摘要:
Steered spatial compounding is provided in ultrasound imaging. Component frames of data associated with different spatial response are processed to identify different sources of signals. Matched filtering and/or spatial variance with erosion distinguish between sources of signals, such as distinguishing between (1) anatomical structure and (2) soft tissue and/or noise. The locations in the patient are segmented by the source of signals and different compounding is applied for the different sources.
摘要:
Contrast agents are characterized with ultrasound. Flowing or unbound contrast agents are distinguished automatically from bound or relatively stationary contrast agents. The bound or relatively stationary contrast agents are highlighted on a display. A processor distinguishes different types of contrast agents or contrast agents in different binding states with relative signal strength or velocity. Attached contrast agents are differentiated from phagocytosed contrast agents. Monitoring absolute signal strength as a function of time may indicate binding. Any one or more of these features may be used.
摘要:
System parameters for contrast agent medical imaging are conveniently set. A simplified contrast agent configuration is provided where an appropriate contrast agent detection technique and/or contrast agent imaging parameters are achieved consistently and more often then exists with current methods. Examination workflow is improved for contrast agent studies by offering one contrast agent imaging mode or configuration that is dynamically determined and optimized based on the user's selected transmit level and/or a real-time measurement of the contrast agent signals. A simplified user interface provides one contrast agent imaging mode without a need to switch between multiple modes or contrast agent detection techniques and associated contrast agent imaging parameters. The contrast agent detection technique and imaging parameters are adjusting or selected based on changes in the transmit levels for contrast agent imaging. Either a single user input control or real time measurements are used to select a transmit level, resulting in automatic selection of adjustment of the detection technique and/or imaging parameters. Appropriate contrast agent detection techniques and imaging parameters are selected for each given transmit level without the user having to switch the mode or configuration of the system during an imaging session. As a result, contrast agent examinations are simplified while minimizing suboptimal selection by a user.
摘要:
A plane or volume is scanned with ultrasound. Electronic movement of apertures is used during the scanning. Scanning with the apertures is interleaved. The apertures move along the array in opposite directions, preventing or limiting large temporal discontinuity. For example, two apertures begin at similar angles on a two-dimensional array. Planar scans are performed for each aperture location. The apertures are counter rotated (i.e., one clockwise and the other counter clockwise).
摘要:
Minimum arc interpolation is performed on velocity information distributed in three dimensions. By using complex representations of the velocity information, the interpolation may more accurately represent the angle or velocity for spatial conversion. Tri-linearly interpolating velocity information converts the information representing a three-dimensional volume to a reconstruction grid. The interpolation is performed with a graphics processing unit. Complex representations of the velocity are loaded as texture data. The graphics processing unit interpolates the data as texture fields. Look-up tables are used to determine an angle from the interpolated complex representation and/or a color value for displaying velocities associated with different spatial locations.
摘要:
Contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic imaging is provided. Frames of data from common phase periods are grouped. Motion correction is performed within each common phase group. An image representing contrast agents is formed from a combination of the frames within each common phase, motion corrected group.
摘要:
Highly specific measurements of flow in vessels, such as the coronary artery, can be obtained by processing cubic fundamental information. By showing flow in vessels with a high degree of contrast-to-tissue specificity, ultrasound based 3D contrast agent based coronary artery angiograms may be possible. Measurement and display of the velocity of agent from the cubic fundamental signal is provided simultaneously with display of cubic fundamental energy, such as providing a display map indexed by both energy and velocity. High pulse repetition frequency (PRF) for cubic fundamental detection in conjunction with long velocity measurement intervals may increase low velocity sensitivity and measurement precision. Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler may be improved by using a cubic fundamental sensitive pulse sequence. Using cubic fundamental sensitive techniques with other motion estimation techniques, such as two-dimensional velocity estimation or speckle tracking, may operate better than using other contrast agent detection techniques because of substantially reduced clutter.
摘要:
Contrast agent enhanced medical diagnostic imaging is improved by selecting particular frames of data. Frames of data are acquired over time. Information from the frames of data are combined, such as for a time intensity curve or maximum intensity processing. Rather than combining information from each of the frames, information from some frames is not used. Frames are selected for inclusion. In one embodiment, the selection is based on one type of data (e.g., B-mode) for combining information for another type of data (e.g., contrast agent data).
摘要:
Highly specific measurements of flow in vessels, such as the coronary artery, can be obtained by processing cubic fundamental information. By showing flow in vessels with a high degree of contrast-to-tissue specificity, ultrasound based 3D contrast agent based coronary artery angiograms may be possible. Measurement and display of the velocity of agent from the cubic fundamental signal is provided simultaneously with display of cubic fundamental energy, such as providing a display map indexed by both energy and velocity. High pulse repetition frequency (PRF) for cubic fundamental detection in conjunction with long velocity measurement intervals may increase low velocity sensitivity and measurement precision. Pulsed wave (PW) Doppler may be improved by using a cubic fundamental sensitive pulse sequence. Using cubic fundamental sensitive techniques with other motion estimation techniques, such as two-dimensional velocity estimation or speckle tracking, may operate better than using other contrast agent detection techniques because of substantially reduced clutter.
摘要:
A medical ultrasonic imaging system transmits a set of two or more substantially identical transmit pulses into a tissue containing a contrast agent. The associated received pulses are filtered with a broadband filter that passes both the fundamental and at least one harmonic component of the echoes. The filtered received pulses are then applied to a clutter filter that suppresses harmonic and fundamental responses from slowly moving and stationary tissue, while clearly showing contrast agent response due to the loss of correlation effect. The disclosed system includes other signal paths for generating conventional B-mode images as well as combined images that include both components from the contrast-specific image as well as components from the B-mode image. An improved user interface allows the user to switch among these three images. Preferably the transmitter generates transmitted pulses having two or more spatially distinct focus zones, thereby improving the uniformity of contrast agent imaging over the imaged region.