A dual frequency transducer array includes one or more low frequency transducer arrays and a high frequency transducer array. Unfocused ultrasound such as plane waves are transmitted by the one or more low frequency transducer arrays in a number of different directions into an imaging region of the high frequency transducer array. High frequency echo signals produced by excited contrast agent in the imaging region are received by the high frequency transducer array to produce a contrast agent image. In another embodiment, the high frequency transducer produces unfocused ultrasound to excite the contrast agent in the imaging region and the low frequency transducer(s) receives low frequency echo signals from the excited contrast agent. A tissue image is created from echo signals received by the high or low frequency transducer. Echo data from the tissue image and the contrast agent image are combined to produce a combined tissue/contrast agent image.

The present discussion relates to structures and devices to facilitate application of an ultrasound therapy beam to a target anatomic region in a replicable manner. In certain aspects, adjustable positioning structures are described that allow a general probe positioning structure to be configured for a specific patient in a manner that allows the device to be used repeatedly to target the anatomic region, even when in non-clinical settings. In other aspects, a probe positioning structure is fabricated that is specific to a respective patient anatomy, such that use of the probe positioning structure provides repeatable targeting of the target anatomic region, even when in non-clinical settings.

An ultrasound probe including a probe body having a mounting area and a flexible lip around said mounting area for sealing a space between the mounting area and a subject contacted by the ultrasound probe; and a number of ultrasound transducer elements mounted in the mounting area. The probe body further includes an inlet to said space and an outlet from said space for facilitating a fluid flow through said space when sealed. Also included are an ultrasound system including such an ultrasound probe and a method of subjecting a subject to ultrasound waves generated with such an ultrasound probe.

The invention relates to a nasogastric tube (100) comprising a nasogastric tubing (102) having first and second ends (102a, 102b), a power supply part (106) located at or adjacent the first end, and a transducer part (104) located at or adjacent the second end for transmitting or receiving an ultrasound based signal. Also disclosed is a positioning system comprising the said nasogastric tube, and a control module comprising an at least one detection portion and a processor.

An ultrasound probe includes: an ultrasound transducer array in which a plurality of ultrasound transducers configured to transmit and receive ultrasound are arrayed; a backing layer provided on a proximal end surface of the ultrasound transducer array; and a piezoelectric element, provided on a proximal end surface of the backing layer, whose direction of polarization is opposite to a direction of polarization of the plurality of ultrasound transducers.

Disclosed in the application is a handheld three-dimensional ultrasound imaging method, comprising using a handheld ultrasound probe to scan a part to be tested; obtaining a three-dimensional position and angle information corresponding to ultrasound images according to a positioning reference device adapted to be arranged on the part to be tested; obtaining a moving distance and a rotation angle of the handheld ultrasound probe according to a material interference of the localization pattern with the ultrasonic signal; extracting information of the localization pattern from the ultrasound image as positioning information; restoring the ultrasound image to a state without interference from the localization pattern; performing 3D image reconstruction and display of the ultrasound image. The large spatial positioning system in an existing three-dimensional ultrasound imaging system is changed into a portable spatial positioning system that can be used at any time, so that handheld three-dimensional ultrasound imaging can be widely applied.

The invention relates to a measurement device for the blood flow of an individual, for example for the detection of bubbles. The device comprises an acoustic emitter and a case with an emission surface capping the acoustic emitter. The emission surface is terminated at one end by a clavicular contact portion perpendicular to the emission surface and suited for coming to rest against a clavicle bone of the individual and is terminated at another end by a shoulder contact portion perpendicular to the emission surface and suited for coming to rest against a bone of the shoulder of the individual. A vertical distance between the middle of an active zone of the emission surface and the clavicular contact portion is less than 20 mm. A transverse distance between the middle of the active zone and the shoulder contact portion is included between 20 and 50 mm.

An ultrasound diagnosis apparatus includes: a two-dimensional (2D) transducer array in which a plurality of transducers that transmit/receive an ultrasound signal to/from an object are arranged in two dimensions; an analog beamformer configured to perform analog beamforming in a first direction, and perform analog beamforming in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction on signals respectively received by the plurality of transducers; and a digital beamformer configured to perform digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the first direction, and perform digital beamforming on the signals that are analog-beamformed in the second direction.

Provided are an apparatus and method for blood pressure measurement using an electroacoustic transducer in combination with a piezoelectric ultrasonic transducer. The apparatus and method can provide continuous, noninvasive blood pressure monitoring.

Improved imaging devices and methods. A portable SPECT imaging device may co-register with imaging modalities such as ultrasound. Gamma camera panels including gamma camera sensors may be connected to a mechanical arm. A coded aperture mask may be placed in front of a gamma-ray photon sensor and used to construct a high-resolution three-dimensional map of radioisotope distributions inside a patient, which can be generated by scanning the patient from a reduced range of directions around the patient and with radiation sensors placed in close proximity to this patient. Increased imaging sensitivity and resolution is provided. The SPECT imaging device can be used to guide medical interventions, such as biopsies and ablation therapies, and can also be used to guide surgeries.