A controller (240/340) for simultaneously tracking multiple interventional medical devices includes a memory (242/342) that stores instructions and a processor (241/341) that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor (241/341), the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes receiving timing information from a first signal emitted from an ultrasound probe (252/352) and reflective of timing when the ultrasound probe (252/352) transmits ultrasound beams to generate ultrasound imagery. The process executed by the controller also includes forwarding the timing information to be available for use by a first acquisition electronic component (232/332). The first acquisition electronic component (232/332) also receives sensor information from a first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) on a first interventional medical device (212/312). The timing information is used to synchronize the sensor information from the first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) on the first interventional medical device (212/312) with sensor information from a second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) on a second interventional medical device (216/316).

In an embodiment, a system receives data from a first electromagnetic sensor coupled to a head-mounted display (HMD) and detecting an electromagnetic field generated by an electromagnetic reference source coupled to an ultrasound probe. The system receives data from a second electromagnetic sensor coupled to a medical instrument and detecting the electromagnetic field. The system determines a position of the HMD relative to the ultrasound probe. The system determines a position of the medical instrument relative to the ultrasound probe. The system generates a visualization of a path of the medical instrument oriented relative to an ultrasound image plane. The system provides a graphic for display by the HMD to a user wearing the HMD, where the graphic includes the visualization and image data captured by the ultrasound probe displayed on the ultrasound image plane.

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 provides a method for identifying a characteristic of one or more ultrasound images, wherein each image is of a subject imaged by an ultrasound probe using an ultrasound imaging process. The method includes obtaining a manipulation signal indicative of a manipulation of the ultrasound probe during the imaging process. A portion of the manipulation signal, which indicates the manipulation of the probe during a time period, is obtained. The obtained portion is associated with one or more ultrasound images. A neural network system is then used to classify a characteristic of the one or more ultrasound images based on both the obtained portion of the manipulation signal and the one or more images themselves. Such classification comprises applying one or more convolution kernels on the obtained portion of the manipulation signal to generate a convolution output representative of the obtained portion of the manipulation signal, and classifying the convolution output to indicate the characteristic of the one or more ultrasound images associated with the obtained portion.

A guidance system is configured to detect a current pose of an ultrasound transducer and to determine a movement to achieve a desired pose associated with a desired view or imaging plane of a patients anatomy. In one embodiment, the guidance system includes a processor circuit in communication with the ultrasound transducer. The processor circuit is configured to: receive an input associated with a desired pose of the ultrasound transducer; receive ultrasound imaging data representative of a field of view of the ultrasound transducer in a current pose; determine a movement to align the current pose of the ultrasound transducer with the desired pose; and generate a graphical representation of the movement. The graphical representation shows both the current pose of the ultrasound transducer and the desired pose of the ultrasound transducer. The graphical representation is output to a display in communication with the processor circuit.

An electronic endoscope system includes: an electronic endoscope including, at a distal end portion, an image sensor that captures an image of a living tissue, and an ultrasound probe that applies ultrasonic waves to the living tissue to obtain an echo signal; a captured image processor including an image processing unit that processes an imaging signal output from the image sensor and generates a captured image; and an ultrasonic image processor including an ultrasonic image processing unit that processes the echo signal output from the ultrasound probe and generates an ultrasonic image, a noise detection unit that detects a periodic noise component included in the echo signal and generated at a level equal to or higher than a preset threshold level, and a noise suppression unit that performs processing of suppressing the detected noise component.

This disclosure relates to a portable medical device comprising:

a medical equipment for the acquisition of data and a carrier system, wherein the medical equipment comprises:
a processing unit configured to process the data acquired using a probe linked to a processing unit,
and wherein the carrier system is configured to equip the body of the user of the device with the medical equipment.

A method includes emitting an ultrasound beam, having a predefined field of view (FOV), from an array of ultrasound transducers in a catheter in an organ of a patient. Echo signals are received in the array, in response to the ultrasound beam. A position of a target object is estimated within the FOV. When the estimated position of the target object violates a centering condition, the FOV of the ultrasound beam is automatically modified to re-meet the centering condition.

A controller (240/340) for simultaneously tracking multiple interventional medical devices includes a memory (242/342) that stores instructions and a processor (241/341) that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor (241/341), the instructions cause the controller to execute a process that includes receiving timing information from a first signal emitted from an ultrasound probe (252/352) and reflective of timing when the ultrasound probe (252/352) transmits ultrasound beams to generate ultrasound imagery. The process executed by the controller also includes forwarding the timing information to be available for use by a first acquisition electronic component (232/332). The first acquisition electronic component (232/332) also receives sensor information from a first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) on a first interventional medical device (212/312). The timing information is used to synchronize the sensor information from the first passive ultrasound sensor (S1) on the first interventional medical device (212/312) with sensor information from a second passive ultrasound sensor (S2) on a second interventional medical device (216/316).

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.