A combination of an ultrasonic scanner and an omnidirectional receive transducer for producing a two-dimensional image from received echoes is described. Two-dimensional images with different noise components can be constructed from the echoes received by additional transducers. These can be combined to produce images with better signal to noise ratios and lateral resolution. Also disclosed is a method based on information content to compensate for the different delays for different paths through intervening tissue is described. The disclosed techniques have broad application in medical imaging but are ideally suited to multi-aperture cardiac imaging using two or more intercostal spaces. Since lateral resolution is determined primarily by the aperture defined by the end elements, it is not necessary to fill the entire aperture with equally spaced elements. Multiple slices using these methods can be combined to form three-dimensional images.

Embodiments provide an ultrasound treatment system. In some embodiments, the system includes a removable transducer module having an ultrasound transducer. In some embodiments, the system can include a hand wand and a control module that is coupled to the hand wand and has a graphical user interface for controlling the removable transducer module, and an interface coupling the hand wand to the control module. The interface may provide power to the hand wand or may transfer a signal from the hand wand to the control module. In some embodiments, the treatment system may be used in cosmetic procedures on at least a portion of a face, head, neck, and/or other part of a patient.

An optoacoustic probe including an ultrasound transducer array, an acoustic lens and a light path separated from the transducer array by an isolator to mitigate light energy from the light path from reaching the transducer array. The isolator being formed from a mixture including a flexible carrier, a coloring and between 10% and 80% by volume micro-bubbles. The isolator mixture being adapted to both absorb light energy and the optoacoustic response to light energy. In an embodiment, an optoacoustic probe also comprises an optical window and/or a diffuser, and the isolator also separating the transducer array from these components.

A device, system, and method for volumetric ultrasound imaging is described. The device and system include an array of transducer elements grouped in triangular planar facets and substantially configured in the shape of a hemisphere to form a cup-shaped volumetric imaging region within the cavity of the hemisphere, A plurality of data-acquisition assemblies are connected to the transducers, which are configured to collect ultrasound signals received from the transducers and transmit image data to a network of processors that are configured to construct a volumetric image of an object within the imaging region based on the image data received from the data-acquisition assemblies.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for use in tomographic ultrasound imaging, large aperture ultrasound imaging and therapeutic ultrasound that provide for coupling acoustic signal transducers to body structures for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. The acoustic signal transmission couplants can conform to the receiving medium (e.g., skin) of the subject such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the transducer. In one aspect, an acoustic coupling medium includes a hydrogel including polymerizable material that form a network structured to entrap an aqueous fluid inside the hydrogel. The hydrogel is structured to conform to the receiving body, and the acoustic coupling medium is operable to conduct acoustic signals between acoustic signal transducer elements and a receiving medium when the hydrogel is in contact with the receiving body such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the acoustic signal transducer elements.

Presented is a wireless portable ultrasound acquisition system for dental imaging, having an ultrasound probe with a control switch connected through a cable to a portable ultrasound acquisition system that communicates wirelessly with a smart tablet or a phone display to display the ultrasound images. The system uses ultrasound signals to create images of alveolar bone structure and boundaries of enamel, dentin and gingiva of a patient.

Devices, systems, and methods are disclosed for use in tomographic ultrasound imaging, large aperture ultrasound imaging and therapeutic ultrasound that provide for coupling acoustic signal transducers to body structures for transmitting and receiving acoustic signals. The acoustic signal transmission couplants can conform to the receiving medium (e.g., skin) of the subject such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the transducer. In one aspect, an acoustic coupling medium includes a hydrogel including polymerizable material that form a network structured to entrap an aqueous fluid inside the hydrogel. The hydrogel is structured to conform to the receiving body, and the acoustic coupling medium is operable to conduct acoustic signals between acoustic signal transducer elements and a receiving medium when the hydrogel is in contact with the receiving body such that there is an acoustic impedance matching between the receiving medium and the acoustic signal transducer elements.

An assembly for receiving a transesophageal echocardiogram (TEE) probe comprising a probe shaft having a length can comprise a cover defining an opening at a proximal end and a receiving space in communication with the opening, the receiving space having a length in a longitudinal dimension that is sufficient to receive the length of the probe shaft. A gel capsule can be positioned within the receiving space of the cover. The gel capsule can define a proximal opening and an interior in communication with the proximal opening. The interior of the gel capsule can contain a quantity of gel. Within a plane that is perpendicular to the longitudinal dimension, the interior can have a cross sectional area that is sufficient to receive a distal end of the probe shaft with a clearance to permit contact between the gel within the capsule and an exterior surface of the probe shaft.

A method for determining a geometry of an ear canal or a portion of an ear of a person may include filling the ear canal and/or the portion of the ear with a liquid or a gel, inserting a capacitive micromachined ultrasonic transducer probe or a piezoelectric micromachined ultrasonic transducer probe, acquiring data using the probe, and processing the acquired data to obtain a 2D or 3D image of the ear canal and/or the portion of the ear.

An imaging system is provided that includes a compression and scanning assembly including a frame that receives a compression element configured to compress breast tissue. The compression element includes an open region configured to receive an ultrasound transducer, and the open region is configured to move relative to the breast tissue after the compression and scanning assembly has been secured to the breast tissue.