Provided is an ultrasound diagnostic apparatus including an ultrasound probe, an imaging section that images the subject on the basis of a reception signal output from the ultrasound probe to generate an ultrasound image, an image analysis section that performs image analysis using the ultrasound image, a movement detection sensor that detects and outputs a movement of the ultrasound probe as a detection signal, a movement amount calculation section that calculates a movement amount of the ultrasound probe in a case where an imaging inspection portion that is currently being imaged among a plurality of inspection portions of the subject is inspected, using the detection signal output from the movement detection sensor, and a portion discrimination section that discriminates the imaging inspection portion on the basis of an image analysis result in the image analysis section and the movement amount calculated by the movement amount calculation section.

Aspects of the technology described herein relate to guiding collection of ultrasound data collection using motion and/or orientation data. A first instruction for rotating or tilting the ultrasound imaging device to a default orientation may be provided. Based on determining that the ultrasound imaging device is in the default orientation, a second instruction for translating the ultrasound imaging device to a target position may be provided. Based on determining that the ultrasound imaging device is in the target position, a third instruction for rotating or tilting the ultrasound imaging device to a target orientation may be provided.

A thickness calculation method includes: a signal acquisition step of acquiring a reception signal by transmitting an ultrasonic wave from an ultrasonic probe into a living body and receiving the ultrasonic wave reflected in the living body by the ultrasonic probe; a boundary candidate extraction step of extracting a plurality of boundary candidates from the reception signal; a feature information acquisition step of acquiring feature information based on a change in the reception signal; a state determination step of inputting the feature information and the boundary candidate to a machine learning model that receives the feature information and the boundary candidate and outputs boundary information indicating whether the boundary candidate is a boundary of a tissue in the living body, and acquiring the boundary information; and a thickness calculation step of calculating a thickness of the tissue based on the boundary information.

A fully automated ultrasound apparatus includes a sensor or probe which can be initially manually attached to a side of the neck of a patient, an ultrasound interface to control the sensor and periodically acquire raw ultrasound data, a signal and image processing system to autonomously convert the raw ultrasound data into a measurement that is useful to physicians, and a display to relay the current measurements and measurement history to provide data trends. The sensor can include one or more ultrasound transducers built into a housing. A disposable component can serve to secure the sensor to the neck of the patient and to provide a coupling medium between the sensor and the skin of the patient.

A system for instrument guidance is disclosed. The system can include an instrument guide device and a transducer system. The instrument guide device can include an instrument guide and an instrument guide bracket that includes a magnet, and the instrument guide bracket can be removably attachable to the instrument guide. The transducer system can include an ultrasound probe bracket that is removably attachable to an ultrasound probe. Further, the instrument guide device can removably attach to the ultrasound probe bracket. The ultrasound probe bracket can further include a first sensor and second sensor. The first sensor can wirelessly track a position of the magnet to determine position data of the instrument guidance system. And the second sensor can provide power or disengage power to the instrument guidance device when the instrument guide is attached or detached, respectively.

Methods and system for characterizing ligament properties using elastography are disclosed. An ultrasound system capable of performing shear wave elasticity imaging and/or supersonic shear imaging may retrieve one or more images from a proposed surgical site. The one or more images may be provided to a surgical planning system that identifies one or more properties of ligaments proximate to the surgical site. Musculoskeletal simulations may be performed using the identified properties to preoperatively identify a surgical plan. Preoperative identification of a surgical plan may enable a surgeon to select from more fine-tuning options for a joint replacement than conventional systems.

Methods for acquiring ultrasonic data from a scanner constructed for B-mode scans are disclosed. An image-acquiring system is provided. A three-dimensional target region is selected. A model of the target region comprising a plurality of target locations representing a plurality of planned locations in the target region at which ultrasonic data is to be acquired is created, and a visual representation of the model comprising a plurality of graphical elements is displayed. Ultrasonic data at each of the planned locations is acquired. A transformation of the visual representation is executed, comprising: performing a data quality test at each target location; for any target location that fails the data quality test, altering a graphical element corresponding to the failed target location to indicate failure of the data quality test at that location; and displaying a transformed visual representation comprising updated graphical elements on the visual display

An intraluminal sensing system is provided, which includes an intraluminal device. The intraluminal device includes a flexible elongate member that can be positioned within a body lumen of a patient, and an ultrasound sensor at a distal portion of the flexible elongate member and configured to emit an ultrasound pulse in a longitudinal direction and to receive ultrasound echoes from the pulse. The system also includes a processor circuit in communication with the ultrasound sensor. The processor circuit is configured to compute a velocity spectrum of particles moving within the body lumen based on the received ultrasound echoes and, based on the velocity spectrum, compute a skew index indicative of a position or alignment of the ultrasound sensor within the body lumen. The processor circuit is also configured to output an indication of the skew index.

A method for detecting a location of a segment of a feeding tube is provided. The feeding tube has a proximal end, a hollow tube body and a distal end, and is placed inside the body of a patient. An audio collecting component is placed on a predetermined part of the patient. The method includes steps of pumping air into the proximal end of the feeding tube, collecting sound to obtain audio data by the audio collecting component, performing audio analysis on the audio data, and determining whether a segment of the hollow tube body is at a part inside the body of the patient that corresponds with the location of the audio collecting component based on result of the audio analysis.

A catheter includes: a shaft for insertion into an organ of a patient, and first and second position sensors. The shaft includes: (a) an inner shaft, which is configured to be deflected relative to an axis of the shaft, and (b) an outer shaft, which is coupled to a distal tip of the catheter and is configured to be: (i) coaxially disposed around the inner shaft, (ii) deflected together with the inner shaft, and (iii) rotated about the axis relative to the inner shaft. The first position sensor is coupled to the distal tip and is configured to produce a first signal, and the second position sensor is coupled to the inner shaft, and is configured to produce a second signal.