Various methods and systems are provided for a guided at-home ultrasound imaging session. In one example, a system for ultrasonically scanning a tissue sample includes a hand-held ultrasound probe including a transducer array of transducer elements, a probe position tracking device including one or more position sensors coupled to the ultrasound probe, and a controller. The controller is configured to, during an imaging session, determine a position of the ultrasound probe relative to a target position based on position data collected by the probe position tracking device, and responsive to an indication that the ultrasound probe is at the target position, acquire image data with the transducer array.

An ultrasonic apparatus including a plurality of channels, each includes a transmission channel configured to generate and output a transmission signal based on a synchronization signal; a transducer element configured to convert the transmission signal output from the transmission channel into an ultrasonic signal and output the ultrasonic signal; a transceiver switching circuit configured to attenuate and output the transmission signal output from the transmission channel, and to output a reception signal that returns after the ultrasonic signal is transmitted to an object and is reflected from the object; and a reception channel configured to receive the attenuated output transmission signal and the output reception signal, and to detect transmission waveform information based on the attenuated transmission signal. The ultrasonic apparatus may further include a controller configured to store reference waveform information according to a transmission condition, and to compare the detected transmission waveform information with the reference waveform information.

A multiple aperture ultrasound imaging system may be configured to store raw, un-beamformed echo data. Stored echo data may be retrieved and re-beamformed using modified parameters in order to enhance the image or to reveal information that was not visible or not discernible in an original image. Raw echo data may also be transmitted over a network and beamformed by a remote device that is not physically proximate to the probe performing imaging. Such systems may allow physicians or other practitioners to manipulate echo data as though they were imaging the patient directly, even without the patient being present. Many unique diagnostic opportunities are made possible by such systems and methods.

A system and method determines efficiency data of a technician performing a Medical Data Acquisition Procedure (MDAP), using a Medical Data Acquisition System (MDAS). The method includes receiving timing data including Digital Imaging and Communications in Medicine (DICOM) metadata obtained during the MDAP by the MDAS. The DICOM metadata includes time duration information relating to each of a plurality of stages of the MDAP. The method includes determining the efficiency data of the technician as a function of the timing data and predetermined efficiency data defined for the MDAP using the MDAS.

A system and method for monitoring ultrasound probe health is provided. The method includes acquiring test data from a plurality of elements of an ultrasound probe by, for each of the plurality of elements, transmitting an ultrasonic signal from one of the elements and receiving a signal on two or more of the elements based on the transmitted ultrasonic signal. The method includes automatically analyzing the test data from the elements to determine a health report for the ultrasound probe. The health report includes a health status for each of a plurality of components of the ultrasound probe. At least one of the components is not part of a transducer array. The method includes automatically displaying the health report on a display device. The health report includes information for at least one of the components.

A system and method for monitoring ultrasound probe health is provided. The method includes acquiring test data from a plurality of elements of an ultrasound probe by, for each of the plurality of elements, transmitting an ultrasonic signal from one of the elements and receiving a signal on two or more of the elements based on the transmitted ultrasonic signal. The method includes automatically analyzing the test data from the elements to determine a health report for the ultrasound probe. The health report includes a health status for each of a plurality of components of the ultrasound probe. At least one of the components is not part of a transducer array. The method includes automatically displaying the health report on a display device. The health report includes information for at least one of the components.

An ultrasonic diagnostic imaging system has a thin two dimensional array transducer probe which is taped or belted to a patient to image a target region during radiotherapy. The radiotherapy procedure is conducted based upon planning done based on images of the target region acquired prior to the procedure. The array transducer is operated by an ultrasound system to produce three dimensional images of the target region by electronic beam steering, either during or between fractions of the treatment procedure. The ultrasound images are used to adjust the treatment plan in response to any movement or displacement of the target anatomy during the treatment procedure.

In a system for the administration of a group of imaging devices which are equipped with a corresponding device hosts, device software and a configuration protocol are executably stored on the device host. The system can include a distributed database system which configured to receive configuration protocols from the device host and to store modified configuration protocols for the respective device host, and to distribute modified configuration protocols. The received and/or stored configuration protocols are made available via a central write access. The system can include an administrator having a memory, a user interface and a processor for communicating with the distributed database system. Configuration protocols can be modified via the user interface and sent to the distributed database system for storage and/or distribution to at least one selected imaging device. These aspects are also applicable to a method for the administration of imaging devices.

A hand-held ultrasound system includes integrated electronics within an ergonomic housing. The electronics includes control circuitry, beamforming and circuitry transducer drive circuitry. The electronics communicate with a host computer using an industry standard high speed serial bus. The ultrasonic imaging system is operable on a standard, commercially available, user computing device without specific hardware modifications, and is adapted to interface with an external application without modification to the ultrasonic imaging system to allow a user to gather ultrasonic data on a standard user computing device such as a PC, and employ the data so gathered via an independent external application without requiring a custom system, expensive hardware modifications, or system rebuilds. An integrated interface program allows such ultrasonic data to be invoked by a variety of such external applications having access to the integrated interface program via a standard, predetermined platform such as visual basic or c++.

A multiple aperture ultrasound imaging system may be configured to store raw, un-beamformed echo data. Stored echo data may be retrieved and re-beamformed using modified parameters in order to enhance the image or to reveal information that was not visible or not discernible in an original image. Raw echo data may also be transmitted over a network and beamformed by a remote device that is not physically proximate to the probe performing imaging. Such systems may allow physicians or other practitioners to manipulate echo data as though they were imaging the patient directly, even without the patient being present. Many unique diagnostic opportunities are made possible by such systems and methods.