In order to estimate a temperature of a transmission-reception wavefront of a probe head, a first computing unit and a second computing unit are provided. The first computing unit estimates a temperature TA of the transmission-reception wavefront according to a basic function based on an internal temperature T1, an ambient temperature T2, power consumption Ptotal (=Pic+Ptd), and any other parameter. The basic function is a linear function. The second computing unit estimates a temperature TB of the transmission-reception wavefront according to an auxiliary function based on a previously estimated temperature Tpre, an internal temperature difference T1, and any other, parameter. A selection unit selects any of the temperatures TA and TB depending on situations.

With a detector in which detection elements are placed in a spherical shape, a uniform resolution area is narrow. An acoustic-wave acquisition apparatus of the present invention is equipped with a detector including a plurality of detection elements that receive acoustic waves from a subject, the receiving surfaces of at least some of the detection elements being at different angles. The apparatus includes a scanning unit configured to move at least one of the subject and the detector to change the relative position of the subject and a highest-resolution area determined depending on the placement of the detection elements.

System for non-invasive measuring of an intracranial reserve space (ICRS) parameter of a mammalian subject, comprising a multi-frequency ultrasound probe configured, beginning at a start time, to emit and receive ultrasound waves into and the subject's head and to produce a signal of brain tissue pulsation; an instrument configured to non-invasively partially occlude an internal jugular vein (IJV) starting at the start time and including a second ultrasound probe producing a second signal; and a computer system configured to receive the signal, the second signal and the start time, the computer system also configured, using one or more processors, to derive from the signal an intracranial brain tissue pulsation waveform and from the second signal images of the IJV, and to determine a length of time from the start time to a subsequent time at which the waveform is sufficiently compressed so as to exhibit a predefined decline in variability.

There is provided a non-invasive method of generating image data of intra-cranial tissue using ultrasound energy that is transmitted across a head of a subject through the skull of the subject. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing an ultrasound observed data set derived from a measurement of one or more ultrasound waveforms generated by at least one source of ultrasound energy, the ultrasound energy being detected by a plurality of receivers located at an opposing side of a region within the intra-cranial cavity with respect to at least one source such that the receivers detect ultrasound waveforms from the source which have been transmitted through the skull and intra-cranial cavity, the observed data set comprising a plurality of observed data values; b) providing at least one starting model for at least a portion of the head comprising a skull component and a soft tissue component, the skull component comprising a plurality of model parameters representative of the physical properties and morphology of the skull through which intra-cranial tissue is being imaged, and the soft tissue component comprising a plurality of parameters representative of the physical properties of the intra-cranial tissue being imaged; c) generating a predicted data set comprising a plurality of predicted data values from the starting model of the skull and of the intra-cranial tissue; d) comparing the observed and predicted data values in order to generate an updated model of at least one physical property within at least a region of the intra-cranial cavity; and e) using the updated model to image a region of the inter-cranial cavity to identify tissue composition and/or morphology within the intra-cranial cavity.

There is provided a non-invasive method of generating image data of intra-cranial tissue using ultrasound energy that is transmitted across a head of a subject through the skull of the subject. The method comprises the steps of: a) providing an ultrasound observed data set derived from a measurement of one or more ultrasound waveforms generated by at least one source of ultrasound energy, the ultrasound energy being detected by a plurality of receivers located at an opposing side of a region within the intra-cranial cavity with respect to at least one source such that the receivers detect ultrasound waveforms from the source which have been transmitted through the skull and intra-cranial cavity, the observed data set comprising a plurality of observed data values; b) providing at least one starting model for at least a portion of the head comprising a skull component and a soft tissue component, the skull component comprising a plurality of model parameters representative of the physical properties and morphology of the skull through which intra-cranial tissue is being imaged, and the soft tissue component comprising a plurality of parameters representative of the physical properties of the intra-cranial tissue being imaged; c) generating a predicted data set comprising a plurality of predicted data values from the starting model of the skull and of the intra-cranial tissue; d) comparing the observed and predicted data values in order to generate an updated model of at least one physical property within at least a region of the intra-cranial cavity; and e) using the updated model to image a region of the inter-cranial cavity to identify tissue composition and/or morphology within the intra-cranial cavity.

An Oblique Backscatter Ultrasound imaging system includes a transceiver that has an US source and a plurality of US detectors configured in receive signals off axis from the US source. While the system is arranged in a reflective configuration, the device produces transmissive contrast signals to yield improved images. The transceiver can be mounted to a movable stage or robotic arm to enable it to scan the surface of a target. Alternatively, scanning can be performed by 1D or 2D phased-array transmission or detection.

An Oblique Backscatter Ultrasound imaging system includes a transceiver that has an US source and a plurality of US detectors configured in receive signals off axis from the US source. While the system is arranged in a reflective configuration, the device produces transmissive contrast signals to yield improved images. The transceiver can be mounted to a movable stage or robotic arm to enable it to scan the surface of a target. Alternatively, scanning can be performed by 1D or 2D phased-array transmission or detection.

The present invention relates to devices for detecting esophageal state changes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lightweight, portable, user-operable device capable of detecting gastroesophageal reflux events. The sonography array can also be used to track the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux events, and can either store or deliver the data either to a practitioner's server or to a user's electronic device.

The present invention relates to devices for detecting esophageal state changes. More specifically, the present invention relates to a lightweight, portable, user-operable device capable of detecting gastroesophageal reflux events. The sonography array can also be used to track the frequency of gastroesophageal reflux events, and can either store or deliver the data either to a practitioner's server or to a user's electronic device.

An acoustic wave diagnostic apparatus includes: an image display unit that displays an acquired acoustic wave image; a measurement item designation receiving unit that receives designation of a measurement item relevant to a measurement target; a detection measurement algorithm setting unit that sets a detection measurement algorithm based on the received measurement item; a position designation receiving unit that receives designation of a position of the measurement target on an acoustic wave image displayed on the image display unit; and a measurement unit that, in a case where the designation of the position is received, detects the measurement target based on the received position and the detection measurement algorithm and performs measurement for the detected measurement target.