A tomogram of an object is acquired. A place in a tomogram which corresponds to a portion spaced apart from a reference point in the object by a predetermined distance is specified. A composite image is generated by combining the tomogram with information indicating the specified place. The composite image is output.

A system and method for performing ultrasound scans is provided. One embodiment of the ultrasonagraphic system acquires sonogram information from a series of ultrasonic scans of a human subject. The series of ultrasound scans are taken over a portion of interest on the human subject which has their underlying bone structure or other ultrasound discernable organ that is under examination. The data from the series of scans are synthesized into a single data file that corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or 3D model of the underlying bone structure or organ of the examined human subject.

Various example embodiments of the present disclosure provide systems and methods for the dynamic correction and reduction of thermal variations in skull-induced aberrations during a focused ultrasound therapy procedure. Unlike conventional approaches involving static corrections for skull-induced aberrations, various example embodiments of the present disclosure employ ultrasound detection and a skull thickness estimate from volumetric image data to intermittently and dynamically determine corrections for skull-induced aberrations, such that aberration correction reduction is updated intraoperatively and maintained despite local thermally-induced changes in the speed of sound of the local skull region due to intraoperative intracranial heating. Furthermore, in some example embodiments, a measure dependent on the speed of sound with the skull is intraoperatively determined and compared to a previously determined value of the measure to determine a change in the skull temperature, based on a pre-determined relationship between changes in the measure and changes in skull temperature.

A controller (250) for identifying out-of-plane motion of a passive ultrasound sensor (S1) relative to an imaging plane front an ultrasound imaging probe includes a memory (391) licit stores instructions and a processor (392) that executes the instructions. When executed by the processor, the instructions cause a system that includes the controller (250) to implement a process that includes obtaining (S710). from a position and orientation sensor (212) fixed to the ultrasound imaging probe (210), measurements of motion of the ultrasound imaging probe (210) between a first point in time and a second point in time. The process implemented by the controller (250) also includes obtaining (S720) intensity of signals received by the passive ultrasound sensor (S1) at the first point in time and at the second point in time based on emissions of beams from the ultrasound imaging probe (210), and determining (S730), based on the measurements of motion and the intensity of signals, directionality of and distance from the passive ultrasound sensor (S1) to the imaging plane.

The invention provides a method for guiding the acquisition of ultrasound data within a 3D field of view. The method begins by obtaining initial 2D B-mode ultrasound data of a cranial region of a subject from a reduced field of view at a first imaging location and determining whether a vessel of interest is located within the 3D field of view based on the initial 2D B-mode ultrasound data. If the vessel of interest is not located within the 3D field of view, a guidance instruction is generated based on the initial 2D B-mode ultrasound data, wherein the guidance instruction is adapted to indicate a second imaging location to obtain further ultrasound data. If the vessel of interest is located within the 3D field of view 3D Doppler ultrasound data is obtained of the cranial region from the 3D field of view.

A robot-assisted approach for transrectal ultrasound (TRUS) guided prostate biopsy includes a hands-free probe manipulator that moves the probe with the same 4 degrees-of-freedom (DoF) that are used manually. Transrectal prostate biopsy is taken one step further, with an actuated TRUS manipulation arm. The robot of the present invention enables the performance of hands-free, skill-independent prostate biopsy. Methods to minimize the deformation of the prostate caused by the probe at 3D imaging and needle targeting are included to reduce biopsy targeting errors. The present invention also includes a prostate coordinate system (PCS). The PCS helps defining a systematic biopsy plan without the need for prostate segmentation. A novel method to define an SB plan is included for 3D imaging, biopsy planning, robot control, and navigation.

Ultrasound imaging devices, systems, and methods are provided. A guidance system for obtaining an ultrasound image, comprising a processor in communication with a camera and a display, the processor configured to obtain a first motion control configuration for repositioning an ultrasound imaging device from a first position towards a target image view of a subject's anatomy, the first motion control configuration determined based on a first predictive network; determine positional information associated with the ultrasound imaging device based on an image captured by the camera, the image including the subject's anatomy and the ultrasound imaging device positioned at the first position; and output, to the display, an instruction to reposition the ultrasound imaging device from the first position to a second position based on the first motion control configuration and the positional information associated with the ultrasound imaging device.

A method for monitoring a patient using an ultrasonic probe includes attaching a conformable two-dimensional piezoelectric transducer array having a plurality of phased array piezoelectric transducer elements on an epidermal surface of a patient so that the conformable two-dimensional piezoelectric transducer array conforms to a shape of the epidermal surface. The conformable two-dimensional piezoelectric transducer array is attachable to the epidermal surface by van der Waals forces alone. The plurality of phased array piezoelectric transducer elements is operated as a phased array to transmit a focused ultrasonic beam to a specified location in the patient to be monitored. Ultrasound waves are received from the patient using the array. An indication of the received ultrasound waves is displayed.

Aspects of the technology described herein relate to techniques for guiding an operator to use an ultrasound device. Thereby, operators with little or no experience operating ultrasound devices may capture medically relevant ultrasound images and/or interpret the contents of the obtained ultrasound images. For example, some of the techniques disclosed herein may be used to identify a particular anatomical view of a subject to image with an ultrasound device, guide an operator of the ultrasound device to capture an ultrasound image of the subject that contains the particular anatomical view, and/or analyze the captured ultrasound image to identify medical information about the subject.

A system and method for performing ultrasound scans is provided. One embodiment of the ultrasonagraphic system acquires sonogram information from a series of ultrasonic scans of a human subject. The series of ultrasound scans are taken over a portion of interest on the human subject which has their underlying bone structure or other ultrasound discernable organ that is under examination. The data from the series of scans are synthesized into a single data file that corresponds to a three-dimensional (3D) image and/or 3D model of the underlying bone structure or organ of the examined human subject.