Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate obtaining two dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, using two or more ultrasound imaging modes or modalities, to generate 2D multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) images and/or to generate a three-dimensional (3D) mpUS image. The different ultrasound imaging modes acquire images in a common frame of reference during a single procedure to facilitate their registration. The mpUS images (i.e., 2D or 3D) may be used for enhanced and/or automated detection of one or more suspicious regions. After identifying one or more suspicious regions, the mpUS images may be utilized with a real-time image to guide biopsy or therapy the region(s). All these processes may be performed in a single medical procedure.

Systems and methods are disclosed that facilitate obtaining two dimensional (2D) ultrasound images, using two or more ultrasound imaging modes or modalities, to generate 2D multi-parametric ultrasound (mpUS) images and/or to generate a three-dimensional (3D) mpUS image. The different ultrasound imaging modes acquire images in a common frame of reference during a single procedure to facilitate their registration. The mpUS images (i.e., 2D or 3D) may be used for enhanced and/or automated detection of one or more suspicious regions. After identifying one or more suspicious regions, the mpUS images may be utilized with a real-time image to guide biopsy or therapy the region(s). All these processes may be performed in a single medical procedure.

An ultrasonic diagnosis apparatus includes a position detector, and control circuitry. The position detector detects a position in a three-dimensional space of one of an ultrasonic image and an ultrasonic probe. The control circuitry uses a vivisection view defined in a three-dimensional space. The control circuitry associates a structure related to a subject included in the ultrasonic image with a structure included in the vivisection view using a position and orientation in a first three-dimensional coordinate system of the structure related to the subject included in the ultrasonic image and a position and orientation in a second three-dimensional coordinate system of the structure included in the vivisection view.

The present embodiments relate generally to ultrasound imaging methods and apparatus that allow for multiple modes of imaging using a single ultrasound transducer having a plurality of transducer elements. In an embodiment, there is provided an ultrasound imaging machine that is: operable in a first imaging mode in which the plurality of transducer elements are activated; and operable in a second imaging mode different from the first imaging mode, and in the second imaging mode, a subset of the plurality of transducer elements are activated so that ultrasound signals are steered from the subset of the plurality of transducer elements, where any remaining transducer elements of the plurality of transducer elements not part of the subset are inactive when operating in the second imaging mode.

A system and method for tracking completeness of co-registered medical image data is disclosed herein. The system and method tracks the position of an anatomical reference marker positionable on a patient and an ultrasound probe during an imaging session and co-registers medical images based on positional data received from the anatomical reference marker and the ultrasound probe. Using the co-registered image data, the system and method generates a surface contour of a region of interest (ROI) of the patient, such as a breast. The surface contour is defined to represent an interface between a chest wall structure and tissue of the ROI in a plurality of co-registered medical images. A completeness map of the image data within the defined surface contour during the imaging session is generated and overlaid on a graphic representation of the ROI.

A two-dimensional array ultrasound probe, which is enabled for ultrasonic reception operation of a continuous wave Doppler mode (C mode) and an imaging mode (B mode). The probe includes a reception circuit provided for each transducer and a first multiplexer; a plurality of first wires connected to the first multiplexer; a second wire connected to a plurality of first wires outside the array; switches that are provided to the second wire and that can be turned off to adapt to phasing addition units; a plurality of second multiplexers connected to the second wire and a plurality of first output ports for the first mode; and a plurality of second output ports that are connected to each region between the switches on the second wire and that are used in the second mode.

A framework for image-based probe positioning is disclosed herein. The framework receives a current image from a probe. The current image is acquired by the probe within a structure of interest. The framework predicts a position of the probe and generates a recommendation of a next maneuver to be performed using the probe by applying the current image to a trained classifier. The framework then outputs the predicted position and the recommendation of the next maneuver.

The visualization method includes displaying three-dimensional image data of at least one anatomical feature of a patient, receiving user input of the target for placing an ablation needle in the at least one anatomical feature of the patient, determining the position and orientation of the ablation needle based on the user input, displaying an image of a virtual ablation needle in the three-dimensional image data of the at least one anatomical feature of the patient according to the determined position and orientation, receiving user input of parameters of operating the ablation needle, and displaying a three-dimensional representation of the result of operating the ablation needle according to the input parameters.

The visualization method includes displaying three-dimensional image data of at least one anatomical feature of a patient, receiving user input of the target for placing an ablation needle in the at least one anatomical feature of the patient, determining the position and orientation of the ablation needle based on the user input, displaying an image of a virtual ablation needle in the three-dimensional image data of the at least one anatomical feature of the patient according to the determined position and orientation, receiving user input of parameters of operating the ablation needle, and displaying a three-dimensional representation of the result of operating the ablation needle according to the input parameters.

Disclosed are systems and methods using ultrasound to predict if a patient's cardiac stroke volume will increase with a fluid bolus. Ultrasound measures are taken before administering a fluid bolus, including measurement of the left ventricular outflow tract velocity time integral (LVOT VTI), and venous measurements of the internal jugular vein. Data collected from such ultrasound scan is then used to predict the patient's cardiac volume response in the event that a fluid bolus is administered to that patient.