 - NMR imaging systems based on the determination of relaxation times
G01R 33/44 - Arrangements or instruments for measuring magnetic variables involving magnetic resonance using nuclear magnetic resonance [NMR]
89.
Apparatus and method for performing diagnostic imaging examinations with tutorial means for the user, both in the preparatory step and in the operative step
Apparatus for performing diagnostic imaging examinations with tutorial means for the user, both in the preparatory step and in the operative step, and method for using the apparatus. The apparatus includes, stored into dedicated memory units, a list of procedural steps, with relevant text explanations and/or example images and/or example videos, reference parameters of setting status of commands and/or of execution sequence relevant to the execution of each procedural step, reference quality parameters of images and/or of reception signals relevant to acquisition of specific types of images, feedback means for detecting steps made by the operator and feedback means for detecting quality parameters of acquired images, and means for comparing procedural steps performed by the operator and quality parameters of acquired images and/or of reception signals with procedural steps and relevant reference quality parameters of images provided into the list stored into the image processing and/or acquisition procedure memory unit.
G09B 23/28 - Models for scientific, medical, or mathematical purposes, e.g. full-sized device for demonstration purposes for medicine
G06F 19/00 - Digital computing or data processing equipment or methods, specially adapted for specific applications (specially adapted for specific functions G06F 17/00;data processing systems or methods specially adapted for administrative, commercial, financial, managerial, supervisory or forecasting purposes G06Q;healthcare informatics G16H)
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Electric and electronic optical, weighing, measuring,
signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching
apparatus and instruments, not included in other classes;
computers, data processing equipment, and parts therefor;
components and accessories for computers, including
monitors, keyboards and keys; licensed data processors and
software; magnetic data-carriers, recording discs or cards
not included in other classes; image processing for medical
purposes; scanners. Surgical and medical instruments; medical equipment;
diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and apparatus;
scanners for medical purposes; parts, components and
accessories for the aforementioned goods not included in
other classes. Consultancy relating to technical equipment for medical
purposes.
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
Goods & Services
Computer hardware and software for medical imaging apparatus; Medical software for processing and displaying images on ultrasound medical imaging machines; Medical software for processing and displaying images on medical resonance imaging machines (MRI's); Apparatus for recording, transmission and reproduction of images; Software for processing digital images of the anatomy for diagnosis and treatment; Software for medical and veterinary applications for controlling and managing patient medical information, for processing, analyzing, displaying and storing patient data and clinical information Medical imaging apparatus incorporating medical imaging software; Medical ultrasound apparatus; Ultrasound probe for medical use; MRI diagnostic apparatus; Medical apparatus and instruments, namely, a handheld ultrasound unit for cardiac diagnosis, screening and cardiovascular patient follow-up; [ Medical apparatus and instruments for monitoring blood properties and respiratory events; Medical apparatus and instruments for monitoring vital signs, blood properties and respiratory events; ] Medical apparatus and instruments for use in surgery; [ Medical apparatus and instrument for diagnostic use, namely, apparatus for medical diagnostic testing in the fields of cancer or other tissue-based diagnostic testing, cytology and cell-based testing; Medical apparatus for diagnosing suspected heart attacks; Medical apparatus for diagnosing or treating respiratory conditions; Medical apparatus for detecting cancer; Medical apparatus for monitoring vital signs of patients; Medical apparatus, namely, fetal and maternal vital sign and physical distress monitors; Medical device for detecting cancer; Medical device for treating cancer; ] Medical devices and apparatus, namely, ultrasound imaging apparatus, scanners and needle guides, and parts and fittings therefor; [ Medical devices for monitoring blood properties and respiratory events; ] Medical devices, namely, surgical devices that facilitate the identification, separation or ablation of biologic tissues; [ Medical devices, namely, myocardial ischemia scanning devices; Medical devices, namely, minimally invasive devices for abdominal aortic aneurysms repair; Medical devices, namely, patient monitors and patient sensors for monitoring and measuring blood properties and respiratory events; Medical diagnostic apparatus, analytical apparatus for medical purposes and blood pressure measuring apparatus; ] Medical diagnostic apparatus for detecting cancer; [ Medical diagnostic instruments for the analysis of body fluids; ] Apparatus for the detection of diagnostic images, namely, ultrasound, nuclear magnetic resonance [, X-ray ] machines and parts thereof; Surgical devices, namely, medical instruments for interstitial thermotherapy of biological tissue, medical instruments for use in performing biopsies, needles for medical use [ ; ultrasonic therapy machines and apparatus ]
A method for ultrasonic detection and imaging of hemodynamic information includes the steps of transmitting ultrasonic pulses into a body, which are generated by an array of electro-acoustic transducers arranged in a predetermined order and design; receiving reflected pulses with an array of receiving electro-acoustic transducers, which generate receive signals upon stimulation of the reflected pulses, the succession of pulses transmitted to or received from the body being focused along one or more scan lines; generating a Doppler frequency shift signal resulting from the reflection of pulses transmitted by a blood flow into a vessel intersected by the scan line, in a point and along the scan line, or along a direction of propagation of a pulse; determining the direction of blood flow velocity from the average frequency value of Doppler shift frequencies; and displaying the direction of blood flow velocity by graphical and/or chromatic representation differentiating opposite directions.
An imaging system and method are disclosed for monitoring a body. The system is constructed and arranged such that the method of use includes the acquisition of a first image and the acquisition of a second image. In the exemplary embodiment the first image is a volumetric three-dimensional image and the second image is a two-dimensional image.
A61B 5/055 - Detecting, measuring or recording for diagnosis by means of electric currents or magnetic fields; Measuring using microwaves or radio waves involving electronic [EMR] or nuclear [NMR] magnetic resonance, e.g. magnetic resonance imaging
A61B 8/08 - Detecting organic movements or changes, e.g. tumours, cysts, swellings
09 - Scientific and electric apparatus and instruments
10 - Medical apparatus and instruments
42 - Scientific, technological and industrial services, research and design
Goods & Services
Electric and electronic optical, weighing, measuring, signalling, checking (supervision), life-saving and teaching apparatus and instruments, not included in other classes; Computers, data processing equipment, and parts therefor; Components and accessories for computers, including monitors, Keyboards and Keys; Licensed data processors and software; Magnetic data-carriers, recording discs or cards not included in other classes; Imageprocessing for medical purposes; Scanners. Surgical and medical instruments; Medical equipment; Diagnostic and therapeutic instruments and apparatus; Scanners for medical purposes; Parts, components and accessories for the aformentioned goods not included in other classes. Consultancy relating to technical equipment for medical purposes.
97.
A METHOD AND AN APPARATUS FOR ULTRASOUND IMAGE ACQUISITION
Apparatus for ultrasound image acquisition integrated into the casing of an ultrasound probe for ultrasound imaging apparatuses which probe comprises an array of electroacoustic transducers for transmitting and receiving ultrasound pulses which transducers communicate with a processing unit to which they feed reception signals and with a unit generating signals for exciting the transmission of ultrasound waves. According to the invention, at least said processing unit is fitted into the probe casing and it comprises means for converting the reception signals into an image, as well as video signal generating means for generating an image on a display unit, wireless communication means (4) being provided for the transmission between said probe and a remote unit displaying and possibly storing said images as video signals.
A61B 8/00 - Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
A61B 5/00 - Measuring for diagnostic purposes ; Identification of persons
G10K 11/34 - Sound-focusing or directing, e.g. scanning using electrical steering of transducer arrays, e.g. beam steering
G01S 7/52 - RADIO DIRECTION-FINDING; RADIO NAVIGATION; DETERMINING DISTANCE OR VELOCITY BY USE OF RADIO WAVES; LOCATING OR PRESENCE-DETECTING BY USE OF THE REFLECTION OR RERADIATION OF RADIO WAVES; ANALOGOUS ARRANGEMENTS USING OTHER WAVES - Details of systems according to groups , , of systems according to group
G01S 15/89 - Sonar systems specially adapted for specific applications for mapping or imaging
98.
Method of measuring the thickness of a biological tissue by ultrasounds and device for carrying out such method
A method of measuring the thickness of a biological tissue by ultrasounds and a device carrying out such method. The method is implemented with an ultrasound probe that emits ultrasonic pulses within a body under examination and receives echoes generated from structures of the body under examination. The probe includes an array of two or more electro-acoustic transducers and, in combination, means for processing the reception signals and means for orienting one or more lines of sight, along which the emission of the pulses and/or the reception of the echoes is focused, according to different angles with respect to an axis perpendicular to the emitting surface of the probe. The thickness of the biological tissue is calculated by the time interval between the reception of the first echo and the reception of the second echo, which are relevant to the same ultrasonic pulse emitted along at least a line of sight oriented along an axis perpendicular to the surface of the biological tissue, which is defined by the iteration of measurements with the line of sight oriented at different angles and with comparisons between the measured intensity values, the orientation corresponding to the axis perpendicular to the surface of the biological tissue being the one showing the maximum intensity of the first echo.
The invention relates to a method for determining the structural organization of a target object comprising the steps of: - transmitting a signal interacting with the object; - receiving reflection and/or transmission and/or diffraction and/or matter excitation signal or signals generated by structures and/or interfaces of the object in response to said signal, - extracting a phase signal of such response signal or signals; - determining discontinuities in such phase signal; - relating such discontinuities to the spatial distribution of such structures and/or interfaces of the object. Also a corresponding device is disclosed.
A Magnetic Resonance apparatus, which comprises a 3D structure having a cavity for receiving a body under examination, means (21) for generating a static magnetic field in said patient receiving cavity, means for generating variable magnetic fields, known as gradients, in said cavity, an antenna (23) for transmitting electromagnetic nuclear spin excitation pulses, an antenna for receiving the electromagnetic signals generated by nuclear spin relaxation, with a plate (1) being provided for locating and fixing magnetic dipoles for fine correction of magnetic field homogeneity, for the purposes of shimming. According to the invention, the means for generating the magnetic field have a compartment (26) for the magnetic correction dipole locating and fixing plate, said compartment being adapted to be opened for direct access to the magnetic correction dipole locating and securing plate via a lateral slot.
